DramaWatch

DramaWatch: Michael Allen Harrison, composing a new musical, lives by his father’s advice to ‘love what you do’

The prolific composer thrives on his packed schedule, which includes rehearsing for "JC: Gospel According to an Angel," a new musical at Triangle Productions. Plus: Other openings, still running, and theater news.

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Portland Center Stage at the Armory Portland Oregon

DramaWatch: In January, theaters explore intricate shades of gray

Imago’s "A Streetcar Named Desire," the touring musical "Kimberly Akimbo," and Portland Center Stage’s "Mrs. Harrison" all defy oversimplification.

DramaWatch: A season brimming with hope and light

Setting the stage for gratitude: As December dawns, “Black Nativity,” “Fezziwig’s Fortune,” and “Veronica, In Bed” all acknowledge adversity while offering inspiration.

Fresh Takes: Adaptations and original works abound in theaters this month

DramaWatch: In addition to a sleigh full of holiday shows, Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” an updated Cinderella story, a comic horror musical, and an unexpected Austen heroine are making their appearances on Oregon stages.

Forget your troubles: Plays to help get us through the election trauma

DramaWatch: Early November shows a range from comics and camp to E.M. Lewis’s heartfelt first two-hander, plus a sprinkling of holiday fare.

All together now: Community is the focus of four theater companies this month

DramaWatch: Bag&Baggage and Broadway Rose are co-producing a concert performance of the new musical “Is You Is,” Shaking the Tree is offering a reading series to help process our communal election angst; Third Rail presents “Infinite Life.”

DramaWatch: Autumn blows in a breeze of musicals

“Amélie,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” and “Sweeney Todd” all take the stage this week. October also brings Artists Rep's "The Event!," the concert musical "Is You Is," "Wicked" and more.

DramaWatch: The Fourth Wall tumbles in ‘Latine Vote,’ ‘Every Brilliant Thing’

At Milagro's world-premiere political farce and Clackamas Rep's solo show about loss and lovely things, the audience becomes an eager part of the action. Plus: a month of clowning at CoHo.

DramaWatch: The (1921) future is now

As the fall theater season rolls out and the big dogs get ready to bark, the revival of a century-old sci-fi play about humans and human-like robots imagines an unnerving new world.

DramaWatch: Cirque du Soleil, C.S. Lewis, ‘Peter Pan’ fly into town

Cirque's "Kooza" settles under the Big Top for a lengthy run. A fireside chat with the author of the "Narnia" novels. And Larissa FastHorse gives a bold new twist to the musical "Peter Pan."

DramaWatch: JAWing about new plays

Portland Center Stage's JAW festival is off and running. Plus: "Reggie Hoops," the return of Eliza Doolittle, site-specific plays in a century-old country store, farewell to Sam Mowry.

DramaWatch: Whole lotta Shakespeare goin’ on (and summer musicals, too)

Oregon Shakespeare Festival's "Much Ado" leads a bevy of Bards. Plus: Another side of Ashland, a quintet of musicals, Agatha Christie knocks 'em dead, taking new shows for a spin.

DramaWatch: ‘Tartuffe,’ Original Practice Shakespeare take the shows outside

Here comes summer, and the acting heads outdoors. Plus: Ashland under the stars, Risk/Reward Fest, Deep End's improv dive, a "Madwoman" at Cygnet, and a 24-hour play-a-thon.

DramaWatch: Girl from Dylan Country

The Broadway tour of the Bob Dylan musical "Girl from the North Country" comes to Portland. Also: Openings in Portland and Ashland; Seattle theaters sing the budget blues.

DramaWatch: Ex-cons, songs, and greasy spoons

The musical "The Spitfire Grill" and the comedy "Clyde's" are cooking in the kitchen. Plus: a Christopher Oscar Peña premiere at Profile; Oregon Children's Theatre's call for help; more.

DramaWatch: Singing at the mall, and other musical moments

Lava Alapai's new comedy "Middletown Mall" features karaoke in the food court. Plus the folk-musical "The Spitfire Grill" and the story of Florence Ballard and The Supremes.

DramaWatch: A new/old Ashland season

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival's just-announced 2025 season sounds like old times, with contemporary twists. In Portland, Third Rail hangs out at the mall; "She Persists" a bit longer.

DramaWatch: Blonde on a Bum Trip

Fuse's 14th OUTwright Theatre Festival opens with Mikki Gillette's backstage comedy. Also: Boom Arts' "History of Empires," a spot of Sondheim, a waggish "Go, Dog. Go!"

DramaWatch: Arf! says Sandy

Joining the sassy orphan and her dancing billionaire on this week's stages are a medieval "Everyman" update, several worthy mid-run shows, and a pair of catch-'em-quicks-before-they-close.

DramaWatch: It’s ‘Uncle Vanya’ time

A welcome Chekhov return. Also this week: Hand2Mouth's devised "Memento Mori," ghost stories in Milagro's "Borderline," Oregon crashes the Tony and Drama Desk Award parties.

DramaWatch: ‘Coriolanus’ and the perils of power

Portland Center Stage opens an updated "translation" of Shakespeare's tragedy of political and moral downfall. Plus: A multi-show triumph of women; Irish myth and more.

DramaWatch: A ‘Passing Strange’ musical, Grimm tidings, Mount Plastic, Fertile Ground & more

Portland Playhouse opens a rock musical by Stew, a musical "9 to 5," Carol Triffle's absurdist comedy scales a peak, Shaking the Tree's grim fairy tale, "Extraordinary People" at Fertile Ground.

DramaWatch: Springtime in Ashland, a musical ‘Beetlejuice’ and more

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival kicks off its '24 season. Plus: new onstage in Portland, from "Perfect Arrangement" to "Sh-Boom!" to "Frog and Toad" and "Ashland" (the play, not the town).

DramaWatch: Quixote on the Texas border, ‘Port Authority,’ ‘Kinky Boots’

A busy week onstage also brings "The How and the Why," a youth devised show from Hand2Mouth, Eleanor Roosevelt, holdovers including "Sanctuary City," plus "Spear" and other last chances.

DramaWatch: Alex Hurt, beyond father and son

The actor, son of Oscar winner William Hurt, co-stars at 21ten theater in "A Number," Caryl Churchill's play about a father/son relationship. But he's carving his own path.

DramaWatch: A Constitutional question, a howling at the moon, a new-works fest

Portland Center Stage sinks its teeth into "What the Constitution Means to Me"; The Old Church's "Moon Series" goes musical; Chapel Theatre hosts 10 new works; a Wilde "Earnest" & more.

DramaWatch: 21ten’s winning ‘Number’

A taut, terrific staging of Caryl Churchill's speculative drama kicks off Portland theater's "second season." Plus: OSF Ashland stars on a new stage; how companies weathered the weather.

DramaWatch: Liberace and Liza’s holiday sparkler

A fond farewell (and hopes for next year) as the show nears its end. Plus: Dickens and other Christmas quickies, "Dracula" and more last chances, national notes.

DramaWatch: Keeping PETE’s ‘I’m in Control’ under control

Director Isabel McTighe and creator/star Elsa Dougherty make sure nothing bad will ever happen. Plus: Portland Revels' "Emerald Odyssey," openings, last chances.

DramaWatch: Welcome to the ZooZoo

Imago's playful costumed critters return for a welcome holiday run, this time with some zebras joining the menagerie. Plus Fuse's "Great White," Bridgetown's "Orphan Boy," a national look at OSF's leadership switch, last chances & more.