I’ve been thinking a lot about when is a good time to post my thoughts on a production. As soon as I see it, while it’s running or after the show has closed.
The reason being-I want to see Portland theatre thrive! However, it will not grow in a healthy way if we forget that it’s wonderful to see our friends in shows and we will love their work but is that show always wonderful? The answer is, No, it isn’t. And, that’s ok. I’m just going to say it, there is so much mediocrity on stage that it makes me not want to go to the theatre and then it makes me wonder if that is what is causing the diminishing audience? Granted every theatre is town operates at a different level whether it’s artistic or financial however the question remains, are the producers truly bringing the best to their stage?
Of course, I have things to say, and I want to be as truthful as I can be, remain respectful in my observations and perhaps shed light on things that sometimes get overlooked.
The end of summer is always bittersweet. I love the dog days of July and August because I know school is about to begin and I love a September fresh beginning. I love the crispness of the air and the promise of new inspiration and the re-aquaintance with people and things that are familiar but different, if you get that.
Well, I wasn’t able to get back to Ashland to see King Hedley, I had a little physical injury and made it a bit tricky to travel long distances or sit for an extended period of time, but I heard it was fantastic. Shoot! I was able to see Come From Away for a second time and what a fitting way to acknowledge the 25th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks. The production was soooo goood!!! Poignant, moving and for those of us that are old enough to remember, sobering. A beautiful story.
Side note- there is a fascinating play out there called 110 stories a drama by Sarah Tuft. It’s breathtaking and I feel is a must read.
Since I am now feeling better, I have been able to catch a few offerings, two have closed but one is still running. As You Like It by William Shakespeare produced by Rose City Players, George Fox University’s summer program of Into The Woods, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and Book by James Lapine and Bag & Baggage’s season opener Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon
So let jump in!
As You Like It by William Shakespeare directed by Grant Turner and produced by Rose City Players. I love As You Like It because I have always loved the danger of the playfulness within the story. I have loved the danger of the story. And the truthful exploration what love can look like and how we can even betry ourselves for love.
In all of Shakespeare If we do not believe that there is real danger there is no reason for the rest of the story. If we do not believe Hermia’s father will either kill her or send her into a cloistered life there is no reason for her to run away with Lysander into the forest. If we do not believe Capulet will throw Juliet to the curb there is no reason for the rest of the play…We must believe that Oliver will destroy Orlando, we must believe that Duke Frederick will kill Rosiland and destroy Oliver or there is no reason for any of them to leave for Arden so quickly and completely. Once there, they then need to realize what they have done and figure out how to survive. This is not easy. We have to believe their plight. I didn’t believe the gravity of any of this jpurney so I sat there waiting for any sort of discovery from any of the characters.
I was sorely disappointed that I was not taken on any kind of emotional journey of depth. The actors may have been having fun sending up the circumstances of their predicaments, not taking them seriously but they left me somewhat empty. The company claims to be “text-driven..and to share words that stir the heart”, my heart was not stirred. And, I felt the text was not used to its best advantage. Celia’s line, “You have simply misus’d our sex in you love-prate. We must have you doublet and hose pluck’d over your head, and show the world what the bird hath done to her own next.” There is weight and truth and danger in it.- the line was delivered beautifully by Ms. Armstrong. I wish all these moments had been delivered with the same weight. If we don’t believe there is a real challenging situation to get out of and fix then why bother. Phebe and Silvius, Lucy Paschall and Chris Gilly-Forrer created a beautiful and believable relationship complete with stakes that drove their choices- I saw their thought processes however how can they be happy at the end of the play when Phebe is forced to wed somebody she doesn’t love and Silvius is forced to wed a person he knows doesn’t love him? Is that their happy ending?
I read the program and I thought, It sounds nice but it’s just words..what happens when Orlando discovers that he is falling for a man, how does he feel when he realizes it was actually Rosalind, playing a trick on him? Where does he put those feelings? Where are the repercussions of that? It left me wanting more. There were many, I noticed, that had a good time so that’s great and I love what Rose City Players are trying to do downtown. Shakespeare under the stars int he heart of the city…do it better. I have a lot of faith as they find their feet they will. I hope they raise their bar for what excelence looks like.
Into The Woods. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim with Book by James Lapine.
This production was presented by George Fox University as part of the summer community arts program. Directed by Ben Tissell. I love Into The Woods. I prepped myself by watching a beautiful production on Youtube “Into The Woods” 1991 Broadway Full Performance Musical Theater, the original broadway cast- Amazing. This was not that and I didn’t expect it to be.
Unfortunately I saw a performance that had been moved inside, it had been originally staged for a much larger space and outdoors to boot. I still had a good time inside and thought it fit into the space well, considering there must have been about 25 more feet outside.
Standouts for me were Tawni Peterson as the Bakers Wife: never missed a moment and brought real honesty, warmth and humor to the role. And, sang beautifully. She sort of set the bar for the cast. Others who really took the ball and ran were the two step sisters, Ellise Newton and Claire Kang, they had me actually laughing out loud. Their clowning and schtick was executed so well, so clean. I can only imagine what they might have been like outside with more stage! The princes were fun as well. Graham Buyagawan and Reid Arthur. Mr. Arthur had great hair as I recall and knew how to use it. Tim Timmerman as the Narrator and Mysterious Man gave us a nice turn as well.
Mr. Tissell did a fine job with a cast of 19, 5 musicians, and an artistic staff of 8. That’s a lot for a summer program, not to mention the 19 on the production staff who pumped out a fine set, again I wish i had seen it outside, but Kudos to them and the whole crew.
Please consider making a donation to the George Fox Summer theatre program. It is self funded in part by the tickets purchased. www.theatre.georgefox.edu
Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon directed by Jane Unger and produced by Bag & Baggage Theatre.
I attended this production because Jane Unger was the director and I really respect Ms. Unger, her work and the passion she has for each playwright she directs. Back in the day I was lucky enough to work in her Romulus Linney, Lanford Wilson, Tennessee Williams, Terrence McNally and Wendy Wasserstein seasons when Ms. Unger was the AD of Profile Theatre Company.
For Neil Simon I felt this production had a great pace and I liked the idea behind the black and white and grey set though it seemed poorly executed. In fact, from where I was sitting it appeared not to be finished. The carpet in the bedroom seemed to be climbing up the wall from the bottom. That was just one thing I noticed. Know your limitations as a company and figure out how to execute them well, unfortunately sometimes it results in not being able to produce a play.
The costumes were alright though I will say if you’re going to use wigs, Please, Please make sure they are good. A bad wig is a big turn off. And, one simply cannot be asked to ignore it or look beyond it.
Standouts for me were a couple of actors with whom I was unfamiliar, Sam Hill as the Telephone Repair Man. He cracked me up and Alex Lathrop playing Paul Bratter. Mr. Lathrop had a delightful way of finding the ease in the style, clean and specific work, finding the truth throughout-he was fun to watch. And, Anna Nichols as Mother, for me, sold the show. So good and she had me laughing out loud. I have no doubt Ms. Unger had a firm but gentle hand in guiding this team.
Up next at Bag & Baggage is The Woman in Black by Stephen Mallaratt. go to boxoffice@bagnbaggage.org or call 503-345-9590 for tickets
