SW Washington Fall Theater Line-Up Heads-Up

The Great American Trailer Park Musical, music and lyrics by David Nehls, book by Betsy Kelso September 6th-29th 2013; Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sundays at 2 p.m.

There's a new tenant at Armadillo Acres—and she's wreaking havoc all over Florida's most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil–loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband—the storms begin to brew.http://www.stageworksnorthwest.org/   

The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde, September 20-October 5, 2013. Director: Curtis Hope. Production Manager: Jaynie Roberts. A humorous romp through London’s high society. Part satire, part comedy of manners, this is his most enduring and popular play. Wilde, the consummate darling of London society, provides an inside look at the Victorian self-righteous moralism and hypocrisy. It is fun to see how the costumes have changed but the fashions endure. http://magentatheater.com/

Arsenic and Old Lace, Love Street Playhouse, October 11-27, 2013. When two old biddies take it upon themselves to put lonely old men out of their misery by poisening them with arsenic in their homemade elderberry wine, craziness ensues and the laughter never ends. Directed by Melinda Leuthold. http://www.lovestreetplayhouse.com/

A Musical Double-Header! Two fun children's stories turned into musicals. Pinkalicious is a little girl who loves pink so much that she develops a serious case of pinkatitus. Come and find out what will cure her! October 11, 19 (matinee), 25 and 26, 2013.  http://www.risingstarproductions.org/newseason.html

How I Became a Pirate. Jeremy Jacobs is minding his own business on the beach when suddenly a group of lost pirates turns up and recruits him to help them dig for buried treasure. Come join us for Jeremy's high-seas adventures. October 12, 18, 19, and 26 (matinee), 2013.

http://www.risingstarproductions.org/newseason.html

Serendipity Playhouse has yet to confirm their season. Clark College and Lower Columbia College have not yet released their season information. Prairie Ground Drama and other high school theater departments have not yet released information to us, though we know that PGD will open with the musical, Oliver. We also have yet to officially hear from Pacific Stageworks, MPAA, Journey and CYT.

REVIEW: Clark's "reasons to be pretty" Communicates the Sometimes Uglier Side of Relationships

Breakdown in Communication 

Clark College presents the Tony nominated comedy-drama "reasons to be pretty" written by Neil LaBute and directed by Pat Rohrbach.

The writing in this play in very similar to David Mamet’s, especially his one-act play, Sexual Perversities in Chicago (film—About Last Night w/ Rob Lowe and Jim Belushi). It purports to examine the way people really converse, with overlapping dialogue and actions, unfinished sentences, unclear motives and awkward pauses. This play covers that same territory.

The story is about two couples, who are connecting, disconnecting, then re-connecting again, differently. It is not a pleasant story but, perhaps, a realistic one. It’s about friendships, abuse, love, deceit, bonding and communication (or the lack thereof). Greg (Zac Palica) and Kent (Derek Neiman) have been friends since childhood and are currently working in the same factory. Greg has had a live-in girlfriend, Steph (Amanda Oberrecht), for four years, who is also friends with Kent’s wife, Carly (Jessica Wisniewski).

Steph has a foul mouth when she gets angry and, at the beginning of the play, she is reaming her boy friend a new a…hole for an off-hand remark he made concerning her face. This escalates into her moving out. Meanwhile, Greg’s best friend, Kent, has a roving eye and wandering hands, especially for a new chick at the plant. Greg feels honor-bound to his friend and keeps this little secret from Kent’s wife, who also works at the plant, as a security guard.

This makes for some awkward moments in the lunch room for Greg, as he feels guilty about keeping this secret from Carly, as well as not approving of his friend’s actions. He attempts a reunion with Steph, which goes awry. Finally he and Kent have a big blow-out on the baseball field, which may reduce their friendship to ashes but, like the proverbial Phoenix, new and, hopefully, better people, will arise from the flames.

It’s amazing the amount of truths the author is able to glean from men, women and their relationships. He hones in on the stero-types, such as the macho-man who thinks that all women are his for the taking. Or the poor sod who is clueless and insensitive to a woman’s needs. As well as those people who are helpless to break away from an abusive partner, because they love them, in spite of their faults (or, possibly, because of them). As one character put it, “God made it so hard to trust guys, and it sucks!”

Time slogs on, and those who do not (or cannot) change and evolve, will fall to the wayside. It is, perhaps, after all, Natures path. This story examines all the possibilities and tries not to make judgments as to who’s right or wrong. It is, when all’s said and done, in the “eye of the beholder.” 

The Breakdown

Director Rohrbach should be commended for her ability to keep this youthful cast striving relentlessly to give authenticity to the words and situations. The breakneck speed that propels them forward does have the ring and sting of truth. The set, which is adequate, isn’t really even needed. This is not a “set” play, as it takes place in the avenues of the mind and the alleys of the heart. And the music adds just the right flavor for the moods of the story.

The cast is quite remarkable and, more importantly, believable. Had they not been, this play could have fallen on its face. Mr. Palica is quite the bundle of nerves, frustration and inadequacy that the part calls for. He is perfect for the part. And Mr. Neiman plays the stereotyped dumb jock, a bully who has stayed entrenched in boyhood, to a tee. The confrontation between them on the ball-field is riveting. Bravo.

Ms. Oberrecht is, at first, a screechy harridan who seems to have no life outside of her R-rated spewing. But, as the plays progresses, we see her as very human. A woman who just “can’t stop lovin’ her man,” no matter his failings. Her monologue on the faults of her guy is spot on, both sad and funny at the same time, and she does it well. And Ms. Wisniewski is equally good, portraying the dutiful, beautiful wife who just wants a “normal” home-life but feels it crumbling around her.

This cast must be emotionally exhausted by the end of the play, as should the audience. Be warned, the play has a good amount of harsh language and adult situations so, if that is offensive to you, this might not be your type of show.

I recommend this show. If you do choose to see it, please tell them Dennis sent you.

"reasons to be pretty" plays through May 18th at Clark College's Decker Theatre, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way. Check out their website for further information or call 360-992-2370. Tickets may be purchased through the Clark College Bookstore by mail, by telephone, in person, or at the door if tickets are still available. General admission tickets are $12 each with special pricing for senior ($10) and students/alumni ($8).To reach the bookstore, call (360) 992-2815.

WARNING: This play contains adult language and mature themes.

Review by Dennis Sparks, Guest Reviewer 
www.dennissparksreviews.blogspot.com

REVIEW: The Musical "RENT" Rocks with Tunes and Talent at Clark College

RENT the award-winning musical written by Jonathan Larson, is directed at Clark College by H. Gene Biby with musical direction by Jonathan Quesenberry and choreography by Lisamarie Harrison.

The Tale

This highly touted, and often produced Rock Opera, covers a year in the life of eight very individualist characters, representing many aspects of New York society. But this world is not located in the condos or penthouses of the rich, but focuses on the underbelly of the City in East Village. Humans, out-of-work and out-of-luck, but with a fierce will to survive, even in the most inhumane of situations, the slums. It is the world of drugs and aids, of struggle and loss, of love and, yes, even of hope.

The Company. All photos provided. For more photos click here.

The life of the author, Mr. Larson, mirrors in many ways, this story. A struggling, young writer, working in delis of NYC, with a fervent hope to be recognized as a true artist. Finally, when that end was within grasp and RENT was to open, he gave an interview to a New York journalist after a dress rehearsal of his play. He then went home alone to his apartment and quietly died during the night of an undetected heart ailment. His dream did come true, garnering a Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize, but without him to appreciate the well-deserved accolades.

This story is one of dreamers, too. Mark (Sam Levi) aspires to be a film-maker. His roommate, Roger (Garrett Dabbs) longs to be a famous musician. Into their lives comes Tom (James Martine) a friend, and his new-found love, Angel (Bruce Kyte), a person with aids. To muddy the waters even more, there is also Benny (Andy Roberts), a former roommate, but now a slumlord, out to evict them. And Mimi (Lydia Fleming) with a drug problem, takes a shine to Roger and they embark on a shaky relationship. And let’s not forget the political activist, Maureen (Jazmyne Waters), Mark’s former love, who left him for another woman, Joanne (Dorinda Toner).

It all sounds like a merry mix-up from a Shakespeare comedy but is, instead, based on the [Italian] opera, La Boheme. This musical is tough for any troupe, as it is not only peppered with songs, but also most the dialogue is sung. But Mr. Biby and his cast, mostly young students at the college, are up for the challenge and, for the most part, exceed expectations.

For additional photos click here.

The Talent

Levi, as Mark, the POV for the audience, is very animated and believable. He is impressive throughout in his singing and acting, but especially in the number, Tango Maureen, which is a show-stopper. Also, powerfully impressive, is Fleming as Mimi, who has a voice that rocks the theater. She is vibrant, sexy, a dancing dynamo and a terrific actress to boot. A triple threat, as they say in the biz, with a Broadway future if she allows her talents to continue to soar.

For more photos click here.

Also very good are Toner as Joanne, and her partner, Waters as Maureen. Dorinda has a super voice and is good in exploring the various shades of her character. Jazmyne also has a voice that will knock your socks off. And her monologue about the cow is very well conceived. (You have to see it to believe it.) And the chorus is exceptional lending powerful support to this amazing production. The five-group band, continues this support, in a show that is almost all music, and difficult music, at that.

For more photos click here.

Dabbs as Roger has an exceptional voice, but needs to loosen up a bit more in the acting [department]. The same can be said of Kyte as Angel. The role is one of the stand-outs in the story and Kyte sings and dances it well, but needs to let go. The character is a free spirit and eccentric and needs to explode on the stage. Roberts as Bruce, also has a great voice, but his acting is limited in showing the complexities and doubts his character must feel in his relationships with others. Martine is equally timid about showing us his full range. But these roles may grow with time.

The Tech

The stark set and inventive lighting, by Mark Owsley, works very well in its favor to show the different settings [in which] the story takes place. A “black box” is perfect for this kind of play. Pat Rohrbach’s costumes are as eccentric as some of the characters and they work beautifully for this production. And Biby must be commended for staging such a difficult show in such a small space with a young cast and doing it quite splendidly.

The band, at times, overpowers the actors, but there is no easy solution to moderating this perfectly.

WARNING: It should be noted, too, that this may not be everybody’s cup of tea. It is raw, deals frankly with sexual situations, and has R-rated language, as well. But, personally, I am glad to see Clark deal with edgier material, for the sake of young artists learning the craft, as well as education for the public. Bravo!

Photos provided. Link to photos on Flicker.

The Ticket

The play is showing in the Clark College Decker Theater, located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way in Vancouver, Wash. The play runs through March 9th with showings February 23, March 1 & 2*, and 7-9. Evening shows at 7:30 p.m. *Saturday matinee on March 2 at 2:00 p.m. General tickets are $15, students are $10 and seniors are $12. For further information, contact them at www.clark.edu

If you choose to see this production, please tell them Dennis sent you.

By Dennis Sparks, Guest Reviewer
www.dennissparksreviews.blogspot.com

COMING SOON to a THEATER NEAR YOU: Latest Line-Up for Eight Theater Companies

Here's the skinny (for now) on the winter/spring offerings from Magenta, Serendipity, Love Street, Rising Star, Stageworks NW, LCC, Clark and Prairie/Ground.

WINTER:

• Crossing Delancy Love Street Playhouse, Woodland, Wash., Feb. 8-24, Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m., Sun matinees at 2 p.m.
• The Cemetery Club Magenta Theater, Feb. 15-Mar. 2; Evenings 7:30 p.m., matinees Feb. 23 and Mar. 2 at 2 p.m.
• In White America Serendipity Playhouse, slated for February; the director is still seeking a male African-American actor.
• An Evening with Tennessee (featuring The Long Goodbye, The Purification and Something Unspoken by Tennessee Williams) Lower Columbia College, AUDITIONS Jan. 7 and 8, 6-9 p.m. at the Rose Center for the Arts, Longview, Wash. Feb. 20-23 and 28, Mar. 1, 2 and 7-9.
• RENT (a musical), Clark College, Feb 22-23 and Mar. 1, 2 and 7-9, 7:30 evenings, matinee 2 p.m. Mar. 2.
• Three One-Acts by Thornton Wilder Prairie/Ground Drama, details forthcoming.

SPRING:

• Harvey, Love Street Playhouse, opens April 5.
• Camelot (the musical), Rising Star Productions, all performances at Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, Wash., Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m., April 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27. Matinees on Saturdays April 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. (In the meantime a Camelot-themed Masquerade Ball fundraiser is slated for Saturday, Feb. 16 at Three Rivers Mall. Details forthcoming.)
• The Secret Garden (the musical) Stageworks Northwest at 1433 Commerce in Longview, Wash. AUDITIONS are 2 p.m. Jan 2; show dates are April 12-May 17, Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m., Sat/Sun matinees at 2 p.m.
• Shadowlands, Magenta Theater, opens April 19.
• Reasons to be Pretty Clark, TBA

Mark your calendars and plan now to support these fine theater companies. Reviews will be posted the day following opening night for each of these plays. In the meantime check out the links to each of the company websites (they are listed to the right of this post) for more details.

THANKFUL for THEATER

Many of us were introduced to drama through grade school or
church productions that reenacted historical holiday events.

Oscar Wilde said:

          

"I regard the theatre as the greatest of art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being." 

I didn't know he said that until recently, but I've always felt that way. (The quote was on the playbill for "White Christmas" presented by Rising Star Productions.)

Theater, for me, has always been the place where all art forms converge. It has been the place where I pour out who I am, and best expressed what makes me feel alive. I love making theater. I love seeing live theater. And I love supporting theater.

I'd like to thank those of you who participate in the theater arts here in SW Washington. I know you do it because you enjoy it, but I hope that you also realize that you are giving patrons a gift. Sharing your time, energy and talent--the human quality of artistic expression--brings us joy and helps us discover who we are, too.

There's nothing like the inspiration I feel in my heart as I leave the theater at the end of a great show!

A special thank-you goes out to those extra hardworking visionaries who head up theater companies and venues to make it happen. Thank you to the leaders and supporters of Magenta, Slocum, Serendipity, Love Street, Rising Star Productions, Stageworks NW, Pacific Stageworks and others.

Special appreciation must also be made for the instructors at educational institutions like Lower Columbia College and Clark College, the local high schools, MPAA and CYT (now Journey) who train and encourage rising talent.

Thank you all for allowing us access to your productions.

It has been my privilege to host the SW WA STAR blog with my wife Ruth over the past year. Since we began in late March of 2012, we have witnessed exponential growth every month. We garnered 500 hits in our first thirty days and a thousand in the next. What took us thirty days to do in April now takes us just a weekend.

I could go on, but all I really wanted to do is simply say...

THANK YOU!                                                            Greg & Ruth

UPCOMING REVIEWS:

• Magenta's "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)" [post date Nov. 30]
• Serendipity's "Christmas Belles" [post date Dec. 1]
• Love Street's "A Christmas Carol" (radio show) [post date Dec. 2]
• 1st Church of God 40th annual "Singing Christmas Tree" [post date Dec. 6]
• Living Hope Church 4th annual "Living Nativity" [post date Dec. 18]

AUDITIONS: Clark College Announces Auditions for "RENT"

Auditions will be held on December 1, 2012 at 10 a.m. and December 3, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the Decker Theater in Clark College's Frost Arts Center. No appointment is necessary. Directed by H. Gene Biby.

 Maps & driving directions.

Resume and headshot photos, while appreciated, are not necessary. Please prepare a 2-3 minute song in the style of the show and bring your own sheet music; an accompanist will be provided. (No tapes, CD music, or a cappella singing.) There will be movement, so dress to dance. No callbacks are scheduled at this time.

For further information contact director H. Gene Biby.

Performance dates: February 22 & 23 and March 1, 2, 7, 8 & 9, 2013

Cast size: Medium (11-20), Flexible

Cast Type: Ensemble Cast - Many featured roles

Dance requirement: Minimal

Character Breakdown:

• ANGEL DUMOTT SCHUNARD, a transvestite street drummer infected with HIV. Incredible dancer with a magnetic personality. C3 - A4 Tenor
• BENJAMIN COFFIN III, wealthy landlord of Mark and Roger's building. Benny wants to start a multimedia studio. Eb3 - F4 Tenor
• JOANNE JEFFERSON, a headstrong public interest lawyer, and Maureen's lover. Bb3 - E5 Alto
• MARK COHEN, a filmmaker and video artist, determined to capture "real" life on film. Roger's roommate. C#3 - G4 Tenor
• MAUREEN JOHNSON, a performance artist and Mark's ex-girlfriend. C4 - F5 Soprano Belt
• MIMI MARQUEZ, a dancer with AIDS and a drug problem. Desperate for a place to feel safe and protected. F#3 - E5 Alto
• ROGER DAVIS, an edgy, struggling musician who's HIV+. He hopes to write one last meaningful song before he dies. B2 - A4 Tenor
• TOM COLLINS, an HIV+ computer genius who has recently returned to New York after an absence. Has a deep capacity for love and understanding.F#2 - A4 Baritenor 

Information Source: http://www.clark.edu/academics/programs/humanities/theatre/auditions.php#Rent

REVIEW: Clark's "Virginia Woolf" Dark but Desireable

Edward Albee’s classic play, "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," opened last night at Clark College’s Decker Theatre. It is directed by Mark Owsley and runs through November 17. Tickets are at the door or at the Clark College Bookstore, 360-992-2815 or www.clarkbookstore.com/site_theatre.asp

A Dark Desire 

Gossip had it in the beginning that it was the story of same sex couples. Albee vehemently denied this and I tend to agree with him. The original Broadway production featured Uta Hagen (one of the finest acting teachers), Arthur Hill, George Grizzard and Sandy Dennis (who reprised her role in the movie version).

The very good film version by Mike Nichols was with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Dennis and George Segal. The film won some well-deserved Academy Awards, but it also cuts over a half hour out of the play and changes the setting a couple of times, both are unnecessary. If you truly want to see Albee’s story, as he intended, see the play version.

The dark drama is set in the home of a middle-aged couple, George (played by theater department head, H. Gene Biby) and his wife, Martha (Linda Owsley, wife of the director). He is a professor in the History Dept. of a small New England college, run by Martha’s father. After a faculty party, in the early hours of the morning, she invites the newly transplanted, young Biology teacher, Nick (Aaron Howell) and his wife, Honey (Emily Wells) to their house for drinks.

The cast of Clark College's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" From right to
left: Emily Wells, Aaron Howell, Linda Owsley and H. Gene Biby.

Early on it is plain to see this is not going to be just an ordinary welcoming party. As the night progresses toward another day, they will play mind games--games that will lead them to questioning their own sanity and will, ultimately, change all their lives forever. The games are filled with elements of truth, dare, illusion, secrets revealed and stories dispelled. Mix them all together and you have “Fun and Games at George and Martha’s House.”

Nick is ambitious and is determined to “plow his way to the top” if need be. Honey is rich, but spoiled and sheltered and not really up to connecting with the outside world, as she “gets sick a lot.” Martha, spoiled (and possibly abused) by a domineering father, is unhappy with her lot in life and never lets George forget it. And George (the story is from his POV0, silently controls the Games toward their bittersweet conclusion.

Deeper and Darker

Inbred within the story are even darker elements: Nick, the scientist, wanting to manipulate genes, in order to create a Master Race; George, the historian, seeing history possibly repeating itself, both universally and personally; and Martha and Honey, potential incubators of the next generation, fearing of giving birth to that legacy. Nothing is quite as it seems at George and Martha’s. And telling too much of the games would spoil the surprises.

George and Martha fight and fume.

But, amazingly, it is a love story, albeit tangled and disjointed. A man, loving a woman so much, he is willing to create illusions with her, so that she can hang onto sanity. And an unhappy woman, hating that self-same man, for loving her just the way she is.

And what, you may ask, has Virginia Woolf to do with all this? Ms. Woolf was a writer who, to some extent, concentrated her writing on stream-of consciousness and the deep-seeded truths that inhabit a person’s life: A reality deep within one. The meaning will become clear when this ditty is reprised at the end of the play.

The actors are all uniformly good. Biby inhabits George with a quite command. It is a powerful performance as his character is key to the success of the story. He tackles the part, both as a character and as an actor, like a bulldog, not willing to let go of his prey. Owsley blesses us with a Martha that is beseechingly bitchy and yet refreshing vulnerable at times—a delicate balance, teetering nicely between illusion and reality. According to George, you need to know the difference between the two, but then carry on as if you didn’t care. They are well-suited as a lean, mean fighting machine.

Nick and Honey are harder characters to get your teeth into. They appear one-dimensional but they are simply empty books, with baggage, waiting to be written upon. Howell is, in looks, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed, physically fit product of the New Order he proposes. He struggles mightily and effectively with the weight of that burden until he, at long last, sees the light. Wells is superb in showing us the naivety and vulnerability of Honey, who must, in the final result, change her ways even though she may not ever understand why.

Direction and Design

The direction and design of the production by Mark Owsley, hits the mark in keeping the action flowing and interest high in such a confined space. His actors seemed to have found all the little nuances and layers necessary to reveal the story in such compelling way. Not easy to do over a three-hour period, but well done by Owsley!

H. Gene Biby and Linda Owsley as George and Martha. All photos provided.

Keep in mind the length of the production and that it involves very adult situations and uses harsh language. It is an exhausting journey, from darkness to dawn, but well worth the trip. If you see it, tell them Dennis sent you.

Review by Dennis Sparks for SWWASTAR. Mr. Sparks was formerly a Portland theatre reviewer for the Vancouver Voice (now defunct), and is currently a free-lance reporter with his own blog site for Portland and Ashland theatre reviews: www.dennissparksreviews.blogspot.com

All photos and video provided.

COMING SOON: Four New Shows; Four New Reviews

A new batch of shows open this November adding to the Fall theater line-up of Southwest Washington. While there are others, these are four which we have been asked to share with you, so here's the heads-up:

Clark College opens the month of November with "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" by Edward Albee (Winner of the 1963 Tony Award for Best Play) beginning November 2. 

Our review will appear on this blog by noon Saturday, November 3.

The play is directed and designed by Mark Owsley and runs November 2-3, 9-10, and 15-17 with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and a Saturday matinee on November 10 at 2 p.m.

Description: George and Martha invite a new professor and his wife to their house after a party. Martha is the daughter of the president of the college where George is an associate professor of history. Nick (who is never addressed or introduced by name) is a biology professor who Martha thinks teaches math, and Honey is his mousy, brandy-abusing wife. Once at home, Martha and George continue drinking and engage in relentless, scathing verbal and sometimes physical abuse in front of Nick and Honey. The younger couple are simultaneously fascinated and embarrassed. They stay even though the abuse turns periodically towards them as well. (From Wikipedia.)

Tickets for individual plays go on sale three weeks before the first performance. Tickets may be purchased through the Clark College Bookstore by mail, by telephone, or in person (or at the door if tickets are still available). To reach the bookstore, call (360) 992-2815.

WARNING: While this play (which runs three hours) will be unsuitable for children (for psychological realism, alcohol abuse, domestic violence and foul language) the following options are kid-friendly.

CYT also opens "Great American Tall Tales" on November 2. 

Our review will be posted Saturday, November 3. 

Description: When several kids stumble into a dusty exhibit during a museum field trip their adventure comes to life. Together they meet the beloved characters of American folklore; Annie Oakley, Davy Crockett, Pecos Bill, Annie Christmas, John Henry and more. Through story, dance, and song, they learn that history is alive and vibrant while discovering that sometimes fact and fiction work together to create unforgettable legends.

Performances are at Fort Vancouver High School, Nov. 2 through 11. Friday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10 at 3 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m.

Advanced purchase adult tickets are $12, youth, senior and group tickets are $9; family day tickets for November 3 are $9 in advance. All tickets are $2 more at the door. There are also school day performances as follows: Tuesday, November 6 at 9:30 and 11:45 a.m. Tickets for these performances start at $5.

For tickets go to www.cytvanport.org or call 360-­750-­8550 or email info@cytvanport.org.

Prairie/Ground Drama (the combined theater departments of Prairie and Battle Ground High Schools) offer "Singing in the Rain" at Prairie High School, 11500 N.E. 117th Ave., beginning November 8. 

Our review will be posted by noon November 9. Note: The last  Prairie Ground show we reviewed was awesome.

Dates: Nov. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17. Show starts at 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30. 

Description: Same as the beloved movie with lots of singing, dancing and comedy. A silent film production company and cast make a difficult transition to sound.

Tickets and ticket information are available online at http://www.seatyourself.biz/prairiehighschool.

CYT also offers "Bugsy Malone," November 9 at the Washburn Performing Arts Center, 1201 39th St., Washougal Wash.

Click here for directions

Our review will be posted by noon on November 10.

Description: A slapstick musical comedy following the rivalry between two half-witted street gangs and the washed up, well-intentioned, one-time boxer who steps in to take control of Fat Sam’s gang and give Dandy Dan and his boys what they’ve got coming. In this film noir spoof, the message is one of good, clean fun; the characters are wonderful 1920's cartoon cutouts; and the weapons of choice are "splurge" whip cream guns, flour bombs, and custard pies. Written to be performed by younger cast.

Public Performances are Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m.. Saturday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17 at 3 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m.

School Day Performances are Thursday, Nov. 15 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.

Advance Ticket Information: Adult (ages 19 and up) - $12, Youth (ages 2 to 18) - $9, Senior (ages 62+) - $9. Groups of 10 or more - $9 and Family Day $9 (November 10 at 7 p.m. only).

School Day Advance Ticket Information: Groups (10 to 99) - $6 with one free ticket with each 15 purchased. Groups (100 or more) - $5.

Sales at the Door: $14. - Adult (ages 19 and up), $11. - Youth (ages 2 to 18), $11. - Senior (ages 62+), $11. - Groups of 10 or more. Family Day $11. each (Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. only).

School Day Sales at the Door: All Tickets - $10.

Purchase tickets at: https://www.cytvanport.org/gettickets.aspx

VSAA's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Several Other Groups Shows' Continue this Weekend

The Vancouver School of Arts and Academics continues its run of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" 7 p.m. Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20, May 17 at the Royal Durst Theatre, 3101 Main Street, Vancouver, Wash.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for students/seniors. For more information see the VSSA website.

Other shows continuing this weekend:

• "Rabbit Hole" at Clark College"
• Enchanted Sleeping Beauty" at Fort Vancouver HS
• "Pridelands" by CYT at Camas HS's Washburn Performing Arts Center
• "Snow White in the '70's" at Hudson's Bay HS

David Lindsay-Abaire's "Rabbit Hole" at Clark College Truly Prize-winning

“It’s a good thought, that somewhere out there I’m having a good time.”

The Tale

And that is the element of hope—the moment, ten minutes before curtain, when the inkling of healing comes to Becca—a mother grieving at the loss of her child—that life might go on.

David Lindsay-Abaire’s 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Rabbit Hole,” tells the tragic tale of a family dealing with the accidental death of their four-year old son. They find healing through honesty, humor and sometime tears.

The Clark College Theater production, under the astute direction of Patricia Rohrbach, is indeed Pulitzer Prize material. The dialogue is genuine in the writing; the delivery only slightly underplayed. But the cast was amazing having tackled the heart-rending material after just four weeks of rehearsal. For the most part it was like we’d really dropped in on a family as a fly on the wall.

The show’s production schedule was so truncated because it was virtually recast due to three players leaving the production mid-way through the rehearsal process. While the new cast did an exceptional job there was some evidence that they had not yet connected with the gravity of the script and the depths of the emotion. The anger that should have escalated at pivotal points was subdued though the conversation rarely unnatural. At times, however, the material was so “every day” that it bordered on mundane.

The Talent

H. Gene Biby (left) as Howie and Dorinda Toner as Becca on the set of the Clark
College production of David Lindsays-Abaire's"Rabbit Hole." Photos provided*.

However, the production neared perfection. Fine performances were given all around. Dorinda Toner was remarkable as Becca; H. Gene Biby, though too reserved, played Howie rather convincingly; and Laura Henderson added genuine realism to her role as Izzy.

From left to right, Sandi Stokesbary as Nat, Laura
Henderson as Izzy, and Dorinda Toner as Becca.

Matthew Brown, as Jason, (not shown) dialed in an absolutely stellar performance and Sandi Stokesbary was quite good as Nat. Jason’s mid-way-through-the-first-act monologue was ideally performed and touching.

The Technical

Technically, the show came off without a hitch. The scene transitions were unusually, but beautifully executed and brilliant. The stunning set was Mark Owsley’s best design yet. It was absolutely a work of art. I don’t know how he is able to fit so much space in so little space. It was perfect in every way. His lighting design, too, was masterful—only slightly flawed by hot spots. His intimate knowledge of the space certainly shows.

There was a good deal of “language” in the play which was a bit uncomfortable to my ears, otherwise the play was superb. I’d almost want to be in this play—since the cast ate their way through a variety of desserts.

One tip: Put some sand or water in the detergent container so that carrying it looks natural.

The Tickets

The play continues at Clark College’s Decker Theater in the Frost Arts Center, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Wash., 7:30 p.m., May 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 and 2 p.m. May 12. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the campus bookstore or by calling 360-992-2815. Visit the Clark theater website for more information.

By Gregory E. Zschomler
*Photos by Dominique Horn Photography

THREE REVIEWS ON THEIR WAY THIS WEEKEND

This weekend we'll review three productions. That's right, three. (We're getting busy.) There are actually nine shows playing, six of which are high school productions, three of which we have previously reviewed (Love Street Playhouse's "An Inspector Calls," Battle Ground and Prairie High School's "Get Smart" and Magenta's "The 39 Steps".)

The three we are reviewing this week are Evergreen High School's "Beauty and the Beast," Fort Vancouver High School's "The Wizard of Oz" and "Rabbit Hole" at Clark College.

Look for the two high school reviews Friday at noon and the Clark review at noon Saturday.

Clark College Theater stages David Lindsay-Abraire’s 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winning “Rabbit Hole”

“Rabbit Hole” tells the tragic tale of a family dealing with the death of a child. They find healing through honesty, humor and tears.

Show at Clark’s Decker Theater in the Frost Arts Center, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, Wash., 7:30 p.m., May 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 and 2 p.m. May 12. 

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the campus bookstore or by calling 360-992-2815 or visit the Clark theater website for more information.

Contains adult situations and language.

Look for our review at noon May 5.