Classic Musical "Godspell" Coming Soon

The cast of Pacific Stagework's production
of Stephen Schwatrz' "Godspell"

Pacific Stageworks proudly presents "Godspell," a rock musical based loosely on the Gospels.

The cast consists of actors from both the Portland and Vancouver area who create a joyous and poignant spiritual experience for the audience and actors alike, regardless of individual religious beliefs.

Running October 11-13 and 18-20 at 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on October 12, 13, 19 and 20, "Godspell" will be performed at the Battle Ground Community United Methodist Church (10300 NE 199th St. Battle Ground, WA 98604). Tickets are $15 online and $17 at the door and can be purchased online at www.pacificstageworks.com, by phone (360-213-5174), or at the door.

Book by John-Michael Tebelak and playful and poignant score by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked), "Godspell" includes such songs as "God Save the People," "All Good Gifts" and the international hit “Day By Day.” 

 Cast includes: Peter Liptak, Laurie Campbell-Leslie, Patti Westby, Dorinda Toner, Kathleen Jung, Zak Campbell, Rebecca Duncan, Hannah Toner and Nick Hulscher. Director Tony Bump focuses his concept on how Jesus’ message can release our potential and allow us to become our best selves. 

“Too many times we try to fit ourselves into other’s expectations,” Tony says. “Each of us is unique with different talents, personalities, and things to accomplish. The gospel can help us find out who we truly are and lead us to a more meaningful and abundant life.”

Conveyed through song, dance, and humor, the biblical parables and the crucifixion story are central elements of the musical. "Godspell" is a groundbreaking and unique reflection on the life of Jesus, with a message of kindness, tolerance and love.

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.

Bump n' Cump Offer Encore of "The Mikado"

Director Tony Bump about to strike a blow.

The Wittiest Execution in Town!...AGAIN

After a very successful initial run and the Heathman Lodge in July, Pacific Stageworks is presenting Gilbert and Sullivan's “The Mikado”, September 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and September 7 and 8 at 2 p.m. Encore performances will be at the Love Street Playhouse (126 Love St.,  Woodland, Wash.).

“We have the same cast, the same fun, but at a different location,” says Producer, Jennifer Johnson. “The cast had a fabulous time, and the production was very well received by our audiences. We aren’t ready to give it up.”

Director Tony Bump places the performance of “The Mikado” in a modern cocktail party/fundraiser for a local theatre company. Audience members are encouraged to dress in a kimono and sing along with familiar songs such as “Three Little Maids from School,” “Tit Willow,” and “To Sit In Solemn Silence.” Many of the cast members have previously performed at Love Street Playhouse and are looking forward to reuniting with their northern friends.

Kiss and Kill 

“The Mikado” is set in the town of Titipu, where the tailor Ko-Ko (Tony Bump of Vancouver) is promoted to Lord High Executioner. His ward, Yum-Yum (Kristen Johnson of Vancouver), whom he plans to marry, has fallen in love with a traveling musician, Nanki-Poo (Will Johnson of Bellingham). Nanki-Poo is, in fact, the Mikado’s son, and has escaped the court to avoid the attentions of an intimidating older noblewoman, Katisha (Jennifer Johnson of Camas). Ko-Ko learns of a decree from the Mikado (David Hicks of Portland) that, unless an execution occurs within a month, the city will be reduced to the rank of a village. Neither the noble lord Pish-Tush (Gary Bock of Vancouver) nor the Lord High Everything Else, Pooh-Bah (IZ Darling of Portland), will volunteer to be executed. Complications occur with the arrival of the Mikado, accompanied by the ever-formidable Katisha.

Additional cast members include Jeanna Reed (Battle Ground), Kathleen Jung (Ridgefield), Ashley Hall (Bellingham), Garry Bastian & Zak Campbell (Vancouver), and Kaylen Ostrom (Camas).

Witty lyrics and brilliantly constructed plot twists make this light-hearted tale of forbidden love, deception, and beheadings a favorite among theatre-goers since 1885.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $17 at the door. Audience members wearing a kimono will receive a $1 discount. Tickets may be ordered at www.pacificstageworks.com or 360-213-5174. 

Please do not contact Love Street Playhouse with questions.

Classic Gilbert and Sullivan "The Mikado" over 4th of July Weekend ONLY

The Wittiest Execution in Town!

For one weekend only, Pacific Stageworks presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera THE MIKADO, July 5-7 ONLY at the Heathman Lodge, 7801 NE Greenwood Dr., Vancouver at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and at 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Director Tony Bump has set the performance "in a modern cocktail party/fundraiser for a local theatre company."  Audience members are encouraged to dress in a kimono and sing along with familiar songs such as “Three Little Maids from School,” “Tit Willow,” and “To Sit In Solemn Silence.”

Will Johnson (L) and Kristen Johnson (R)
with Tony Bump in "The Mikado."

The show was set in the town of Titipu, where the tailor Ko-Ko (Tony Bump of Vancouver) is promoted to Lord High Executioner. His ward, Yum-Yum (Kristen Johnson of Vancouver), whom he plans to marry, has fallen in love with a traveling musician, Nanki-Poo (Will Johnson of Bellingham). Nanki-Poo is, in fact, the Mikado’s son, and has escaped the court to avoid the attentions of an intimidating older noblewoman, Katisha (Jennifer Johnson of Camas). Ko-Ko learns of a decree from the Mikado (David Hicks of Portland) that, unless an execution occurs within a month, the city will be reduced to the rank of a village. Neither the noble lord Pish-Tush (Gary Bock of Ridgefield) nor the Lord High Everything Else, Pooh-Bah (IZ Darling of Portland), will volunteer to be executed. Complications occur with the arrival of the Mikado, accompanied by the ever-formidable Katisha.

Additional cast members include Jeanna Reed (Battle Ground), Kathleen Jung (Ridgefield), Ashley Hall (Bellingham), Garry Bastian and Zak Campbell (Vancouver), and Kaylen Ostrom (Camas).

Witty lyrics and brilliantly constructed plot twists make this light-hearted tale of forbidden love, deception, and beheadings a favorite among theatre-goers since 1885. This is a zesty operetic musical-comedy sparkling with wit and whimsy. 

Tickets are $15 in advance or $17 at the door. Audience members wearing a kimono will receive a $1 discount. Tickets may be ordered at www.pacificstageworks.com or 360-213-5174. Please do not contact the Heathman Lodge with questions.

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]

New Pacific Stageworks Presents Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" at Heathman

Tony Bump has started another local theater company (Pacific Stageworks) and will present Oscar Wilde's classic for three performances the first weekend in July at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, Wash. Tickets are $12. You can purchase tickets online at the Pacific Stageworks website.