Summer is not a great time for theater. The weather becomes manageable, on weekends people head out to the coast or camping and the waterfront is consistently packed. The Blues Festival and other shows roll through town. All this is a recipe for poor attendance at local theaters. For that reason, most of the major local theater companies shut down over the summer.
Where has all the theater gone?
Summer is not a great time for theater. The weather becomes manageable, on weekends people head out to the coast or camping and the waterfront is consistently packed. The Blues Festival and other shows roll through town. All this is a recipe for poor attendance at local theaters. For that reason, most of the major local theater companies shut down over the summer.
The good news, however, is that what theater does survive is often lower-priced, more accessible fare. Some of it even takes advantage of the nice weather, such as Shakespeare in the Park festivals. Here are several such productions that should sate the appetites of local theater lovers:
Naughty PuppetsThis is a truly unusual production. Bitchin’ Tella was written and will be directed by PSU student Shae Uisna. It is described as an adult-oriented Cajun musical, with puppets. Uisna is a master of puppet work and has directed the production previously. It will be held in Lincoln Hall, July 17-19 at 7:30 p.m.
Shakespeare OutdoorsPortland Actors Ensemble continues its tradition of putting on Shakespeare in the Park this summer with The Taming of the Shrew, which contains a play within a play (that should be interesting). It will be running from the last weekend in July through the first weekend of September on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. in parks across the city. To see which parks are featuring performances, go to www.portlandactors.com/2007bShrew.html.
BroadwayPeople and puppets come together in the Tony Award-winning Avenue Q, June 24-29. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Chorus Line is here July 29 through Aug. 3, and Phantom of the Opera finishes the summer, running Aug. 13 through Sept. 7. All shows are at the Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St. Tickets range from $27.75-$81.75.
Portland Center StageDoubt and The Little Dog Laughed are both playing through June 15 at the Armory on 128 N.W. 11th Ave. John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award, and The Little Dog Laughed, in the Armory’s smaller studio theater, features naked men. Between those two options there should be something for everyone. For more info see www.pcs.org.
Theater at PSUImprov II Final Class Performance — 8 p.m. June 5 at the Lincoln Hall Studio Theater. Free.
Movement Class Performance: Scapin — 7:30 p.m. June 6 and 7 at the Lincoln Hall Studio Theater. Free.
Playwriting Competition Staged Reading — 7:30 p.m. June 8 at the Lincoln Hall Studio Theater. Free.
Student Choreography Projects — June 11 at the Lincoln Hall Studio Theater. Free; Time TBA.
PSU Improvisers at the Brody Theater — 8 p.m. June 13 at 3314 S.W. First Ave. $5
PSU Theater Arts Student Organization Summer Production: Mud — Aug. 14-17 and 21-23 at 3430 S.E. Belmont St.
