The Legend of Georgia McBride—Triangle Productions!—NE Portland

        When You’re Not Yourself

    This eye-opening production is written by Matthew Lopez and directed and designed by Donald Horn.  It is playing at their space, 1785 NE Sand Blvd. (free parking lot to the West of the bldg.) through June 22nd.  For more information, go to their site at www.trianglepro.org or call 503-239-5919.

    Remember as a kid, when you played all sorts of games with your friends, pretending to be certain characters you may have seen in the movies or on television.  In a way, it is a search for your own identity, you’re place in the world.  But when you grew up, you were forced to put away childish things, such as these pretend games and were forced to graduate to the adult games, which became much more serious…but your true identity may still have been buried, like those of super-heroes, perhaps, but still searching for Truth as to your essence.

    But there is real danger in the world if you choose to go against the grain, the “norm,” those people in the majority that have established what the “norm” is.  And, if your choices crosse “established” sexual and gender boundaries, then be prepared to be bullied, harassed and discriminated against.  In the case of Casey (James Sharinghousen), an entertainer, an Elvis impersonator, in a run-down, flea-bag of a bar called Cleo’s, run by the good-hearted but practical owner, Eddie (Gary Wayne Cash).  As business is slowing to a crawl, he is forced to let Casey go.

    Unfortunately, when Reality raises its ugly head, in this case it crashes in like a tidal wave, it hurts.  Casey and his true-blue wife, Jo (Julet Lindo) are also expecting a child and their landlord, Jason (Colin Kane) is on the verge of evicting them, since they are several weeks behind in their rent.  But all is not lost, as the new act at Cleo’s, a female singer impersonator team, consisting of the outgoing Miss Tracy (Fredrick Williams-T’Kara) ends up partner-less, as troubled Rexy (Kane, again) has fallen off the wagon and, thus, Georgia McBride is born.  To tell you more would spoil the story, so you’ll just have to see it to determine how it all turns out.

    Horn has, once again, entertains us lavishly to a feast for the eyes and also offers us a large dose of heart for the soul!  Sharinghousen never ceases to amaze me in all the incarnations he has embodied over the years!  His song, near the end, is beautifully rendered.  You feel the sincere frustration of Lindo, as she touchingly portrays the practical half of the duo.  Cash, a seasoned performer, gives just the right amount of empathy for his character, so you feel for him as he travers unfamiliar ground in exploring a different world.  Williams is super in his onstage personas, as well as his understanding heart.  And Kane is terrific as Rexy, a drunk who has a painful past to expose, which does bring a tear to your eye.  And his rendition of Minelli doing a song of Sally’s from “Cabaret” is chilling.  Kudos to all involved…and the costumes by Horn are fabulous, too!

    I recommend this show as it has an important message to impart, that is, perhaps, just be yourself and let the rest of the world catch up!  If you do choose to see it, please tell them Dennis sent you.

--DJS