The Found Dog Ribbon Dance—CoHo Productions—NW Portland

                                      “All the Lonely People…”

    This dark comedy is written by Dominic Finocchiaro and directed by Connery MacRae, being co-produced by MacRae and Tom Mounsey.  It is playing at their space, 2257 NW Raleigh St. (parking is a major challenge in this area, so plan your time accordingly), through March 7^th.  For more information, go to their site at www.cohoproductions.org

    “…Where do they all come from?”  The answer—from every walk of Life.  The lack of communication, compassion and tolerance in this world nowadays is on the rise, compounded by governments and administrations that should be seeking and encouraging to “try a little kindness.”  And this story points to the results of alienation and isolation, leading to loneliness and depression.

    And so, we take a journey with Norma (Beth Thompson), a professional cuddler, who believes that by doing this, she will aid in making the world and its people, more productive by doing this.  So, we encounter some men, some women, a teenager and a dog…all with their own personal stories to reveal.

    There is Dave (Heath Koerschgen), whose marriage is rocky and needs someone to listen to him; Norm (Tom Mounsey), owner of a coffee shop and very awkward socially; Colt (Conor J. Nolan), very insecure; Harrison (Nolan, again), very negative and suspicious; Xeno (Marty Beaudet), a quiet, middle-aged man until he finds his voice; Trista (Deborah Jensen), a neurotic teen; Miranda (Jensen, again), a paranoid housewife; and, of course, Dog (Clifton Holznagel) just looking for his “forever home.”

    It would be amiss of me to go into their stories, as that is something for the audience to discover.  But I can tell you that Dog looks very human and communicates primarily through signs and looks, as most pets do.  And the ribbon dance of the title happens twice and is brilliantly performed by Mounsey and, I assume, choreographed by the director and Mounsey.  It is well worth seeing the intricacies of it.

    MacRae has cast it very well and has endeavored to slow the pacing down when the script calls for it, allowing the audience to experience some breathing space, in conjunction with the characters.  Nolan and Jensen, playing dual roles, excel in creating quite opposite characters for each of them.  Beaudet speaks volumes, as an aging man with a big burden, then beautifully delivers a monologue that goes to the heart of the play.  Koerschgen is always an asset to a play, as he is here, playing the complexities of a lonely and frustrated man.

 

    Holznagel underplays the Dog nicely, always able to communicate the emotions underneath.  Mounsey’s dancing, as mentioned, is a highlight in the show.  And Thompson holds the play together, as she’s onstage the majority of the story.  She is one of the better actors in the Portland area and it is always a pleasure to attend a show in which she’s in.  Another powerful performance by her.

    This play is an actors’ tour-de-force, as they all have their moments in the sun.  I highly recommend this play, as it is very moving and timely.  If you do choose to see it, please tell them Dennis sent you.

--DJS