Singlehandedly!—Portland Story Theater—East Portland

Everybody has/is a Story

This one-person event by eight storytellers is performed Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm beginning April 19^th and concluding April 27^th.  Their space is located at the Hipbone Studio, 1847 E. Burnside St., No. 104.  For further information on the shows, go to www.portlandstorytheater.com.

Although the above statement is true, not everybody knows how to relate a good story.  And when it becomes a personal outpouring, it is doubly hard, as you need to reveal yourself to strangers, thus becoming vulnerable.  In this venue, eight people over four nights will spew their stories onto a horde of the unsuspecting populous with, perhaps, a cathartic result for them and a learning experience for the listeners.

Storytelling can be related to primitive man with his cave paintings, telling stories of great adventures; Aesop with his moralistic fables; Native American and African tribes with their oral history traditions; the parables of Christ in the New Testament; and, on stage, 50 years ago, with Paul Sills Story theater and the musical, Godspell.  That evolution now includes the Personal Narrative monologues.

These eight performers are all different and unique in the relating of their histories.  One of the founders of the theater, Lynne Duddy, reveals how she discovered her duel identity and engages in an inner search of an exploration of nature versus nurture in our upbringing.  Her manner is one of warmth, as if she were sitting with you in front of a cozy fireplace and telling her story.  Her life partner and co-founder, Lawrence Howard, relates precious childhood moments with his father, uncle and brother in upstate New York.  As he reveals the laughter, bonding, and limericks, it’s as if you were there with him, sitting around the campfire.

Kriya Kaping is a daring lady, seeming to live by her family motto, “’If it doesn’t kill you, it makes for a great story!’”  She reveals her adventures in Latin America of building latrines, warring with chickens for space, and learning how to make a…x-rated pastry.  The charm of her delivery would make a leprechaun’s toes curl and his teeth grow hair.  Brad Forter relates his growth from a self-contained gaming nerd to Improv comedy.  A revealing tale of transformation, from “Mr. Shrink and Hide”/Invisible man, bursting into the world of social reality.

The Guest Artist-in-Residence, Annie La Ganga, is from Texas.  She describes herself as a Seeker, especially in Spiritual realms, looking for a way to connect with her mother, who died early in Annie’s childhood.  But in her, sometimes humorous search, she’s also acutely aware that, of the many churches she will explore, there will also be a good story attached to them.  Penny Walter has a menagerie to aid her in her narrative, her puppets.  She tours with them as a storyteller to impoverished countries.  But they also they help her touchingly reveal the sudden death of her father and her having to deal with a mother who has Alzheimer’s.

Eric Stern offers his story as a confession, as he was a thief much of his life.  His style is one of frankness, humor and redemption.  Annie Rosen is a doll.  You can’t help but love her, as her personality is infectious.  She weaves her spell with music, fiddle and mandolin, and gives a glimpse of the working of a street person, as she tries to earn her living in this way.  And, along the path, she discovers her own self-worth and value.

Not by chance, I suspect, many of these individuals, in their own lives, reach out to the deeper depths of humanity, by helping others in need.  Perhaps they are not just content to sit on the sidelines, but are willing to go the extra mile, and dig deep into the soul of humanness.  And maybe the stories of these adventures, not only reveal a universality to a common plight, but serve as a sort of validation to the storytellers themselves.

This is well worth seeing for so many reasons.  Consider it a personal journey for all involved.  It is adult subject matter and language, though.  If you do choose to see it, please tell them Dennis sent you.

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea—Tears Of Joy—Winningstad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway

A Call For Adventure

This classic, Jules Verne, adventure tale is playing through April.  The two-character play is adapted by Jon Ludwig and directed by Nancy Aldrich and designed by Jason Miranda.  For further information go to www.tojt.org or call 503-248-0557.

Jules Verne, H.G. Wells and Edgar Rice Burroughs were the main adventure writers of 150 years ago.  Along with 20,000 Leagues…, Verne was also famous for Around the World in Eighty Days, Mysterious Island, Journey to the Center of the Earth, et. al.  Sci-fi was, simply put, fuel for the imagination and inspired many of the inventions of today.  Disney made a grand film of it during the 50’s with James Mason as the infamous Captain Nemo and Paul Lukas as the Professor.

The story Verne (and Disney) told was much darker than this adaptation.  Although Nemo was a brilliant man, he was also authoritarian and egocentric, and he torpedoed ships quite indiscriminately.  He was what, one may surmise, an anti-hero, much like the detectives of the film noir or Eastwood’s character in the spaghetti westerns.  In short, he represented a necessary evil, a character to propel mankind forward, without scruples.  A person with a noble vision but tarnished by the lesser mettle of the outside world.

This version is concerned only with the Professor being taken aboard the sub to aid his research of the sea and its life.  They walk on the bottom of the sea, are attacked by sharks, befriend a lonely seal, and are threatened mightily by a giant Squid.  All of this is the space of about 45 minutes.  And, at the end, we are treated to how many of the designs work.  Quite an enchanting afternoon.

These visions are very nobly rendered by two actors (Andrew Fridae and Summer Olsson) playing the two leads, the French Professor and Capt. Nemo, as well as the other various sea creatures including a turtle, a jellyfish, a seal (also in Disney’s version), as well as the Giant Squid, etc.  They also operate the submarine, the Nautilus, as a type of pop-up storybook.  Both the actors are truly amazing and perform their functions with zeal. 

And the puppets of the two humans are quite a work of art, as well as the other creatures, designed by Mr. Miranda.  He is a master of color and design.  The original story has been lightened for the sake of the age group by Mr. Ludwig, as well as being educational, both on the mechanics of the production as well as sea-life itself.  Ms. Aldrich (TOJ’s Artistic Director) has geared it well for adults and the Youth. 

And all this is portrayed as a grand Geography lesson in a story-telling style.  Much like the kindly parent, sitting down at bedtime with their child and reading a story to them, playing all the characters.  And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, and are letting the Kindles and their ilk perform this task, then you are missing something truly important in bonding with these little people, and I say, shame on you.

My favorite, I confess, and I believe the audiences, too, was the seal.  And I was quite taken with wonder by the bubbles that were created, a glimpse back to my childhood, I suppose.  This is a show that I recommend and should be shared with a child to be fully enjoyed.  They are actually lowering their ticket prices for next year and I applaud them for that.  In this economy, reduced prices and imagination are a valuable commodity.

I wished they had showed the informative film at the end, as well, as it is quite good.  Obviously, I recommend this show.  If you choose to go, please tell them Dennis sent you.

“Manos” The Hands of Fate—Capital I Productions at IFCC—N. Portland

Worst Movie Ever?

This Sci-fi spoof is playing at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center at 5340 N. Interstate Ave. and runs through May 5^th.  The play adaptation is directed and adapted by Brian Adrian Koch from a film written and directed by Harold P. Warren.  For more information go to www.capitalIproductions.com

If Mystery Science Theater 3000 or Elvira features your film on their show, then it’s gotta be bad.  But, as to the worst, that’s debatable.  Ed Wood’s, Plan 9 From Outer Space, has usually held that title.  But, not to be a spoiler, Mr. Warren and Mr. Wood actually thought they were making a good film.  They simply lacked the training or talent in all technical/artistic aspects of making a movie.  They were unaware that, in retrospect, it would be perceived as funny.  Actually, to me, that’s sad. 

A truly bad film is one in which all the parties concerned do have the skills and monies to make a decent movie and it still turns out to be toilet fodder, like Bonfire of the Vanities.  Now that’s what is funny.  Or, like Rocky Horror Picture Show, which intends to be campy and succeeds wonderfully.  But, putting semantics aside, onto the stage spoof.

The story, such as it is, concerns a young couple, Michael (Brian Burger), his wife, Maggie (Jen LaMastra), their daughter, Debbie (a doll, but voiced by the actress who actually played the daughter in the original 1966 film—Jackey Raye Neyman Jones), and their dog, Scruffy (a stuffed animal) on a vacation.  Much of their time is spent in a cardboard car, talking inanely, as the scenery, cacti, road signs, etc. go by (cleverly played by people in black with appropriate dressing), traveling on a desert highway in Texas.

Unbeknownst to them, a pizza delivery boy, Torgo, (Brian Adrian Koch, the director/adapter) has disappeared under mysterious circumstances (prologue video).  They come upon a house to ask directions and the servant of the house turns out to be the self-same, Torgo, now changed into some sort of Goat-man.  They spend the night in this weird place, which is ruled by The Master (Paul Glazier), a god of the eternal abyss, who has a secret stash of “wives.”  Don’t want to spoil the fun, but the story doesn’t turn out well for any of them.

The direction/adaptation by Mr. Koch is spot-on.  He understands the genre and does an amazing job of staging it in a small, essentially bare space, with a minimal cast, playing multiple roles.  And his performance as Torgo steals the show.  His movements, expressions, and voice, all add to the weirdness of this character.  His death throes are hilarious.  And Ms. Jones, who finally gets to put her voice to the child, Debbie, is terrific.  She interprets it perfectly and shame on the film-makers for not allowing her to vocalize it in the first place.

Mr. Glazier as The Master gives us a bit of Christopher Lee with a spot of Valentino throw in, just right for the part.  And, as the young couple, Mr. Burger and Ms. LaMastra, do seem to be an incarnation of Ms. Sarandon and Mr. Boswick from Rocky Horror…  They camp it with just the right amount of restraint.  And the live, three-piece band adds the appropriate music to underscore the suspense and enhance the flow of the show.

The volume on the video segments is too loud, thus much of the dialogue is unintelligible, as with the band’s singer (of course, this might also be intentional).  Also, a side note, Mano is Spanish for “hand.”  Does this mean that translated into English, the true title of the film is Two Hands of Fate or Hand Hands of Fate?!

Also, it is rumored that the organization, I.C.K.I. (International Corporation for Kinky In-animates), is looking into this production for its mistreatment of dolls, puppets and stuffed animals during the show.  It is unclear as to whether this group is seeking to chastise them for this abuse or welcome them to their fold.

I recommend this production, as it is great fun.  Be warned, it is not for everyone because of adult material but, if you do chose to see it, tell them Dennis sent you.

Camelot—Rising Star Productions at Three Rivers Mall—Kelso, WA

"One Shining Moment…”

This beloved musical by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe is playing through April 27^th in a storefront at Three Rivers Mall, just off I-5 in Kelso.  It is directed by Jueanne Meyers, vocal direction by Laurel Moore, choreography by Kristy Larson and Piano accompaniment by Greg Moore.  For more information, go to www.risingstarproductions.org.

There have many written and filmed versions of this classic legend of Camelot and King Arthur.  It was begun from a long poem by Tennyson.  The best of the books being T.H. White’s, The Once and Future King.  But even such famous writers as Steinbeck with his King Arthur and the Round Table and Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King. Arthur’s Court weighed in with their takes on this icon.  As for films, there was, of course, the movie of the musical and Disney’s animated, Sword and the Stone.  But the best was the non-musical, Excalibur, by John Boorman.

Read more at http://swwastar.blogspot.com/

Varsity Cheerleader Werewolves From Outer Space—Funhouse Lounge—SE Portland

Watch The Skies!

This play is presented by Talisman Stageworks and Films and is produced, written and directed by Steve Coker.  It will play at 7:30 pm through the 20^th at the Funhouse Lounge at 2432 SE 11^th Ave.  For more information go to www.talismanfilmsllc.com

Okay, it’s the mid-80’s, see, and this giant thing from outer space crashes into the earth, which houses these puppies and they…no, not a good start.  Well, then, there’s these cheerleaders from a small town that chance upon this crater and…no, still not right.  How about this, there’s this new girl in town who’s shunned by the elites from the school…damn, thought I could do better but the title tells it all.  And the story is in perfect sync with all those grand B&W, low-budget, Sci-Fi/Horror flicks from the 50’s.

Probably the most recognizable film homage to this era would be The Faculty by Robert Rodriguez and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.  The first, being a film about a school taken over by aliens, impersonating the students/teachers and the second, a campy musical spoof of that same age.  What is nice about these plots is that they are all so familiar and, therefore, you don’t have to think too deeply about it.  Just relax and enjoy the ride.

It’s obvious that Mr. Coker understands this, and is a lover of that genre, and the music/lingo from the 80’s.  The plot does involve a new girl in town, Stacey (Brooke Totman) and her Dad, Daniel (Jon Ashley Hall); some snooty cheerleaders, who put a new spin on the word “foxy;” and a master race of aliens called the Crimson Order, whose job is to help protect Earth from the baddies.  There is also the good-boy, stud-muffin, named Troy (Sean Lamb) who all the cheerleaders devour…I mean, desire.  And the bad boy, outcast, Dean (Illya Tores) who eventually scoots off with our heroine.

If, as I said, all this sounds familiar, it’s because it’s meant to.  The purpose of a tasty spoof is to make sure that homage is also part of the formula.  In this production, it is.  The cast is also well-versed in this campy style.  They are all spot-on, some playing multiple parts but all seeming to have the time of their life and, thus, so did the audience.  I did miss an attempt at werewolf make-up but it would have probably been too complicated with this bare-bones setting.  But as dancers/cheerleaders these young ladies are a definite—WOW!

Ms. Totman captures perfectly the blonde, teenage newbie and Mr. Hall is also good as her loving father.  He had a large role in a local film made here called, Trainmaster.  And Ithica Tell is formidable as the lead, alien rescuer.  She was recently seen to good advantage  as the lead witch in Mile Post 5’s, Macbeth.

The costumes and music are very appropriate for the show.  And the skeleton setting actually adds to the enjoyment of the show.  I especially liked the puppet-cat named (are you ready for this) Cheshire.  And the little hand-puppets as the alien puppies were a howl.  This is a fun evening, folks, just leave your serious face at home.

It should be mentioned that this is going to be made into a film.  A sample teaser is on their website.  Also they do serve drinks and food, which adds to the enjoyment of the evening.  I am a lover of this genre and recommend this play.  If you go, please tell them Dennis sent you.

Harvey—Love Street Playhouse—Woodland, WA

Wrestling with Reality

The classic comedy, Harvey, by Mary Chase, directed by J. Christopher Cleveland and produced by Melinda Leuthold, is playing through April 21^st.   The theatre is located at 126 Love St. in Woodland (only a few minutes from I-5).  For ticket and season information go to www.lovestreetplayhouse.com 

Harvey is a sweet gem from the 40’s and starred Frank Fay on Broadway.  It has been a film with James Stewart and on TV with Art Carney.  It has played constantly at high schools and community theatres ever since then.  This is always a crowd-pleaser and last night’s fans were no exception.  Another jewel that Love St. might consider from the same author is Mrs. McThing which starred Helen Hayes, a sort of prelude to Mary Poppins.  

Read more at http://swwastar.blogspot.com/2013/04/review-love-streets-comedy-drama-harvey.html