Events & Classes > Scene at the Library
Scene at the Library: A Sampling of Portland Theatre
Printable Scene at the Library flyer (pdf)
Back by popular demand, local theatre troupes present free sneak previews of upcoming plays!
Tales of Ordinary Madness — CoHo Productions
- Sunday, January 6, 1 p.m.
- Central Library, U.S. Bank Room
- Written by Petr Zelenka, translated and directed by Stepan Simek
- Runs January 18–February 23, 2008
Tales of Ordinary Madness is a wild and absurdist play about Petr, a 20-something urban slacker in contemporary Prague who is surrounded by madness. The play offers an extraordinary glimpse into the ordinary absurdity of 21st century life.
Shackleton's Antarctic Nightmare — Portland Story Theater
- Sunday, January 6, 2 p.m.
- Hollywood Library
- Written, directed and performed by Lawrence Howard
- Runs January 11–19, 2008
The true and tragic tale of the British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914. Ernest Shackleton and 27 men endured incredible hardship and suffering when their ship, the Endurance, was crushed by the pressure of the pack ice. How they survived and eventually came to safety is an epic saga of courage, determination and fortitude.
The Communist Dracula Pageant — defunkt theatre
- Sunday, January 13, 1 p.m.
- Central Library, U.S. Bank Room
- Written by Anne Washburn, directed by James Moore
- Runs January 10–February 16, 2008
"By Americans, for Americans," The Communist Dracula Pageant examines the Romanian Revolution of 1989 through "hallucinations, phosphorescence, and bears," all hosted by the original Dracula, Vlad Tepes. Washburn's play is a non-stop seriocomic barrage of styles and scenes, many of which are taken from actual video documentation of these real-life events.
Raymond Carver Word for Word — Readers Theatre Repertory
- Sunday, January 20, 1 p.m.
- Central Library, Collins Gallery
- Conceived and directed for the stage by David Berkson
- Runs February 15–16, March 14–15, April 11–12 and May 9–10, 2008
A special presentation just for the library, Readers Theatre Repertory performs staged readings of Raymond Carver's three greatest short stories. Hailed by critics and readers as "The American Chekhov," Carver has been called by the Washington Post " ... a writer of astonishing compassion and honesty ... His eye is so clear, it almost breaks your heart."
Bodas de Sangre — Miracle Theatre Group
- Sunday, January 20, 1 p.m.
- Midland Library
- Sunday, January 20, 3 p.m.
- Gresham Library
- Written by Federico García Lorca, directed by Olga Sanchez
- Runs February 1–23, 2008
Inspirada en una historia real, Bodas de Sangre nos lleva a la Andalucía de 1930, donde una futura novia escapa a las restricciones de su arreglada boda para estar con su amante. Bodas de Sangre será presentada en su idioma original por Teatro Español, el único ensamble de actores de habla hispana del Noroeste Pacífico. Venga a conocer a los actores el día 20 de enero en la biblioteca de Midland (1 p.m.) o Gresham (3 p.m.).
Inspired by a true story, Bodas de Sangre takes us to 1930s Andalucía, where a young bride-to-be yearns to escape the constraints of an arranged marriage to be with her lover. Bodas de Sangre will be presented in the original Spanish featuring Teatro Español, the only Spanish-language acting ensemble in the Pacific Northwest (with supertitles projected in English on some nights).
Where's My Money? — Theatre Vertigo
- Sunday, January 27, 2 p.m.
- Hollywood Library
- Written by John Patrick Shanley, directed by Ben Plont
- Runs January 11–February 9, 2008
When Celeste, an out-of-work actor who's cheating on her boyfriend with a married man, runs into Natalie, whom she hasn't seen in years, the two have some catching up to do … infidelity, debt, fame and paranormal activity are all par for the course.
Scotland Road — Integrity Productions
- Sunday, February 10, 1 p.m.
- Central Library, U.S. Bank Room
- Written by Jeffrey Hatcher
- Runs March 6–April 5, 2008
A young woman, dressed in 19th century clothing, is found floating on an iceberg in the middle of the North Atlantic. Upon being rescued the only word she'll say is ... "Titanic.”
Les Miserables — Staged!
- Sunday, February 17, 1 p.m.
- Central Library, Collins Gallery
- Written by Alain Boublil, Herbert Kretzmer and Claude-Michel Schonberg; directed by Chanda Hall
- Runs February 23–25, 2008
This musical took audiences by storm when it opened 20 years ago; today, this story of redemption and hope during the French Revolution is being performed by a Portland cast of young pre-professional theatre students, ages 13–19.
Landscape of the Body — Profile Theatre
- Sunday, February 24, 1 p.m.
- Central Library, U.S. Bank Room
- Written by John Guare, directed by Jane Unger
- Runs March 5–April 6, 2008
John Guare's absurdist drama brilliantly moves back and forth in time and space to create an affecting study of the American dream gone awry. Betty, a woman from Maine, goes to New York City to lure her troubled sister back to her more wholesome roots, but events suddenly unwind when a mysterious death occurs and an apparition makes an appearance. Inspired by the story of Alice Crimmins.
Believers — Fever Theater
- Sunday, March 2, 1 p.m.
- Central Library, U.S. Bank Room
- Written by Kate Sanderson and Jacob Coleman, directed by Kate Sanderson
- Runs April 10–May 3, 2008
Believers is an original theatre production based on the stories of cults, from our local Rajneeshpuram to the tragic Jonestown Massacre. Blending choral music, stylized movement, audience interaction, narrative and installation, Believers will explore the themes of these stories that are deeply relevant in today's world.
Space at programs is limited. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.