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The latest play to hit the US Bank Main stage at Portland Center Stage is the October 29 – November 20 2016 run of The Oregon Trail. Here’s my thoughts as well as listings of how you can make a ticket to Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail a full date by taking advantage of free discussions, happy hours, DJs playing music and board games.

Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail At Portland Center Stage October 29 – November 20 2016. By Bekah Brunstetter Directed by Rose Riordan Art by Mikey Mann

The description for The Oregon Trail play reads

You have died of dysentery! For those who grew up playing “The Oregon Trail” computer game, dysentery was serious business. In this fresh and funny retelling of our history, two Janes traverse The Oregon Trail. “Now Jane” is playing the computer game in 1997; “Then Jane” is in a covered wagon in 1848. A judgey game show narrator, a domineering sister and two oxen try to corral the two Janes. Fate maneuvers them both to a conclusion that changes their lives and sends them to the end of the trail.

Besides the nod the The Oregon Trail, there are multiple nostalgic nods to the 90s peppered through the play, varying from floppy disks to Teen Spirit to more prominently, music that somehow crosses over between Now Jane and Then Jane to hilarious effect. I loved the staging of the entire production with the screens framing the world of Then Jane in slight sepia toned lighting while in front, Now Jane passes through middle school to her mid 20s in cool white lighting or in darkened lighting illuminated by the glow of a computer screen. A turntable is used wonderfully during a ford the river scene, and a tumbleweed doubles down on conveying the environment around the wagon.

Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail Sarah Baskin as Now Jane (front) and Alex Leigh Ramirez as Then Jane in Bekah Brunstetter’s “The Oregon Trail,” running at The Armory October 29 through November 20, 2016. Photo by Patrick Weishampel/blankeye.tv.

The journey that both Janes are on is more internal despite that Then Jane is physically traveling in her story. Both women suffer from “a melancholy” – Then Jane from the loss of her mother and home, Now Jane from it seems depression. Then Jane is forced to travel daily along the trail to Oregon, and her heart aches as every step takes her farther away from what has been left behind. Meanwhile, Now Jane is in a state of inertia: friendless, feeling unimportant so as to be left waiting at school, and then later wallowing in an unemployed rut.

Both women also have to contend with a seemingly perfect older sister (both played by the same actress in both time periods) who can’t understand why her sister Jane can’t just get up and move forward. You’ve wasted your privilege and have a bad attitude, the judgey game/life narrotor thunders mockingly to Now Jane, and her sister similarly tells her there are others who have had it much worse and can be sad but Now Jane’s life hasn’t been traumatic enough to be this way. It’s a painful reality for people who face depression: people who think depression can be controlled, or fixed.

I didn’t expect everything to be wrapped up in a happy ending, though I was still surprised at how to me the play seemed to end suddenly. I still am thinking about it since I saw it last night, wondering what do I want from the end that would have closed the story better. If you see the play, what do you think of the ending?

I do recognize that part of the message was about accepting depression and sadness as part of oneself, and that you are not alone. And I greatly appreciate that this is a play not about events that are happening, but the voices of internal struggle within that too often, we hide and don’t talk about when the most helpful thing is to be vulnerable and express it and be listened to.

People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that’s bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they’re afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they’re wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It’s all in how you carry it. That’s what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain. ~Jim Morrison

This October 29 – November 20 2016 run of Portland Center Stage The Oregon Trail is on the US Bank Main Stage. The performance runs for approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. All performances are at the Armory (128 NW 11th Avenue, in the Pearl District). See more details and other ticket specials for groups, students, military, or learn about rush tickets here.

Tuesday – Sunday 7:30 PM. ($25-60 for adults Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun, $25-70 for the Fri-Sat evening performances)
Saturday and Sundays at 2 PM and Thursdays at noon ($25-55 for adults)

The Oregon Trail at The Armory of Portland Center Stage

As always, PCS is hosting special events so you can explore more about the play or something about the play’s theme, which in this case is gaming! You can enjoy $10 off select tickets using promo codes especially for some of the events below to make it more than just seeing a play – enjoy happy hour, music, board games, and food and drink and get a discounted ticket! Also be sure to like Portland Center Stage on Facebook as there are additional promotions that are often listed there.

Happy Hour: The Oregon Trail

There are several opportunities for happy hour and discussions related to Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail before the show.

November 5 – Hang with Playwrights. Join Bekah Brunstetter, playwright of The Oregon Trail, and local playwright group Playwrights West for an informal happy hour with conversations about playwriting. November 5 | 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Mezzanine | FREE, complimentary snacks and drink | Use the Promo Code “PWEST” for $10 off your ticket to The Oregon Trail!
November 9 – Music and Board Games Join The Armory and Stumptown DJs with ’90s music for a pre-show happy hour with board games before The Oregon Trail show on Wednesday night. Say “Bye, Bye, Bye” to all your worries and “MMMBop” your way to some good times before the show and enjoy snacks a complimentary drink provided by the Armory Café. There will also be a collection of board games, including The Oregon Trail Card Game and the original Oregon Trail video game may make an appearance as well! November 9 | 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. | Mezzanine | FREE, complimentary snacks and drink | Use the Promo Code “CAPSTONE” for $10 off your ticket to The Oregon Trail!
November 13 – Music and Play Independent Games Play games developed by independent Portland game creators PIGSquad and Oregon Games Association while DJ Scotty D plays video-game inspired tunes and enjoy complimentary snacks and drink specials. Try out a new board game prototype or never-before tested video game. November 13 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Main Lobby | FREE, complimentary snacks and drinks | Use the Promo Code “PIGSQUAD” for $10 off your ticket to The Oregon Trail!

Post-show Perspectives Series for The Oregon Trail

Take part in discussions after the show! These are post-show discussions developed in partnership with PIGSquad, Rose City Games and the Oregon Games Organization following these Sunday matinee performances of The Oregon Trail.

November 6, 12 and 13 | 3:30 p.m. | U.S. Bank Main Stage | FREE | Use the Promo Code “PIGSQUAD” for $10 off your ticket to The Oregon Trail!

November 6 – With Paul Culp, CEO of SuperGenius and P. Renee Shimek, gamer and Ph.D. candidate in Psychology, moderated by Kelsey Tyler
November 12 – With Corey Warning, co-founder of Rose City Games, and Mo Cohen, founder of Queermo Games, moderated by P. Renee Shimek
November 13 – With Will Lewis, co-founder of Rose City Games, and Peter Lund, COO of SuperGenius, moderated by P. Renee Shimek

Movie Night with Girl, Interrupted

November 7 – This is a new kind of event – a movie night?! PCS is offering a chance to get ready for the coming-of-age travails in The Oregon Trail with a screening of Girl, Interrupted which is a brilliant pairing before or after you see this play. Arrive at 7:00 p.m. to enjoy complimentary Sizzle Pie pizza and soda before the movie! November 7 | 7:30 p.m. showtime; 7:00 p.m. pizza | Ellyn Bye Studio | FREE | Use the Promo Code “MOVIENIGHT” for $10 off your ticket to Oregon Trail

As always, the Armory Bar before the show (since there is no intermission) has interesting specialty cocktail choices to select from featuring local ingredients and themed to match the show for your consideration. Don’t feel the pressure to drink it all before going to your seat – you can bring it in with you if it’s in a plastic cup with a lid!
Specialty cocktails for The Oregon Trail at Portland Center Stage

Disclosure: I was invited to see this production of Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail, but I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences I may be given. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own.

On Friday, I attended the opening night of The Lion playing in the Ellyn Bye Studio at Portland Center Stage from May 2 — June 14, 2015. Written and performed by Benjamin Scheuer and Directed by Sean Daniels, the description of the show The Lion reads:

One man, six guitars, and a true story of love, loss, family loyalty, and the redemptive power of music.

The Lion is a candid, poignant, charming offering from a next-generation troubadour.

The Lion premiered in 2014 at got raves in New York during its commercial run Off-Broadway, with reviews such as

“Mr. Scheuer seems to have found a measure of redemption by exposing his own, with a directness and good humor that only the hardest-hearted could resist.” – The New York Times

“Scheuer’s songs are miniature monologues and short stories you’d otherwise expect to find in The New Yorker. The lyrics are smart and highly detailed, the music sweet and satisfying…” – Theatermania

“Poignant and unexpected! Benjamin Scheuer’s songs are powerful, charismatic, and easy to become lost in.” – NBC New York

“For Audiences, Loving Ben Scheuer Will Be Easy… he’s the kind of debonair that reminds you of F. Scott Fitzgerald, a lit match, and whisky on the rocks.” – The Huffington Post

The story of the Lion is at a high level, an autobiographical tale through 16 or so songs that deals with the relationship and legacy of a father and son, and about perseverance from the painful things that may happen in life and are out of your control.

“Truth gets revealed when you’re broken and healed,” Benjamin sings. “Every heart is made stronger by scars… It’s the way that we weather the storm”

Benjamin Scheuer performs “The Lion” at Portland Center Stage. Photo by Patrick Weishampel/http://blankeye.tv

With his strong smooth voice, charismatic presence, and then the heartfelt, intimate musicality of his songs, it’s easy to identify with Benjamin. At first The Lion seems easy going and folksy with it’s start with childhood. It is as if you are at a house living room party together late after dinner and rounds of strong drinks on, telling stories and talking about memories.

But, then the narrative and the music gets into loss. As we follow Benjamin through time, the music and lyrics grow from his impetuous youth and typical initial musician exuberance to more reflection and sifting through multiple complex emotions at once as he matures in adulthood.

Now that you feel like you are friends with Benjamin, he will bring tears to your eyes as if that regret and longing is partially reminiscent of your own somehow. He weaves through a boy and his father, a boy out on his own, a boy and his mother, falling in love, the key that another person can unlock in yourself, about growing apart, battles, family, disappointment, anger, waiting, recovering, understanding the past in a new light, gratefulness. This is not just a story about him and his journey, but tugs at your own past and current parallels to his tale.

The music and sincerity of his performance takes you from listening to a story to resonating emotionally with the heart he is baring open to you and in doing so, opens your own heart to yourself. Don’t worry that you’ll be bawling though or the show is overly manipulating your heartstrings – there is a balance of quips of humor interspersed throughout that has you laughing through your tears. Music is the medium to the tale, but also is the tale – it is the connection to his father, to himself, and between all of us in the theater.

If you haven’t been to the Ellen Bye Studio yet, it’s a small theater where the configurations are very flexible but in general you are never very far from the stage and performers. Pretty much every seat is a good seat, and they are all unassigned, so it’s first come first serve when they open the doors. It feels like you are right there in the living room with Benjamin throughout the play, just one of a small group of friends.

Benjamin Scheuer performs “The Lion” at Portland Center Stage. Photo by Patrick Weishampel/http://blankeye.tv.

Benjamin Scheuer performs “The Lion” at Portland Center Stage. Photo by Patrick Weishampel/http://blankeye.tv

Performance Times and Prices (Wheelchair and youth/student tickets $20-25. See more details and other ticket specials for groups or military here):

Evenings: 7:30 PM: Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun ($50) and Friday or Saturday ($55)
Matinees: 2 PM Saturday and Sundays ($40) or Noon on Thursdays ($40)
Note: Tickets to show in the studio are general admission: a ticket reserves you a place for a specific performance, but not for a specific seat so it’s first come first serve as you enter the theater. They open the doors about 20 minutes or so before the showtime.

The run time of the play is about 75 minutes with no intermission. The Lion is recommended for ages 13+ because of use of mature language, children under 6 are not permitted at any PCS production. Because of the small nature of the Ellen Bye Studio, there is no late seating or re-entry.

Disclosure: I was invited to see this production, but I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences I may be given. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own

Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail

The Lion at Portland Center Stage

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