Stupid F***ing Bird at Portland Center Stage

March 7, 2016 by Leave a Comment

When I saw last year that Stupid F***ing Bird was on the list for Portland Center Stage‘s season, I was pretty excited. Around this time last year I attended the PCS production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike which was a fun modern take with references to famous Russian playwright and short story writer Anton Chekhov as well as a bit of meta mocking and mashup of theater and modern times. I really enjoyed the production. Stupid F***ing Bird is similar, but focuses specifically on having fun with Chekhov’s The Seagull. Stupid F***ing Bird at Portland Center Stage is running now until March 27.

Art by Julia McNamara poster for Stupid F***ing Bird at Portland Center Stage. By Aaron Posner Directed by Howard Shalwitz
Art by Julia McNamara presenting Stupid F***ing Bird at Portland Center Stage. By Aaron Posner Directed by Howard Shalwitz

You don’t have to know anything at all about Chekhov to enjoy Stupid F***ing Bird. It addresses things we can all relate to as a human being- loving someone and wanting to be loved back, wanting to be meaningful, wondering about the point of life. And as you can tell right away from the title, it does so in a cheeky way that doesn’t hold back from expletives and strength of feelings.

If you want to know a little background though, Chekhov spotlights how the everyday includes opposite moods and emotions occurring simultaneously.  Overall, his works reflect that life is comedic and maddening and fascinating in being sorta terrible. I believe Chekhov inspired Leo Tolstoy in showing how unhappy families are all unhappy in their own way.

Kate Eastwood Norris as Emma Arkadina, Ian Holcomb as Conrad Arkadina, Charles Leggett as Eugene Sorn and Cody Nickell as Doyle Trigorin in Stupid F***ing Bird at Portland Center Stage
(l-r): Kate Eastwood Norris as Emma Arkadina, Ian Holcomb as Conrad Arkadina, Charles Leggett as Eugene Sorn and Cody Nickell as Doyle Trigorin in Stupid F***ing Bird at Portland Center Stage. Photo by Patrick Weishampel/blankeye.tv

Similar to The Seagull, in  Stupid F***ing Bird not a lot of action happens onstage – instead, the audience experiences the conversations and observations that lead before and in the aftermath of those offstage events – and this script follows suit. You are an observer of a group of people and their relationships to each other because drama is people in the everyday, rather than big events. Thankfully, Stupid F***ing Bird trims down the original play to a manageable number of people and acts, and their names are a lot more normal to make it a lean and more effective and clear story.  It doesn’t follow the The Seagull directly but more takes inspiration by carrying forward all the intended sentiments but into more current times, and distills it into bigger emotions.

The play brings the weight of the inner turmoils and longings within each of its characters quickly and succinctly – each of the actors and actresses were perfect in completely embodying who they are even without words. Each person is complex – with a positive trait as well as a negative trait that helps you empathize but at the same time shake your head a little.

Con, played by actor Ian Holcomb is the energy that propels the people through the story with his desperation for love and meaning. I don’t know how as an actor he digs in every night to find the emotional energy to pour into portraying the brash ambitions of that kind of young man so well. He really makes it real, helping everyone feel for his “I want to change the world” hopes while also feeling exhausted as he takes himself so seriously. You can relate to the bemusement, patience, and exasperation reactions of the other characters to him.

Meanwhile, you can understand his obsession with the radiant Nina played by Katie deBuys whose presence is like a breath of fresh air compared to all the glass half empty viewpoints everyone else has. She does a wonderful job of presenting that lightness at the start that contrasts sharply as she hardens, with a great assist from wardrobe from floaty ethereal garments to being all wrapped up in layers from coldness at the end.

Katie deBuys as Nina, Cody Nickell as Doyle Trigorin, Kate Eastwood Norris as Emma Arkadina, Charles Leggett as Eugene Sorn, Darius Pierce as Dev and Kimberly Gilbert as Mash in Stupid F***ing Bird at Portland Center Stage
(l-r): Katie deBuys as Nina, Cody Nickell as Doyle Trigorin, Kate Eastwood Norris as Emma Arkadina, Charles Leggett as Eugene Sorn, Darius Pierce as Dev and Kimberly Gilbert as Mash in Stupid F***ing Bird at Portland Center Stage. Photo by Patrick Weishampel/blankeye.tv

I most fell in love with Kimberly Gilbert’s Mash through her brilliant physical presentation with her body language, fully taking advantage of stage presence. While Con and Nina may be the center of the story, it’s the tragedy and comedy as represented by Nina, or the perfect timing of observations by Charles Leggett as Sorn, that I think are the heart of the play. They experience a quieter, parallel addressing of Con’s and Nina’s yearning for love and meaning, and I think Masha and Sorn serve as the author and audience surrogate. The script also breaks the fourth wall immediately, including us the audience as observers that those on the stage are conscious of and sometimes directly address and interact with at times, and getting meta with it’s source material as well as theater in general and us!

After the play, it’s interesting to chat with others who have seen the play on your order of who you liked the most to least, in order. I won’t give away the end, but it’s one that leaves it open to us and ensuing conversation to decide what it all means, if anything at all…

There is some mature language and sexuality so PCS recommends it for ages 16+.  The play notes that “Contains mature language (surprise!) and content, fleeting nudity, fog, loaded guns and theater people.”

Stupid F***ing Bird at Portland Center Stage run until March 27. The performance runs for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission. All performances are at the Armory (128 NW 11th Avenue, in the Pearl District) on the U.S. Bank Main Stage. See more details and other ticket specials for groups, students, military, or learn about rush tickets here.

  • Tuesday – Sunday 7:30 PM. ($25-64 for adults Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun, $25-70 for the Fri-Sat evening performances)
  • Saturday and Sundays at 2 PM and Thursdays at noon  ($25-53 for adults)

You can enjoy $10 off select tickets to Stupid &?@#!*% Bird using promo code “SOCIAL”. Note that the promotional code valid only on seating areas 1-3 and is not valid on previously purchased tickets, student tickets or in combination with other discounts and is subject to availability.

As a special for March, PCS is hosting a special March series of Social Hour events featuring local performance companies Hand2Mouth, Performance Works NW, PETE and Shaking the Tree. These are events that allow you to connect with Portland artists prior to a performance on all Thursdays in March from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (includes a beer or glass of wine on PCS) and all Sunday’s in March from 1 to 2 p.m. (includes a complimentary mimosa on PCS)!

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.

 

 

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Review of Sex With Strangers at Portland Center Stage

October 22, 2015 by 6 Comments

From October 10 — November 22, 2015, at Portland Center Stage (PCS) the production of Sex With Strangers will be playing at the intimate Ellen Bye Studio, which seats about 200 people (the seating is flexible based on how they arrange it to fit the stage)  and seating is first come first serve when doors open.

Play description:

A raging snowstorm traps strangers Olivia, an unsuccessful yet gifted 39-year-old writer, and Ethan, a tech- addicted and wildly successful young blogger, in a secluded cabin. Opposites instantly attract, and undeniable chemistry ignites. As the dawn rises, however, what could have just been a one-night-stand transforms into something more complicated when online exploits interfere with their real-life connection.

"Sex
Sex with Strangers Art by Julia McNamara

As soon as I read the premise, I was intrigued how it takes on the topic of relationships and definition of self and how you see someone else in this digital age with internet searches and social media stalking. It asks questions about how you present yourself and how others present you, as well as impressions of you in person versus through other mediums like writing and technology. It also includes themes such as how the field of writing is both personal about how your voice goes out to the world but at the same time, is a commercial product that others use that then define the writer as a person.

And it’s all wrapped up in witty smart banter of a love story  –  will they or won’t they work?

The playwright of Sex With Strangers is Laura Eason, who also has written for the Netflix show House of Cards. Per the helpful A Practical Guide to Sex With Strangers, it’s revealed that the writing sample that helped Laura get the job on House of Cards was from this play. Similar  to the show, the characters are likable but flawed, brilliant but also ambitious and asking a lot and naturally focused on themself, and in all ways interesting enough that you want to know more. There are thoughtful questions asked, but also lots of sprinklings of humor.
Portland Center Stage presents Sex with Strangers

The PCS production of Sex with Strangers stars cast members Danielle Slavick and Christopher M. Smith and is directed by Brandon Woolley, Tony Cisek is Scenic Designer and Christine Meyers as the Costume Designer. Christine, I don’t know where you got the clothes for Danielle in Act 2, but I loved them all.

I loved how the production used the space to really make it feel like the interior of a home in both acts –  warm and cozy almost like continual flickering fireplace light in the cabins of Michigan in Act 1, then a high rise city condo in Chicago in Act 2.  I admire some of the quick change of clothes that happened, and how movements expanded the space beyond center stage. The blocking somehow seems normal for an interior while always shifting to make sure there is not a bad seat in the house to watch the scenes.

Danielle and Christopher do an incredible job in portraying the strengths and weaknesses of their characters. You can believe the conversation and thoughts as completely natural for a normal person you might meet in real life, even though we know all along it’s scripted and can be pretty wordy in exposition at times. You can’t help but be both charmed and frustrated by them, just like a real friend as you witness them help each other and grow but also hurt each other.

The conversation back and forth is smart, quick, and works both to further the story and theme in a believable way while continually revealing of who Olivia and Ethan think they are and how the world judges them and thus affects they see themself and the other person. The play is asking us the audience questions on who we think they are based on what they say in their written works, what is said about them by others via reviews of their work (and how much of that is truly representative of them as a person), and what we see said in front of us to each other and how they act expressing who they think they are or want to be. Based on that, will Olivia + Ethan work?  Portland Center Stage Sex with Strangers Danielle Slavick as Olivia and Christopher M. Smith as Ethan in
Portland Center Stage Sex with Strangers Danielle Slavick as Olivia and Christopher M. Smith as Ethan in “Sex with Strangers” at Portland Center Stage. Photo by Patrick Weishampel

Sex With Strangers run is from October 10 — November 22, 2015.

Performance Times and Prices (Wheelchair and youth/student tickets $25-30. Rush tickets are $20. See more details and other ticket specials for groups or military here) are

  • Evenings: 7:30 PM on Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun ($50) or 7:30 PM Friday or Saturday ($55)
  • Matinees: 2 PM Saturday ($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. In the Ellen Bye Studio, which seats about 200 people,  the seating is flexible based on how they arrange it to fit the stage and in this case you sit on left, right, and center facing the stage. Still, there isn’t a bad seat.

The run time of the play is about 120 minutes with 1 intermission. Sex with Strangers is recommended for ages 16+; contains mature language  (a lot of it!), brief nudity and adult situations. Sex is imminent. 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.

As a special treat, for the Saturday October 24 production, there is a special show afterward called Booty Call: Outrageous and Funny Stories after the show where for $5, you can further explore the topic of getting together along with music by DJ Blind Bartimaeus.

Also in the lobby is a pretty fun Eat Me Desserts machine loaded with yummies like

  • Black Velvet Cake Parfait with Mocha Whipped Cream
  • Sweet Potato Cake Parfait with Mascarpone Whipped Cream and Lemon Curd
  • Toasty Dark Chocolate dipped Coconut Macaroons
  • Brownie Cookie-wiches filled with chocolate whipped cream (Gluten-Smart!)
  • Ginger Bacon Cookie-wiches filled with Whipped Cream Cheese
  • Peanut Butter Pie Parfait
  • Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta topped with Salted Caramel and Candied Filbert hazelnuts
  • Salted Caramel Apple Cake Parfait with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

Each treat is priced around $5.  The Eat Me Desserts Machine is scheduled to live in the PCS lobby throughout the season, but it is also available to rent for parties and special events. You should check it out!
Eat Me Desserts machine Eat Me Desserts machine loaded with yummies like Black Velvet Cake Parfait with Mocha Whipped Cream, Sweet Potato Cake Parfait with Mascarpone Whipped Cream and Lemon Curd, Toasty Dark Chocolate dipped Coconut Macaroons

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

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The Lion at Portland Center Stage

May 9, 2015 by 3 Comments

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 Photo © 2014 Nilaya Sabnis. Written and performed by Benjamin Scheuer Directed By Sean Daniels May 2 - June 14, 2015 http://pcs.org/lion/
The Lion Written and performed by Benjamin Scheuer Photo © 2014 Nilaya Sabnis.

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.
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

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Cyrano at Portland Center Stage

April 11, 2015 by 4 Comments

I was excited to see that a production of Cyrano would be at Portland Center Stage from April 4 — May 3, 2015 on the U.S. Bank Main Stage, with Opening Night last night on April 10, which I attended. You may be already familiar with the story of Cyrano via the fun modern adaption in the Steve Martin/Daryl Hannah movie Roxanne (which I confess I saw many times as a kid and still love) or more traditional Cyrano de Bergerac lavish French movie for which Gérard Depardieu was nominated for an Oscar even though it was non-English speaking (among many other 33 nominations and 20 awards the actors and movie were nominated and won). The version at Portland Center Stage (PCS) is a translation and interpretation by Michael Hollinger and Aaron Posner, and directed by Jane Jones, of the original play by Edmund Rostand (1868 – 1918) .

The PCS production of Cyrano straddles both those lines of fun and traditional, providing the lush 17th century setting in France and costumes of the original (same time period as the Three Musketeers) and flowy poetic prose, but also adapting the French romance and injecting comedy to modern sensibilities. It has both heart and humor.
Portland Center Stage production of Cyrano poster, Art by Michael Buchino
Portland Center Stage production of Cyrano poster, Art by Michael Buchino

At a high level, Cyrano is a story about a man (who actually existed in real life) who you would traditionally see as a hero- he’s a swashbuckling swordfighter, well-read and articulate enough to be witty in banter and poetic in writing, the character of Cyrano is literally the definition of panache. But, although he’s brave outwardly to everyone who perceive him, even reckless, Cyrano’s weakness is that he is not brave in love because of his own insecurity and self doubts about his looks, specifically his large nose.
Andrew McGinn as Cyrano in Portland Center Stage's new adaptation of the classic romantic comedy. Portland Center Stage production of Cyrano, photo by Patrick Weishampel/http://blankeye.tv
Andrew McGinn as Cyrano. From Portland Center Stage’s new adaptation of the classic romantic comedy, both photos by Patrick Weishampel

All of this comes to a head when the woman he loves, Roxanne, tells him she has a crush on a handsome new man in town named Christian. When Cyrano learns Christian returns that attraction, he becomes the ultimate wingman of all time to help Christian romance her.  Exciting battles and laughs but also romantic dialogue and tugging at our heartstrings follow.
(L-R) Damon Kupper, Andrew McGinn and Chris Harder in Portland Center Stage's new adaptation of the classic romantic comedy Cyrano, photo by Patrick Weishampel/http://blankeye.tv
(L-R) Damon Kupper, Andrew McGinn and Chris Harder // (L-R) Leif Norby and Jenn Taylor. From Portland Center Stage’s new adaptation of the classic romantic comedy, both photos by Patrick Weishampel

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

  • Evenings at 7:30 PM: Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun ($36-63) and Fri or Sat ($36-$69)
  • Matinees: 2 PM on Saturday and Sundays or Noon on Thursdays ($36-52)

The run time of the play is about 2 hours and 20 minutes, including one intermission. Cyrano is recommended for ages 10+, children under 6 are not permitted at any PCS production.

If you don’t know the story, some thoughts to consider after watching the story are that I might suggest over cocktails or dinner include,

  1. Does Cyrano help Christian woo Roxane because he selflessly wants her to be happy? Or is he being selfish or prideful because he risks his life easily but won’t take the risk of the truth?
  2. The other men admire Cyrano for living a life where he does and says what he wants, whenever he wants, being true to himself. But that’s not true with Roxane. What part of Cyrano’s life do you think is the truth and what is the charade?
  3. Is Roxane worthy of the love of Christian and Cyrano?

As always, the Armory Cafe is always open before, during and after performances so if you want to grab a bite and a cocktail before the show,as they are always open 1.5 hours before the show, and you can take your beverage (with a lid) to enjoy during the show. Did you know you can also avoid the long lines at intermission by before going in to enjoy the first act, pre-order and pay for your drink to be ready for you at intermission with a sign at intermission? Seriously genius.

As always, they have a few themed cocktails invented based on the current shows. I enjoyed the Roxane with Campo Viejo Cava Brut Rose, St Germaine Elderflower Liqueur,  and Peychaud’s Bitters sugar cube and also the Mon Panache with Monopolowa Vodka, vanilla simple and pear nectar.
Cocktail of Roxane with Campo Viejo Cava Brut Rose, St Germaine Elderflower Liqueur, and Peychaud's Bitters sugar cube at the Portland Center Stage production of Cyrano Cocktail of the Mon Panache with Monopolowa Vodka, vanilla simple and pear nectar at the Portland Center Stage production of Cyrano. You can pay for your order before the first act and during intermission, it will be waiting for you with a sign so you don't have to wait in the long line You can bring your drink into the Portland Center Stage theater if you enjoy it with a lid and a straw...

If you want to continue to a meal with a French theme after the show, I would also recommend Little Bird, a French Bistro located only less than half a mile away and open until midnight everyday (and bonus, 10 PM -midnight is their late happy hour). Other nearby French options might be Brasserie Montmartre or if you are looking at eats before a matinee or after the Tuesday early show, Nuvrei or Le Bouchon.

If you are interested, there is also a special FREE event PCS will be hosting on Sunday April 26 from 4 – 7:30 PM, the La Fête de Rostand. In the Armory lobby between the matinee and evening performances of Cyrano (4:30-7 PM) they are holding a celebration in honor of the playwright of Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmund Rostand and all things French. During that time PCS will have specialty cocktails, French press coffee, champagne and pastries from the Armory Café and local musicians performing music in French.

Because I attended on Opening Night, I had a chance to enjoy a few extras, including the always fun centerpieces they have upstairs to reflect the production (Roses with Noses here for Cyrano). After the show there were some themed appetizers such as “French cheese platters”, some sort of pastry cylinder filled with ratatouille, two types of tartines, and mini galettes (galettes are mentioned in the play, as well as several other baked goods and food in 2 difference scenes!). And they had some people making balloon swords!
Beer and red and white wines flowing on Opening Night at Portland Center Stage production of Cyrano (as hinted by that centerpiece with roses and large noses) Fun centerpieces at the Portland Center Stage production of Cyrano Opening Night Fun centerpieces at the Portland Center Stage production of Cyrano Opening Night Some of the fun French themed appetizers at Opening Night of the Portland Center Stage production of Cyrano, including tartines, mini galettes, and French cheese platters and some sort of pastry filled with ratatouille Opening Night the Portland Center Stage production of Cyrano included balloon swords, ha ha

Are you familiar with the Cyrano story, from reading it in school, the movies/plays? What are your thoughts on the idea of a character/person like Cyrano?

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.

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Portland Center Stage presents Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

January 23, 2015 by 5 Comments

Until February 8 2015, Portland Center Stage is presenting a production of the Broadway hit and 2013 Tony Award winner for Best Play, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike“.

The events of  Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike cover when Masha, the successful youngest sister, returns home with her young lover for a costume party and see her two older siblings (Vanya and Sonia) who stayed behind to take care of their parents and never left the hometown. The play’s themes center around the relationships between adult siblings and the self-awareness of those 3 siblings in knowing they are aging and halfway through their lives.
Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike Art by Julia McNamara
Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike, Art by Julia McNamara

As you might guess from the names of the siblings – Vanya, the oldest brother, and his two younger sisters of Sonia and Masha, there are also plenty of references to Chekhov and a bit of mocking of classic theater. If you know a little bit, you will probably get a kick about little twists that are made, such as transformation of a Seagull (one of Chekhov’s famous plays) into references about a wild turkey, allusions about a Cherry Orchard (another Chekhov play, that one also about losing of a family estate) and Vanya being anxious about the future and reminiscing about the past (just like the namesake play Uncle Vanya). If you feel you might be missing some references or inside jokes, you probably are –  I felt I did.

If you are interested, PCS always provides a Resource Guide to all their plays if you want to do a little research ahead of time, and this one for Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike has a lot of background in it! And, it just so happens tomorrow January 24 you can even join in on a afternoon seminar on Chekhov and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike led by a Yale educated dramaturg Kate Bredeson.

But you don’t have to know anything at all about Chekhov to enjoy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.  Some things, such as how people act before coffee, a hunk stripping (or reverse stripping) to his underwear, seeing over-dramatic crying, and hearing petty sniping between people, are just simply universally understood humor.
Portland Center Stage Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike L-R: Sharonlee McLean as Sonia, Eden Malyn as Nina, Andrew Sellon as Vanya, Carol Halstead as Masha and Nick Ballard as Spike (front) and in
Portland Center Stage Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike L-R: Sharonlee McLean as Sonia, Eden Malyn as Nina, Andrew Sellon as Vanya, Carol Halstead as Masha and Nick Ballard as Spike (front) and in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” by Christopher Durang. Photo by Patrick Weishampel.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, authored by playwright Christopher Durang, does carry on Chekhov’s emphasis more on dialogue and interesting characters than specific plots and events and everyone being unhappy each in their own way. But if you’ve ever watched any episode of Friends or Seinfeld or How I Met Your Mother, you’re already familiar with spending time with people just talking being entertainment enough for a viewer.
Portland Center Stage Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike L-R: Nick Ballard as Spike, Carol Halstead as Masha, Andrew Sellon as Vanya and Sharonlee McLean as Sonia in
Portland Center Stage production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike L-R: Nick Ballard as Spike, Carol Halstead as Masha, Andrew Sellon as Vanya and Sharonlee McLean as Sonia in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” by Christopher Durang. Photo by Patrick Weishampel.

I enjoyed all the characters, and all the performances by all the cast in this group are great, communicating their idiosyncrasies and self-centeredness while being endearing all at the same time.  Every character gets their moment – and each one was handled beautifully by each actor and actress. Although you are conscious about this being a play, each of these people also seemed oddly plausible and real life, not just a character. I chalk it up that even though some the character reactions are over the top, there is some sincerity of emotion coming from the performances that grounds it to more than just acting. The costuming and the stage are full of wonderful details – you can feel that all the objects on the set have a story behind them, and while the costume party costumes were exquisite, I was also coveting Masha’s morning robe.

Besides wondering what references or jokes I might have missed, the only other thing I wondered is when the time period of this play is set. Given the purported age of the characters, how can they reminisce with such strong nostalgia as if they’ve lived through the 50s and also complain about Twittering? 

The play and the production perfectly balances asking thoughtful questions and introspection about life with a tinge of melancholy, all without ever getting too moody. There is always a return to being able to laugh that life and people and our own culture can also be a bit preposterous.

There is some mature language and sexuality so PCS recommends it for ages 13+, and the closer you are to middle age or a Chekhov or theater geek, probably the more references you might enjoy in this play, although it isn’t needed. Performances, which run for the next  2 weeks until February 8, are at

  • Tuesday – Sunday 7:30 PM. ($39-63 for adults Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun, $49-69 on Fri-Sat evening performances)
  • Saturday and Sundays at 2 PM and Thursdays at noon  ($36-52 for adults)

For a discount, save $5 with code word VOODOO. All performances are at the Armory (128 NW 11th Avenue, in the Pearl District) in the U.S. Bank Main Stage.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike runs for approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes, including one intermission. If you attend one of the 7:30 PM performances and want to have a bite/drink and chat about it, since you are not out until almost 10 PM, may I humbly point out that your closest options include Henry’s, Bluehour, Tilt, Oven and Shaker, and Fathead Brewpub, all within a few blocks.

You can also visit before the show for a drink or a bite at the Armoy. And as always you can pre-order your drink at the bar for intermission. You can bring your drink into the theater as long as it has a lid. I enjoyed a Spiked Punch they offered at the bar with Flor de Cana Silver Rum, Pineapple, Orange, Lime, Grenadine and Sprite. An option I pondered but didn’t try myself was The Cherry Orchard with Wonder Kombucha, New Deal Vodka, Bordeaux Cherry Relish and Lime.

Have you read or seen any Chekhov plays (I admit my knowledge was mainly the Seagull from school), or are there any productions from Portland Center Stage you enjoyed or are looking forward to this year?

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.

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