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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Portland Center Stage Twist Your Dickens, version 2014

December 5, 2014 by 3 Comments

It’s December! And holiday time! This is my favorite time of year!

While I’m brimming with holiday spirit and cheer, F is more of a grouch. While I’m excited to see sparkling lights everywhere and decked out trees with shiny ornaments (this weekend is also the worthy Providence Festival of Trees at the Oregon Convention Center) and an excuse to wear sequins at holiday parties, he’s muttering about the crowds and the killed trees. If he could, he would stay inside at home every day. I used to get excited buying presents as a challenge of thoughtfulness and also because it’s fun to gift wrap with all that pretty paper, but with his influence we no longer exchange gifts, and we put up a fake instead of a real tree. What a Scrooge right?

In previous years I’ve spent the holiday with my family, ranging from Hawaii one year to Manhattan Beach in California if I didn’t go home to Chicago for Christmas. With all the travel I’ve done this year though, this year F and I are spending the holidays here at home in Portland. I was carefully looking for events and activities that could both fulfill my need for holiday cheer while not being too over the top for Grinchy F.

Enter the fact that earlier this week we went to Portland Center Stage‘s production of Twist Your Dickens, playing at the Armory (128 NW 11th Avenue, in the Pearl District) in the U.S. Bank Main Stage.
Portland Center Stage Twist Your Dickens poster, Art by Julia McNamara running November 22 - December 24, 2014
Art by Julia McNamara

This is a show that is a sketch comedy version of the famous Christmas Carol story by Charles Dickens, and because of that nature no single show is the same. Each cast can throw in their own spins into a production by adding new content to the general outline, and add to the fact that there is a fair amount of improv. In fact, specifically you may see your suggestion thrown into that night’s show!

Make sure you come at least 20 minutes before the show because in the lobby they are collecting written confessed misdeeds you have done (anonymous of course) in the Misdeeds Booth and may uses them in the show! There will also be calls for audience suggestions to incorporate in the show, so think of interesting year from the past, or a funny/scandalous occupation and hobby, and a holiday song for instance to fill in Mad Libs style for the cast…
Tell the Twist Your Dickens cast your misdeeds and they may end up in the Portland Center Stage show that night!

This seemed to the the perfect balance of Christmas cheer and satiric humor for a couple like us. And, I know I piqued his interest when I showed him on the PCS Facebook page how somehow, there would be a Dalek in this production (he is a big Dr. Who fan). Sold! We had a cheerful time and it was fun to hear F, who doesn’t laugh heartily often, do so during the show. I was surprised to see some really fun physical comedy in the second half of the show in addition to the verbal snarkiness that I was expecting and lots of references to pop culture.
Portland Center Stage The Second City’s A Christmas Carol: Twist Your Dickens L-R: Nicholas Kessler as the Ghost of Christmas Future and Craig Cackowski as Scrooge with a Dalek-inspired robot from the future. Photo by Patrick Weishampel.
Twist Your Dickens L-R: Nicholas Kessler as the Ghost of Christmas Future and Craig Cackowski as Scrooge with a Dalek-inspired robot from the future. Photo by Patrick Weishampel.

The running time for Twist Your Dicken is about 1 hour and 50 minutes, including an intermission. The show does have some risque material and language, so recommended for ages 14 years old or older.

Performance times:

  • Tuesday – Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m ($39-$63 except Saturday evening $49-$69)
  • Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. or Thursday matinees at noon ($36-52)

There is another Christmas show at Portland Center Stage show in the Ellen Bye Studio, Santaland Diaries, which is another classic comedic look at Christmas. Use the code word “Surprise” to get $10 off any full price adult tickets to either holiday show!
December 2014 at the Portland Center Stage located at the Gerding Theater at the Armory

Also keep in mind that on the first and third Saturdays of each month (so for December that means tomorrow December 6 and also on December 20), the Gerding Theater at the Armory hosts FREE public tours at noon that last 1 hour that include a total behind the scenes look, so you might want to come see the show and then tour, or tour and then see the show. To join the tour just meet at the concierge desk inside the lobby of the building slightly before noon (I’ve taken this tour before when seeing another play).

You might also consider, as a holiday present, a Sweetness and Spotlight package they are offering! It includes a voucher that is good for two tickets for any Portland Center Stage show in the season, PLUS a dozen Cupcake Jones cupcakes (those ones with the extra stuffing inside the cupcake) as a present for $80, a value of $160 – check here for the Holiday Package.

That includes opportunities for your gift recipient to see the Broadway comedy hit Other Dessert Cities, the smaller intimate musical show The Lion (One man, six guitars, and a true story of love, loss, family loyalty, and the redemptive power of music) or Three Days of Rain (the show you may have heard stars actors from the Portland-filmed NBC television series GRIMM: Silas Weir Mitchell / Monroe and Sasha Roiz /Captain Renard) and more!

Are you seeing any holiday shows or doing any special holiday entertainment activities this month, I’m interested to find more holiday things to do!?

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 Show The Last Five Years Musical

June 14, 2014 by 2 Comments

Last week,  I had a really good time attending the Portland Center Stage Show Lizzie, a musical about Lizzie Borden and possible version of the events. I went with my girl friend M (I reviewed the production and my recap of the experience,  as well as shared some trivia and tips for food and drinks before or after the show here).

But, I lamented the fact I hadn’t been paying more attention to the shows and they were now ending their 2013-2014 season (during 2 months of summer July August the theater has other short events such as various staged readings you can find out at their website, rather than production runs). Luckily,  there are two theaters on Portland Center Stage,  so there is one other show available to see. This time I made it part of a date night with F. I was particularly interested when I found out that story is slightly autobiographical, and that it is currently a movie adaption in production starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan and written/directed by Richard LaGravenese.
Portland Center Stage The Last Five Years Art by Michael Buchino April 26–June 22, 2014
The Last Five Years by Portland Center Stage for 2014, Art by Michael Buchino

The Portland Center Stage Show The Last Five Years is also a musical,  and has a cast of only one man (Drew Harper as rising novelist Jamie Wellerstein), one woman (Merideth Kaye Clark as aspiring actress Cathy Hiatt), and one behind the scenes tireless pianist Eric Little during its 90 minute run time. The premise is you listen to the story from the man’s perspective going sequentially in time while simultaneously following the woman’s perspective going backwards through time in their five year relationship.
Portland Center Stage The Last Five Years Drew Harper as Jamie Wellerstein Please credit: Patrick Weishampel The Last Five Years Written and Composed by Jason Robert Brown April 26–June 22, 2014 in the Ellyn Bye Studio
Portland Center Stage production of The Last Five Years, Drew Harper as Jamie Wellerstein, Photo credit: Patrick Weishampel

Because of this narrative construct,  there is only one time they are present together at the same time in both their time lines, although there are moments both are on Stage together but yet are also alone. This theme of being together yet alone is one of the many topics that arise in the story, making this a great show to discuss over drinks afterwards with other friends,  whether they are single or in a relationship. Myself, I went with a Pistachio Martini with house infused pistachio vodka, Absolut Vanilla, Midori, Half and Half and crushed pistachios at nearby Piattino after the show.
Piattino cocktail of Pistachio Martini with house infused pistachio vodka, Absolut Vanilla, Midori, Half and Half and crushed pistachios Piattino cocktail of Pistachio Martini with house infused pistachio vodka, Absolut Vanilla, Midori, Half and Half and crushed pistachios

Other topics include

  • Role of breadwinner in a couple
  • Choices between work and family
  • Value of a career in defining who you are
  • How you are told to keep trying until you succeed but also the reality of how far you can go with a dream
  • What does supporting your partner really mean
  • Where is the line between asserting for yourself and being self centered
  • Where was the missed connection or point where things could have been saved or was it doomed… And how often instead of maturely ending a relationship it seems easier to do something stupid to destroy it
  • The time is also set in the 90s, so would modern communication tools like texting and internet video calls have made a difference?
  • Although unfortunately in the production it isn’t always clear what scenes are in New York versus Ohio, the environment you live can also play a role
  • He is Jewish and she is Christian, but we didn’t know enough to talk about whether religion and upbringing also played a role

As the conversation with your date(s) continues on, or maybe even only internally with yourself, there might even be reminiscing your own history of individual failed relationships. Inevitably parts of the play will resonate with something in your own past situation.

This may make it sound like the musical is quite melancholy,  but there are also threads of excitement of the rush of love, and humor in many scenes just like the course of real life. It’s also quite amazing to see the actor and actress singing their hearts out for these 90 minutes (and on some days twice a day!), with some of the songs requiring fast lyrics that they never hesitate or tumble over. There is very little speaking so they have to communicate the story as well as the distinct character quirks all in song. In particular, Merideth Kaye Clark is insanely talented – it was hard to buy that her character was a struggling actress because Merideth is incredible. And, oh, she also has a degree in neuroscience.

Portland Center Stage production of The Last Five Years, Merideth Kaye Clark as Cathy Hiatt, Photo credit: Patrick Weishampel

Hurry though as The Last Five Years will be closing on this next Sunday June 22, so only 1 week of performances is left. Lizzie closes on the following Sunday June 29. When did Portland Center Stage become our little Off Broadway theater!??!

In the smaller more intimate studio theater space downstairs, the Ellyn Bye Studio only holds 199 and has open seating,  unlike the 590 seats assigned seating arrangements of the Gerding Theater. The doors open 30 minutes before showtime so show up early to claim your seat and then send your date to bring back your lidded drinks! They have a special cocktail for The Last Five Years (though you can order whatever you’d like, even the Lizzie cocktail of course) called Bittersweet Love Song that includes Ketel 1 Citroen, Campari, Combier Orange Liqueur, Orange Bitters, Lemon Juice, and Honey Syrup.
At Portland Center Stage, they have a special cocktail for The Last Five Years (though you can order whatever you'd like, even the Lizzie cocktail of course) called Bittersweet Love Song that includes Ketel 1 Citroen, Campari, Combier Orange Liqueur, Orange Bitters, Lemon Juice, and Honey Syrup.

Also if you can sit on the left side the doors farthest from the stairs you come down to get to the floor the theater is on. The studio can be configured in many ways depending on the stage design, and for this production the stage is in the middle like runway with seats facing in either side. It does mean that you will at least half the time be listening to the actor/actress as they are singing in profile or even their back. I felt during certain emotional scenes the actor/actresses were blocked facing towards that side more.
Portland Center Stage production of the Last Five Years

And finally,  because the actors/actresses move in and out of the small space and there is no intermission,  go to the restrooms before the show and be ready to wait 90 minutes until your next visit!

The Last Five years is Written and composed by Jason Robert Brown and directed by Nancy Keystone. You can purchase tickets here. Tickets range from $30-45-55 depending on the show day and time. Performance times:

  • Tuesday – Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
  • Thursday matinees at noon

You can find Portland Center Stage (PCS) online at Facebook PDXcenterstage, Instagram @portlandcenterstage and Twitter @PCS_Armory. Also check the hashtag #pcs_LastFive! You’ll find more about Portland Center Stage shows on the PCS blog.

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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PCS presents I Love to Eat

January 6, 2013 by 1 Comment

I Love to Eat

I Love to Eat I Love to Eat

Written By James Still; Directed by Jessica Kubzansky; Design by Julia McNamara; Art direction by Michael Buchino. Photo by Patrick Weishampel.

I Love to Eat
January 8–February 3, 2013
Presented by Portland Center Stage on the Main Stage
Runs 75 minutes with no intermission
Tuesday – Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Thursday matinees at noon

This one man stage play “celebrates the life and talent of a Portland, Oregon, original—James Beard. Before Julia Child, before today’s proliferation of cooking shows and networks, there was James Beard, the first TV chef. He brought fine cooking to the small screen in 1946 and helped establish an American cuisine. But, as is often the case with pioneers, his early efforts on screen have been lost. He went on to become America’s first “foodie,” and the award bearing his name is still the prize most coveted by chefs. Playwright James Still invites you to meet the man described as ‘the face and belly of American gastronomy’ in this play that recreates an evening at Beard’s New York home.”

The play is performed at the Gerding Theater at the Armory – Main Stage located in the trendy artsy urban Pearl District, so you can plan on grabbing great cocktails and small bites in easy walking distance (such as at my favorites Clyde Common or Teardrop Lounge , although there are many other options too!) before or after the show, and/or dinner. In fact, you may have to go out and have dinner after watching this show after all the food references and watching James Beard (played by Rob Nagle) prepare food during the show.

Portland Center Stage presents I Love to Eat Jan 8–Feb 3: www.pcs.org/eat

For an extra special treat, consider joining in with Forktown Tours, who is doing a special edition tour followed by attending this show called the Portland Loves To Eat tour on Fridays and Saturdays during the show run. Its price-tag of $99 includes a walking tour with food samples and backstory on the life and times of “the Dean of American Cuisine” James Beard and his influence on the way we eat, a backstage tour of the Gerding Theater, an hour of time for you to fill your stomach before then going in for a Friday or Saturday night performance.

Another cool option might be to attend on January 15, after attending PCS’s Shop Talk from 6:30 – 7 p.m. Admission is free, and is a time to get answers from the production staff to questions such as how they created a working kitchen, finding the right foods to include in the production (and after auditioning various brioches and challahs, what kind of bread made the final cut?) Also find out how a fridge be used as an actor’s entrance and about some “sandwich trick”? Come tackle these questions and ask some more of your own at their free pre-show discussion!

Also, for the official West Coast Premier on Friday, January 11th, after the evening performance theater goers will be treated to a tasting reception which will feature 5 of the 7 James Beard winning chefs in Oregon, including Philippe Boulot of Multnomah Athletic Club (and previously the Heathman), Greg Higgins of Higgins Restaurant, Caprial Pence of Basa Basa, Gabriel Rucker of Le Pigeon and Little Bird, and Cory Schreiber of The Art Institute of Portland (and founder of Wildwood Restaurant). This $125 event tickets are for a limited time and can only be purchased by visiting directly or calling the Portland Center Stage box office  and providing the code “James Beard Public Market Event” (tickets for the other performances of the show’s run can be purchased over the PCS website.) All proceeds from the evening will benefit the planned James Beard Public Market, a concept for a local market that will rival Pike Place Market but located here in hometown Portland.

Finally, during the performance run PCS is also partnering with the Oregon Food Bank for a food drive, so consider bringing non-perishable items with you. We are very fortunate in that we have choices in deliciousness and can leisurely love to eat, but there are others who are in need and hungry and would love to eat too. Note there is a Whole Foods only a few blocks away. You can also use a promo code FOODBANK that will get you a $5 discount off tickets and PCS will donate $10 to Oregon Food Bank for using the code.

I had mentioned this show to F before Christmas, and after asking a couple times more (it was repetitive reminding…) he purchased matinee tickets for us to attend on January 20,. We’ll be attending with the Foodie Meetup group so that we can join in a free backstage tour – an example how PCS is stepping up to reaching out to the foodie community to celebrate the first Portland Foodie of them all.

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