 Contributed photo
When Clackamas Repertory Theatre (CRT) selects plays for a
season, David Smith-English noted they go through numerous scripts before
finding one that piques their interest. Smith-English will direct one of those,
“The Book Club Play,” by Karen Zacarķas, opening this month, although it took
him a couple times reading the script, which centers on a book club, before
really envisioning it.
“I first read it, (it’s got) just six characters talking
about books; you can’t have a play with no action,” Smith-English said. “The
more I read it, the more I realized it’s right there, all this wonderful action
is going on.”
The comedy, a newer play that CRT intended to do three years
ago before the pandemic thwarted those plans, offers the story of a devoted
book club that becomes the subject of a documentary filmmaker’s efforts. The
club’s intimate discussions, along with the literature and a provocative new
member, are all captured on film.
“Some interesting things happen when people forget there’s a
camera on them,” Smith-English said. “It’s really fun. It’s just a really
enjoyable experience with a fabulous cast.”
CRT presents the comedy, “The Book Club Play,” from
Thursday, Sept. 8 through Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Niemeyer Center on the Oregon
City campus of Clackamas Community College, 19600 Molalla Avenue in Oregon
City. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m.
on Sunday. Ticket prices are from $30-40. For more information, visit
clackamasrep.org or call 503-594-6047.
CRT will also offer an evening of music, featuring the music
and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim performed by Susannah Mars and Merideth Kaye
Clark, for one night only at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21. Tickets are $20 and
sold at the door.
Classic musical in Boring
The names of the women who have tackled the role of Dolly
Gallagher-Levi in the renown musical “Hello Dolly!,” book by Michael Stewart,
music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and based on the play “The Matchmaker” by
Thornton Wilder, include some A-list celebrities: Carol Channing, Ethel Merman,
Pearl Bailey, Mary Martin, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters
among them.
For the Nutz-n-Boltz Theater Company’s (NNB) production,
veteran performer and NNB’s Artistic Director Kelly Lazenby will take on part
with her husband, Justin, directing.
“It’s a ‘bucket list’ part for her,” Justin said.
The story focuses on Dolly, a turn-of-the-century matchmaker
who decides that the next match she needs to make is to find someone for
herself. The show includes many well-known songs in the musical theater cannon,
including “It Only Takes a Moment,” “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” and the title
number, “Hello, Dolly!”
In taking on such a popular show, Justin noted that he hopes
to solidly hit the things that audience members will already know, including
those songs, while also making the story their own.
“I like to tell the story without distraction,” he said,
adding that there is a “delightful familiarity” with the show.
Justin added that while the show offers challenges,
including mounting a production with such a large cast in a space that has its
limitations, he enjoys how positive the story is.
“Even the grumpiness of the main guy is all tongue in cheek,
it’s all fun,” he said. “This one is just meant to be an uplifting story of
love and relationships.”
Justin added that many reservations have already been made
for the show, so audience members are encouraged to buy tickets as soon as they
can.
NNB presents “Hello Dolly!” from Friday, Sept. 23 through
Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Boring Grange, 27861 Grange Street in Boring. Show
times are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are
$18 for adults and $15 for children and seniors, and $13 for law enforcement.
For more information, or to make reservations, call 503-593-1295 or visit nnbtheater.com.
Neil Simon’s “Rumors” in Sandy
Patrick Roth’s involvement with the Sandy Actors Theatre
(SAT) stretches back to 2007, and he’s performed in numerous productions since.
But Roth will take on a first-time role with SAT’s latest production, Neil
Simon’s comedy “Rumors,” as the show’s director.
And while the process has endured some bumps in the road,
including a performer testing positive for COVID-19 and another one dropping
out altogether, Roth is focused on making sure the audience will enjoy it.
“I hope they just come out laughing,” he said.
The play tells the story of the Deputy Mayor of New York,
who is wounded just as a gathering for his tenth wedding anniversary is about
to begin. With his wife nowhere in sight, his lawyer, Ken, and Ken's wife,
Chris, must get “the story” straight before the other guests arrive.
“In this show, everyone is an opposite, which is great,”
Roth said. “They each have their power dynamics, which is classic Neil Simon.
Each character trying to outdo each other.”
Roth has a background in clowning, and he noted that has
offered a good foundation for the play’s movement and physical comedy, adding
that he’s enjoyed connecting his cast with their inner comedic timing.
SAT presents “Rumors” from Friday, Sept. 23 through Sunday,
Oct. 16, at 17433 SE Meinig Avenue in Sandy (behind Ace Hardware). Show times
are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $18
general admission, $13 for children and $15 for seniors, first responders,
students and veterans (reservations are recommended). For more information, or
to make reservations call 503-936-4378 or visit https://sandyactorstheatre.com.
By Garth Guibord/MT
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