By Clackamas Repertory Theatre
The Mountain Times
Celebrating 20 years of providing affordable, professional theatre in Clackamas County, Clackamas Repertory Theatre opens its summer season with Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None,” directed by David Smith-English, running June 27 through July 21.
Adapted by Christie from her novel of the same name, which is considered the world’s best-selling mystery, this classic play follows 1- strangers who are summoned to an island under different circumstances. Each guest has a wicked past and a secret that has marked them for murder. Intrigue quickly turns to horror as the weather cuts them off from the mainland and people begin dying. Will anyone make it out alive? This is the first murder-mystery produced byClackamas Rep and was once hailed as Christie’s “greatest technical achievement.”
The second show of Clackamas Rep’s season is Lerner and Loewe’s “My Fair Lady,” directed by Karlyn Love, running Aug. 1 through Aug. 25. This beloved musical — based on George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion” — tells the story of a flower girl with a Cockney accent who encounters a linguistics professor resolved to help her pass as “a proper lady.” The show stars local Equity actor Leif Norby as Henry Higgins and Voni Kengla as Eliza Doolittle. First opening on Broadway in 1956, the production won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. (“My Fair Lady” is licensed by Music Theatre International.)
The last show of the season is “Every Brilliant Thing,” written by Duncan Macmillan, with Jonny Donahoe, directed by David Smith-English and Jayson Shanafelt, running Sept. 5 through Sept. 29. Starring Jayson Shanafelt, co-founding company member of Clackamas Rep, this highly-acclaimed, heartwarming one-man show tells the story of a young boy’s attempts to cheer his despondent mother. Infused with honesty and affability, critics have called it a “heart-wrenching, hilarious play … One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see about depression — and possibly one of the funniest plays you’ll ever see, full stop.”
All shows run Thursday through Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices for non-musical shows are $40 for adults, $30 for youth (6-25); musical productions are $45 for adults, $35 for youth. Season passes are $99 for adults and $80 for youth. Preview shows (June 27, Aug.1 and Sept. 5) are half price. For those whom the price of admission is a barrier to access live theatre, please contact the box office directly. For more information, visit www.clackamasrep.org or call 503-594-6047.
Clackamas Repertory Theatre (www.clackamasrep.org) is a professional Equity theatre company in Oregon City. Founded in 2004, Clackamas Rep’s mission is to build community through inspirational theatre.