Getting prepared for pen/man/ship
This time next week, we'll have already finished one preview of pen/man/ship, a period play written by Christina Anderson and directed by Lucie Tiberghien that features themes of imprisonment, race, sexuality, class, violence, betrayal and faith.

A reminder: pen/man/ship opens Feb. 8 and runs through March 5.

But you need more before you go, right?

Here's how Anderson (to find out more about the playwright, visit her website) describes the play - if it sounds familiar, it's the same language we used on the promotional postcard (see below) you've likely received by now:

In this timeless story, father and son journey to Liberia in 1896. In the middle of the Atlantic, secrets and intentions are revealed that change the course of their lives forever.  

So we have mystery and intrigue as well.

What's the run time? It's about 2 hours and 15 minutes. There is an intermission.

How about the cast? Adrian Roberts reprises the role of Charles Boyd, the father at the heart of this story. Roberts first played Charles Boyd when pen/man/ship staged its world premiere at Magic Theatre in San Francisco in 2014. He calls Boyd, who is complicated to say the least, "a beautiful monster." 

DeLance Minefee is Jacob Boyd, Charles' son. Vin Shambry is Cecil. Cool note - Shambry's character plays an Anglo concertina, or a "button box," throughout the show, and Shambry, with the help of Eric Little, has more or less, to a certain degree, learned how to play the instrument. And Andrea Vernae is Ruby Heard, the woman in the middle of this drama. In addition, Tonea Lolin, Charles Grant and Tamera Lynn, who are all currently Acting Apprentices at the Playhouse - comprise the Ship's Crew.

Curious about reviews? There obviously aren't any for this show yet, but here are a few from the world premiere at the Magic Theatre to whet the appetite: San Francisco Examiner, Mercury News and Theatre Storm. And here's also a couple more from the play's showing last year at the Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University in West Virginia: Broadway World and Maryland Theatre Guide. And this Q&A with Anderson about pen/man/ship shouldn't be missed.

Other visuals to help gain a better picture of what to expect? We brought you a short synopsis from Roberts last week about why this play is significant, but you might be interested in this insider's look at the show, which was shot before/during the San Francisco run.

Even more excited now than before? Well, you know what to do...
Call (503) 488-5822 for tickets or reserve online
It's a celebration, friends!
Join us for Rise & Shine, a celebration brunch benefiting the Portland Playhouse community on March 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. We'll have strong coffee, hearty food, morning cocktails and hopefully share many memories as we honor our historic church one last time before its renovation. It's going to be the biggest party we've ever thrown, so you HAVE to be there. For tickets ($100), tables of 8 ($1,000) and more information, click here.
Let's 'Fade to Black'
You won't want to be left out of this event, particularly if you're an individual that self-identifies as African-American, Black and/or of the African Diaspora. It's a FREE event that seeks to answer the following question: What's your BLACK experience in Portland? Hosted at the Playhouse by the Playhouse's African-American staff and actors, the facilitated conversation is scheduled for SATURDAY, FEB. 18, NOON TO 3 P.M. Space is running out - to RSVP, please send an e-mail to jeff@portlandplayhouse.org with "FADE TO BLACK" in the subject header and include the names AND e-mail addresses of all attendees within the e-mail.
'No PA in NoPo" returns
Mark your calendars - on Feb. 26, Alialujah Choir, Ritchie Young of Loch Lomond and Shelley Short will bless the Playhouse with what promises to be an epic performance/evening for all ages.

Tickets are $15 Doors open at 7 p.m., music begins at 7:30 p.m.