Photo by Brud Giles
Adrian Roberts as Charles Boyd
 pen/man/ship, in review(s)
pen/man/ship, written by Christina Anderson and directed by Lucie Tiberghien, has been well-received. Patrons are raving about the period maritime drama that stars Adrian Roberts as Charles Boyd, Vin Shambry as Cecil, Andrea Vernae as Ruby Heard and DeLance Minefee as Jacob Boyd.

The reviews have been favorable as well. 

The Oregonian wrote recently about the unique set.

Shannon Gormley's capsule review in Willamette Week only appeared in the physical edition of "Portland's Newsweekly" - WW doesn't post capsules online. But she was kind enough to send along her review via e-mail:

Portland Playhouse's set for pen/man/ship is almost surreal: A sail is looped from the ceiling over a desk and chairs sit in a sunken, shallow pool of water surrounded by heavy wood flooring. Written by contemporary playwright Christina Anderson, pen/man/ship is set in 1896 aboard a ship bound for Liberia for a reason expedition leader Charles Boyd (Adrian Roberts) keeps secret for most of the play. His son (DeLance Minefee) has snuck on board a stowaway, Ruby (Andrea Whittle), who’s escaping from the horrors of the Jim Crow South. Ruby is the only woman on the ship, and she’s a fiercely intellectual atheist who constantly comes into conflict with the religious and elitist Boyd. Ruby’s presence, along with the fact that the all-black crew and captain are sailing from Plessy v. Ferguson America, provides a set-up for racial and ideological debates delivered through formal, turn-of-the-century-style dialogue. But it’s far from dry: The second act is action-packed, and it’s a witty script that features a mysterious, unraveling plot driven by some intense performances, particularly Whittle’s and Roberts’. 

Dennis Sparks chimed in, too, but due to technical difficulties, he wasn't able to post his review on his website. But he sent it along anyway, and we put it up on our site.

And Meg Currell from EDGE Media Network took in the show and stated "this tragic play changed the way I look at this country." 

There's ONE week left, only NINE performances remaining.The show's run ends March 5 and pen/man/ship will not be extended. Stop procrastinating!
Call (503) 488-5822 for tickets or reserve online
The life of an apprentice
Time to gush - one of the best parts of working at the Playhouse is the daily contact with our seven Acting Apprentices.

They're young, funny, inspiring and, above all, talented. Simply put, it's a joy being in their presence.

See for yourself in the video above, a riff on the popular MTV series, "Cribs." It's produced and edited by one of the apprentices, Tamera Lynn. Your guide is Charles Grant, who is a fantastic baby-sitter, in case you were looking.

The idea was to provide a glimpse, from their perspective, of what their life is like at the Playhouse, which essentially serves a second home during their ten-month apprenticeships. They're a huge part of the Playhouse, which, as you may have heard, is about to undergo a major renovation soon.

You also might have heard about our crowd-funding effort to assist our capital campaign for the renovation.

So, we're asking for your help - again. SHARE this e-mail - send it along to anyone you've told about the Playhouse, or anyone you think might be interested in what we're doing here at the Playhouse, or anyone who simply believes in the power and necessity of art for all.

Maybe they, too, will be compelled to support our mission. 

And remember, ANY amount matters.
Up next at the Playhouse...
On Feb. 27 and 28, Urban Haiku presents the workshop performance of Made to Dance in Burning Buildings, a new choreopoem by Anya Pearson. The workshop is directed by Jamie M. Rea and choreographed by Kemba Shannon. It features Nikki Weaver, Kelly Godell, Nicole Accuardi, Anya Pearson, Julana TorresTyharra CozierMichael Galen and Jeff George

It begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Playhouse. Here is a link to reserve FREE tickets.  The performances will be followed by talk-backs. Feedback is encouraged. The talk-back on Feb 28 will be facilitated by S. Renee Mitchell.

Made to Dance in Burning Buildings is a fusion of poetry, music, and violent, visceral contemporary dance, which poses the question: how do we heal from trauma?
 
It's about a young black woman who is raped by her boyfriend's friends while he watches; she develops PTSD as a result. Metaphorically, she fractures into five different women who each represent a different facet of her personality. Poetically, these women narrate her journey through PTSD while she, and the men from her real life, explore through dance the trauma and what led up to it. 

For the play, Anya is the inaugural winner of the $10,000 Voice is a Muscle Grant from the Corporeal Voices Foundation which recognizes a writer of color from Oregon who demonstrates exemplary merit and a passion for social justice.

And, finally, "No PA in NoPo" is here.

On Sunday night, at 7:30 p.m. - doors open at 7 p.m. - the artists below will be performing at the Playhouse.  Tickets are $15
  The 2016-17 Portland Playhouse season is presented by Harold Goldstein & Carol Streeter, and Ronni Lacroute 
pen/man/ship is sponsored by The Boeing Company, Ann Brayfield & Joseph Emerson, Jess Dishman, Michelle Mark & Michael Ecker 

Our work is made possible by  Mary & Don Blair, Ellyn Bye, The Collins Foundation, Kinsman Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust,  James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, Raymond Family Foundation, Judy Shih & Joel Axelrod, State of Oregon, Phillip Terranova, Steve & Elsie Weaver,  Wrather Family Foundation , Friends of Sandra Zickefoose, Oregon Arts Commission, Regional Arts Culture Council and Work for Art