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2008-09 Performing Arts Preview
By Michelle Blair
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” -Pablo Picasso
If Picasso lived in Portland, he’d know exactly how to solve his problem: rediscover the artist you were as a child by engaging your own kids in the vibrant arts community that flourishes in the Portland area.
A public opinion survey conducted by the Regional Arts and Culture Council revealed that 95 percent of Portland area residents believe the arts are a vital part of our children’s education. Exposure to theater, dance and music allows a child to use her imagination, exercise her creativity, explore new feelings, make fresh observations – and if the College Entrance Examination Board statistics are to be trusted, it may even help her attain a higher score on the SAT.
While funding in schools is limited for programs in the arts, the good news is that our community has filled the gap with exciting theatrical, dance and music performances appropriate for children of all ages. Many of these venues provide children the opportunity not only to see and hear, but to interact with the performers in a congenial setting.
Even Picasso admitted “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” Begin the process of discovery that will last a lifetime for your child and explore the arts right here in your own backyard.
(Please note: Metro Parent believes all of the following information to be correct as of the date of publication but readers should confirm all details, including prices which may include handling charges. Some information was not available at press time – those items are indicated by TBD – to be decided.)
Children’s Theater
Oregon Children’s Theatre presents Gossamer, a lyrical play with mystical creatures that explores the depth of dreams (Oct. 18 – Nov. 9; Ages 10 & up; Winningstad Theatre). In James and the Giant Peach, Roald Dahl’s characters come to life with high-flying special effects and brilliant costumes (Nov. 1 – 23; All ages; Newmark Theatre). Typing cows and a labor-disputing duck join forces to stand up to Farmer Brown in Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, a Broadway-style barnyard musical (Jan. 24 – Feb. 15; All ages; Newmark Theatre). Honus & Me is a heartwarming play about 12-year-old Joe Stoshack who finds a rare and magical Honus Wagner baseball card (Feb. 28 – Mar. 22; Ages 7 & up; Winningstad Theatre). Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood is a spicy family musical set to a Zydeco-driven score (April 28 – May 17; All ages; Winningstad Theatre); $13 – $24. www.octc.org; 503-228-9571.
Northwest Children’s Theater begins the season with Hansel & Gretel, a musical adaptation of Grimm’s fairy tale (Oct. 10 – Nov. 2; Ages 6 & up) followed by The Wizard of Oz (Dec. 13 – Jan. 4; Ages 5 & up). Alice in Wonderland is reborn as a jazz musical (Jan. 23 – Feb. 15; Ages 6 & up). Goodnight Moon is also presented in music and poetry (Mar. 21 – April 5; Ages 4 & up). Join in an adventure of magic and mystery with The Hobbit (May 1 – 24; Ages 6 & up). Northwest Children’s Theater; $16 – $22. www.nwcts.org; 503-222-4480.
Blue Monkey Theater, begins the season with Altar Boyz, a spoof on Christian boy bands (Dec. dates TBD; Ages 13 & up; location TBD); followed by Ablaze written by Portland playwright Matthew Zrebski (Mar. 5 – 28; Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center); $15 – $20. Check Web site for updated performance calendar and locations. www.bluemonkeytheater.org; 503-593-2466.
Krayon Kids Musical Theatre Company presents The Enchanted Library, Nov. 1 – 23; All ages; Barclay Theater, Oregon City; $5 – $10. www.krayonkids.org, 503-656-6099.
The Blue Parrot Children’s Theatre presents Oliver! a musical based on the Dickens novel, Oct. 3 – 11; Mountain View High School; $10 – 12. www.newblueparrot.com; 360-696-1155.
Shaking the Tree begins the season with Grimm Tales, a contemporary take on the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, revealing the dark and mischievous side of the original stories (Dec. 19 – 28; Ages 7 & up; $10); The Portrait The Wind The Chair tells the story of 10 and 14-year-old sisters who find themselves marooned in Gramma’s old house during a windstorm (May 15 – 24; Ages 7 & up; $10); Tomato Plant Girl is highlighted by sharp dialogue, physical action and playful, high-energy conflict as friendships are explored (Jul. 31 – Aug. 9; Ages 5 & up; $10); Story Tea is a 30-minute dramatization of a fairytale or folktale followed by tea/coffee and cupcakes every third Friday morning (Oct. – June; Ages 3 & up); Shaking the Tree Studio. www.shaking-the-tree.com; 971-207-9081.
Family-Friendly Theater
Lakewood Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Michael Allen Harrison’s new musical, Prometheus (through Oct. 19; Ages 8 & up). You Can’t Take it With You tells the story of the zany Sycamore family (Nov. 7 – Dec. 14; Ages 8 & up). For the holidays, it’s the Holiday Magic Breakfast Theatre (Dec. 6, 3 and 20; $10) and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Dec. 18 – 23; $12 adults, $10 students). Bell, Book and Candle is a romantic comedy about a modern-day witch (Jan. 2 – Feb. 22; Ages 10 & up); Into the Woods follows a baker’s quest to lift a witch’s curse where he encounters a menagerie of fairy tale characters (May 8 – Jun. 14; Ages 10 & up); Lakewood Center for the Arts, Lake Oswego; $26 – $28. www.lakewood-center.org; 503-635-3901.
The Broadway Rose Theatre Company celebrates their new permanent home with Celebrate Home: A Broadway Rose Christmas. The show takes a melodic, imaginative look at holiday traditions by combining classic carols, holiday pop songs and original off beat material created especially for Portland audiences, Dec. 5 – 21; ages 6 & up; Broadway Rose New Stage Theatre, Tigard; $20 – $30. www.broadwayrose.com; 503-620-5262.
The Oregon Ballet Theatre presents a family holiday tradition, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Dec. 12 – 24; Keller Auditorium; $13.50 – $127. www.obt.org; 503-222-5538.
Theatre in the Grove presents Honk! Junior the story of Ugly and his journey home where he discovers his true beauty and destiny (Oct. 24 – 26; Ages 5 & up); followed by the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The King and I (Nov. 28 – Dec. 21; Ages 5 & up); An Evening of One-Acts showcases three original plays (Jan. 16 – 25; Ages 10 & up); Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead tells the story of what happened to these college chums of Hamlet behind the scenes in Shakespeare’s play. (Feb. 27 – Mar. 15; Ages 10 & up); Annie Get Your Gun is a musical “shoot ‘em up” (Apr. 17 – May 10; Ages 5 & up); Larry Shue’s comedy, The Foreigner (Jun. 12 – 28; Ages 10 & up), revolves around the story of two English guests at a fishing lodge in rural Georgia; Theatre in the Grove, Forest Grove; $10 – 12. www.theatreinthegrove.org; 503-359-5349.
Miracle Theatre Group presents El Día de los Muertos Festival, Portland’s longest-running Day of the Dead celebration, this year their signature carpa – a wildly popular and irreverent vaudeville – marches to the beat of a new drummer as a folkloric master makes way for the rise of his hip-hop apprentice (Oct. 24 – Nov. 9; Ages 7 & up; $14 – $22). The group also hosts Posada Milagro, a traditional Mexican holiday celebration and performance featuring a procession and Pastorela (shepherd’s play) (Dec. 14; All ages; Free); Miracle Theatre. www.milagro.org; 503-236-7253. Check Web site for additional performances suitable for ages 13 & up.
Do Jump! presents Home for the Holidays at the Echo Theatre, Portland, Nov. 28 – Jan. 4. The show includes trapeze, acrobatics, & live music; In May (specific dates TBD) the group hosts Funathon, an hour repertory show with games and contests; All ages; $30 – $35. www.dojump.org; 503-231-1232.
Imago Theatre reprises Biglittlethings (Dec. 12 – Jan. 3; Ages 3 & up), a family spectacle of escaped raccoons, hitchhiking rabbits, spies in dresses and more. Imago Theatre; $18 -31. www.imagotheatre.com; 503-231-3959.
Stumptown Stages performs The Wiz (Feb. 13 – Mar. 1; Ages 7 & up); and 110 in the Shade, based on N. Richard Nash’s 1954 play The Rainmaker, which focuses on a spinster living on a ranch and a charismatic con man who promises he can bring relief to the drought-stricken area (Jun. 19 – 28; Ages 10 & up); Jefferson High’s Robert Ford Auditorium; $25 – 27. www.stumptownstages.com; 503-381-8686.
Brooklyn Bay presents Play after Play an original multicultural play each month. Kids interact with performers after the show. The October show is The Blue-Eyed Hare, a folk tale from Scotland, Oct. 4 – 19; Ages 2 – 9; The Brooklyn Bay; $7. www.brooklynbay.org, 503-772-4005.
Ladybug Theater presents an interactive play on Wednesdays and Thursdays each month at the S.M.I.L.E. Station in Sellwood; Ages 2½ & up; $3.50. www.ladybugtheater.org; call for reservations 503-232-2346.
Puppets
Tears of Joy Theatre performs Jungle Book (Nov. 14 – 30; Ages 4 & up). Also in November, Puppetz vs. People – the audience provides suggestions during this improv competition (Nov. 28 – 29; Ages 10 & up). The Reluctant Dragon may look scary, but is more interested in songs and poetry (Dec. 19 – 28; Ages 4 & up). When Animals Were People features Mexican and South American tales (Feb. 6 – 22; Ages 4 & up). April brings Fabulous Bear! a play from Poland featuring a teddy bear who brings home a lost puppy (April 3 – 19; Ages 3 & up). Winningstad Theatre; $13 – $16; www.tojt.com; 503-248-0557.
Penny’s Puppet Productions offers weekly puppet shows in the Portland area from Oct. – May. Shows include The Little Red Hen, The Lonely Little Pumpkin, Magic Soup and The Sharing Carrot. Puppet show locations are The Gresham Shoebox Theatre (Tuesdays), Milwaukie Grange (Fridays), and The Overlook House, Portland (Mondays); All ages; $5. www.pennypuppets.com; 503-282-9207.
Youth Orchestras and Choirs
Portland Youth Philharmonic presents four concerts this season: Fall Concert (Nov. 
featuring Barber, Cowell, Copland and Dvorák; Concert-at-Christmas (Dec. 26) featuring Puccini and Verdi; Winter Concert (Mar. 7) featuring Mussorgsky, Revueltas, Tchaikovsky and the Annual PYP Concerto Competition Winner; Spring Concert (May 2) featuring Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Grieg and Lutoslawski. Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall; $11-$37. www.portlandyouthphil.org; 503-223-5939.
Metropolitan Youth Symphony showcases seven performances this season: Winter Jubilee (Dec. 5; Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall; All ages); Holiday Gala (Dec. 14; Skyview High School, Vancouver; All ages); Spring Showcase (Mar. 1; Newmark Theatre; Ages 7 & up); Music Matters (Mar. 8; Lakeridge High School; Ages 7 & up); March in a Major Key (Mar. 15; Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall; Ages 7& up); Sounds of Summer (May 17; location TBD; Ages 7 & up); It Came From Outer Space (Jun. 7; Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall; Ages 7 & up); Schnitzer and Newmark performances: $6 – $32; all others: $3 – $5. www.metroyouthsymphony.org; 503-239-4566.
Junior Symphony of Vancouver begins the season by teaming with the Fort Vancouver Regional Library for a Fund Raising Concert Dec. 1 at Water Resource Education Center, Vancouver on Dec. 6; $20. A second concert is presented on Mar. 14 at Vancouver First Church of God; Ages 6 & up; $8 – $10. www.oregonchamberplayers.org; 360-696-4084.
Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choir performs three concerts this season beginning with Winter Joy, Dec. 6 (Rose City Park United Methodist, Portland) and Dec. 7 (St. Mary’s Cathedral, Portland). On Feb. 28 the Youth Choir joins Oregon Repertory Singers for ORS at the USO!, an annual fundraising concert and event. African Celebration featuring African singing, drumming and dancing is presented on May 2 (Rose City Park United Methodist, Portland) and May 3 (St. Mary’s Cathedral, Portland); All ages; $15 – 25. www.orsingers.org; 503-230-0652.
Pacific Youth Choirs begin their sixth season with a concert performed by all singers, grades 2 – 12 on Dec. 21. The high school choir is featured at performances on Mar. 15 and May 17, while the younger choir sings on May 16. Each concert highlights two premiere pieces; All ages; Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Portland; $10 – $25. www.pacificyouthchoir.org; 503-780-1675.
Portland Boychoir performs at The Grotto on Dec. 2, and then presents Lessons & Carols featuring traditional holiday music as well as world music that celebrates a variety of cultures and religions on Dec. 13 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Portland and Dec. 14 at Christ United Methodist Church, Portland. On Mar. 15, join them for Peace is A’Come at Bethlehem Lutheran Church; May 17 is the Season Finale with Boka Marimba and Ovation! high school choir at the Tiffany Center Emerald Room, Portland; All ages; Ticket prices TBD. www.portlandchoirs.org; 503-697-7464.
Ovation! is a versatile vocal ensemble made up of dynamic, high-school aged performers. They perform at the Grotto on Dec. 4 and host a spring concert Putting it Together on May 2 (Venue TBD). May 17 is the Season Finale with Boka Marimba and the Portland Boychoir at the Tiffany Center Emerald Room, Portland; All ages; Ticket prices vary; www.portlandchoirs.org; 503-697-7464.
Portland Symphonic Girl Choir begins their season with a Holiday Concert on Dec. 6 followed by Jingle Bear Family Concert on Dec. 13, both at First Presbyterian Church, Portland. Spring concerts start with Artistry in Action on April 7 at NW Neighborhood Cultural Center, followed by Music in the Making, April 19, and Showcase Concert, May 30, both at First Presbyterian Church. The season concludes with a 20th Anniversary Gala Concert, June 20, at First United Methodist Church, Portland; All ages; Ticket prices vary by concert. www.girlchoir.com; 503-226-6162
Family-Friendly Music Performances
Oregon Symphony Kids Series includes the most popular children’s classic of all time, Peter and the Wolf, on Oct. 26. Happy Holidays on Dec. 21 offers many musical traditions including Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa and Christmas. Creative Kids on Feb. 22 showcases young soloists, composers and instrumentalists and music for young listeners; Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall; Ages 5 – 10; $12 – $42. www.orsymphony.org; 503-228-1353.
Portland Baroque Orchestra presents Young People’s Concert: Strange Instruments for a Magical Time on Mar. 21. This one-hour program introduces dances and songs played for knights and queens on ancient instruments over 400 years old; First Baptist Church, Portland; $5 – $10. www.pbo.org; 503-222-6000.
Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra hosts performances featuring teenagers as soloists – Orchestral Voices, Nov. 21 & 23 featuring Portland Youth Philharmonic’s concertmaster, Brandon Garbot. On Dec. 5 & 7, the Holiday Gift of Music concert includes a performance of Peter and the Wolf, excerpts from The Nutcracker and Die Fledermaus and a holiday sing-a-long with Portland Symphonic Girl Choir. Symphonic Valentines, Feb. 13 & 15 showcases the talent of Portland pianist Rosa Li; All ages; First United Methodist Church; $5 – $30; Family: $65. www.columbiasymphony.org; 503-234-4077.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs Rossini, Paganini, Fauré and Respighi, Oct. 18 – 19; Bernstein, Mahler and Dvorak, Nov. 15 – 16; Nielsen and Shostakovich, Jan. 17 – 18; Brahms, Oltra and Stravinsky, Feb. 14 – 15; the Young Artists Competition Winners perform Wagner with the orchestra, April 18 – 19; and Bernstein and Brotons, May 23 – 24. Ages 7 & up; Skyview High School Concert Hall, Vancouver; $7 – $40. www.vancouversymphony.org; 360-735-7278.
Oregon Chamber Players celebrate their 14th season with a performance of Buxtehude’s Ciacona, Thomas Stone’s Carnevale, Rosetti’s Pastoral Symphony in D Major and the premiere of a new piece by Timoteus Racz featuring the Double Reed Divas on Oct. 18. A second concert will be performed on Feb. 21 followed by an Audience Select Concert on May 2 – cast your vote for performances pieces on their website. Ages 7 & up; All Saint’s Episcopal Church, Portland. www.oregonchamberplayers.org; 360-696-4084.
Youth Ballet Companies
The Classical Ballet Academy pre-professional group performs The Nutcracker, Dec. 6 – 7. Showcased on June 5 is The Secret Garden; Ages 3 & up; St. Mary’s Academy; $10 – $15. www.classicalballet.net; 503-890-6101.
The Portland Ballet (formerly known as Pacific Artists Ballet Theatre) perform La Boutique Fantasque, the story of an enchanted toy shop come to life on Nov. 28 – 29; Ages 3 & up; Newmark Theatre; $6 – $40. www.theportlandballet.org; 503-452-8448.
Portland Festival Ballet (formerly known as Pacific Festival Ballet) presents two performances: The Nutcracker (Dec. 11 – 14; Ages 3 & up) and Spring Concert (June dates TBD; Ages 3 & up); PCC Sylvania Campus; $18 – $20. www.portlandfestivalballet.org; 503-977-1753.
Portland Youth Ballet presents Hope for the Holidays, Dec. 13 and 14. All ages; St. Mary’s Academy Theater; $17 to $20. www.pybdance.com; 503-914-8913.
