The 39 Steps on OPB

First it was a novel, by John Buchan (aka the First Baron Tweedsmuir). Then it was a film classic, by Alfred Hitchcock (made in 1935, in 1999 it came in 4th in a BFI poll of British films, while in 2004 Total Film named it the 21st greatest British movie of all time).  It was remade in 1959 and 1978  (and those film versions seem to have faded into relative obscurity).

Now The 39 Steps is a delicious comic masterpiece, in a stage version adapted by Patrick Barlow ( from the  novel by the aforementioned Tweedsmuir), and playing at Portland Center Stage through March 21. Part tribute, part spoof, and all hilarity,  The 39 Steps at PCS can be enjoyed on its own merits.

But, if you have a hankering to know something more about the original source material, Oregon Public Broadcasting is your friend. Just in time to complement our stage production is yet another filmed version of The 39 Steps, this one from the BBC, and airing locally on Sunday, February 28, at 9:00 pm.

Remember, once you know what the 39 Steps are, keep the secret!

Tonight’s Gonna Be a Good Night!

Please be our guest at the announcement of our

2010-11 Season of Plays!

Monday, March 1, 2010

program at 7:30 pm

dessert reception to follow

no RSVP required

Join us as Artistic Director Chris Coleman introduces the exciting line up for the 2010-11 season, which launches next September. Subscribers will have a chance to renew on the spot (and we think you’ll want to!), and those of you who don’t yet subscribe can be first in line to become new subscribers.

But all are invited to an entertaining program, featuring a world premiere video by Associate Artistic Director Rose Riordan, and a sampling of the plays, and songs, from the new season.

Among the artists joining in the fun onstage that night will be Darius Pierce, Leif Norby, Christine Calfas and Ebbe Roe Smith (currently appearing in The 39 Steps); Sharonlee McLean (currently seen in The Receptionist); Rick Lewis, music director for PCS musicals and last seen on stage at PCS in Grey Gardens; Henry Martin, who was our delightful Tiny Tim this season; Susannah Mars, who you’ll remember from her amazing performance earlier this season in Ragtime; and several more!

For those subscribers who cannot attend, don’t worry! Your season announcement packets will go in the mail the very same week, so you’ll be getting the full scoop and the first chance to renew your subscriptions for the exciting 2010-11 Season.

We’ll post the new season on the website right after the event, so check back to read all about it.

We KNOW you're a better boss than this guy!

Administrative Professionals day isn’t until April, but you could be the Bestest Boss Ever if you nominate your receptionist to win our fun dinner (at Fratelli’s in the Pearl) and a show (two tickets to The Receptionist) package before March 1.

Tell us why your receptionist is the best on the block (and if you’re afraid of him/her, so much the better) and you may end up as his/her office favorite.

ANNOUNCEMENT: We are delighted to report that the BEST BOSS EVER has been chosen. Karen Jo will be the happy recipient of a pair of tickets to The Receptionist and her boss, Beverly, will also receive a pair of tickets to the show with our thanks. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories!

PCS fan Murray drafts an important memo

Send us your best office memo. You’ve heard thanks for memos on Michael Feldman’s What D’Ya Know? on NPR, and it’s just good darn fun. Check it out on Feldman’s website if you don’t know what we’re talking about.

So post an excerpt from the best office memo you’ve ever received in the comments section here, and you might win tickets to see The Receptionist. Protect yourself and your employer (former or otherwise), and omit names!

URGENT MEMO: Although we are somewhat alarmed by the consistently scatalogical nature of your memo submissions, we must alert you that Marcia is officially the winner of our “Thanks for the Memo-ries” contest. Marcia, you will be contacted to choose your preferred date to see the show!

Friday morning our very own Scrooge, Ebbe Roe Smith, was joined by a trio of young volunteers, all dressed as Crachit children, in the Macy’s Holiday Parade. It’s not every opening day that an actor agrees to be in costume by 7:30 am to join the parade formation that kicks off the holidays in Portland. But Ebbe was there, exactly 12 hours before he was due to open our production of A Christmas Carol. He was joined by his own daughter, one of her best friends, and the son of our PR Manager, in a beautiful period coach pulled by a very beautiful, and very large, horse named Bob.

Ebbe Roe Smith as Scrooge and his charming volunteer Cratchits

Later that evening, following a final rehearsal, Ebbe and company opened our newly imagined production of A Christmas Carol, directed by Rose Riordan as a briskly entertaining ghost story for all ages.

Saturday dawned and the Armory was being transformed once again into a Holiday Oasis, inviting anyone who needed a respite from their post Thanksgiving shopping or dining or family fun to join us for a variety of treats. From live holiday jazz on the mezzanine to free chair massages in the lobby, to free hot cocoa for the kids to a no host bar for the adults, from a free family photo booth to a “chill out” area where you could watch “Miracle on 34th Street,” the Armory was, well, bustling, from 11 am, through th 2pm matinee, and into the evening.

Holiday Oasis at the Armory

Family photo booth

chair massage at holiday oasis

Holiday Jazz on the mezzanine

We hope you were able to join us for these events, or to plan to come next year! And here’s hoping you had a warm and peaceful Thanksgiving Day.

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