I’ve worked in professional theater for (gulp) 28 years now, and this is the first time I’ve been part of presenting a production of Dickens’ holiday classic.  Seriously, that is a lot like someone who’s been a waiter for 28 years and never poured a cup of coffee. It’s just plain unlikely. But in this case, it’s true.

I’ve had a few near misses. There was brief discussion back in the early 80s, when I worked at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, about launching a holiday show (we closed our season in early November, didn’t open again until February). But after our eight month season, we all decided we just needed a break, so that conversation didn’t last long. And of course, the very first Portland Center Stage version of A Christmas Carol was presented at Christmas 1998–and I had just left the company in July of 1998, after ten years. So I just missed that one! And in Seattle, I worked at Seattle Repertory Theatre, and ACT had the Dickens franchise all wrapped up. So our holiday fare leaned toward, well, nothing holiday-ish.

When I re-joined the staff at Portland Center Stage last June, I realized I’d reached the end of my personal Tiny Tim drought. Huzzah!

With an office next to the rehearsal room, I’ve been hearing beautifully sung carols for weeks. I’ve also noticed for the first time how many popular references there are to Dickens’ classic tale around this time of year, in both political satire and even in a daily comic strip, like this series for the past week in “Grand Avenue.” And our very creative multi media guy, along with some of our talented marketing team, are in the midst of creating this week a very special holiday treat for our audiences that is filling all of us with more mirth than should be allowed (stay tuned, we should be launching this gem later this week).

The capper for me? On Friday night, at the official opening, many young people from area alternative schools and programs joined us as our guests. I was talking to two of them after the performance, and they told me it was their first real live theater experience, ever. And the young man completed the full warm up of my holiday heart by telling us “this was way better than TV!” 

Yeah. Best theater holiday season ever! Now, what’s next on my list? Hmmmm…I’ve never worked at a theater that has produced Jean Genet…

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Last week I gave a tour to a group of teens from SE Works, a program for young people who have had some hard issues to tackle in their lives. SE Works provides them with a place to attain their GED, receive job training, and transition to the work force. Paula in the costume shop said “everyone in the shop was very impressed-they were one of the most engaged tours we’ve had come through and they asked some really sharp questions.” Below is a letter from their teacher and above is a picture of these courageous and extremely self motivated young students.

“Thank you so much for taking the time to meet my students and give us a glimpse behind the scenes (literally) at PCS. Teenagers tend to see their world in terms of what is directly in front of them and rarely recognize what lies beyond their immediate, concrete view. I am in constant search of ways to broaden that view and introduce them to more of the community around them. By welcoming us to PCS, you helped facilitate that goal and added another component–more possibilities to their vision. Yet another of the many goals I have is conveying the importance of finding something you love and figuring out how to make a living at it. Your enthusiasm and passion for your job were obvious and kept my students engaged (a feat in itself!). PCS will definitely be at the top of my list for future tours!”

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As we prepare for our production of A Christmas Carol, what could be better than filling the Armory with, well, Christmas carols? Throughout the run of A Christmas Carol we’re inviting singing groups from the community to perform short sets of Christmas carols in the lobby before the show.

So if you’re coming to see A Christmas Carol next month, why not arrive early, 6:45 to be exact, and have some hot chocolate or a Christmas Present and enjoy the sounds of the season?

Are you a member of a local singing group? We still have some openings if your choir would like to carol in the Armory lobby. Contact Promotions Manager, Natalie Gilmore at natalieg@pcs.org for more information.

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On November 12, Portland Center Stage will be 20 years old! And we’re in our 21st season…so we’re counting ourselves as legal!

To celebrate, we’re offering a one day sale, and on that day you, too, are only 21. Purchase any available seat for the remaining performances of Guys & Dolls for only $21.50, the price paid by 21 year olds to attend Portland Center Stage. Tickets must be purchased on November 12; performances of Guys & Dolls are available through November 15.

Call the box office at 503.445.3700 and wish us a happy birthday, or order online by using the code word “bday.”

Happy birthday to us!

Where were you on November 12, 1988?

If you were at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts attending a performance of Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House, then you were at the very first opening night at Portland Center Stage. And yes, the company was called Portland Center Stage on the day it opened in 1988. Even though we were then a branch of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, there was a strong desire to establish a unique identity for Portland. So the official name, as appearing on programs, brochures, letterhead, etc., was Portland Center Stage/Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Unfortunately, that was rather a mouthful. So by year two, it was shortened to OSF Portland. But the Portland Center Stage name was reclaimed when the company “spun off” from Ashland in 1994 and became, simply, Portland Center Stage.

But back to 1988. Portland was a very different place than it is today. The Pearl District, PCS’ current home and perhaps the city’s most exciting neighborhood, was even then fronted by Powell’s on the south side. But venture north of Powell’s, and you’d find only warehouses, industrial buildings, empty lots, and the police horse yards and barns. There was no west side or northern route light rail; and no light rail to the airport. No trolley. Bud Clark was the Mayor, and had already exposed himself to art – even before attending opening night.

The opening was a huge success. National press – from TIME magazine to the L.A. Times and the San Francisco Chronicle – were in attendance, in a packed house. The black tie audience gave PCS an enthusiastic welcome, and the production of Heartbreak House struck the right chord: a play of ideas and philosophy, filled with conversation about the changing of an era and a way of life. And filled with laughter and beauty, too.

Some things are strikingly familiar about that night. U.S. Bank, still a significant and much valued supporter of Portland Center Stage, was the production sponsor and the host of the spectacular opening night party. Many of the faces and names in the crowd still appear at opening night –significantly, many of our charter producers, a visionary group of philanthropists who support our work through annual contributions and have for twenty one years. And most importantly, the subscribers who joined us that first season and remain with us today, accompanied by the fresh audiences who have joined us along the way.

After twenty one years, the opening celebration has taken on some legendary proportions. I can confirm that at least a few people ended up sleeping at the theater – and discovered useful napping spots that came in handy for years to come. And the celebratory Board of Trustees breakfast the next morning at 8:00 am was not a lively event. But the celebration was a benchmark – Portland had launched a major theater company.

Today, with our new home in the Armory, it feels like Portland Center Stage has grown up in the best possible way – by deepening our roots, establishing a real home, and taking on a role as a community asset and involved citizen.

Thank you to those of you who have been with us from the beginning, and to all of you who have joined us along the way. We feel a lot like a typical 21 year old–grown up and mature, with a strong foundation provided by the people who’ve helped us along the way; but also with a lot of new adventures still ahead of us, a lot to learn as we take those adventures, and filled with the spirit of possibility and excitement for the people who will take the adventure with us, our audience.

So happy birthday to us!

And please, if you have memories of that first night and show, or any others you’d like to share with us, as always we invite you to post them here.

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Tonight!!! Monday, November 10 in the Ellyn Bye Studio
Just added to the panel: Economist Joe (”The Young and the Restless”) Cortright

DYMAXION PORTLAND & THE SPACESHIP EARTH
A conversation about regional resources with
David Bragdon (Metro), John Haines (Mercy Corps NW), Jill Fuglister (Coalition for a Livable Future) and Lawrence Wallack (PSU’s College of Urban and Public Affairs)

Forty years ago, Buckminster Fuller envisioned a World Game that would , “make the world work for 100% of humanity, in the shortest possible time, through spontaneous cooperation without ecological offense or disadvantage of anyone.”

Join some of Portland’s leading thinkers and policy-makers for a discussion on the region’s “Spaceship Earth” challenges (like open spaces and environmental stewardship, renewable energy population growth, equity, sustainable development, climate change, hunger and affordable/adequate shelter). Presented in conjunction with PCS’ production of R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE.

Monday, November 10, 7:30 pm
Ellyn Bye Studio, Gerding Theater at the Armory (Free and open to the public)
For more information: timd@pcs.org.| www.pcs.org

Make a night of it! Come by after the Portland Spaces/City Club Bright Lights Discussion Series featuring Congressman Earl Blumenauer in conversation with Randy Gragg (at Jimmy Mak’s, 221 NW 10th Ave, starting at 6 pm)

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