{photo: A Revolutionary Shelter: Buckminster Fuller (Doug Tompos) regards one his most well known inventions, the geodesic dome.}

Here’s some snippets from what they’re saying about R.Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE:

The critics say:

“an excellent production, thought provoking and occasionally exhilarating” - The Portland Mercury

“Tompos gives [Bucky] a youthful bounce and ongoing optimism that humans will ultimately choose utopia over oblivion and preserve Spaceship Earth, one of many terms Fuller enthusiastically coined…PCS did well to bring Bucky back…one of America’s most compelling minds.” - Portland Tribune

“Tompos is a marvel of intellectual dynamism and purposeful playfulness…A captivating one-man evocation of Fuller’s life and work” -The Oregonian

“Buckminster Fuller feels deeply relevant. The belief that there are design-based solutions to humanity’s problems—competition for resources were eliminated, there would be no need for war—is an achingly idealistic one. It’s also, though, the kind of simultaneously pragmatic and optimistic thinking that leads to real solutions to real problems, and it’s impossible not to feel inspired by the life of a man who devoted himself to finding those solutions.” - The Portland Mercury

Trust the audience more than the critics? Here’s what they thought:

“The performer was amazing!!!! I learned so much and enjoyed every minute of it!”

“Fast paced and stimulating.”

“The man was a genius way ahead of his time and the play is so applicable to today that it is spooky. If you want some insight into looking at the world thru the eyes of genius, this is a very enjoyable way to do it.”

“It was fascinating! I learned a lot about Bucky, and the actor who portrays him does an excellent job. I highly recommend this play!”

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{photo by Owen Carey: Stacia Fernandez as Miss Adelaide.}

Audiences at Portland Center Stage are not known for holding back. They’re vocal; they’re smart; they’re connected. So we wanted to know what they are saying about our opening production, Guys & Dolls; particularly, what they are saying to their friends and colleagues.  We took a sampling of audience members who attended the show in the first week, and sent a survey. Wow! The results make us blush. They’re sending us love by the bushel and the peck!

As Nathan Detroit might say, we would like to most humbly share with you, our good friends, some of our favorite audience remarks:

“Great production — as good as or actually better than any Broadway touring show that comes through Portland.”

“A great way to ‘get away’ for an evening.”

“…the acting, singing and spirit were fabulous. Sexy and fun — perfect distraction from the economic woes and oh so appropriate.”

“I saw a production of Guys & Dolls in London two years ago…I loved it, but I liked your production better!”

{photo by Owen Carey: Todd A. Horman as Nicely Nicely; Leif Norby as Benny Southstreet; and Christophe Caballero as Rusty Charlie.}

“I love Sister Sarah’s singing voice. I like the actor choices for Adelaide and Nathan. Sky is a dream. LOVED Nicely Nicely. Benny Southstreet was one of my favorites!”

“Great production, great songs. The lead woman who was also in West Side Story [Carey Brown] is wonderful again!”

“The set design was awesome, the cast was brilliant, the music was great, the whole night was so much fun!”

{photo by Owen Carey: Adelaide (Stacia Fernandez) and Nathan (John Plumpis).}

“Wonderfully lively and well-timed production. I sang all the way home.”

“The day after seeing it, I recommended it to a friend, using the word “fabulous.”"

“…fantastic performances in every role.”

Gee, thanks!

more posts about Guys and Dolls || Get the Details on the Show || Buy Tickets

In the spirit of the season, I want to share a heartwarming story from Portland theater.

Today, Friday, December 7th, is the last day on the job for Bob Hicks, long-time theater critic and arts editor for the O.  Bob has spent the last 30 of his 34 years as a journalist in Portland focused on the arts.  His adroit criticism and analysis of performance in our burg has been invaluable in shaping Portland’s unique scene and his advocacy and support have been a major boost for three decades.

As a way to say thank you, members of the PDX theater community banded together to surprise Bob with an ad in today’s A&E bidding him a fond farewell and announcing a gift in his honor to the Portland Area Theatre Alliance’s Valentine Fund.

And Bob posted a message on the PATA Greenroom website in response.

You will be missed, sir!