I am bringing my students to see “Sometimes A Great Notion,” and wondered if you had a study guide to go along with the play.

Thanks - Marguerite Powell

Hi folks — For planning purposses, how long is this play?
Thanks!

What is the running time for this show? Is there an intermission?

Hello Judy and Ed -

We’ve got the running time further up on the page, just above the synopsis. The play is about 2 hrs, 35 minutes, with one intermission. Opening night’s performance ran from 7:30 to 10:06.

Two friends and I attended the preview eve on 4/1.
Incredible set and characters were true to Kesey’s vision. Since my friends and I are contemporaries of Kesey (I was one year behind him at UofO) and had relatives in the logging trade, we had some comments on costumes.. no Carharts, no hems on pants (usually fringe and strings hanging), pants usually black denim, and “hickory” shirts.
Thank you for a great production. I’ve told all my friends that no Oregonian should miss this one.

RE: Chinook Book. These coupons are valid any Sunday through Thursday performance - buy one at the Adult price get one free. Since it is a coupon, you’ll need to purchase via phone or in person. 503.445.3700

Saw “Sometimes” today. What a production! P.J., Tobias and Andy were just incredible!!! The set was phenominal, and from what I remember from the book, it was a great adaption. I intend on re-reading the book when I finish my current tome. Definately to be seen at least twice. PCS has hit a home run with this one. I really hope it travels. If so, PCS, make sure you send Tobias with it. Wag it and shake it!!!

That’s a funny statistic to pull out of thin air.

I actually think this is one of the best productions we have done at PCS since I have been here. It is beautifully done from so many aspects. I have heard many people in the community buzzing about Sometimes A Great Notion and how good it is. I would venture to say quite a bit more than 2% of people will and do enjoy this show.

Just saw the show tonight and loved it. This is one of my top five books — a desert island book for sure — but it had been hard for me to envision its transformation to the stage. PCS’ production, however, nailed it for the most part. All the main characters are great (Viv maybe not as strong as the rest and possibly a little too much Niles Crane in Leland, but minor digs, all), perfect stage, liked the chorus. The whole take did the book justice, much more than the movie ever did and I’m glad it’s part of the Kesey repertoire. Great job.

I saw the play with my wife and two friends on Sunday night. After finishing the book on Saturday, I had the story fresh in mind for the performance. I believe the play captured the plot, spirit and conflict of the book as best as possible for live theater. The characters were developed to their most important points, the plot was accurate and included the strong and necessary scenes. The actors, particularly the one portraying Lee, did their characters justice - no small feat for this story. I am amazed and impressed at how true Kesey’s work was portrayed. Congratulations.

I took 32 high school students to this play and they were engrossed. I’m frankly astonished (maybe amused) at the idiocy of the comment above (98% would find it boring). Near as I could count 100% of the house yesterday stood and applauded at the end of the show. I can’t think of a single one who looked bored. I’ve seen over twenty live productions in the past year including six in Ashland (two of which I thought were fantastic, the others were very good) yet I would put this production right up there with any of them. The acting is incredible and this play manages to create a world that you lose yourself in for two and a half hours.
I’ve seen the show twice now and would happily go see it again.
Don’t miss this- it’s really something special.

I saw the play last night (5/8/08) and loved it. Thought it was a great performance. Unfortunately there was an unusual annoyance coming from the audience. There was a man who could not contain himself and his reactions, which were inappropriate and excessive. It was as if he were at a football game rather than in the theater. His loud laughter I can excuse (even though that was interfering with the actors’ delivery of lines), however his commentary and exuberant “cheering” (he would sometimes repeat words, eg. a profanity in an actor’s line) I cannot. I felt embarrassed that the actors had to have him in the audience. I now wish someone had attempted to try to get him to tone it down

I’m feeling very frustrated because there is no seating map of the Gerding Armory on your website. The phone book used to include such things in their community section, but our current one shows only the sports venues, the Schnitz, and the Keller Auditorium.
I’m fortunate enough to have tickets tonight to DOUBT, and I also have two I’m giving to friends, who wanted to know where we are sitting. The tickets are Right Balcony, S row, so I feel as if maybe I should bring my binoculars! The other lady is older and has hearing/sight issues, so is trying to decide if she will be able to see/hear adequately.
I will ask at the Box Office tonight, to see if sch a map is available, but it would be nice to have it accessible in the phone book, or on your website.
Thanks for listening,
Julie is New Vista Hills, Portland

As a fellow actor and new director (at Albany Civic Theatre) I am always on the lok out for new scripts to stage. This one interests me, as a local story and a ‘local’ product. Is there a script available to read and possibly stage regionally?

I don’t want to start any arguments, just give my 2 cents. I was personally very disappointed by the acting and the script. It is one of my favorite books, so I admit I may be hard to please. But I felt like it was too focused on plot lines and missed the feeling of the book. Also, the accents were inconsistent. And if Viv had acted the part of a shy dreamer she wouldn’t have had to shout about it to get that point across to the audience.

I did think the lighting and set were very well done.

Unfortunately, as a whole the experience didn’t leave me wanting to go back to see more shows here.