A Life
#OMGliterallydead
“★★★★★ Exquisite in detail.” —Time Out New York
A wickedly irreverent play about the meaning of life. Nate Martin is hopelessly single. When his most recent breakup casts him into a funk, he turns to the only source of wisdom he trusts: the stars. Poring over astrological charts, he obsessively questions his past and his place in the cosmos. The answer he gets is shockingly obvious — and totally unpredictable.
Commissioned by Portland Center Stage at The Armory | West Coast Premiere!
Who's Who:
View the Cast and Creative Team
Playbill:
Explore the Playbill
Run Time:
Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.
Note:
Recommended for ages 15 and up. Contains adult situations and language. Children under 6 are not permitted at any production at The Armory.
Resource Guide:
Download resource guide (PDF)
A Life
- Previews Sep. 29–Oct. 4 | Opening night Oct. 5
- By Adam Bock
- Directed by Rose Riordan
Reviews of "A Life"
One of Portland Center Stage's favorite playwrights delivers a small, surprising, perspective-shifting play. This is a guy you know – maybe even a friend. And his worries of not being able to find anyone to love are real and raw. After seeing A Life and getting a glimpse of Nate’s life, you might see the world a little differently, or have a newfound appreciation for your own life." - Oregon ArtsWatch
An Interview with Adam Bock
A Life author Adam Bock on everything from intuition, astrology and Canada.
"A Life" Cast and Creative Team
Meet the exciting cast and creative team for our opening show in the Ellyn Bye Studio.
Current & Upcoming
Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B
A bold, feminist take on the iconic crime-fighting duo! This wonderfully farcical comedy packs non-stop laughs and crime-fighting hijinks galore.
Photography Exhibit: Pas de trois by Jingzi Zhao
The photography series Pas de trois will feature Jingzi Zhao's ongoing collaboration with Xuan Cheng and Brian Simcoe, two principals from Oregon Ballet Theater. These images are a celebration of motivation, artistry, and creative alchemy created over the last three years.
Art Exhibit: Augury House presents Breaking Ground Lunar New Year Celebration
BREAKING GROUND is an exhibition by Carissa Te-Hsuan Chu to celebrate the 2023 Lunar New Year and serve as a conceptual opening ceremony of the Lone Fir Cemetery Block 14 Cultural Heritage and Healing Garden. The event will feature pre-show writing prompts and audience interactions in the main lobby.
Pre-show Music featuring Jermaine
As part of The People's Party: BIPOC Affinity Night for Ms. Holmes & Ms.Watson - Apt. 2B join us before the show for a performance by Portland-based multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Jermaine. Plus, there will be a Sherlock-worthy mystery game for guests to solve as part of Affinity Night programming.
The People's Party: BIPOC Affinity Night for Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B
We invite all who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), and their guests, to attend a performance of Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B.
Young Americans
With Bowie blaring from a mixtape, two road trips veer back and forth in time, as an upbeat father and his jaded daughter take a journey that mirrors the father’s life-changing road trip 20 years earlier.
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
Show Sponsors
2018-2019 Superstars
2018-2019 Supporting Sponsors
