Great Expectations
Based on Charles Dickens’ classic coming of age novel, Great Expectations tells the adventures of the Victorian orphan Pip. As a boy, Pip has three encounters with people that will change his life: the escaped convict Magwitch, the bewitching and cold Estella, and the unhinged Miss Havisham. When Pip comes into an unforeseen fortune and begins the life of a gentleman his past is not so easily left behind, and the surprising adventures of his new life are decidedly unexpected.
Run Time:
Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes; including one intermission.
General Performance Times:
Evenings: Tuesday - Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Matinees: Saturday and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Thursdays at noon
Wednesday, Feb. 10 at noon
View the season calendar.
Who’s Who:
View the cast and creative team bios.
Playbill:
Explore the playbill.
Note:
Great Expectations is recommended for ages 12+. Contains theatrical haze, strobe lighting, cobwebs and plot twists. Children under 6 are not permitted at any PCS production.
Resource Guide:
Download resource guide (PDF)
Great Expectations
- Previews are Jan. 16-21 | Opening night Jan. 22
- Adapted from Charles Dickens by Lucinda Stroud
- Directed by Jane Jones
Class and Fortune in "Great Expectations"
The British Library explores the world of Great Expectations as one in which fortunes can be suddenly made and just as suddenly lost.
“Great Expectations” on the Silver Screen
Like many of Dickens’ works, Great Expectations shares a rich tradition of adaptations on the silver screen.
The Costumes of “Great Expectations”
A look at the costume renderings for Great Expectations designed by Ron Erickson.
Estella, Act II
Miss Havisham, Act I
Estella
Pip, Act II
Pumblechook
Pip, Act I
Biddy, Act I
ABOUT THE COSTUME DESIGNERRon Erickson had the privilege of designing the costumes for Book-It Repertory Theatre’s original production of Great Expectations, and ...
Coming of Age in “Great Expectations”
By PCS Literary Manager Benjamin Fainstein
English culture underwent rapid change in the mid-eighteenth century. People of all economic classes flocked to cities like London in the wake of the period’s industrial progress. This process of urbanization gave rise to an entrepreneurial middle class with enough ...
An Interview with Director Jane Jones
Jane Jones, the founder and co-artistic director of Seattle's Book-It Repertory Theatre, is currently in Portland to direct Great Expectations for Portland Center Stage. Jane worked closely with adapter Lucinda Stroud to develop this adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel, which had its world premiere ...
Current & Upcoming
Art Exhibit: ¡Soy Yo! by Mika Martinez
¡Soy Yo!, is a multi-media project, created by Mika Martinez, that examines and celebrates Latinx identity featuring more than 50 portraits of the Hispanic/Latino community in Portland.
Piano Bar with Courtney Freed and David Saffert
Join us for this monthly event with local songstress Courtney Freed and Portland-based pianist David Saffert as they host a good old-fashioned PIANO BAR.
Improvisation Classes for Beginners
Whether you're looking to get more confident in social situations, think quicker on your feet, or get in touch with your imaginative side, these "one-off" improv classes will set you on the path to success!
Nassim
From Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour (creator of the Off-Broadway smash hit White Rabbit, Red Rabbit) comes an audacious new theatrical experiment, presented in collaboration with Boom Arts. Each night, a new, unrehearsed local performer joins the playwright on stage, while the script waits, unseen, in a sealed box... Touchingly autobiographical yet powerfully universal, NASSIM is a striking theatrical demonstration of how language can both divide and unite us.
Art Exhibit: Garam Garam Chai by Yusra Siddiqui
Portland Center Stage will host Garam Garam Chai, an art exhibit by Portland-based multidisciplinary artist Yusra Siddiqui, featuring a series of hand-sewn teabag printmaking pieces that serve as a contemplation of the communal tea times shared between Desi and British culture.
Coriolanus
Shakespeare’s tragedy about the war hero Coriolanus and the fight between the elite and the deprived masses will be fueled by a dynamic female and non-binary ensemble with a muscular, movement-focused staging.
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
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