We reached the halfway point! In only 160 days (of 538 total), we have already seen 25 plays, or half of our initial goal! This has led to discussions of "stretch goals" (given C's job in the fundraising world, this is a common phrase), such as trying to see 50 plays solely in C's birthday year, or trying to see 50 in both C's birthday year *and* my birthday year. We shall see what transpires. We front-loaded a lot of plays this summer and fall, so the pace will likely be slowing down now for awhile.
Anyway, to the play: OSF has been doing musicals regularly in the Bill Rausch era, but we don't always go. (We didn't necessarily approve at first, but given how fun -- and high-quality -- they are, we have gradually been won over.) And even though I've seen John Waters' original movie and bits of the remake musical version of the movie, I still forget how civil-rights oriented this show is. In addition to the general themes in the musical, this performance, the final show of the 2019 OSF season, was dedicated to Rep. Elijah Cummings, who had died only 10 days earlier. As Baltimore's congressional representative, it was especially fitting to honor him and his legacy.
Before the show started, I looked around the audience for Bill or the director, Christopher Liam Moore (who also happens to be Bill's husband), but didn't see either of them. As the start time got closer and the house was nearly full, Christopher walked in to an ovation that quickly caught speed and became a standing "O". As he took his seat and the applause died down, it quickly started up again as Bill entered. This one lasted a little longer, as many of us wanted to offer our deepest thanks for what has been an incredible decade-plus-long run.
The show itself was energetic and fun, with the arrogant and smarmy Von Tussles playing excellent pantomime villains against the ordinary, hard working Turnblad family and the African American folks who befriended them. In a nod to the progressive inclusiveness of the plot, the company included a number of young people with mental or physical disabilities, including a young man with cerebral palsy who played most of the show in a wheelchair. When he stood up and danced in the climactic dance scene, the roar was loud and touching. My seat neighbors, who had seen the show back in March, said that it seemed like the actors were really going for it tonight. An ebullient way to end the season!
https://www.osfashland.org/Hairspray
Monday, December 2, 2019
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Play #24 -- Indecent, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, October 27
This American Revolutions-commissioned play by Paula Vogel shared with us a key moment in the world of Yiddish theater in the early 20th century. God of Vengeance, a play written by Sholem Asch in central Europe, was controversial for its portrayal of Jews as real people, with brothel owners, prostitutes, and a deeply loving relationship between two women. While accepted and enjoyed in Europe, its jump to America didn't go as well. Before its Broadway run could even get off the ground, the company was arrested for public indecency.
Fascinating and compelling play, exploring the depths of what it means to be part of a subculture when you don't want to follow all the expectations and rules of that community.
Play #23 -- La Comedia of Errors, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, October 26
The only Shakespeare play we saw at OSF this year (!), La Comedia was a much more interesting take on one of Shakespeare's classic "mistaken identity" plays, The Comedy of Errors, than I expected.
Done entirely bilingually, the play's linguistic confusion enhanced the storyline's "twins separated at birth" identity confusion in wonderfully entertaining ways. I mean, who conceives a plot line where each of two sets of twins shares the same name? Who would be so silly?
Anyway, in this setting, the twins were separated when their Mexican parents were flying from Canada to Mexico and had a crash landing in the southern U.S. One set of brothers (one from each twin pair) stayed in the U.S. and became English speakers, and one set was deported back to Mexico. The play begins as the Mexican duo is in the U.S., searching for their brothers. They find them, or rather, are found by people who (think they) know them (wife, friends), and much hilarity ensues.
The bilingual aspect worked well, too, as rather than translate every phrase pedantically, they enlisted the help of "la vecina" (the neighbor), who sat a few chairs away from us in the audience and would break in every so often to express her opinion about the proceedings, and in the process help explain what was happening to those whose language was not being spoken as much at the time.
A surprising treat! And Bill Rauch's last directing effort (along with Mother Road) of his tenure at OSF. Since this was closing weekend, this play's audience was full of OSF company members, including Bill, Christopher Liam Moore, Danforth Comins, William DeMeritt, and possibly others I wasn't recognizing. The woman sitting beside La Vecina looked rather familiar; I think it might have been Alejandra Escalante, who wasn't in the company this year. If it was her, she was pretty incognito, though.
https://www.osfashland.org/LaComediaOfErrors
Done entirely bilingually, the play's linguistic confusion enhanced the storyline's "twins separated at birth" identity confusion in wonderfully entertaining ways. I mean, who conceives a plot line where each of two sets of twins shares the same name? Who would be so silly?
Anyway, in this setting, the twins were separated when their Mexican parents were flying from Canada to Mexico and had a crash landing in the southern U.S. One set of brothers (one from each twin pair) stayed in the U.S. and became English speakers, and one set was deported back to Mexico. The play begins as the Mexican duo is in the U.S., searching for their brothers. They find them, or rather, are found by people who (think they) know them (wife, friends), and much hilarity ensues.
The bilingual aspect worked well, too, as rather than translate every phrase pedantically, they enlisted the help of "la vecina" (the neighbor), who sat a few chairs away from us in the audience and would break in every so often to express her opinion about the proceedings, and in the process help explain what was happening to those whose language was not being spoken as much at the time.
A surprising treat! And Bill Rauch's last directing effort (along with Mother Road) of his tenure at OSF. Since this was closing weekend, this play's audience was full of OSF company members, including Bill, Christopher Liam Moore, Danforth Comins, William DeMeritt, and possibly others I wasn't recognizing. The woman sitting beside La Vecina looked rather familiar; I think it might have been Alejandra Escalante, who wasn't in the company this year. If it was her, she was pretty incognito, though.
https://www.osfashland.org/LaComediaOfErrors
Pub #22 -- Standing Stone Brewing Company, Ashland, Ore., October 26
Standing Stone is Ashland's longstanding brew pub, situated right downtown near OSF. Not the first in town (Rogue Brewery actually started here back in the late 80s!), it is the oldest one still standing. As it were. Ahem.
Steeped in sustainability and locavore values, Standing Stone raises its beef and lamb at One Mile Farm, a nearby farm project they started in 2011.
The food is always very good. The beer selection is sometimes a bit limited, but I can usually find something of interest. Basically, they don't seem to brew a lot of seasonals, and I'm not always in the mood for their regular selections.
This time I got Darth Vator, a dark, sweet, high-octane lager, and C got the Oak St. Amber. We were with our friends Vicki and Mike once again, who braved another OSF adventure weekend with us.
https://www.standingstonebrewing.com/mission/
Steeped in sustainability and locavore values, Standing Stone raises its beef and lamb at One Mile Farm, a nearby farm project they started in 2011.
The food is always very good. The beer selection is sometimes a bit limited, but I can usually find something of interest. Basically, they don't seem to brew a lot of seasonals, and I'm not always in the mood for their regular selections.
This time I got Darth Vator, a dark, sweet, high-octane lager, and C got the Oak St. Amber. We were with our friends Vicki and Mike once again, who braved another OSF adventure weekend with us.
https://www.standingstonebrewing.com/mission/
Play #22 -- Mother Road, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, October 26
Back to Ashland for more plays!!! Four more, this time. Once again we traveled with our friends Vicki and Mike from Eugene, and started our adventures with a yummy breakfast at the Cresswell Bakery.
In reading about the background and development of this play, OSF included a recent New York Times article about the largest round of deportations we've never heard of. And they were right, I'd never heard of this! In the 1930s, deep in the throes of the Great Depression, Herbert Hoover enforced a "jobs for real Americans" effort by rounding up and deporting almost two million Mexicans in southern California. They called this "repatriation," even though around one million of those deported were actually American citizens. So appalling.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/08/13/the-time-a-president-deported-1-million-mexican-americans-for-stealing-u-s-jobs/
This was one of two plays Bill Rauch directed in his last year as Artistic Director. It is sad to see him go. As this was closing weekend, he was in the audience, along with a few other OSF company members. The most recognizable one was Daisuke Tsuji from Cambodian Rock Band, with his Cyclos jacket on.
Mother Road, a world premiere from Oregon playwright Octavio Solis, is a modern sequel of The Grapes of Wrath. Weaving the threads of the Dust Bowl migrations of Okie farmers to California with the more recent migrations of Mexican farmers to the U.S., this story follows William Joad, a cousin of Tom Joad (protagonist of The Grapes of Wrath) who stayed and farmed in Oklahoma and Tom Joad's descendant, Martin Jodes, who was born in Mexico. After meeting in California, they set off on a road trip back to Oklahoma, down Route 66, the Mother Road.
In reading about the background and development of this play, OSF included a recent New York Times article about the largest round of deportations we've never heard of. And they were right, I'd never heard of this! In the 1930s, deep in the throes of the Great Depression, Herbert Hoover enforced a "jobs for real Americans" effort by rounding up and deporting almost two million Mexicans in southern California. They called this "repatriation," even though around one million of those deported were actually American citizens. So appalling.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/08/13/the-time-a-president-deported-1-million-mexican-americans-for-stealing-u-s-jobs/
This was one of two plays Bill Rauch directed in his last year as Artistic Director. It is sad to see him go. As this was closing weekend, he was in the audience, along with a few other OSF company members. The most recognizable one was Daisuke Tsuji from Cambodian Rock Band, with his Cyclos jacket on.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Noteworthy addition: National Theatre Live presents A Midsummer Night's Dream, Florence, October 23
Theater obsessives that we are, we had to go to this filmed version of the amazing production at Bridge Theatre in London. C has become so interested (obsessed?) in going to a show at Bridge Theatre, after seeing an NT Live production of Julius Caesar in this modern new theatre with an immersive experience for the audience and new technology/elevators in the floor, that we were THIS close to flying to London this past summer to see this show. In contrast, the ~2 hour drive to Florence was basically next door!
It lived up to our expectations and then some! If you have the chance, see it!!!
It lived up to our expectations and then some! If you have the chance, see it!!!
Play #21 -- Mamma Mia!, Albany Civic Theatre, October 12
The best time to see Mamma Mia! was immediately following the Oregon Mennonite Festival for World Relief (or the MCC Relief Sale, for those familiar with that name), where C and I have helped to run the used books booth for over 15 years now. This wasn't ideal, since we also help clean up after the sale, and would make for a long day.
Still, it meant we were already in Albany, so it saved a trip. After the traditional Burgerville wrap-up meal, we hit one of the downtown tap rooms for a quick flight. (They don't brew their own, so not an additional pub.)
Mamma Mia! was zany fun, full of Abba music and Greek isle frivolity. The talented local Duddlesten family filled out five of the lead roles, including the new live-in boyfriend. With a "cast of thousands," as C likes to say, there were alsoa number of other theater friends in minor roles. Good times, but now that I've finally seen Mamma Mia!, I think I'm good for awhile.
Still, it meant we were already in Albany, so it saved a trip. After the traditional Burgerville wrap-up meal, we hit one of the downtown tap rooms for a quick flight. (They don't brew their own, so not an additional pub.)
Mamma Mia! was zany fun, full of Abba music and Greek isle frivolity. The talented local Duddlesten family filled out five of the lead roles, including the new live-in boyfriend. With a "cast of thousands," as C likes to say, there were alsoa number of other theater friends in minor roles. Good times, but now that I've finally seen Mamma Mia!, I think I'm good for awhile.
Pub #21 -- Sky High Brewing, Corvallis, October 6
After the first heavy rains of autumn came through, the first weekend of October was beautifully crisp and clear. To celebrate, we walked downtown and along the riverfront on a sunny Sunday afternoon, eventually finding our way to Sky High's rooftop with a view. It's always a pleasant spot with great views, but even better when it's not in the 90s.
We had actually both been to Sky High individually since the 50 in 50 began, but this was the first time we went together. So it's the official time that we're counting. 😄
C got a tasty peach sangria, and I got, dang, I forget again, either a peach cider or a sour of some kind... (will edit later, hopefully).
We had actually both been to Sky High individually since the 50 in 50 began, but this was the first time we went together. So it's the official time that we're counting. 😄
C got a tasty peach sangria, and I got, dang, I forget again, either a peach cider or a sour of some kind... (will edit later, hopefully).
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Play #20 -- Dancing at Lughnasa, Majestic Theatre, October 5
A classic Irish play about village life, Dancing at Lughnasa won a few Tony awards in the 80s. We went to see Love & Information friends acting in it -- Chris and Kay. Fun lilting Irish accents.
Play #19 -- Birds of a Kind, Stratford Festival, October 2
Have you ever seen a play in (at least) four languages? No, me neither. Birds of a Kind was a brilliant, challenging play covering the big themes of identity, family, love, and cross-cultural connections. Featuring a German Jewish young man and an Arabic American young woman who met at NYU and fell in love, their relationship went over about as well you might imagine with his Jewish parents. Large swaths of the play were in Hebrew, German, or Arabic, with English subtitles projected on the back wall. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict featured prominently.
It was delightful to have my cousin Sarah and her partner Rod join us at this play, after they drove all the way from Leamington. They even stayed for late-night chatting and snacking, before turning around and heading home.
It was delightful to have my cousin Sarah and her partner Rod join us at this play, after they drove all the way from Leamington. They even stayed for late-night chatting and snacking, before turning around and heading home.
Pub #20 -- Braai House, Stratford, October 2
Okay, so this "pub" was a bit unorthodox, but we think it fits. Unfortunately, since we were both feeling a bit ambivalent about whether it qualified, we failed to get a photo.
Y'see, the story is that Braai House is a few-months-old South African-themed restaurant, with a wood-fired oven (the "Braai") in the fully-open kitchen. (We sat at the bar facing it, seeing the cooks at work the whole night, which probably led to us adding a "six-pack for the cooks" to our bill. Seriously, it was an option on the menu. They seemed quite happy about it.)
Aside from the intriguing South African menu, we went here in large part because of the sandwich board out front advertising craft ales, including a Chai beer. Turns out, a young man (who we later met at the end of our meal, quietly sipping his wares at the bar) has started brewing in the basement, and providing beers to both Braai House and the first floor restaurant.
Is it a brewpub? It's definitely a restaurant with in-house craft beers. Is that any less worthy than a tap room that serves popcorn and pretzels as the main food options? Right, we didn't think so either. So it goes on the list, even if the chai flavor was a little too mild for my tastes.
And, like I said, no photo. So you'll have to imagine it.
Y'see, the story is that Braai House is a few-months-old South African-themed restaurant, with a wood-fired oven (the "Braai") in the fully-open kitchen. (We sat at the bar facing it, seeing the cooks at work the whole night, which probably led to us adding a "six-pack for the cooks" to our bill. Seriously, it was an option on the menu. They seemed quite happy about it.)
Aside from the intriguing South African menu, we went here in large part because of the sandwich board out front advertising craft ales, including a Chai beer. Turns out, a young man (who we later met at the end of our meal, quietly sipping his wares at the bar) has started brewing in the basement, and providing beers to both Braai House and the first floor restaurant.
Is it a brewpub? It's definitely a restaurant with in-house craft beers. Is that any less worthy than a tap room that serves popcorn and pretzels as the main food options? Right, we didn't think so either. So it goes on the list, even if the chai flavor was a little too mild for my tastes.
And, like I said, no photo. So you'll have to imagine it.
Play #18 -- Mother's Daughter, Stratford Festival, October 2
The morning of our last day of plays was spent, surprise!, in a theatre. 😄 We went on a backstage tour of Festival Theatre, which was both a lot of fun and an intriguing contrast with Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Whereas OSF has actors act as tour guides, regaling tour-goers with stories about the shows as well as facts and figures, Stratford has volunteers leading the tours, with a grade school teacher-like strictness about "staying together, everyone!" and a sense of intruding on the actors'/crew members' world ("we have to be out of here by 10:30 a.m. sharp"). The volunteers were well-prepared and had good cheat sheets to help them provide interesting facts and figures, however, and because the Festival Theatre is a one-stop shop for costumes as well as dressing rooms, stage, etc., we could see more colorful items than on the OSF tour.
After a long slog through a heavy downpour to get amazing homemade butter tarts (and a solid diner breakfast) at Madelyn's, we made it back to Studio Theatre in time for Mother's Daughter, a play written by a Canadian woman playwright, who just happens to be the assistant artistic director at Shaw Festival. The play is about Queen Mary (no, not that one, the other one, "Bloody" Mary), the first English queen to reign without a king-spouse alongside. It was very historical (Elizabeth, soon to be Queen Elizabeth, was in it a lot, since she was a half-sister to Mary), while also feeling very contemporary and being written with modern language and sensibilities. This was the third in a loose "trilogy" (more a series, really) of powerful women of that era, delving in to what their lives and dilemmas and challenges must have been like.
After a long slog through a heavy downpour to get amazing homemade butter tarts (and a solid diner breakfast) at Madelyn's, we made it back to Studio Theatre in time for Mother's Daughter, a play written by a Canadian woman playwright, who just happens to be the assistant artistic director at Shaw Festival. The play is about Queen Mary (no, not that one, the other one, "Bloody" Mary), the first English queen to reign without a king-spouse alongside. It was very historical (Elizabeth, soon to be Queen Elizabeth, was in it a lot, since she was a half-sister to Mary), while also feeling very contemporary and being written with modern language and sensibilities. This was the third in a loose "trilogy" (more a series, really) of powerful women of that era, delving in to what their lives and dilemmas and challenges must have been like.
Play #17 -- Merry Wives of Windsor, Stratford Festival, October 1
Festival Theatre is an amazing tent-like theatre, designed to look like the original big tent that was in this spot. Built initially to enclose its impressive "thrust" stage in the 1950s, the temporary tent theatre eventually graduated to brick and mortar (and wood).
Tonight we saw the only Shakespeare play of the nine shows we saw in Ontario, which is a bit impressive given that Stratford is known as a Shakespeare-themed festival. Merry Wives was set in a 1950s-ish version of small town Ontario (say, Stratford?). Yet again, an understudy was needed for the actor who was missing at the Private Lives matinee earlier in the day. (He was supposed to play Falstaff, a rather large part (in more ways than one!).) And yet again, the absence was covered smoothly and professionally. (We learned the next day that the missing actor was recovering from laryngitis, so not a long-scheduled absence or anything, which made it all the more impressive.)
C liked the production quite a bit, although we both found the story a bit silly and a bit regressive from a gender role perspective, which seemed all the more stark after Shaw's more equal view of the sexes. Still, there's nothing wrong with a bit of Shakespeare fun, eh?
Tonight we saw the only Shakespeare play of the nine shows we saw in Ontario, which is a bit impressive given that Stratford is known as a Shakespeare-themed festival. Merry Wives was set in a 1950s-ish version of small town Ontario (say, Stratford?). Yet again, an understudy was needed for the actor who was missing at the Private Lives matinee earlier in the day. (He was supposed to play Falstaff, a rather large part (in more ways than one!).) And yet again, the absence was covered smoothly and professionally. (We learned the next day that the missing actor was recovering from laryngitis, so not a long-scheduled absence or anything, which made it all the more impressive.)
C liked the production quite a bit, although we both found the story a bit silly and a bit regressive from a gender role perspective, which seemed all the more stark after Shaw's more equal view of the sexes. Still, there's nothing wrong with a bit of Shakespeare fun, eh?
Pub #19 -- Black Swan Brewing, Stratford, October 1
After the matinee of Private Lives, it started to rain, and we needed a drink. So we headed down the street to another brewery/tap room without much food to speak of, Black Swan. I had a decent braggot (Land of Milk and Honey -- generally a honey ale, no hops) and C had a pumpkin ale, I believe. (Correction Nov. 7 2020: C had a peach wheat (Paul Bellini).) After a quick pint, we went to dinner before taking the long-ish walk from downtown over to Festival Theatre, the flagship theatre of Stratford.
Play #16 -- Private Lives, Stratford Festival, October 1
Our first play at the Stratford Festival was Noel Coward's somewhat silly comedy about two ex(?)-lovers who both embody the gendered "joke": Men/Women, you can't live with 'em, you can't live without 'em. Both have married someone new, and have -- shockingly -- shown up at the same hotel on the French Riviera (or some such place) for their respective honeymoons. And not merely the same hotel, but neighboring rooms (with shared balconies)! Rekindling of old passions ensues, along with much silliness.
While a perceptive reader might have a faint notion that I am not particularly fond of this play, I must say that it was done superbly. In contrast with the understudy at the Shaw Festival who had to carry a script with him, the lead male role in this show was played -- impeccably -- by an understudy. If they wouldn't have told us he was an understudy, I would have had no idea.
Frankly, the only reason we were at this show was because it was the best option to see a play in the Avon Theatre, and we couldn't come all this way and miss one of the three theatres!
https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/
While a perceptive reader might have a faint notion that I am not particularly fond of this play, I must say that it was done superbly. In contrast with the understudy at the Shaw Festival who had to carry a script with him, the lead male role in this show was played -- impeccably -- by an understudy. If they wouldn't have told us he was an understudy, I would have had no idea.
Frankly, the only reason we were at this show was because it was the best option to see a play in the Avon Theatre, and we couldn't come all this way and miss one of the three theatres!
https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/
Monday, October 21, 2019
Pub #18 -- Herald Haus Brewery, Stratford, October 1
Herald Haus is in the old newspaper building on the triangular "square" in downtown Stratford. It has a nice selection of beers in a dark wood interior. After the poutine place in town was unexpectedly closed with a "gone fishing" sign on the door (seriously!), we decided to nab a quick lunch and notch another brewpub on our belts before rushing over to the matinee of "Private Lives" at the Avon Theatre.
Pub #17 -- Henderson's Brewing Company, Toronto, September 30
As I said earlier, most microbreweries in Canada seem to reside with tap rooms more than restaurants or pubs. The second brewery of the day found us at Henderson's Brewing Company, with a large brewing space right next to the tap room (or vice-versa). (Interesting (or perhaps not) side note: we walked past a Nestle candy bar factory (including some Canadian candy bars that aren't so common in the U.S., such as Aero).)
Apparently, alcohol does have some positive effects on relaxation (don't worry, be happy) and deleterious effects on memory retention (who knew?), since at this second pub of the afternoon, I seem to have failed to catalog which beers we got in our sampler. Looking at their website, I see some we may have gotten (Henderson's Best amber, Society of Beer Drinking Ladies Brew 0002 (a vanilla orchid brown ale), Monsoon (a tropical sour), Fetchez La Vache (Belgian Saison), and Rube Goldbeer, a Belgian Tripel). But I'm not sure these specific beers were actually pouring three weeks ago. Ah well. A mystery...
Pub #16 -- Bellwoods Brewery, Toronto, September 30
Monday is a day where theaters are often "dark," meaning they aren't doing any shows. Given we were going to have two solid days of plays ahead, we "cleansed our palate" on Monday in Toronto, just doing a city/pub crawl, visiting the U. of Toronto neighborhood, Kensington Market, Pow Wow Cafe (a great frybread taco place owned and run by First Nations folks), a couple brewpubs, and a bar with bluegrass to top off the night.
The first brewery we visited was another of Ben's favorites, Bellwoods Brewery, with the popular Jelly King sour ale. I liked the fruitier version with raspberry, plum, and cherry, but the original was good and citrusy as well.
Enjoy some photos of new/old architecture -- on adjoining buildings -- in Toronto, as well.
The first brewery we visited was another of Ben's favorites, Bellwoods Brewery, with the popular Jelly King sour ale. I liked the fruitier version with raspberry, plum, and cherry, but the original was good and citrusy as well.
Enjoy some photos of new/old architecture -- on adjoining buildings -- in Toronto, as well.
Pub #15 -- LayLow, Toronto, September 29
The nano-est of nanobreweries, this Trinidadian restaurant holds (at least informally) the honor of being the smallest brewery in Toronto. When we asked them if this was true, they said, Oh yeah, we still make our beer in 30 L pots in the kitchen. !! But they had a normal variety of a half-dozen beers, and they were quite good. The food was also excellent.
The Berliner Weisse didn't seem like it would be that exciting (after Come From Away (see last post), I didn't need a lot of excitement), but as you'll see from the video below, adding mango-tamarind juice to it and then stirring generates some bubbly enthusiasm. I misunderstood the server's warning about stirring it, and instead stirred it vigorously the first time. This led to much frantic slurping in a failed attempt to keep the now-frothing ale from overflowing (not on video).
The good folks in the photos who aren't me or C are my uncle, aunt, and cousin. Thanks to Cousin Ben for the tip on LayLow. It's one of his favorites, and it's easy to see why.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Play #15 -- Come From Away, Elgin Theatre, Toronto, September 29
After the lengthy and "serious" theater experience of Man and Superman, Come From Away, the musical about the 7000 people stranded in Newfoundland after 9/11 diverted all planes coming into North America, was a bit of a whirlwind, over before I could take a breath.
Full of high-energy Celtic music, fun accents, touching stories, and a glimpse of the kindness that humans can offer one another, this show is one worth catching, if you happen to be visiting Broadway or it happens to be visiting a town near you. It was a treat to be able to see it in Canada, where audiences feel a certain amount of pride, understandably, given it was "their people" who offered the unanticipated hospitality.
It was even more of a treat to see the show with most of the Canadian Wert clan (my uncle and aunt and cousin). (More on them in upcoming posts.)
Full of high-energy Celtic music, fun accents, touching stories, and a glimpse of the kindness that humans can offer one another, this show is one worth catching, if you happen to be visiting Broadway or it happens to be visiting a town near you. It was a treat to be able to see it in Canada, where audiences feel a certain amount of pride, understandably, given it was "their people" who offered the unanticipated hospitality.
It was even more of a treat to see the show with most of the Canadian Wert clan (my uncle and aunt and cousin). (More on them in upcoming posts.)
Play #14 -- Man and Superman, Shaw Festival, September 28
From Facebook on the day of the play...
Before:
Uh-oh, better buckle up. Man and Superman, GB Shaw, 6 1/2 hours, incl. two intermissions, and one lunch break. Wish us luck... #shareyourshaw
First intermission:
Act 1 -- I really love Shaw. His writing is so taut. And prescient. And funny!
Second intermission:
Act III -- Don Juan in Hell. Overtones of No Exit (at least, how I felt).
After:
Aaaand... it is finished. We survived. More than I can say for Tanner.
------------
Later:
Is the title an homage to Nietzsche? A prediction of the coming of DC Comics' most popular superhero? A foreshadowing of what an audience member must become to make it through this six and a half hour marathon of a show?
I don't know the answer, but given its billing as a long (LLLLLOOOOOOONNNNNNGGGG) four-act play, broken up by two traditional intermissions and one 70-minute lunch break, it was a bit of a test of endurance -- for the actors certainly as much as the audience! Talk about how amazing it is to memorize the lines needed in a normal play. Imagine having to memorize multiple monologues (some over ten minutes, surely) in an essentially double-length play! Given its test of endurance for both actor and audience, perhaps it's not surprising that they only had 17 performances of Man and Superman all season. (FYI, this was in the Festival Theatre.)
Even so, I found it to be much more manageable than I expected. Paced as it was, each act felt like a normal-length act (because they were), and only the third act, Don Juan in Hell, performed after the lunch break, was a bit challenging to make it through awake. But that could have been due to its somewhat surreal setting (a Hell that was actually more "fun" than Heaven) and its very (overly?) verbose monologues. Even the characters acknowledged how long-winded they were, pointing out how, "if I could get a word in edgewise," they would probably go on and on themselves. "You do go on a bit."
And in the more "normal" bits of the play, it was vintage Shaw, witty dialogue, jousting repartee, challenging ideas. A definitely satisfying addition to the play life list. (Just please don't make me watch Don Juan in Hell again. Please.)
Before:
Uh-oh, better buckle up. Man and Superman, GB Shaw, 6 1/2 hours, incl. two intermissions, and one lunch break. Wish us luck... #shareyourshaw
First intermission:
Act 1 -- I really love Shaw. His writing is so taut. And prescient. And funny!
Second intermission:
Act III -- Don Juan in Hell. Overtones of No Exit (at least, how I felt).
After:
Aaaand... it is finished. We survived. More than I can say for Tanner.
------------
Later:
Is the title an homage to Nietzsche? A prediction of the coming of DC Comics' most popular superhero? A foreshadowing of what an audience member must become to make it through this six and a half hour marathon of a show?
I don't know the answer, but given its billing as a long (LLLLLOOOOOOONNNNNNGGGG) four-act play, broken up by two traditional intermissions and one 70-minute lunch break, it was a bit of a test of endurance -- for the actors certainly as much as the audience! Talk about how amazing it is to memorize the lines needed in a normal play. Imagine having to memorize multiple monologues (some over ten minutes, surely) in an essentially double-length play! Given its test of endurance for both actor and audience, perhaps it's not surprising that they only had 17 performances of Man and Superman all season. (FYI, this was in the Festival Theatre.)
Even so, I found it to be much more manageable than I expected. Paced as it was, each act felt like a normal-length act (because they were), and only the third act, Don Juan in Hell, performed after the lunch break, was a bit challenging to make it through awake. But that could have been due to its somewhat surreal setting (a Hell that was actually more "fun" than Heaven) and its very (overly?) verbose monologues. Even the characters acknowledged how long-winded they were, pointing out how, "if I could get a word in edgewise," they would probably go on and on themselves. "You do go on a bit."
And in the more "normal" bits of the play, it was vintage Shaw, witty dialogue, jousting repartee, challenging ideas. A definitely satisfying addition to the play life list. (Just please don't make me watch Don Juan in Hell again. Please.)
Play #13 -- Getting Married, Shaw Festival, September 27
At last, a play by George Bernard Shaw!
Our second play of the day in the Royal George Theatre (albeit with a nice long break following the lunchtime play) was an unfamiliar (at least to us) work by GB, but its themes of relationships, its penchant for the characters to talk out their issues at great length, and its way-ahead-of-its-time view of gender equality (although accepting of traditional early 20th century gender roles) marked it as a Shaw play through and through.
Written as a two and a half hour "one act", they did give us an intermission at a logical place in the middle. I've not seen that many Shaw plays, but I've grown to enjoy very much his wit and his exploration of ideas. And given that he was writing in the late-19th/early-20th centuries, I find it surprising how funny and relevant he still is today.
Our second play of the day in the Royal George Theatre (albeit with a nice long break following the lunchtime play) was an unfamiliar (at least to us) work by GB, but its themes of relationships, its penchant for the characters to talk out their issues at great length, and its way-ahead-of-its-time view of gender equality (although accepting of traditional early 20th century gender roles) marked it as a Shaw play through and through.
Written as a two and a half hour "one act", they did give us an intermission at a logical place in the middle. I've not seen that many Shaw plays, but I've grown to enjoy very much his wit and his exploration of ideas. And given that he was writing in the late-19th/early-20th centuries, I find it surprising how funny and relevant he still is today.
Pub #14 -- The Exchange Brewery, Niagara-on-the-Lake, September 27
I'm not clear on their laws, but many Canadian microbreweries (or at least ones in Ontario) don't seem to have an associated in-house restaurant. They might serve a little food -- popcorn, charcuterie board, a few sandwiches -- but nothing like we're used to in the brewpubs we frequent.
The Exchange Brewery fit this profile, so after visiting a more traditional "pub" for peach and chicken pie (think steak and kidney pie, but with more pleasantly edible ingredients), we stopped in at the Exchange for a pre-play sampler of tasty sour ales. They have a nice second-floor patio overlooking NOTL's downtown parks.
Sampler: Dunkelweizen, Gose, Belgian Pumpkin, Thai Basil Saison, Grand Cru 2017, Gluten Free (buckwheat) Saison
https://exchangebrewery.com/
The Exchange Brewery fit this profile, so after visiting a more traditional "pub" for peach and chicken pie (think steak and kidney pie, but with more pleasantly edible ingredients), we stopped in at the Exchange for a pre-play sampler of tasty sour ales. They have a nice second-floor patio overlooking NOTL's downtown parks.
Sampler: Dunkelweizen, Gose, Belgian Pumpkin, Thai Basil Saison, Grand Cru 2017, Gluten Free (buckwheat) Saison
https://exchangebrewery.com/
Play #12 -- The Russian Play, Shaw Festival, September 27
This little lunchtime one-act was a surprising gem. "A small-town flower girl falls for a gravedigger in Stalinist Russia. What can go wrong? Well, it’s a Russian play, so: everything."
Written by a young Canadian playwright, this production's direction was top-notch, full of lovely little touches related to the lighting, music, movement, etc.
As we later discussed our lists of favorite plays seen during our Canadian adventure, this one kept rising to the top two.
And as an added bonus, we got to participate in a post-show discussion that included the "flower girl" and her alter-ego, the violinist.
Written by a young Canadian playwright, this production's direction was top-notch, full of lovely little touches related to the lighting, music, movement, etc.
As we later discussed our lists of favorite plays seen during our Canadian adventure, this one kept rising to the top two.
And as an added bonus, we got to participate in a post-show discussion that included the "flower girl" and her alter-ego, the violinist.
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Play #11 -- Victory, Shaw Festival, September 26
From the Shaw Festival "Victory" info page:
"Warning: Victory is deliberately offensive. The playwright brilliantly explores the use of language as a weapon. It is not for the squeamish and contains very strong language."
This contemporary play by Howard Barker, a very self-confident mid-20th century white male English poet/playwright, is about the Restoration, the time following King Charles II's return to the throne after Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans' revolution and institution of the republic. It's like crude (or cruder) Shakespeare. The man we met in line for the Shaw Festival bus goes to the Shaw every year, but when we told him we were going to see Victory, he grew quiet. C asked, did you see it. Yes, he said. Did you like it? No, he said. Well then! It had its moments, but the epitome of its attitude was the fact that there was no curtain call and C wondered if the playwright hoped that people wouldn't even applaud at the end. Many probably didn't really want to.
One oddity was that an understudy had to perform. This wasn't an oddity, per se, but the fact that he needed to carry a book or iPad with him was. A bit strange.
The Shaw Festival is very much like OSF: in a pretty small town, three theatres, ten-ish plays, many theatre-goers. Our first time. Very happy to experience it.
"Warning: Victory is deliberately offensive. The playwright brilliantly explores the use of language as a weapon. It is not for the squeamish and contains very strong language."
This contemporary play by Howard Barker, a very self-confident mid-20th century white male English poet/playwright, is about the Restoration, the time following King Charles II's return to the throne after Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans' revolution and institution of the republic. It's like crude (or cruder) Shakespeare. The man we met in line for the Shaw Festival bus goes to the Shaw every year, but when we told him we were going to see Victory, he grew quiet. C asked, did you see it. Yes, he said. Did you like it? No, he said. Well then! It had its moments, but the epitome of its attitude was the fact that there was no curtain call and C wondered if the playwright hoped that people wouldn't even applaud at the end. Many probably didn't really want to.
One oddity was that an understudy had to perform. This wasn't an oddity, per se, but the fact that he needed to carry a book or iPad with him was. A bit strange.
The Shaw Festival is very much like OSF: in a pretty small town, three theatres, ten-ish plays, many theatre-goers. Our first time. Very happy to experience it.
Pub #13 -- Oast House Brewers, Niagara-on-the-Lake, September 26
We were able to borrow bikes from our B&B and ride out to Oast House, a tap house (in a big red barn) with tastings in the front and a patio with pints and BBQ out back. Excellent barbecue, including smoked peanuts and cauliflower fritters. Yum! I had Grisette and C had the first pumpkin spice ale of the fall. It's surrounded by vineyards, wineries, orchards, and more vineyards!
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Pub #12 -- Von Ebert Brewing, Portland, September 14
We thought this was a new brewpub for us in the Pearl District of Portland, and it was, sort of. The cavernous space seemed familiar, though, and sure enough, we had been there before when it was Fathead's. The beer was good, though, with creative Belgians and sours, so I was happy.
Play #10 -- In the Heights, Portland Center Stage, September 14
Lin-Manuel Miranda is known primarily for Hamilton these days, but in the late 2000s, his first musical, In the Heights, was also a big hit, won a Tony, and ran on Broadway for a number of years. We actually saw it on Broadway in 2009, and loved it. Its Latin musical styles and inspiring story lines pulled us in. So when we saw it was touring at Portland Center Stage, our "local" theater of choice in Portland, we decided to see it again. I was glad we did.
Play #9 -- She Stoops to Conquer, American Players Theatre, September 1
The American Players Theatre was formed almost 30 years ago in rural south-central Wisconsin, near the town of Spring Green. There must have been something special here (the Wisconsin River runs through it), because Frank Lloyd Wright had one of his homes here, named Taliesin. The theatre has a lovely outdoor amphitheater nestled in a nook near the top of a hill. There is a shuttle van that transports those who don't want to walk it, which is quite a large percentage of their clientele, one would think. (Theater audiences can be a bit... elderly, say.)
She Stoops to Conquer is an English play from the 1700s, and quite funny. It's one of the few plays from the 18th century that is still performed today. We weren't sure what to expect, but found it better than a mere fancy costume farce. It actually raised some interesting questions about women, men, relationships, truth, etc., and seemed somewhat ahead of its time. We saw this with most of the Wert clan.
https://americanplayers.org/plays/she-stoops-to-conquer
She Stoops to Conquer is an English play from the 1700s, and quite funny. It's one of the few plays from the 18th century that is still performed today. We weren't sure what to expect, but found it better than a mere fancy costume farce. It actually raised some interesting questions about women, men, relationships, truth, etc., and seemed somewhat ahead of its time. We saw this with most of the Wert clan.
https://americanplayers.org/plays/she-stoops-to-conquer
Pub #11 -- New Glarus Brewing Company, New Glarus, Wisc., September 1
New Glarus Brewing is hugely popular, but most people outside of Wisconsin know nothing about it. Brewing in a small Swiss-heritage town south of Madison for 25 years, I first learned of them from my brother, who shared their Apple Ale with me. But since they don't sell any beer outside of Wisconsin, few people elsewhere know much about them. In the past few years they have built a massive new brewery and tasting room on the hills above New Glarus, so big and faux-ruins/Germanic village that it led C to refer to it as the Disneyland of Wisconsin "micro"-breweries. They specialize in sweet, fruity beers, which suits me just fine. We were here with the Wert family as well.
Pub #10 -- Vintage Brewing, Sauk Prairie, Wisc., August 31
On our trip to Wisconsin with the Wert clan, we made sure to go to a few new brew pubs. Vintage, along the Wisconsin River in Sauk Prairie, had a nice porch where we could overlook the river and observe more cornhole being played, while waiting for a table to eat. First beer on the patio was Meadow Muffin (think blueberry muffin). The taster included Sweet Nut Things, Butternut Road, Sahti (an unusual Finnish ale), Key Lime Wit, and Cherry Bluff.
Later on, we went to the nearby Wollersheim Winery and Distillery, one of the larger wineries in Wisconsin.
Later on, we went to the nearby Wollersheim Winery and Distillery, one of the larger wineries in Wisconsin.
Play #8 -- On Golden Pond, Red Octopus Theatre, August 2
On Golden Pond was presented by the Red Octopus Theatre in the Newport Performing Arts Center. It was directed by C's friend Barbara, director of the Newport show C was in, Other Desert Cities. We saw it with our gamer friends (and C's high school theater friend) Heather and Mark, before playing a marathon of games the next day at the Yach-port* beach house.
* (between Yachats and Waldport)
* (between Yachats and Waldport)
Pub #9 -- Long Timber Brewing Company, Monroe, July 30
Long Timber Brewing in Monroe! Gorgeous new brewpub with impressive clear timber beams from Hull-Oakes. Great food and beer. Corvallis folks, take the short 20-minute drive south for a fine experience. We were there with our friends Joe and Lisa, and stopped at the Monroe Farmers Market beforehand. Fun trip to our small-town neighbor to the south.
Play #7 -- Hamlet, Valley Shakespeare Company, July 27
This production was an interesting one. Performed in a small outdoor amphitheater on the campus of Western Oregon University in Monmouth, the cast included students as well as professionals. Hamlet was played by a recent alum, who happened to be a female. Interesting dynamics with Ophelia, parents, etc.
Pub #8 -- Chatoe Rogue, Independence, July 27
First time at Chatoe Rogue (Rogue Ales), with IPA-loving friends Fred and Linda, amidst the hop fields. Great destination for a summer afternoon. Watched some cornhole being played. We drank Rogue's own Marionberry Cider (using their marionberries) and some other brown, I think.
Play #6 -- The Unexpected Guest, ACT, July 26
Another ACT play, with another theater friend! This time we saw Adam, Cathy's "husband" in Wait Until Dark.
Pub #7 -- 3 Sheets Brewery & Taproom, Albany, July 26
Three Sheets Brewery in Albany. Our first time at this relatively new, German-themed nano-brewery. Guten appetit! Cascade Amber and Raspberry Sour.
Pub #6 -- Cascade Brewing Barrel House, Portland, July 18
Portland has too many brewpubs for its own good. We could easily go to all 50 brewpubs in the Portland Metro area, if we could stomach the IPAs some would make us drink. So what an excellent surprise to visit Cascade Brewing's Barrel House, which specialized in barrel-aged sour ales. How had I never been there before??
Coastal Gose, Honey Ginger Lime, Peche Fume, Tropical Embers, Kentucky Peach 2017, Berry Vlad to Meet You, and Bean to Barrel (not pictured)
Coastal Gose, Honey Ginger Lime, Peche Fume, Tropical Embers, Kentucky Peach 2017, Berry Vlad to Meet You, and Bean to Barrel (not pictured)
Pub #5 -- 3 Magnets Brewing, Olympia, Wa., July 14
3 Magnets is a great little pub in Olympia, a cute little state capitol town. We had been there back in 2018 to watch a World Cup semifinal between Belgium and France and quite liked it. This time we were on our way to Anderson Island, and took a nice lunch break before heading for the ferry. Complimentary madeleines, yum! Blueberry Meltdown (3 Magnets) and Old Timber Nut Brown (Heathen Brewing)
Pub #4 -- Flat Tail Brewing, Corvallis, June 30
Flat Tail is one of our go-to places in Corvallis. They always have creative sours and other ales. We went with our avid gamer friends, Heather and Mark, after playing two full rounds of Agricola! We got PEACH! and Tavulia Sunset.
Play #5 -- Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Albany Civic Theatre, June 28
Directed by first-time director, Connor Riley, who was in Love & Information (the show C directed) and Pippin (the musical C acted in), we saw the Spectaculathon (play #5) at ACT, a place we frequent the past few years.
Play #4 -- Cambodian Rock Band, OSF, June 2
Cambodian Rock Band (play #4) is a somewhat unexpected tour de force: a very popular new play about the prominence of French and American rock music in Cambodian society in the 1960s and 70s, juxtaposed against the takeover and subsequent genocide by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, as well as the initial efforts to bring Khmer Rouge leaders to justice. The play's actors all featured in an actual rock band that played actual full-length songs during the show. Fun, and squirm-in-your-seat painful as well.
https://www.osfashland.org/en/productions/2019-plays/cambodian-rock-band.aspx
https://www.osfashland.org/en/productions/2019-plays/cambodian-rock-band.aspx
Play #3 -- Alice in Wonderland, OSF, June1
Alice in Wonderland (play #3), Elizabethan Theatre. This was a different sort of adaptation that used Lewis Carroll's words entirely, and combined Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Highlight was using large hoops held and swirled by different actors to evoke going down the rabbit hole, the smoke rings from the caterpillar's pipe, and the rise of the water from her tears.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Pub #3 -- Caldera Brewing Company, Ashland, June 1
Caldera is another of our happy places. The toasted coconut chocolate porter is one of our favorite beers of all time. We ate there with our friends Vicki and Mike, who also joined us for the entire weekend OSF adventure!
I got a sampler with three sours, a coconut blonde, and Himalayan Red Sea. C got her/our usual-- Toasted Coconut Chocolate Porter.
I got a sampler with three sours, a coconut blonde, and Himalayan Red Sea. C got her/our usual-- Toasted Coconut Chocolate Porter.
Play #2 -- Between Two Knees, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, June 1
Between Two Knees (play #2), world premiere and part of the excellent American Revolutions series, exploded out of the gate in the Thomas Theatre at Ashland's Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). "Written" by the 1491s, a Native American improv comedy group, this piece had a chaotic energy and manic humor that helped soften the impact of an incredibly serious and depressing history (and present, alas). (I put "written" in quotes, because we heard in a talkback by one of the lead actors who described how the show didn't even have the second act written when they started rehearsals, and was still being fine-tuned during the preview performances!)
https://www.osfashland.org/BetweenTwoKnees
We love, LOVE, OSF, and try to get there at least twice a year these days, usually once earlier in the season, and once later on (Sept/Oct).
I actually lived in the mountains outside of Ashland a few different times in the early 90s -- at the Oregon Extension college semester, a winter Bible Study and NT Greek lessons with John Linton, and a year with Rogue Institute for Ecology and Economy. I always love going back.
C grew up going to plays at OSF with her family, which is where she fell in love with the theater. A weeklong summer program there her junior year in high school pretty much iced it. It's a definite happy place!
https://www.osfashland.org/BetweenTwoKnees
We love, LOVE, OSF, and try to get there at least twice a year these days, usually once earlier in the season, and once later on (Sept/Oct).
I actually lived in the mountains outside of Ashland a few different times in the early 90s -- at the Oregon Extension college semester, a winter Bible Study and NT Greek lessons with John Linton, and a year with Rogue Institute for Ecology and Economy. I always love going back.
C grew up going to plays at OSF with her family, which is where she fell in love with the theater. A weeklong summer program there her junior year in high school pretty much iced it. It's a definite happy place!
Play #1! -- Good People, Oregon Contemporary Theatre, May 31
Friday, May 31, found us at our first play of the 50 in 50! Good People, written in 2011 by David Lindsay-Abaire, is a fascinating look at the sometimes-challenging life of working class people in South Boston, contrasted with those who "got out." Great play, great acting. OCT is a fine company in Eugene. I like most everything I've seen there.
Pub #2 -- Falling Sky Pour House Delicatessen, Eugene, May 31
Our visit to pub #2, Falling Sky Deli of Eugene (owned/founded by a fellow Environmental Studies grad from the University of Oregon), was the beginning of a big weekend of pubs and plays! We drank Wolkig Hefeweissen and Dark Heart Munich Dunkel, and ate beef belly pastrami. Yum!
Pub #1! -- Conversion Brewing, Lebanon, May 21
On the way home from the Metolius hike, we stopped in Lebanon for our first visit to Conversion Brewing. And brewpub #1 of our 50 in 50!
Beer #s 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 (studiously avoiding all IPAs)
Beer #s 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 (studiously avoiding all IPAs)
May 21 -- 12 mile hike, Metolius River Trail
We launched our 50 in 50 year* by doing the traditional birthday hike (10th edition!). After a quiet, rainy night in Sisters and breakfast at the Cottonwood Cafe, we headed to one of the most famous (and cold!) cold water fisheries of the Cascades, the Metolius River. After visiting the Head of the Metolius (the spot where it emerges from the ground as a fully-formed river), we drove downriver to Lower Canyon Creek Campground. From there we hiked north through a fairly remote canyon, along the wild, rushing, deep blue-turquoise river. The Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery provided a nice part-way stop both directions, as we looped further down to Lower Bridge. Some rain, but some blue sky. Many birds, and a few anglers waist-deep in the river. Beautiful!
* Not actually a year. More like 18 months.
* Not actually a year. More like 18 months.
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