Little Women at the Armory

After singing at the tree lighting, I went home, changed, and headed back to the Pearl for Portland Center Stage’s production of Little Women. The story begins at Christmas, so why not have this be an early winter production?

It was an interesting framing with Beasley playing the role of both Louisa May Alcott and Jo. Louisa would show up now and again to transition us between scenes and periods.

I don’t really like the Little Women story, but enough people do that it has been drilled into me. This production incorporated a lot of shrieking and yelling in the first part. This worked conceptually (the March girls would not be children that were counseled to be seen and not heard), but was a lot, sonically.

Things quieted down after the intermission, and I grimly awaited Jo’s capitulation to Friedrich, played by Kieran Cronin, who also played John, Mr. Laurence, and Mr. March.

Overall, a good, if loud, night at the theater.

Pearl District Tree Lighting with Low Bar Chorale

I didn’t know the that Pearl District had a tree lighting until the Low Bar Chorale advertised in their newsletter that they were performing. Being a fan of both the Low Bar Chorale and free things, I invited the singing friends, and Jeff, Kelly, and Laurie attended with me.

We had a fun time singing along to Low Bar Chorale winter standards including “Hazy Shade of Winter” (Bangles version) and “December” which sounds remarkably like Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” but with a few changed lyrics.

There were some fun little munchkins who skipped around the square at intervals. And the turnout was good.

Before the lighting:

And after!

It was a chilly, fun sing-along. And Kelly was relieved that “All I Want for Christmas Is You” was not among the song selections.

Matt’s Protest Work Pays Off

Matt has been working with Indivisible D-2 to organize a protest outside the Apple Store asking that Apple reinstate the ICE Watch app. Matt reworked at least eight Christmas songs, changing the lyrics to be critical of ICE. Other people made signs and worked out other logistics.

Matt wasn’t in town for the initial protest (they will be back every Saturday between now and Christmas) but was very excited that KOIN 6 covered their protest.

They even were second in the more-top-stories section.

Good job Matt, and Indivisible D-2

She Kills Monsters at Clackamas Community College

We’ve got a nice group of young square dancers in lessons, young enough to be in college productions. Orion was one of the monster/puppeteers in this production, that the director sums up as “It’s a sword-and-sorcery story of sisterhood, grief, and resilience—plus monsters.” Matt was all in because of the D&D. I thought it sounded interesting too.

We inadvertently attended on an informal friends and family night, and the crowd was enthusiastic, clapping after nearly every scene. The performers carried out their roles ably, and Matt and I had a good discussion on the way home.

More Budget-Season Zentangles

When looking at these close up, it’s easier to see that I’m not really a fan of filling in spaces. I get distracted and the pen goes outside the lines as in the stairstep one, or I don’t completely fill up the black space, like the one on the right.

It’s not so visible in real-size though.

When in doubt, use tipple! That’s the tiny circles on the top on this one.

It reminds me of that Mr. Rogers (I think) segment where they filled the jar with marbles and then sand and then water to show that when you think something is full, it’s not. (Quick googling to see if I could find the segment has told me that this has become a priority metaphor. Which, fine.)

Third Rail’s Recent Tragic Events

Friend Danielle gifted me a membership to Third Rail Repertory Theatre. It’s part of their Rail it Forward program where during the third year of your membership, you can gift someone a membership. Kind of genius, as it gets people in.

So far, I’ve gone to a Sunday Salon, which happen on Sunday mornings at 10, and is a reading of a play with a talkback. They also have National Theater Live performances, and then full productions. Recent tragic events was the first full production I attended.

As noted by the 20 in the logo, this is Third Rail’s 20th anniversary. This play was one from their first season, and it was interesting to see it in the mid 2020s, but for different reasons than it would have been in 2005: It takes place on 9/11.

It’s basically the worst first date, but with much hilarity underscoring the horror of the moment. It’s for sure a play for Joyce Carol Oates fans to see, as she is much appreciated. (And might make an appearance.)

Altogether, my first full production at Third Rail has me wanting more.

Plus, this is the most genius theater survey document I’ve ever seen. You tear the squares that apply to you! No writing utensils required.