Performing Arts: Page 76

Science vs. Religion

How the World Began explores the Earth’s origins in rural Kansas

Theater

When you inherit the wind, hold onto your hat: You never know where you might end up. Or do you? I’m speaking, of course, about the 1955 play Inherit the Wind, written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee and dramatizing the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, which pitted prosecutor William Jennings Bryan against defense attorney Clarence Darrow in a Tennessee court case that questioned whether evolution could be taught in public schools up against the supreme word of God. Continue reading →

Not the Nerd Table

The dapper literary humorist and comedian reflects on writing, the biology of laughter and high school

Comedy

Mustachioed Renaissance man John Hodgman has accomplished pretty much everything a nerd-dandy could ever want: doling out advice for McSweeney’s, serving as humor editor for The New York Times Magazine, contributing to This American Life, appearing on The Daily Show, Battlestar Gallactica and Community, and writing a trilogy of deliciously fictional almanacs. Now, he takes on stand-up comedy, or his own esoteric, foppish version of it. Continue reading →

No Horsing Around

With the help of the community, South Eugene takes a production of Carousel to new heights

Theater

Near Amazon and 19th is a theater that seats 1,000 people — it is the second largest theater in Eugene. Its cavernous room glows warmly from the theater lights hitting the sea of red velvet seats. The elegant curve of the stage leads the eye to a custom-welded circular light piece, twinkling as it hangs above four candy-colored carousel horses — the quartet is hand-carved and painted, and worth $60,000. The theater director and his leading cast gather in the aisle, chattering about the opening night of their production, Carousel, on Feb. 21. Continue reading →

A Twist On Wonderland

The Work Dance Company creates a world of hip-hop wonder at the Hult Center

Dance

Forget rabbits with pocket watches. Forget tea parties. Forget Alice in Wonderland. Work Dance Company director and choreographer Nathan Boozer wants to take you down another rabbit hole into his Wonderland, an upcoming Feb. 15 show at the Hult Center that takes a look through the hip-hop looking glass at lands filled with music, butterflies, candy, zombies and Lady Gaga. Continue reading →

Love, American Style

Sondheim’s Company camps out in the swingin’ ’70s at LCC

Theater

About halfway through the first act of Student Productions Associations’ staging of Stephen Sondheim’s Company at LCC’s Blue Door Theatre, I happened upon an idea so absurd it brought on a viciously improper fit of giggles: Imagine adapting one of John Cassavettes’ movies — say, Faces or A Woman Under the Influence — for the stage, and then casting it with nothing but 8-year-old actors. It’s a chilling proposition. Continue reading →

A Second Act on Broadway

Oregon Contemporary Theatre emerges from Lord Leebrick

Theater

Dust is everywhere, cords are hanging from the ceiling and the space is buzzing with workers. I stand awestruck. I knew that a real, professional theater was being built in our beleaguered downtown Eugene, but I’ve wanted it too much to believe. Local playwright and retired judge Greg Foote shakes me out of my stupor, yelling, “Hand her a broom!” as he cheerfully mops past me.  Continue reading →

Winter Bravo! 2013

Performing Arts

For this season’s Bravo, pack your suitcase and grab your passport because the local performing arts scene is about to send you on a rip-roaring trip around the world. Head to London and release the hounds with Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure (Very Little Theatre) and then brush up your British sensibility at the Cottage Theatre with productions of Angel Street, The Secret Garden and Much Ado About Nothing.  Continue reading →