Clackamas Repertory Theatre begins its fifth annual staged play-reading series, “Sundays at Three,” on March 16th. The featured plays are by contemporary American playwrights and all are area premieres.
“Falling” by Deanna Jent, directed by Jayne Stevens, opens the season on March 16th. This play explores what it is like to live each day with a family touched by the challenges of autism. Playwright Jent, who has an autistic child, challenges the audience to experience the difficulties of loving and raising a child whose behavior and increasing aggression is proving to be a danger to those around him.
April 12th brings “One Slight Hitch,” a zany farce by comedian Lewis Black, best known for his appearances on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart. It is 1981 Cincinnati, and Courtney Coleman is about to be married in a lavish ceremony. That is until her attractive, flaky ex-boyfriend shows up, throwing the entire day into chaos. Add a libidinous sister, an uptight fiancée, a tippling father and a mother obsessing over shrimp boats, and a riotous day unfolds. Travis Nodurft directs.
The series concludes May 4th with “Don’t Go Gentle,” by Stephen Belber, directed by Annie Rimmer. Facing his own mortality, a successful, retired judge begins to examine his life, questioning his actions and his entire moral philosophy. He realizes his convictions were racially motivated and attempts to help an unfairly prosecuted young black woman and her son. But in welcoming them into his home, he risks further alienation from his own children who have suffered from his unforgiving ideology.
The staged readings are at 3:00pm in the Osterman Theatre, followed with talk backs with the actors and director and free cookies and coffee.
Tickets are $10 each or three for $25 and are available online at www.clackamasrep.org or at the box office in the Niemeyer Center. For more information call 503-594-3915.
