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Theatre

How would Kafka point a gun?

The Artists Repertory Theater kicks off its season with Theresa Rebeck’s meta-comedy The Understudy. In a scene midway through Theresa Rebeck’s glimpse into the world of theater understudies, the question is repeatedly posed, “how would Franz Kafka point a gun?” Would it be slick and confident, like action star Jake (Jared Q. Miller) demonstrates? Would […]

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Theatre

When You Can’t Hear Outside the Noise

For some reason, I keep confusing the name for “Slaves” when I am thinking about Tribes, the play currently running at Artists Repertory Theater in Southwest Portland. Supposing it was called “Slaves” instead, perhaps—aside from the controversial connotations of that word (not to be taken lightly)—we could still be discussing the same play. Often with […]

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Theatre

In Spirit of Being

I’m nearing my seat as my ears are met by the buttery notes of Bing Crosby’s “Love in Bloom.” I quickly nestle in, Merlot in hand, shortbread awaiting an eager tongue. With each bite I can taste the familiar richness in his voice. With each trumpet solo I’m sent to a place I haven’t visited […]

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Theatre

No Man to Save Women in Intimate Apparel

We are talking about a woman whose life rests in the hands of another woman but risks her life for the hand of a man. Thirty-five year-old African-American woman, Esther simply wants to find love, to be married, and to take some time off from work. She is blessed with skills on the sewing machine […]