Stay for the Cake | November 13-15 @ Portland Actors Conservatory
November 10, 2009 — PDXPIPELINE(We are giving away two pairs of tickets to this show for any night. Details below.)
Posted by Meagan Kate
Phyllis Hartnoll's Final Lesson
This weekend, The Portland Actors Conservatory serves as home to three short plays written, directed and performed by its graduates.
With the creative process serving as the common thread between each piece, they are uniquely emotional.
The first play, titled Phyllis Hartnoll's Final Lesson, introduces the audience to a professor of theater, on her death bed. Though her attempts to give a final lecture fail, she is given the chance to end things on her terms, with a voice she had lost. Cate Oarrsion was graceful as Phyllis, and her performance made my heart ache.
Our second piece (and most over-the-top), Donnerstrasse, follows the famous Grimm Brothers in their writing process as they attempt to create a pop song; only to find out they may be stepping on some toes. Important toes. Big toes.In finding this out, the audience experiences the uncomfortable breaking of the wall between reality and the stage – which was appreciated and quite refreshing. This piece left everyone laughing and Tom Mounsey and Mark Merritt as the brothers had a wonderfuly playful chemistry. I will also add that their German accents made the audience swoon (I was not one of them. The swooners. I am a professional).
Donnerstrasse
Finally, we see Tom Mounsey again along with the delightful Maria Aparo in How to Have an Argument. It's initial plot seemed to confuse some of the audience, but its ultimate revelation, dissection of the creative process and plight of a writer really resonated with me; it pieced all three plays together seamlessly.
Of course, Stay for the Cake is not just about theater and actors and creative processes and pretty people. It's about sugar and flour and butter.
It's about cake.
The amazing and deliciously talented folks at Bakery Bar provide yummy (seriously. omg. want.) cake for each show, and the convection's introduction to the audience is completely original.
Scott Rogers, the writer of the three pieces (who also performs in the last) has offered to give two pairs of tickets for this weekend – the last weekend – of the show's run. Please leave a comment below telling us why you'd like to see Stay for the Cake, and which day you'd like to attend.
I will e-mail winners of the tickets on Thursday afternoon – please be sure you can attend!
______________________________________________________________________________
What: Stay for the Cake
Where: Portland Actors Conservatory
When: November 13-15 (Friday-Sunday); doors at 7pm, show at 7:30
How much?: $10 (FREE if you win from us!)
November 10, 2009 at 19:49
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November 10, 2009 at 19:51
I studied German for two years recently in my stint as a non-traditional learner at PSU. Since my graduation my life has been sadly lacking in the hearing of that accent. Often derided, seldom getting the attention it deserves, the German accent is beautiful.
I am also keenly interested in the role of fables in modern politics and think this would assume background info.
November 10, 2009 at 19:53
Not “assume”! “be great” What a major d’oh!
November 10, 2009 at 20:13
It is November in Oregon which means that it is raining cats and dogs much of the time. I need some good indoor connections, fun and since I do have a big birthday this week: I need CAKE.
All kidding aside. As an artist and mentor to other artists, I would love this opportunity to see work that utilizes the creative process as a common thread. It sounds intriguing and fascinating and I would be thrilled to be the winner of the tickets.
I’d love to attend on the 15th.
So, Call me and we’ll do CAKE.
Thanks for the giveaway and the opportunity to win a rewarding, creative experience.
November 11, 2009 at 09:47
It sounds like a wonderful event! I am not someone who goes to theater a lot; I can probably count the live plays I have been to on one hand. I need to start seeing more. I would love a chance to attend Satuday or Sunday.
November 11, 2009 at 15:16
My wife and I would like to go for an exciting experience that sounds like it challenges us to a new level of participation, and at the same time may nudge or jar us to a new level of insight. We are beginning to work on a film about relationships that are surprising and sometimes jar the participants as well as their relatives and peers. We would love a chance to attend Sunday.
November 11, 2009 at 15:54
A couple of cake haikus for you:
Precision and care
Delicate sifting/folding
Cake may still lean left
Moist cake melts on tongue
Buttercream tastes like a cloud
(So does Drambuie!)
My wife and I to this day hold our wedding cake tasting experiences as treasured moments – evaluating the delicacy and textures of buttercream frosting. “Which one tasted the most like a cloud?” was often our mark of a well-made buttercream.
My wife, sweet and patient and deliberate she is: her approach to eating dessert is more of a circumnavigation of the plate/treat. This was useful knowledge for me on the night I proposed to her – a carefully separated truffle with the inner delights removed (Yum! for me!) – and a ring in its place.
She was also an English major; her way of dissecting a story brings out all of the flavors, textures, sensations, and subtle nuances of the piece – similar to her ways of appreciating a favorite dessert.
Perhaps this will entice you to offer the two tickets. Thanks.
November 12, 2009 at 08:10
Sounds like a delightful evening of theatre. It’s been a long time since I have seen a good play. Would love the opportunity to come and enjoy and learn about your acting troupe.
Let’s eat cake! Enter me please.
Madison
November 12, 2009 at 14:16
one of my new friends here, who i met through volunteering at the hollywood theatre, directed one of the plays in the show. i would love to see it and not having found a job here in portland yet (but having an interview tomorrow morning – fingers crossed!), two free tickets would really help me out!
i can only attend friday night! thanks!
November 12, 2009 at 15:17
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