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The Taming of the Shrew at CTC

Cascades Theatrical Company (CTC) announces the opening for “The Taming of the Shrew” by William Shakespeare on Friday, June 13 at 7:30pm. The show is directed by Sandy Silver, assisted by Jim Hammond. The talented cast includes: Kelly Cox, Kathy Cullis, Eric Goodall, Caleb Neet, Jeremiah Nelson, Jon D. Plueard and Jocelyn Smith. In the version of this production the director has chosen, five members of the cast play dual or multiple roles. Distinctive masks are utilized to signify change(s) in character(s), an element of the Commedia dell ‘Arte style developed in 16th and 17th century Italy. The story of centers on a wealthy resident of Padua named Baptista Minola, the father of Katherine and Bianca. The younger daughter, Bianca, is a charming young lady and has many suitors. But, Baptista will not allow Bianca to be married until her older sister, who is notoriously quarrelsome and bad-tempered, is married first. When Petruchio comes from Verona to Padua in search of a wife, he hears of this situation, and he accepts the formidable challenge of trying to woo and marry the ill-natured Katherine.

2nd Street Theater presents Menopause the Musical

Since March 2001, the hilarious show Menopause The Musical has entertained and inspired women from coast-to-coast and internationally. The work of writer Jeanie Linders, Menopause The Musical features 25 re-lyricized tunes from the ‘60s and ‘70s and culminates with a salute to women who are experiencing “The Change.” Set in a department store, where four women with seemingly nothing in common but a black lace bra meet by chance, the musical pokes fun at things such as hot flashes, memory loss, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and eating binges.  The show’s intended message is that menopause is a passage, but it should no longer be “The Silent Passage.” It is a stage in every woman’s life that is perfectly normal.The musical has entertained audiences across the country in more than 100 cities.  Each week nearly 35,000 women of all ages and stages find their spirits lifted by the show’s light-hearted look at menopause. It is estimated that nearly 10 million women in 12 countries have attended a performance since the show’s opening in Orlando, Florida in 2001.   Even men who are brave enough to come with their wives have a great time, after the show starts you can see them laughing and poking their wife and saying “That’s you honey.”Directed by Maralyn Thoma, artistic director of 2nd Street, the show features four talented local performers: Lyryn Cate as the Iowa housewife, Rachel Deegan as the professional woman, Anne Du Fresne as the soap star and Lori White as the earth mother. 

Innovation Theatre Works

A Jewel in the High Desert

by SONDRA HOLTZMAN A&E Editor People will forget what you say and they will forget what you do but they will never forget the way you made them feel…Maya Angelou

Get ready, Central Oregon. Executive artistic director Brad Hills and producing artistic director Chris Rennolds announce the debut of Innovation Theatre Works, a professional theatre company committed to bringing professional actors to the region.

“We view ourselves as being not ‘instead of’ the community theatres but ‘in addition to’ because we’ll be doing work that is substantially different than the norm in terms of the repertoire of plays,” says Brad Hills. “We’ll be bringing in state-of-the-art productions that you would otherwise have to go to larger cities like Seattle or San Francisco to see – works that are making the rounds in the regional theatre companies across the country. We also plan on developing our own regional plays that will spring from Central Oregon culture.”

Rennolds believes with the change in community demographics both as a tourist destination and a desirable place to live, considerably more opportunity for an increasingly vibrant arts scene is apparent. “So many people travel to other cities each year to see more arts than they can experience here,” she says. “They want more and we think that by having a regional theatre where we create the work right here in Central Oregon, can add a great deal to the community.”

As both Hills and Rennolds attest, in addition to bringing people together in a community building entity, theatre is a magical thing, providing a channel for a discourse about all kinds of subjects in an artistic environment. “Basically, we believe theatre makes you feel,” shares Rennolds. “The hope is that if nothing else, people will come to the theatre, spend two hours and really feel something when they depart.” A theatre veteran for the past 35 years, this will be the fifth theatre company that Hills has founded and/or served as artistic director.

With the recent production of Urinetown, Hills has directed 55 full-length plays and holds masters degrees in directing from UCLA, having worked with a substantial number of people in all walks of life with diverse levels of professionalism. Rennolds, a professional actress for the past 20 years in television and theatre, holds a master of fine arts degree from UCSD, where she was part of a program where only eight students a year are accepted.

After graduating, the classically trained actress landed in Hollywood where she performed in theatre, her first love. “The fact Brad and I knew each other 20 years ago in Los Angeles and now live in Central Oregon is pretty remarkable,” Rennolds says. “We share the same sensibilities, the same sense of how theatre can serve the community. That’s what it’s really all about for us.” Hills echoes Rennold’s enthusiasm by sharing Innovation Theatre Works’ intention to present a four-play first season that will span from September to June at different venues across Central Oregon, saying, “In community theatre, part of our mission is for the people to enjoy participating in the production. It’s all about what the audience experiences. That’s the total focus and that is what makes us different.” Information: 541/504-6721