Actress Q. Smith Breaks Ground in 'Mary Poppins'
First Black actress to take on any role in the famous play talks with The Skanner News
2011-06-16
Lisa Loving Of The Skanner News
The Fred Meyer Broadway Over America series presents Mary Poppins – with the musical production’s first-ever African American featured actress.
In an interview with The Skanner News this week, actress Q. Smith said she exults in her edgy role as Poppins’ viscious nemesis, Miss Andrew (as well as two other parts, Queen Victoria and Miss Smythe). Producers of the rollicking musical describe it as “not just a fluffy copy of the movie.” Read the complete article
'Book of Mormon,’ ‘War Horse’ the Big Winners at Tony Awards
Nikki M. James, who won for best featured actress in a musical in "The Book of Mormon," dedicated the award to her dad, who died while she was in high school
2011-06-13
JOCELYN NOVECK AP National Writer
At the top of the heap was "Mormon," which has taken Broadway by storm this season. It captured nine awards, including best musical, for its offensive yet good-natured look at two missionaries who arrive in Uganda and get way more than they bargained for, including gun-toting warlords Read the complete article
Comedian Paul Mooney to Perform in Portland June 15-18
Longtime performer wrote for Richard Pryor Show, In Living Color, Chapelle's Show
2011-06-09
Comedian Paul Mooney will be performing from June 15 to 18 at Portland’s Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th Ave.
Tickets are available Read the complete article
Seattle's Taproot Theatre Creates Discussion Around Race, Status
Play 'Brownie Points' Coincides with 'Neighbors and Strangers' Event
2011-06-02
Brian Stimson Of The Skanner News
For most of the year, Taproot Theatre’s audience is not what you would call diverse. But at least according to new demographic reports, neither is Seattle.
The theatre is hoping to bring together a variety of people to experience the play “Brownie Points” and the accompanying “Neighbors & Strangers” – a discussion centered around the sometimes touchy subjects of race, identity, privilege and more.
“We were aware of these census reports and we thought that now is a good time to host this,” said Taproot’s Sonja Lowe. Read the complete article
NW Dance Project to Premier 'Summer Splendors'
Company recently won the Audience Award at dance competition in Germany
2011-05-29
Brian Stimson Of The Skanner News
High off their recent competition win in Germany, The Northwest Dance Project will present their “Summer Splendors” show featuring premiers from choreographers Sarah Slipper, Carla Mann, Loni Landon and Lauren Edson at their studio and performance center.
Unlike many of their big scale performances, Summer Splendors will take place in their intimate studio/performance space at 833 N. Shaver St. (at Mississippi Avenue) in Portland Read the complete article
PlayWrite's WORD.VOICE. Showcases Theatre by At-Risk Youth
Event takes place May 24 at the Portland World Trade Center
2011-05-19
On May 24, join PlayWrite’s WORD.VOICE. spring showcase featuring plays acted and written by at-risk youth. The event takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the World Trade Center, 121 SW Salmon St. in Downtown Portland. PlayWrite provides workshops in which theatre professionals and other artists coach at-risk youth to create and direct their own plays. Read the complete article
Bruce Bruce at Helium Comedy Club May 12-15
BET star brings stand-up improv show to the Rose City
2011-05-03
Bruce Bruce is a name synonymous with keeping audiences rolling with laughter thanks to his captivating improv skills and larger than life comedic style. He appears live May 12 - 15, at Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th Ave., in Portland. Read the complete article
VIDEO: High school play seizes power from the N-word
Adults and students bring different perspectives
2011-05-01
By JESSE WASHINGTON AP National Writer
It seems we are in a new N-word era, a no-man's land where the rules are unclear. When lines are blurred, people get hurt. Yet if there's one group unscathed by the word, it's young African-Americans, blissfully immune from this particular history.
In Waterbury, these young people seized the power of the word.
Read the complete article
Oregon Shakespeare Festival Hosts Hip-Hop Poetry Open-Mic May 2
Get down like Shakespeare. Flip language. Make up new words.
2011-04-26
The Skanner News
Oregon Shakespeare Festival will host a hip-hop poetry open-mic, May 2. The open-mic is the third of four free events, all scheduled for 7-9 pm Mondays at The Black Swan Theater, 15 S. Pioneer Street, Ashland. Upcoming dates are: May 2 and Oct. 10. Read the complete article
PassinArt's 'Tough Titty' Opened Friday
Play is an autobiographical look at one woman's battle with breast cancer
2011-03-15
Brian Stimson Of The Skanner News
PassinArt: A Theater Company will be premiering their production of Oni Faida Lampley’s “Tough Titty” this Friday – a story about one African American woman’s struggle to deal with a breast cancer diagnosis. Read the complete article
