THEATER

Portland Playhouse’s 'After the Revolution': So You Want to Be a Commie?

This stirring family drama makes a feast of existential doubt and political humor with its tale of an activist who discovers that her Marxist grandfather was actually a Russian spy. Thru June 1

05/07/2014 By Peter Holmstrom

THEATER

Everything You Need to Know about OCT's 'The Giver'

We chart the path of the Newbery-winning novel from controversial book to successful OCT play to Jeff Bridges-starring movie. Thru May 18

05/07/2014 By Peter Holmstrom

THEATER

Review: PCS’s Othello

Portland Center Stage doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—even if it puts it on a dazzling revolving stage. Thru May 11

04/15/2014 By Nathan Tucker

THEATER REVIEW

Review: Third Rail’s Midsummer

The “Play with Songs” offers a genuinely hilarious script and intensely likeable performances. Thru Apr 19

04/07/2014 By Nathan Tucker

DANCE REVIEW

Review: NW Dance Project’s Director’s Choice

PDX’s contemporary powerhouse celebrates 10 years of making dance their way with with a quartet of intense, beautiful, athletic dances. Thru Apr 5

04/03/2014 By Kelly Clarke

CIRCUS SLIDESHOW

Photo Review: Cirque du Soleil’s Totem

Totem offers many of the ingredients that make Cirque great—fabulous costumes, amazing performers—but is it lacking something? Thru May 4

04/03/2014 By Aaron Scott Photography by Arthur Hitchcock

THEATER REVIEW

The Motherf**ker with the Small Fire in the Piazza

Artists Rep, PCS, and Portland Playhouse all open stories about love that range from the bombastically hilarious to a slow burn.

03/06/2014 By Aaron Scott

THEATER REVIEW

PCS’s “Bo-Nita” Is a One-Woman Cavalcade of Gumption

A black comedy about a precocious girl, a floozy of a mom, and trying to hang together. Thru Mar 16

02/20/2014 By Aaron Scott

Theater

Review: ART's "The Monster-Builder"

The world premiere's overblown parody provides some unexpectedly adventurous comedy, but fails to satisfyingly address its themes. Thru Mar 2

02/05/2014 By Nathan Tucker

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Mideast Muddle at Levant

Scott Snyder's “French-Arabesque” hot spot on East Burnside needs flavor talks and concept negotiations.

02/03/2014 By Karen Brooks

THEATER REVIEW

Hand2Mouth’s “Pep Talk” Will Get You Off the Bench

The experimental theater elevates our spirits and our funny bones with its parody of that American hallmark: the motivational speech. Thru Feb 16

01/30/2014 By Aaron Scott

THEATER

Review: Portland Playhouse’s ‘A Christmas Carol’

By adding singing and instrument-playing actors, the theater dives gloriously into the Christmas spirit for a show that's anything but trite. Thru Dec 29.

12/12/2013 By Cari Johnson

Theater

Review: Bag&Baggage's "It's A (Somewhat) Wonderful Life"

Bag&Baggage’s reworking of the beloved film doesn't exactly break new ground, but it's plenty entertaining for fans of the original. Thru Dec. 22

12/09/2013 By Nathan Tucker

THEATER

Review: ART’s ‘Xmas Unplugged’

Two one acts skewer the dark reality that Christmas is often more about spending money on presents than spending time with each other. Who knew Santa fight scenes could go on too long? Thru Dec. 28

12/05/2013 By Haley Martin

THEATER

Review: PCS’s ‘Twist Your Dickens’

We review PCS’s new spin on the Christmas classic from the viewpoints of both Tiny Tim and Scrooge. Thru Dec 22

11/27/2013 By Cari Johnson and Haley Martin

THEATER

Review: Liminal’s “Our Town”

The avant-garde theater transforms the American classic into something searingly modern in one of the most thought-provoking shows of the season. Thru Dec 1

11/21/2013 By Aaron Scott