This content was published: April 8, 2011. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC presents some disturbingly funny theater
Photos and story by James Hill
Portland Community College Theatre Arts Program presents David Mamet’s outrageous indictment of relationships, gender roles and romantic expectation, in the play “Sexual Perversity in Chicago.”
The spring production will run at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7, Friday, May 13 and Saturday May 14, and 2 p.m., Sunday, May 15. A special 11 a.m. matinee will be held for PCC’s Art Beat festival on Thursday, May 12.
Kate Wyatt, Jordan Wilgus, Alexander Lenarsky and Keisha Campbell star in “Sexual Perversity in Chicago,” a David Mamet play.
The play’s running time is roughly 90 minutes and all shows take place in the 400-seat Performing Arts Center, Sylvania Campus, 12000 S.W. 49th Ave. Tickets ($10 for the general public, and $8 for students, seniors and PCC staff) will be available at the door for each performance. No advanced reservations are necessary.
Warning: Offensive language and adult themes. Anyone younger than 18 will not be admitted unless an informed parent or guardian is with them.
Written in the early 1970’s, Mamet’s play centers on four characters searching for relationships without a compass, and takes each to their limits in this funny, heart wrenching and shockingly blunt play. The story features Bernie, who instructs his pal, Danny, on how to treat women (as poorly as possible.) Joan insists to her roommate, Deb, that men and women just aren’t meant to be with each other. But Danny falls for Deb, and she falls for him. So what happens when their best friends, wary of relationships and the opposite sex, jump in to tear them apart?
“In Mamet’s inimitable style, nothing is sacred, and everything is up for scrutiny,” said director Patrick Tangredi. “This is the Mamet play that raised hackles and earned him a reputation for writing sharp, pointed, invective-laden dialogue.”
The play stars students Jordan Wilgus (Beaverton), Keisha Campbell (Southwest Portland), Alex Lenarsky (Southeast Portland) and Kate Wyatt (Southeast Portland). Lighting design is by Peter West, scenic design by Dan Hays and costumes are by PCC’s award-winning student Clare Parker (Northwest Portland).
For additional information, visit the website: www.pcc.edu/about/theatre, or contact Patrick Tangredi at (971) 722-4323.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »