Anita Stewart News

In mounting Bess Welden's new play Refuge Malja, Portland Stage seeks to tell the story of contemporary Syrian war refugees in the context of history, the Holocaust, and personal conflict. Set largely in Greece and the Middle East, it intertwines the story of two journalists, their failed romance, and the struggles they have in coming to terms with past demons and the present suffering they witness. The intersection of these dramas is laden with potential for fine storytelling, but somehow Welden never manages to weave the threads into a coherent tale. Admirable in its intent, Refuge Malja remains a puzzling, under developed theatrical experience.

Portland Stage will stage the World Premiere of Refuge Malja by Bess Welden with Arabic Translation by Ali Al-Mshakheel begins Oct 30 through Nov 18, opens for reviewers Friday Nov 2, 2018. When a Jewish-American war photographer feels compelled to assist a young refugee who steps in front of her camera, she calls an old friend to translate but hesitates to reveal why she is so drawn to the boy. This poetic, decade-spanning drama explores how we each define and find our own malja (refuge). Affiliate Artist Bess Welden's Refuge Malja was developed as part of the 2017 Little Festival of the Unexpected and was subsequently workshopped in the Studio Series in January of 2018. Refuge Malja is made possible with support from the Maine Humanities Council and the Maine Arts Commission.

Marking its 45th season Portland Stage opened with Richard Strand's 2014 drama about the Union General Benjamin Butler's unintentional, but heartwarming sheltering of fugitive slaves during his command of Fort Monroe, Virginia, at the start of the Civil War. In a well-cast, elegantly produced staging the company offers a quirky, witty, often whimsical look at four characters who cross ideological swords and skirmish for high stakes not on the battleground but with a war of words, cleverly turned logic, solipsisms, and wittybadinage - all of which result in a remarkable turn of events that defies stereotypes, race, and convention.

BEN BUTLER by Richard Strand begins Sep 25 through Oct 21, opens for reviewers Friday September 28, 2018. When a runaway slave demands sanctuary at a Union Army garrison, the General in charge is faced with moral quandary: follow the letter of the law, or make a game-changing move that could alter the course of US history? "…Part comedy, part historical drama and part biography… by turns sarcastic, droll and witty." NY Times

It is so seemingly simple and yet so irresistibly infectious. The thirty-five year-old show envelops the audience in a haze of nostalgia and a cocoon of laughter that makes for a delicious theatrical evening. And in this delightfully fresh, colorful, exuberant, and touching co-production presented by Maine State Music Theatre and Portland Stage, Dan Goggin's original Nunsense story makes clear why this musical has remained a timeless phenomenon

' 'If laughter cures all ills, Nunsense will make doctors obsolete.' That is one of my favorite all time review quotes,' says Dan Goggin. 'Hearing an audience laugh and knowing you had something to do with it is one of the most rewarding experiences I can think of.' Despite the enduring international sensation Goggin's brainchild has become, the writer, director, and creator of a thirty-five-year musical theatre phenomenon and franchise that embraces seven musicals, three spin offs, television specials, a possible upcoming new television series, recordings, and an entire line of merchandise remains a bit bemused and amazed at his runaway success.

Portland Stage presents the world premiere of New England playwright Marisa Smith's latest play, Sex and Other Disturbances, May 1-20. 

Portland Stage will celebrate 29 years of nurturing playwrights and new work from May 8-12, 2018 during the Little Festival of the Unexpected. Little Festival is a week-long event dedicated to public readings of new American plays. Each May three playwrights are in residence at Portland Stage throughout the week developing their scripts with input from actors, dramaturgs, and directors.

Portland Stage's current production of Eleanor Burgess's two-character drama, The Niceties, is a intense, searing, often exhausting theatrical experience. The play, written during the last Presidential campaign, probes a plethora of contemporary issues from race in America to the meaning of revolution, feminism, the impact and influence of history, the struggles for power between the elite and the voiceless. Set at an Ivy League Eastern college, The Niceties explores the intellectual and emotional journeys of a respected history professor and her rebellious African-American student.

Portland Stage creates one-of-a-kind productions specifically selected for its community. Each season, Portland Stage Executive & Artistic Director Anita Stewart looks for a means to connect the plays with a thematic thread. For the 2018-2019 Season, audiences may find the plays are connected by the idea of borders, boundaries, and how we embrace, or wish to change them. From a runaway slave seeking to join the Union army, to the photographer striving to help an Arabic speaking boy; from a man searching for his true identity, to a woman looking to connect with spirits, each play in our upcoming season looks at how we celebrate, rebel against or embrace and understand our place in the world.

Portland Stage's current production of Michael Hollinger's 2000 noir comedy set in the Cold War era skillfully weaves a tapestry of three love stories and one murder against the backdrop of McCarthyism, nuclear bombs, 50s pop culture, and zany shenanigans - all of which makes for a delightful, fast-paced evening of nostalgic wit.

Portland Stage is pleased to present Babette's Feast, running Jan 23 through Feb 18 on the Mainstage. This production of Babette's Feast was conceived and developed by Portland Stage Affiliate Artist Abigail Killeen in a process that began over a decade ago. The production is made possible by the generous support of Jennifer Carolyn King & Timothy Fredel, the Rugged Elegance Foundation.

Portland Stage presents It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play adapted by Joe Landry November 24 December 24, 2017. Celebrate the Holiday Season with this beloved American classic.

Portland Stage presents It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play adapted by Joe Landry November 24 December 24, 2017. Celebrate the Holiday Season with this beloved American classic.

Portland Stage's second season offering, Kate Hawley's 2015 play about siblings and their mother confronting dementia, Complications from a Fall, addresses an issue of consequence but while it has its moments of warmth and truth, never quite rises to the challenge of truly articulating something significant about the aging process.

Complications From A Fall begins previews Tuesday, October 24, opens Today, October 27, and runs through November 12 at Portland Stage.

Complications From A Fall begins previews Today, October 24, opens Friday, October 27, and runs through November 12 at Portland Stage.

Portland Stage announces the writers for the 21st Annual From Away Festival of International Writing.

Complications From A Fall begins previews Tuesday, October 24, opens Friday, October 27, and runs through November 12 at Portland Stage.

Portland Stage opens its 44th season with an intense production of Lanie Robertson's exploration of the tortured inner life of songstress Billie Holiday, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. Essentially a ninety-minute dramatic monologue, the play with music is a virtuoso vehicle for the singer-actress in the title role. Portland Stage's attractive, expressive production captures all the pathos of Holliday's life, as well as the incomparable beauty of her music making.