Marissa Wolf News

Portland Center Stage’s 2022-2023 season kicks off in August with Jonathan Larson’s rock musical tick, tick … BOOM! The nine-show lineup includes the Portland debuts of new works by PCS-commissioned playwright Christina Anderson; performance artist Kristina Wong; master of classic adaptations Kate Hamill; and Mohegan theater-maker Madeline Sayet.

Portland audiences have the chance to experience the work of award-winning playwright Lauren Yee — among the most-produced and widely celebrated playwrights in the country in recent years — through a co-production with Portland's largest and oldest theater companies: Portland Center Stage and Artists Repertory Theatre, respectively. The Great Leap is directed by Zi Alikhan, ART's artistic directing fellow, and the production marks his Portland directorial debut.

Though THE CURIOUS INCIDENT… premiered in 2012 and is based on a book published in 2003, it’s difficult to imagine a play better suited to these weird times.

The Tony award-winning play based on the best-selling novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, will return to Portland Center Stage from November 27 to December 24. The production follows a 2020 run that was already playing to packed houses when it was canceled one week after opening due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Portland Center Stage has commissioned three celebrated, innovative artists to co-create a new musical through a devised, collaborative process. William Carlos Angulo, who choreographed PCS's acclaimed production of In the Heights, will be the director and choreographer. Angulo will be joined by two artists who are new to PCS: Isaac Gómez will pen the book and Michelle J. Rodriguez (Micha) will compose the music and lyrics.

The Ritz Theatre Company will present the second show of its 'Grand Reopening' season, Melancholy Play: A Contemporary Farce, a fast-paced, comedic, and action-packed journey of five characters in search of an almond, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl.

Set on the eve of Frida Kahlo’s death, this intimate solo show plunges into the brilliant, nuanced world of Kahlo’s tumultuous, extraordinary life — but goes far beyond biography. Instead, Brazilian writer and performer Vanessa Severo cracks open a powerful portal between herself and the celebrated Mexican artist, bringing breathtaking physicality and raw honesty to this stunningly creative production.

Portland Center Stage's annual JAW New Play Festival will bring audiences back into The Armory for live theater once again, on July 23-25, for readings of four new scripts, along with performances from local artists, classes, and more. JAW events are free and will be available to watch in-person or online.

While audiences may still be waiting a bit for the rest of their family to get vaccinated (particularly families with children), they are starting to make plans to see shows later this year - making now a great time to start marketing your productions.

Portland Center Stage released a statement today from Stacey Caldwell Roberts, incoming board chair; Cynthia Fuhrman, managing director, and Marissa Wolf, artistic director:

Portland Center Stage has announced its return to the stage, with a 2021-2022 season designed to lift and nourish spirits with energetic, imaginative worlds on stage. The seven-show lineup will kick off in October with the stunningly creative Frida … A Self Portrait on the U.S. Bank Main Stage.

The musical that celebrates the power of transformation is the focus of the next PCS Remix: Staged Reading series. The Music Man Staged Reading will be presented virtually on May 7 and May 8, with live performances broadcast at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

Portland Center Stage’s 2021 annual gala, Metamorphosis, will be livestreamed on February 20, 2021, at 7 p.m., following a 6:30 p.m. pre-show with music from Blossom. The event is free and open to all.

Portland Center Stage has commissioned four new plays from celebrated writers Brittany K. Allen, Christina Anderson, Christopher Chen, and Portland-based Anya Pearson. The commissions are part of the PCS Remix: Commissions program, which was launched to lift up some of the most exciting voices in American theater while stages are dark.

Portland Center Stage has hired Kamilah Bush as its new literary manager following a nationwide search. Bush is currently working remotely from North Carolina and will move to Portland in February. 

Portland Center Stage's PCS Remix: Play Readings series kicks off with a reading of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors. Seattle and Ashland-based director Desdemona Chiang will direct the reading, featuring selected scenes coupled with conversations and insights from the artists. The live, virtual reading will be presented on September 26, 2020, at 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

Portland Center Stage announces the new series Community Voices Project and launches it with the release of 12 works from celebrated Black artists based in Portland: Cycerli Ash, Ayanna Berkshire, Bobby Bermea, Delphon 'DJ' Curtis Jr., Phil Johnson, Treasure Lunan, Tamera Lyn, Lauren Modica, Vin Shambry, Ithica Tell, Wanda Walden, and Damaris Webb.

Portland Center Stage has been recalibrating, re-imagining, and rising boldly to present PCS Remix, a groundbreaking initiative that offers artistic brilliance, civic enrichment, and (as soon as it's safe to gather) eight exhilarating, heart-soaring theater productions. 

Chip Miller has been named the associate artistic director of Portland Center Stage, the city's largest professional theater company. Miller originally joined the company in the spring of 2019, in the role of associate producer. In the past season, they directed the company's smash-hit production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and the celebrated world premiere of Redwood, a play he also helped develop. Miller steps into the new role immediately. 

a??a??a??a??a??a??a??Portland Center Stage has joined the national theater project Play at Home and has commissioned four Portland playwrights to create short plays. The new script offerings are Sara Jean Accuardi's Joy Frickin' Hates Her Dumb Stupid Room, E. M. Lewis' The Third Prisoner, Anya Pearson's Three Love Songs, and Josie Seid's Wing and a Prayer.