Michael Mendelson News

Jane Anderson's The Quality of Life is a play about grief and the various ways people deal with it. Oh, you're thinking, a heavy drama. Nope, it's a comedy. A black comedy? No again. It's warm, heartfelt, profane, and hilarious, and it's life-affirming in the best possible way. Anderson looks at grief from every possible angle and leaves you bruised but hopeful.

Artists Rep is pleased to present the Northwest Premiere of The Quality of Life by Jane Anderson, from April 8 through May 11. Former Artists Rep Artistic Director Allen Nause will direct this provocative and deeply moving production featuring a stellar cast of some of Portland's most well-known and talented actors.

Off-Broadway's The New Group just honored Beth Henley, playwright, author of Crimes of the Heart and The Jacksonian, and Geoff Rich, Executive Director of The New Group 2002-2013, with The 2014 Michael Mendelson Award at the company's Annual Gala, 'Bright Lights Off-Broadway.' The Gala featured appearances by Ed Harris, Holly Hunter, Carol Kane, Amy Madigan, Bill Pullman and Jonathan Marc Sherman and performances by Stephen Bogardus, Lea DeLaria and John Tartaglia, along with cocktails, dinner, and silent and live auctions. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the special night below!

Off-Broadway's The New Group honors Beth Henley, playwright, author of Crimes of the Heart and The Jacksonian, and Geoff Rich, Executive Director of The New Group 2002-2013, with The 2014 Michael Mendelson Award at the company's Annual Gala, 'Bright Lights Off-Broadway.' The Gala, set to take place Monday, March 10 beginning at 6:00pm at Tribeca Rooftop (2 Desbrosses Street), features appearances by Ed Harris, Holly Hunter, Carol Kane, Amy Madigan, Bill Pullman and Jonathan Marc Sherman and performances by Stephen Bogardus, Lea DeLaria and John Tartaglia, along with cocktails, dinner, and silent and live auctions filled with an array of exciting items and one-of-a-kind experiences.

Artists Repertory Theatre's 2014/15 season will further its mission of engaging diverse audiences in fresh, thought-provoking and intimate theatre. Next season's play offerings will assert Artists Rep's role as Portland's premiere mid-size regional theatre company by offering six major Portland premieres, alongside two classic masterpieces. The play selections will feature four Pulitzer Prize-recognized playwrights, and offer a diverse mix of theatrical styles, themes, settings and experiences. The season will feature the work of Artists Rep's Resident Artist Company, alongside guest artists from Portland's world-class theatre community and beyond.

Scott Elliott, Founding Artistic Director of The New Group and Serge Nivelle, Chairman of its Board of Directors, have announced that Adam Bernstein has been named Executive Director of the company.

PROFILE THEATRE (Adriana Baer, Artistic Director) proudly presents EYES FOR CONSUELA by Sam Shepard, the inaugural production in its 2014 season dedicated to the work of the playwright. Performances begin tonight, January 16, 2014 and will be the company's premiere in their new home at Artists Repertory Theatre.

PROFILE THEATRE (Adriana Baer, Artistic Director) proudly presents EYES FOR CONSUELA by Sam Shepard, the inaugural production in its 2014 season dedicated to the work of the playwright. Performances begin on January 16, 2014 and will be the company's premiere in their new home at Artists Repertory Theatre. Tickets are currently on sale at Profiletheatre.org.

Mistakes Were Made is more or less a one-man show. Felix, played by Michael Mendelson, becomes increasingly frantic, bouncing from call to call, screaming obscenities one second and sweet-talking the people who can help him the next.

Michael Mendelson plays the lead role of Felix Artifex in Artists Rep's production of MISTAKES WERE MADE. Artistic Director Damaso Rodriguez directs Mendelson and guides the show to opening as the production's Associate Director. The play will open September 28. BroadwayWorld has a first look below!

Michael Mendelson plays the lead role of Felix Artifex in Artists Rep's production of MISTAKES WERE MADE. Artistic Director Damaso Rodriguez directs Mendelson and guides the show to opening as the production's Associate Director. Preview performances begin tonight, September 24 and the play will open on September 28.

Artists Rep announces Michael Mendelson will step in to play the lead role of Felix Artifex, as Todd Van Voris must leave the production due to a family emergency. Artistic Director Dámaso Rodriguez will now direct Mendelson and guide the show to opening as the production's Associate Director. Originally slated to begin preview performances next Tuesday, September 17, the run dates for Mistakes Were Made will now be pushed back one week. Preview performances will begin September 24 and the play will open on September 28.

Artists Repertory Theatre's 2013/14 season will continue our vision of finding and producing adventurous, provocative work that challenges audiences and artists alike. Next season's play offerings will enhance Artists Rep's role as Portland's premiere mid-size regional theatre company by offering nine of the most cutting-edge plays available today, written by internationally prestigious playwrights, guided by esteemed directors and featuring casts who will unleash these stories onto our stages.

Shakespeare's popularity shows no signs of flagging, even though his 450th birthday is approaching in 2014. For fans of the Bard, here is a look at productions currently playing across the nation, as well as a sneak peek at upcoming shows.

We enter the world of Padua, which in director Michael Mendelson's vision takes place in the swinging 1960s. The set is a clear reminder of Laugh-In, with its pastel colors and patterned walls with small doors that the actors can peep through. The costumes are witty reminders of that era, particularly the women's outfits and wigs. And the music throughout echoes Carnaby Street.

With one of Shakespeare's most beloved, romantic comedies, Portland Shakespeare Project will delight summer audiences with a rich and comedic production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW directed by Michael Mendelson. A fascinating theatrical complement of John Fletcher's THE TAMER TAMED (staged reading) will begin in rotating repertory on July 24. Both shows will be performed on the Alder Stage at Artists Repertory Theatre. Tickets are on sale through Artists Rep's Box Office. Performances are Wednesday through Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2pm and 7:30pm, Sunday at 2pm. Full schedule and more information at www.portlandshakes.org. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below!

With one of Shakespeare's most beloved, romantic comedies, Portland Shakespeare Project will delight summer audiences with a rich and comedic production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW directed by Michael Mendelson. A fascinating theatrical complement of John Fletcher's THE TAMER TAMED (staged reading) will begin in rotating repertory on July 24. Both shows will be performed on the Alder Stage at Artists Repertory Theatre.

With one of Shakespeare's most beloved, romantic comedies, Portland Shakespeare Project will delight summer audiences with a rich and comedic production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW directed by Michael Mendelson. A fascinating theatrical complement of John Fletcher's THE TAMER TAMED (staged reading) will begin in rotating repertory on July 24. Both shows will be performed on the Alder Stage at Artists Repertory Theatre.

Artists Rep is thrilled to present the West Coast premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher's play Ten Chimneys from April 23 through May 26, 2013. This revealing comedy peers into the backstage lives of Broadway power-duo Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne and summers spent at their legendary Wisconsin estate, Ten Chimneys.