MASONIC HALL

by Krista Garver - May 07, 2026

When I saw Portland Playhouse's 2025–2026 season announced, the show I was most irrationally excited about was THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL. I’m far from an expert on the SpongeBob SquarePants universe, but I've watched enough episodes to have completely fallen for the little yellow sponge in square pa...

by Krista Garver - May 07, 2026

You don't often get the chance to see DOCTOR FAUSTUS on stage. Christopher Marlowe's early 1600s masterwork is the ur-text of the Faustian bargain, the template for everything from the musical Damn Yankees to the Al Pacino-Keanu Reeves film The Devil's Advocate. And yet it rarely gets produced. Than...

by Krista Garver - May 04, 2026

Nearly 40 years after its Broadway premiere, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA continues to cast its spell. I saw proof of that everywhere at the packed Keller Auditorium, including a young girl clutching a teddy bear wearing a tiny Phantom mask. The now and future PHANTOM fandom is in excellent hands....

by Dawn Sellers - May 03, 2026

Hello Gorgeous! Lakewood Theatre brings the curtain down on its 73rd season in spectacular fashion with the heartfelt, funny, and moving musical comedy Funny Girl. What a way to say goodbye to a landmark season. Get tix https://lakewood-center.org/...

by Krista Garver - April 30, 2026

Confession time: I saw the original production of FAT HAM on Broadway, and I thought “meh.” Clearly, I just didn’t get it. Now, after seeing this stunning co-production between Portland Center Stage and Portland Playhouse, directed by Charles Grant, I finally understand....

by Krista Garver - April 29, 2026

Fertile Ground 2026 wrapped up last weekend, and on the whole, it was fantastic. I saw 17 shows, which included readings of plays by well-known local playwrights, new works by rising stars, and some fun genre-bending original performances. Here are my notes about the final set. If you missed my firs...

by Krista Garver - April 24, 2026

On my way to Shaking the Tree Theatre to see Tennessee Williams' THE GLASS MENAGERIE, I realized I had seen more comical adaptations of the play, ranging from gently ribbing to outright farcical, than actual productions of it....

by Krista Garver - April 20, 2026

What did our critic think of FERTILE GROUND 2026 - REVIEW ROUNDUP #2 at Various?...

by Dawn Sellers - April 17, 2026

If you love sitcoms, Hollywood nostalgia, and a good love story, Ladybug! Ladybug! is an absolute delight, and you still have a chance to catch it tonight!...

by Krista Garver - April 13, 2026

This year’s Fertile Ground Festival started last Friday. As in years past, I’ll be posting short reviews of everything I see. Here’s the first set....