Setting Off Sparks

This really is a post for Portlanders, but, as it's about a cool, artistically oriented event, other folks with like minds might find it interesting (and you might try it in your burg).

Monday night (May 20th), Playwrights West, a group of professional playwrights (of which I'm a member) based in Portland, is throwing a party. Yes, it's a fundraiser for a full production of one of our playwright's works (Licking Batteries by the wonderful Ellen Margolis), but it's kind of turned into a celebration--a celebration of the joy of creating new work.

Dubbed Sparks, the evening features short pieces--either standalone short works or excerpts from longer works--from eight remarkable writers (and one bozo...me). It's what we have to offer...our words, and some terrific actors have signed on to breathe those words to into being. And since we're all getting together, there'll be food and drink and a silent auction and good vibes: what could best be described as a party.

Here's the fascinating thing to me, though. All of us in Playwrights West share a common purpose: to stage the new works of our members and to raise awaeness of the power and delight inherent in presenting premieres (and we're just lucky to have access to some killer scripts). All of us are professionals who have had our works staged in many forms and venues, and, frankly, we all can write. (Present company excepted...or at least tolerated.)

But, man, what a lot of different voices. All really original, and all coming at the work from different angles, bringing unique voices and sensibilities into play.

So what the folks who attend Sparks will be able to experience is a terrific mosaic of ideas, images, power, and, well, light from these eight writers (and the bozo). In one place, at one time (and only at this one time under the same tent). The works range from new projects, still in progress, to new works about to be born as fully realized productions, such as an excerpt from Andrea Stolowitz's Ithaka, which is about to open at Artists Repretory Theatre (where it won a commission), and, of course, Ellen's Licking Batteries--the play we're fully staging in August. And, if you drop by, you get to embrace these works--to celebrate their originality and diversity--with like-minded people...those who love new theatre. (You know who you are.)

Really, Sparks is a way to say: yes, new work counts. It keeps theatre alive, vibrant, surprising, ever changing. It's vital. It matters. And we can do it really, really well, right here in Portland. Oh yes, we can.

So drive, walk, take the streetcar, and come on down to CoHo Theatre on Monday night. Have some food and drink and laughs. Maybe try out a cool new outfit. And take what promises to be an unforgettable ride with eight splendid, absolutely kick-ass writers (and one bozo).

Details follow. See you there....

Steve

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Sparks: A Benefit Performance

By the writers of Playwrights West

Directed by Playwrights West Company Member Andrew Wardenaar

Date: Monday, May 20th

Time: Cocktail Hour & Silent Auction at 6 pm. Performance at 7 pm. Postshow reception at 8:30 pm.

Venue: CoHo Theatre (2257 NW Raleigh St)

Cost: $40; tickets online or at door (cash/check only) subject to availability. Seating is limited.

Purchase Tickets from: sparks.brownpapertickets.com

Playwrights West, a professional theatre company composed of nine acclaimed local playwrights, announces Sparks, its first-ever gala benefit performance. This performance will feature short excerpts of works by all nine member playwrights, culminating in a world premiere excerpt of Playwrights West’s upcoming 2013 season performance, Licking Batteries by Ellen Margolis. In addition to the performance, the evening will feature delicious food and wine and a silent auction.

Featuring excerpts from: Eating in the Dark by Debbie Lamedman; Consider the Ant by Karin Magaldi; Licking Batteries by Ellen Margolis; Bus Stop by Steve Patterson; Ithaka by Andrea Stolowitz (opening May 28th at Artists Repertory Theatre); Jeepers by Andrew Wardenaar; Where There Is Darkness, Light by Claire Willett; The Chain and the Gear by Patrick Wohlmut; and Forky by Matthew B. Zrebski.