The Artists Repertory Theatre presents…
Circle Mirror Transformation
Written by Annie Baker
Directed by Allen Nause
There’s nothing like an evening out with a good friend when it includes good theater.
Lisa and I headed out to opening night of Circle Mirror Transformation presented by the Artists Repertory Theatre last night. I spotted a few of Portland’s cast of characters prior to the show: Barbara from Travel Portland, Lisa Lepine, and Eloise of the Regional Arts & Culture Council. I chatted with Nicole Lane, the marketing & PR director for the theatre. I even had an opportunity to say ‘hello’ to Allen Nause (artistic director) just prior to the performance, which was a treat as I had just interviewed him for my February 5 ArtclecticPDX show on 1071 FM KZME radio.
I wasn’t sure what to expect of the play. I was intrigued by the storyline; five regular people attending an acting class with a look at their individual, as well as collective, discoveries about the influence of past choices and real moment human dynamics that bubbled up during their six weeks together at a community center in Vermont. I was also concerned that sitting in a chair for a one hour and forty five minute performance was going to be a challenge for most of us in the audience, only to discover we were all surprised by how time flew by as we watched the characters navigate those choppy waters of interpersonal experiences.
I was thrown for a loop as the lights came up to see that one of the characters had an uncanny resemblance to a recent paramour of mine who, by the way, is no longer part of my life. It took me a few moments to collect myself but it lingered throughout the performance and long after, during the after party, but enough about me (smile).
I watched as teenage character, “Lauren”, started as a non-interested, surly young girl and transformed into an optimistic, young woman who finds her voice by the closing scene. “Schultz” is a clumsy guy, starving for love. The character is goofy in an adorable way and I could see him in many characters of quite a few of my favorite romantic comedies. I could identify with “Theresa” on some level as she struggled with picking the wrong guys for love and then breaking the heart of one of the good ones. “Marty” is the teacher and holds true to keeping the group focused while she struggles with the realization that leopards do not change their spots after all. “James” is initially a reluctant attendee, and likely has been somewhat coerced by his wife, Marty, to join the group. It was interesting to see him open up his heart during the exercises of self-discovery, perhaps a bit too much, which we discover towards the end of the play.
I really enjoyed this play. We all had several laugh out loud moments, as well as the human drama I relish in a good performance. I saw the characters for who they are, and experienced the joy of witnessing their transformation, which delivered them into their better selves, as they dealt with their painful realities and grew from their experiences.
PERFORMANCE DATES, TIMES & TICKET INFO:
Dates: February 7 - March 11
Performances: Wednesday - Sunday @ 7:30pm; Sunday @ 2:00pm
Wednesday matinee @ 11:00am on February 29
Details at www.artistsrep.org
The Circle Mirror Transformation cast features Beth Harper, Richard Elmore, Jason Glick, Val Landrum and Danielle Purdy.
