bobr@zeus.UUCP (Robert Reed) (02/16/85)
"Talking With..." a play written by "Jane Martin", opened last night at the
Storefront Theater. It is an incredible collection of women's monologues
and bound to be a hit in Portland. "Jane Martin" is the psuedonym of a
playwright who slipped the manuscript for "Twirler" under the door at the
Actors Theatre of Louisville in 1982. It won the play writing competition
and eventually 10 other pieces appeared. It was produced under the
condition that the real writer's identity not be revealed. The cast put
together by Rosalie Brandon is a powerhouse of Portland talent, and the
result is an incredible evening of entertainment.
Tying these 11 pieces together is a strong sense of spirit, but many of
these women are driven into incredible excentricities to maintain it. Some
are funny. Some are sad. But all have some sort of twist that makes them
interesting:
Fifteen Minutes. ...to curtain call and it's time to psych herself up
for the performance. But who are these people she's performing for?
Scraps. All she feels fit for in this world is housework, but her aim
is to live in the Land of Oz.
Clear Glass Marbles. When her mother was faced with the prospect of
certain death, she retired to live in her bed and do all the things
she never had time for.
Audition. She gives you the choice of either watching her take her
clothes off, watching her kill a cat, or hiring her.
Rodeo. A remembrance of what it once was and a lament for what it has
become.
Twirler. Not many find religion through baton twirling, but then, not
many discover the dark side of the force.
Lamps. Her lamps provide her warmth, light, and memories.
Handler. You're either full of the spirit or you're empty--there's no
foolin' the snakes.
Dragons. Birth can be an unnerving experience--especially after 23
hours of labor.
French Fries. She's seen the healing power of the Big Mac and dreams of
living at the Golden Arches.
Marks. All it took to leave an altogether ordinary life was a
distinguishing mark on her face. The first was unplanned, but the
rest tell her story.
If you live in Portland, I heartily recommend this production. If not, look
for it at a theatre near you.
--
Robert Reed, Logic Design Systems Division, tektronix!teklds!bobr