Hi!! It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me, let’s get right into it.
Today I posted on my TikTok about live theater shows that you can support while we are waiting for the extremely profitable studios to get their shit together and pay workers properly via the WAG and SAG-AFTRA strikes to wrap up. #unionsareforallworkers
Getting back on track, here are several live productions that you can go support right in PDX this weekend, and one in Hillsboro.
Apparently the season for theater kicks off in the late summer/fall depending on the company you want to go see. Most of the places I looked into while researching are in show/season building mode at the moment, we should have many options once it’s sweater weather again!
We are lucky to have a lively performance art culture her in PDX, we have several different companies who put together adult and children’s theater, dance productions, comedy, and of course we are a hub for concerts in the Northwest. There are plenty of people who are covering concerts, I will be focusing on theater, dance and comedy.
First up is
RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq the World 2023 Tour
Saturday, July 22, 2023, 8:00pm
Playing at: Keller Auditorium
Price: $45.00 – $259.50
More information about the show and tickets are available here at the time of publishing the show is not sold out. One note, most of the venues here are on the smaller side, which in my experience means there are no bad seats
Second we have one more show at Portland’ 5,
THE FABBA SHOW – A TRIBUTE TO ABBA
Saturday, July 22, 2023, 8:00pm
Playing at: Newmark Theatre
Price: $44.25 – $179.00
More information about the show and tickets are available here!
Third on the docket today, the Twilight Theater is hosting the T.O.A.S.T. one-act theater festival!
Twilight One Act Summer Theater features 12 one-act productions with 12 directors! Tickets are between $18-$24 for individual shows, you can purchase a pass for all of the shows and if you purchase tickets at the door they have a $2 increase in price. Please check out the information listed here for more information, festival tickets can be found here. The theater is located at 7515 N. Brandon Ave. Portland, OR 97217.
Our fourth and final event is happening in Hillsboro at Bag & Baggage, they are premiering Red Velvet and hosting a Steampunk Parlor fundraiser for the production.
A bit about the show from Bag&Baggage:
“Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, 1833. Edmund Kean, the greatest actor of his generation, has collapsed on stage whilst playing Othello. A young black American actor has been asked to take over the role. But as the public riot in the streets over the abolition of slavery, how will the cast, critics and audience react to the revolution taking place in the theatre? Red Velvet takes us back to the most pivotal moment in Ira Aldridge’s storied career. This seering drama by Lolita Chakrabarti (Olivier Award winning playwright of Life of Pi) will leave you at the edge of your seat.
This play explores race, racism, and the concept of Black exceptionalism.
Generously sponsored by Helen & Alan Harnsberger, and Diane Ditmer.”
Tickets are $20-$35
And a bit more information about the fundraiser from Bag&Baggage:
“Join Bag&Baggage Productions for a special Steampunk Parlour Party Fundraiser! In honor of our Regional Premiere of Red Velvet we invite you to don your best 19th century steampunk garb and come on down to The Vault for food, drink, tarot readings, live portraits, a costume contest, and so much more. The evening will be hosted by Oregon’s own Historical Conjurer DR Schreiber who is sure to have a few tricks up his sleeves to keep the party going! Join us for a good time and to support your favorite local professional theatre.”
Tickets are $20-$70
You can find more information about Red Velvet here, and the Steampunk fundraiser here.
My personal picks would be to go check out T.O.A.S.T and check out Red Velvet. Will you be checking any of these out this weekend? Do you have anything coming up that you’d like to promote? Let me know in the comments below!