Opening This Week
Flip Side--A Musical Revue
The world premiere of a new musical to raise money for Esther's Pantry, a nonprofit that provides food and services for people with AIDS. Flip Side is a gender-bending tale that uses traditional Broadway show tunes to portray a skewed look on modern relationships. The performance begins with a hosted cocktail reception and silent auction, and is "formal-attire." Yipes. The Miracle Theater, 525 SE Stark Street, 236-2529, Opens Fri, runs Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sat 2 pm, through Aug 28, $12-19
The Scandalous Adventures of Sir Toby Trollope
A new theater company is putting on this historical comedy by Ron House and Alan Shearman. It bills itself as "a professional-style community theatre dedicated to producing affordable, family oriented entertainment, providing professional theatrical experiences for students, and creating scholarships, cultural events, and pride for our community and its surrounding areas." The name of this company? La Resistance Theatre. Coho Theatre, 2257 NW Raleigh, 318-6775, Thurs-Sat, through Aug 28, $10
One Week Only
Chris Coleman
Imago, in support of their upcoming production of Uncle Vanya, has been hosting a series of boring-sounding lectures called "Architecture, Theatre, and Chekhov." Tonight's actually could be interesting, though. Coleman is the artistic director of Portland Center Stage and will talk about his recent experiences with Russian theater. More interesting would be his assessment of this whole Armory Project hoo-hah, but hey, maybe there'll be a Q & A afterwards. Imago Theater, 17 SE 8th Ave, 221-5857, #3, Mon 7:30 pm, free
* Richard Foreman Mini-Festival
See review this issue. Performance Works NorthWest, 4625 SE 67th Ave, 777-1907, Fri-Sat 8 pm, $15-30 sliding scale for one show; $25-50 for both
Closing This Week
Good News
An excessively cheery musical romp through late 1920s college life. Features Grant Alan, Kathleen Hatch, and Malia Tippets. Lakewood Theatre Company, 368 S State St, 635-3901, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, through Aug 22, $24-26
Current Runs
Love's Labor Lost
The Portland Actor's Ensemble's annual outdoor Shakespeare production is in full effect. If you can handle the screaming kids and families, it can be a fun time, especially if you slip in a big ol' bottle of wine. Fernhill Park, NE 37th & Ainsworth, 467-6573, Sat-Sun 3 pm, through Sept 6, free
Wonder of the World
David Lindsay-Abaire's satire about a repressed math teacher who leaves her husband to embark on a road trip to Niagara Falls. Magdelyn Theatre Company, 403 NW 5th, (971) 544-1736, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, through Aug 29, $15
Comedy/Improv
Making Every Mistake Twice
If you're heading to the coast this weekend, stop off in Newport to catch Jeff DeMark, a talented comedian who tells stories about substitute teaching and being a father. His shows typically sell out, so don't be too late. He'll finish in plenty of time to still build a bonfire on the beach and get shitfaced. Dogwood Theater, 162 NE 10th, Newport, (541) 574-7708, Sat 7 pm, $7, free for high school students
* Summer In Brodavia
Just a good, reliable evening of hilarious improv, featuring excellent Brody standards like Brad Fortier, Tom Johnson, and Kerry Leek. Brody Theater, 1904 NW 27th Ave, 224-0688, Sat 9 pm, through Sept 4, $10
Dance
Sound/Craft
In an effort to be more than just a venue for esoteric sculpture and pottery, the Contemporary Crafts Gallery has begun a monthly evening of experimental music and dance. Tonight catch Jennifer Mesch, a dancer and choreographer from New York behind groups like the Dancing Botanists, and the Jen Mesch Dance Conspiracy." She'll move her muscles to the sweet improvised grooves of recordist Scott Smallwood, clarinetist Jonathan Sielaff, and shakuhachi-ist Joel Taylor. The shakuhachi is a traditional Japanese flute. See www.shakuhachi.com for more info on this ancient instrument. Contemporary Crafts Gallery, 3934 SW Corbett Ave, 223-2654, Thurs 8 pm, $5
