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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 1995)
ju s t o u t ▼ A ll I n the Corns ft*»*» in Rontown F amily 1 . 1909 ▼ 33 Square Dancing - Our Way! It’s N O T like It was In Junior HighI Nine Armenians, currently onstage in Seattle, looks at love, death and cha-cha lessons f Join our new class on Aug. 30, or Sept. 6 or 13, 1995 Wednesdays 7:30 - 9:45 PM t rlxH ▼ m by Christopher Kamera 5 * Classes run tor two 15 week semesters No Partner Needed! First Lesson FREE! No Special Clothing Required! Class Location. Fellowship Hall (Low er Level) Trinity United Methodist Church S .E . 39th & Steele Portland. O R SQUARE DANCE CLUB A G a y & Lesbian Organization Fo r more information call: F Rob (360) 423-9285. Karin (503) 232-7643 or Michael (503) 297-6416 II THE OREGON GAY AMp LESBIAN LAW ASSOCIATION presents its Fifth Annual Dinner Saturday, September 16, 1995 at the Hilton Ilotel, Portland, Oregon fea tu rin g keyn o te sp ea ker R O B E R TA , A C H T E N B E R G From left: Lauren Klein, Charlotte Colavin, Julie Dretzin and Barbara Andres in Leslie Ayvazian ’s Nine Armenians a n d th e su p p le so u n d s o f ■r with the women scoring strongest in performance. any members of the lesbian and The female family members certainly have the gay community believe that one best-developed roles and lead the play through its minority can better understand various slice-of-life scenes. All of the cast and another minority. With that con most of the production team is new to the North cept in mind, it’s clear that the but all have strong stage credits and impres world premiere production of Leslie west, Ayvazian’s sive television and film backgrounds. Many cast domestic comedy Nine Armenians, at the Intiman members, interestingly, have been involved in Theatre Company in Seattle, has much to offer various productions of the Jewish-themed family lesbian and gay stage buffs planning on visiting comedies of Neil Simon. The Emerald City over the Labor Day weekend. Christopher Ashley, the director, is the openly gay New York director best known for staging the original off-Broadway production of Jeffrey. Ashley also directed the current film version, as well as productions of the play in Los Angeles and San Francisco. He guides Nine Armenians with a The Intiman continues the short comedy/drama sure hand and gives a proper balance to the varied through Sept. 9. characters and scenes. With Ayvazian’s play, the title says it all. The Many members of Ashley’s production team show is literally about nine members of an Arme have worked extensively nian American family. Christopher Ashley, the on gay- and lesbian- Much of the humor comes plays in New York from the ethnic details— director, is the openly gay themed and regional theater. the traditions, the cus New York director best Loy Arcenas, set de toms, the family legends. signer, designed Terrence While all of the details are known for staging the McNally’s Tony winning authentic— and a huge original off-Broadway Love! Valor! Compassion! turnout of the Northwest’s and created the New York A rm enian com m unity production of Jeffrey. premieres of Spic-O-Rama roared approval at the and The Baltimore Waltz. Locally, he created the playwright’s accuracy—the specifics are univer sets for Portland Opera’s The Tales o f Hoffman. sally appealing. It wouldn’t be wrong to call this Costumer Gabriel Berry designed the world work an Armenian Fiddler on the Roof, without premiere opera production of Harvey Milk for songs. One of the show’s best lines: “You whisper Houston Grand Opera. She works internationally in Armenian, you yell in English.” with stage and opera titles and recently won the While the play is a relatively simple story of a prestigious Silver Medal for costume design at the third-generation child returning to Armenia to Prague Quadrennial, the first and only person from examine her family’s roots, the play is really about the United States to ever win an individual award every aspect of living. Major themes of persecu in the festival. Donald Holder, lighting designer, tion, prejudice, life, death and love are easily worked with Eastern Standard, Spunk and Jeffrey balanced with everyday details about rollerblading, in their New York premiere productions. lace making, cha-cha lessons, the family Honda, a Nine Armenians is a brisk 90-minute produc coffin full of birch logs, Noah’s ark and a bird’s tion with no intermission. Portland visitors would nest made out of Kleenex. find the show a perfect thank-you treat for Emerald Ayvazian draws on her family history for some City hosts. During Seattle’s Bumbershoot, a tradi of the characters, but she’s quick to note that the tional Labor Day arts celebration, performances play is not autobiographical. The play, originally Sept. 2 and 3 are free with a Bumbershoot admis developed last year in Intiman’s New Voices play sion. reading series, is the first work to move from the development stage to the main stage. It’s also the Ticket information is available by calling first world premiere Intiman has staged since Intiman's box office, (206) 626-0782. Ask about Warner Shook became artistic director in 1993. student and senior discounts. Intiman also Intiman, widely regarded as the “Home of the offers a last-minute half-price rush ticket 10 Classics,” is deeply committed to new authors and minutes before curtain. new plays as well as key titles in stage history. Intiman’s nine-member cast does strong work. THOMAS LAUDERDALE & PINK MARTINI M \ cocktails 6:30, dinner 7:30 tickets - $40 per person please call 231-9340 or 248-1063 t a t 1« ILL NEW SHOW THE triangle productions! HIT RETURNS... Septem ber 8 - 30 Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. First Unitarian C hu rch at 12th & Main Streets Directed By Donald I Horn THE ALL TIC K ETS $10 • ON SA LE NOW!!! (Includes handling & service charge) LIM ITED SEATING THE STORITS COKTTffllt. AVAILABLE - o ë TICKETS: FASTIXX locations and by phone at 224-8499 & triangle productions! box office at 223-6790 PRODUCTK>NSÎ PORTLAND PREMIERE * Â »rik