32|UStOUt
♦
JANUARY 23, 2009
theater
Let's Talk About Sex
Portland thespians explore open relationships, female fantasies
Like Sand Through the Hourglass...
For the purposes of brevity, Fall of the House
can be described as a “late-night hipster soap op
The Ryans will be portraying a couple who are
Inviting
Desire:
___
Inviting Desire covers a wide variety of women's sexuality, including
lesbian and bi content.
Aphrodisiac
A Theatrical
Just Out theater critic Timothy Krause has
ally date women, and Jacob prefers to date other
is a collaboration by an ensemble of actresses
sented in the show, including lesbian and bisexual
called it “one of the most exciting, refreshing and
men. Their relationship is introduced to contrast
that explores the terrain of sexual fantasy.
damn funny things happening on Portland stages.”
with Sam and Betsey, a lesbian couple who are also
With a deep resume in theater and a keen interest
content.
“Other people don’t have the same fantasies
Under the guidance of director Tamara Carroll,
entering into an open relationship because Betsey
in the study of human sexuality, Eleanor O’Brien took
1 do,” says O’Brien. “We honored all persuasions.
each “season” of House runs for four consecutive
wants to explore being with men again. Meanwhile,
a summer workshop about creating new theater from
1 think it was Susie Bright that talked about there
weekends, with a new “episode” presented each
another character named Addison, who was just
a central idea and got really excited about directing a
being a downside to privacy about sexuality—the
week. What makes it different—besides rhe con
discovering his sexuality last season, decides that
piece that could bring all of her talents together.
whole ‘1 don’t want to know what they do in the
sistently topical content, realistic characters and
he would like to continue dating men.
“1 put out an audition notice for women to
bedroom’ thing. They said that about gay people.
Private sexuality is really limiting.”
This isn’t the first time the Ryans have portrayed
do a piece [about sexual fantasy) from one of the
“Tamara...is willing to let us experiment, shape
a fictional gay couple together: They starred in and
Nancy Friday books or to write one of their own,"
To allow for dialogue between the actresses
and create our characters and their involvement
directed Beautiful Day, an award-winning play writ
she says. “I was really surprised by the number of
and the audience, a talkback will follow each
with the other characters. Then she and her magic
ten by Bobby for the Boulder International Fringe
people who auditioned and blown away by what
show.
writers come up with a simple structure of plot points
Festival. This time around, he reveals, they’re defi
they did. Most wrote their own pieces; it was a
that need to be covered,” says Bobby Ryan, who is
nitely pushing their boundaries.
really exciting experience.”
witty banter—is that it’s mostly improvised.
*
like harnessing the wild energy of a madman."
Between the
Sheets
in an open relationship: Trigg likes to occasion
era,” but it’s so much more than that.
_
it’s not so safe! The scene can go any which way,
“The show is not for everyone. We hope to
foster an openness and a gentleness and a lack
joining the cast this season with his husband, Tyler.
“It has been a very intimate process for me,
The show’s cast of seven actresses, including
of judgment for others’ sexuality,” says O’Brien.
The actors, who have been together for
and at times it becomes difficult to see where the
O’Brien, have spent the past couple of months gen
“There’s a lot of taboo, but the show is surprisingly
five years, recently relocated to Portland from
line is between fiction and nonfiction,” Bobby
erating material and putting it together for a show of
sweet and intimate.”
Boulder, Colo. When Bobby bought tickets to a
says. “This is exactly why I am fascinated.”
primarily monologues but also some group scenes.
performance of House last season, Tyler admits
neither knew exactly what to expect.
“I found myself at the edge of my seat, holding
my breath often,” he says. “There’s something so ex-
Inviting Desire, a part of the citywide new
works festival Fertile Ground, runs through Feb. 1
Fall
“There are no cliche fantasies like getting
of the House (Season 4) Jan. 29 to Feb. 22 at
pulled over by a cop,” says O’Brien. “They’re hon
at Temple Alexandria, 602 N.E. Prescott St.
Theater Theatre, 3430 S.F.. Belmont St. Tickets
est. Lots of different and sometimes hard themes
Tickets for this 18-and-older show are $20 from
are $12 from 503-425-9176.
come up.”
PDX Ticket Network.
Action/Adventure Theatre presents
—Jim Radosta
hilarating about watching performers improvise—
There’s a wide variety of experience repre
Comedy will be in
orbit with campy,
irreverent, and
“Adults Only” fun
in PGMC’s
much anticipated
evening cabaret,
Venus Eclipsed...
This cosmic event is
full of bawdy humor
and adult situations,
so leaVe the kids behind
and experience a
night of poor taste
and gut splitting
laughter for this
inelegant evening
of crass.
Tickets $35, $30 and $25
available at pdxgmc.org
or call 503-226-2588
Student, Senior,
Group Discounts Available
Call 503-226-2588
Our Season Sponsors
R egional
A rts & C ulture
C ouncil
PortlandTrihune
Work for Art
WELLS
FARGO
justiout
*
’ newtmagaztne
Sponsored I >\ Einicagrain Portland
—Kristin Steele ©