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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (May 19, 2016)
T H E AT E R BY RACHAEL CARNES CHANNELING CHEKOV STORM KENNEDY AND JOSH FRANCIS IN OCT’S VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE The upper classes get poked in OCT’s production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike P remiering this weekend at Oregon Contemporary Theatre, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, winner of the 2013 Tony Award for best play, represents a kind of second act for playwright Christopher Durang. “Durang is known for his outrageous comedy, and rightfully so,” OCT director Tara Wibrew says. “But I particularly appreciate that his characters are lovable. In many of Durang’s pieces, there isn’t a villain against a hero — just good people taking opposing routes in an attempt to make life better.” In the 1980s, Durang’s absurdist parodies etched an indelible mark on American theater. If you went to the theater during that decade, you probably saw a Durang play: The Actor’s Nightmare, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Baby With the Bathwater or Beyond Therapy. Durang’s endeavors epitomized the shoulder-padded, wine cooler swilling, jewel-toned excesses of that oppressively weird time. In Vanya, Durang plumbs even deeper, looking to playwright Anton Chekhov, who himself made a career of subtly lampooning the glut of czarist Russia. “Chekhov presents those in theoretical comfort — namely the upper classes — and pokes and pokes,” Wibrew muses. “He uses humor to present society’s biggest desires and identify the folly in the dream.” Aside from the direct references made to Chekhov, Wibrew says Durang’s latest play harkens back to some of Chekhov’s favorite themes: disillusionment, dissipating nostalgia and failed ideals. “I’m not sure there is enough door-slamming or mistaken identity for it to be a farce,” Wibrew says. “And probably not enough death to be a dramedy. Maybe it’s a pop-culture comedy?” Just imagine Chekhov’s moody oeuvre pulsed in a Cuisinart until only delicious tropes of perpetually quarreling siblings remain, such as the depressed brother, the reclusive sister, the grubbing sister and the boyfriend. CLASSIFIEDS EVENTS Pets QUALITY CRAFT SHOW 19th Annual. May 28 GREENHILL HUMANE SOCIETY Everybody & 29. 10-4. Yachats Commons. 70 Booths, Gifts Galore. Crafts, Art, Demos, Food, Chair Massage, Fun. Free Admission. 541-547- 4664. EXPECT THE EXCEPTIONAL! Deserves a Good Home. Fr-Tu 11a-6p. Closed Wed/Th 88530 Greenhill Rd 541-689- 1503 green-hill.org See our Pet of the Week! SHELTER ANIMAL RESOURCE ALLIANCE FOR SALE Furnishings QUALITY FURNITURE Clean, modern & antique, furniture, electronics, tools & col- lectibles. New estates arriving daily. We are also buying! 939 River Road, 689-4554, riverroad2ndhand.com CHECK US OUT!! Household KILL ROACHES - GUARANTEED! Buy Harris Roach Tablets with Lure. Odorless, Long Lasting. Available: Hardware Stores, The Home Depot, homedepot.com (AAN CAN) S.A.R.A.’s Treasures Gift & Thrift Shop. Volunteer, Donate, Shop, ADOPT! 871 River Road, Open Daily 10am-6pm. 541-607-8892 sarastreasures.org LOOK FOR THIS WEEK’S RESCUED CAT . Adoption/Family Services PREGNANT? THINKING OF ADOPTION? Talk with caring agency specializing in matching Birthmothers with Families Nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions. 866-413-6293. Void in Illinois/New Mexico/Indiana (AAN CAN) H E L P WA N T E D ADMISSIONS SPECIALIST AT SERENITY LANE. BULLETIN BOARD Announcements DAWN OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE 3-min. YouTube video “Time for Change” share-international.org AGELESS WISDOM Wanted CASH FOR CARS: Any Car/Truck 2000-2015, Running or Not! Top Dollar For Used/ Damaged. Free Nationwide Towing! Call Now: 1-888-420-3808 (AAN CAN) SEEKING KIDNEY DONOR Type O is preferra- ble but any blood type is ok. All medical expenses paid. Contact 541-255-5257 For complete job description and applica- tion process, visit www.serenitylane.org and click on Employment Opportunities. Drug Free Workplace. EOE. ATTENTION SMOKERS needed for a research study to try new cig- arettes that may or may not lead to reduced smoking. This is NOT a treatment or smok- ing cessation study. Compensation provid- ed. Call Oregon Research Institute at 541- 434-1524 CMAS AT SERENITY LANE. For complete job description and application process, visit www.serenitylane.org and click on Employment Opportunities. Drug Free Workplace. EOE. OCT’s production features Storm Kennedy, Russell Dyball, Nancy West, Josh Francis, Donella-Elizabeth Alston and Hailey Henderson. In his raucous ensembles, Durang has always had a knack for making gloomy, self-serving, petulant people funny, and Vanya is no exception. “From the outside, we can see others better than they can see themselves,” Wibrew explains. “Which can also mean a gentler, lighter perspective on circumstances that appear dire from the inside.” Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike opens Friday, May 20, and runs through June 11 at Oregon Contemporary Theatre; $15-$35, tickets at octheatre.org or 541- 465-1506. To place a classified ad: CALL 541.484.0519 EMAIL classy@eugeneweekly.com WEB classifieds.eugeneweekly.com CONTACT CENTER SALES AGENT SYKES is hir- ing for FT Contact Center Sales Agents for the downtown Eugene office. Base plus bonuses and benefits. Call 541-631-2644 or apply online at www.sykes.com/careers L I NE A D S : $ 1 1 / 3 L I N E S A D D I TI O N A L L I NE S : $ 4 EVENTS $DANCERS$ Tired of your current club! SWEET ILLUSIONS has day & night shifts available. No experience, can train. Excellent tips! 541-852-8625 or 541-517- 7196 THE HOTTEST CLUB IN LANE COUNTY! CALENDAR DISHWASHER AT SERENITY LANE. For com- plete job description and application pro- cess, visit www.serenitylane.org and click on Employment Opportunities. Drug Free Workplace. EOE. KITCHEN HELPER AT SERENITY LANE. For complete job description and application process, visit www.serenitylane.org and click on Employment Opportunities. Drug Free Workplace. EOE. PAID IN ADVANCE! MAKE $1000 A WEEK Mailing Brochures From Home! No Experience Required. Helping home work- ers since 2001! Genuine Opportunity. Start Immediately! www.TheIncomeHub.com (AAN CAN) ZEN MEDITATION and MINDFULNESS for PAIN RELIEF • 5-Week Course RNS AT SERENITY LANE. For complete job May 31 - June 28 (5 Tuesdays) 7:30pm to 9:30pm MUSIC OF INDIA CONCERT details at www.bluecliffzen.org Sat., May 21, 7-9 pm • $12 3635 Hilyard | yogawesteugene.com description and application process, visit www.serenitylane.org and click on Employment Opportunities. Drug Free Workplace. EOE. Jeff W. Ryder SECRETARIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT PEN America. Secretary/Administrative Assistant Needed to be communicating with company customers in a well-orga- nized and timely manner. Experience not required. $920 per week for a start, send cv to sniderpeterjet@yahoo.com or call 5415267798. DC, LAc, Certifi ed Rolfer™ Rolfi ng ® Structural Integration Chiropractic • Cranial & Visceral Manipulation • Acupuncture Physical & Energetic Approaches to Health and Transformation 10% OFF FIRST PURCHASE drjeffryder.com • 503-250-3209 1079 Chambers St SPECIAL EDUCATION. Small, non-profit, alter- native high school seeks a part-time Special Education Teacher/Coordinator for next school year. Send cover letter and resume to dennis@wellspringsfriends.org. Reptiles, Feeders, Supplies ® eugeneweekly.com • May 19, 2016 35
