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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 2015)
Coaster Theatre opens 2015 season with ‘’Night Mother’ CANNON BEACH — Written by Marsha Norman and directed by Sheila Shaffer, “’Night, Mother” opens Friday, Jan. 30 at the Coaster Theatre. Jessie’s father is dead, her marriage ended in divorce, her absent son is a petty thief, her last job didn’t work out and, in general, her life is stale. As the evening unfolds, she sets about tidying the house and making a list for her mother of things to be looked after as we discover what has brought her to this desperate place in her life. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, this eloquent and ul- timately shattering play ex- decided that she could decide what to do with her life ... The point was not to kill herself; the point was to take charge.” When approached about the irony that it looks like SORUHVWKH¿QDOPRPHQWVLQWKH self-annihilation but it actually life a woman who has decided is self-activation, Norman re- that it’s no longer worth living. sponded, “For people who un- This is a brutal, hard, derstand that, great; the ones thought-provoking play with who don’t will have another PXOWLSOHIDFHWV:KHQ¿UVWSUR- experience with it ... paintings duced over 30 years ago, the don’t come with instructions. issue of suicide was not a sub- You can’t say here’s how to ject frequently discussed and perceive this.” is not a topic easily broached The show runs Jan. 30, 31, to this day. It can always be Feb. 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 15, 19, 20 asked, “What would I do in and 21. Evening performanc- a similar situation?” There is es begin at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday no one answer; no one really shows start at 3 p.m. Tickets knows until they are there. cost $15 to $20; call 503-436- In interviews with the play- 1242 or visit coastertheatre.com wright she says, “I felt with ‘’Night, Mother’ that Jesse’s Cast and Crew decision to commit suicide Margaret Page plays Thel- ZDV TXLWH EUDYH 6KH ¿QDOO\ ma Cates. Page is a real estate Submitted photo by George Vetter/Cannon-Beach.net Margaret Page, left, plays Thelma Cates in the Coaster Theatre’s first play of the 2015 season, “‘Night Mother,” opposite Ann Bronson, who plays Jessie Cates. broker/owner of Coast Real Estate Professionals in Man- zanita. She studies voice at the Music Lasts A Lifetime Studio in Cannon Beach, dances tap and ballet at the Oregon Coast Dance Center in Tillamook, studied theater at Tillamook Bay Community College and with George Dzundza. Ann Bronson plays Jessie Cates. 2000 marked Bronson’s debut on the Coaster stage, and since then she has appeared in everything from “Hello, Dol- ly!” and “Nunsense” to Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” and “Into the Woods.” She is a classically trained soprano, and has sung in operas. Sheila Shaffer has been a Coaster Theatre veteran for the last 13 years and holds a degree in theater arts from the University of Wisconsin. She has worked with community DQGQRQSUR¿WWKHDWHUVIRURYHU 30 years. “’Night, Mother” is the 10th production she has directed at the Coaster. This summer she appeared as the Baker’s Wife in the Coaster’s “Into the Woods.” This is Josh Loring’s third time as stage manager at the Coaster Theatre. He began in “Boys Next Door,” moving directly into “The 39 Steps.” This small cast experience has been rewarding in its intimate exploration of character and story. T hank you for your continued support We have lots to offer Book Recommendations Book Clubs Special Orders Frequent Buyer Club Used Books Sign up for 10-week art class Shirley Dahlsten to teach at Trail’s End GEARHART — A new 10- week sculpture and painting class, entitled Classical and Futuristic III, will be offered by Shirley Dahlsten at the Trail’s End Art Center, locat- ed at 656 A St. The class will start begin- ning from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. The focus of the class will be directed toward originality and purpose with most as- signments completed outside the classroom. Fee for the class is $65 with one-third of this fee be- ing donated to the Trail’s End Art Center reconstruction fund. Call 503-325-1514 for more information. Bre a kfa st L u nc h Di nne r Di ne i n o r Ta ke o u t 280 S . R o o sevel t Dr L o cated o n H w y 101 acro ss fro m M cD o nalds 503.717.5068 G ra yW ha l eB B Q .c o m Submitted photo Shirley Dahlsten will teach a 10-week art class, Classical and Futuristic III, at the Trail’s End Art Center starting Thursday, Feb. 12. a a T H ANK Y O U F O R V O TING F O R U S ! W E A P P R EC IATE Y O U R B U SINESS P urcha s e Tick ets a t w w w .Tolova na Arts Colony.org M O RE T H AN J U ST A NTIQ 55+V e ndo rs Antiques • Nautical Items Glassware • Vintage Decor 892 Marine Drive, Astoria (503) 338-0101 4 | January 29, 2015 | coastweekend.com U ES ! Gift Wrapping, Shipping & Home Delivery Plus EVENTS IN THE LOFT Stop by soon! 616 Broadway, Seaside 503.738.3500 www.beachbooks37.com