Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current, January 18, 1979, Image 5

Historic Oregon Newspapers

Portland observer., January 18, 1979, Page 5, Image 5

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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 1979)

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Newspaper Page TextRepertory Theater presents Wine by Evelyn Cruse Despite the severity of the weather the Albina Women’s League lights were burning after regular office hours. Six people were seated around a table in the outer room chatting about the cold and if it would deter the leading lady’ s arrival. A ll but one were familiar with the unpredictable weather outside and two o f the cast took this time to acquaint her to the changeable attitudes o f Portland skies. They were waiting for Tommy or Deborah Hicks; Tommy being her name in the play. She arrives, with accompaniment, smiling and ja b bering excuses which included the problems o f finding sitters and of course, how cold it was outside. Old- tim er; played by O tto Rutherford grunts a little. “ We’re all here. We can begin.” The directoress motions everyone to the small auditorium and they begin. The Black Repertory Theater is in rehearsal, creating “ Wine In The Wilderness.” A ll the cast are local residents who are not unfam iliar with the first few weeks o f rehear sals. P ortland Black Repertory Theater (PBRT) has brought to the stage such plays as “ Five on the Black Hand Side,” “ River Niger,” “ Stardust,” Raisin in the Sun” and now, “ Wine In The Wilderness.” “ Wine In The Wilderness” is a one- act comedy-drama written by Black playw right Alice Childress (C h ill- dress). The small cast o f five features: Otto Rutherford, Deborah Hicks, A1 Jamison, Venessa Jobe and Marvin Johnson. The play was first presented by television station WGBH in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 4, 1969, as the first play in a series “ On Being Black” under a Ford Foundation Grant. The reading goes on. O ldtim er (Otto Rutherford) is obviously best at his lines. Then — he was a mem ber o f the Portland Civic Theater cast in its early days from 1952-1960. One thing is very different now, he is not a lone Black actor in a cast who’s repertoire has all but nil parts for ac tors o f color. As they read through parts, the ac tors seem to become the characters. The ages are right. The time in which the play is set (early 60’s Harlem, New York) can be remembered by the actors themselves. The reading goes well and A1 Jamison seems per fect as Bill Jameson, an artist who is completing a triptych (trip-tick). A BRAD SANDERS E /M a iit/w ti Guide, by Alien Jones Brad Sanders, a 28-year-old Black stand-up comedian, had no problem iden tifying with the character he portrays in Hanna-Barbera's “ The Roast,” an hour-long comedy special airing on NBC-TV. at 8:00 p.m., Thursday. January 25 tn. He portrays Ghetto Man, the first Black superhero, a role especially created for him by the show's writers. Mike Marmer and Peter Gallay. The promising and struggling young satirist, who usually writes his own materia], is teamed with a number o f established actors and comedians in what producer-director William Carruthers contends w ill be television’s first fantasy roast in which famous comic book superheroes are roasted by infamous comic book villains. Having spent his childhood growing up in a government housing project in Chicago s westside, Sanders has been earning a living as a stand-up comic since he was nineteen years old. “ I didn’ t earn enough to spoil me. but I did make enough to prove to myself that I could eke-out a living making people laugh.” Before moving to Hollywood two years ago, he had spent most o f his career working the predominately Black "smokehole circuit” o f the night-clubs in Chicago's Southside. They were the kind o f clubs where you had to step over the crap game to get to the bar,” recalls Sanders, "Y ou knew you were bombing out when they start ed playing the juke box in the middle o f your routine.” In Chicago, the Columbia College graduate supplemented his income selling shoes, hardware and life insurance. “ Finally, I had to decide what to’ do with my life, muses Sanders. “ Should 1 become a successful businessman with flashy wheels, tailored threads and plush pad? Or should I keep struggling as Mister Funny?" Comedy won out and Sanders, a bachelor, moved to California to establish his own ghetto in Hollywood. The City o f Portland/Multnomah Although the funny business is rapidly improving for Brad, he has not yet County Area Agency on Aging is made millionaire status. He lives in a small, one-room apartment across the sponsoring Legislative tra in in g street from the Hollywood Ccmetary, still uses his thumb for transportation, workshops in four geographic areas and occasionally reverts to his “ survival k it,” a shelf stocked with the o f the City/C ounty during the mon- nutritional necessities to sustain life — bread, peanut butter, jelly, beans and o f January. Each o f these workshops rice. w ill have the legislators from that But good things are happening. Besides the Hanna-Barbera comedy special, area participating as trainers. which features him along with Batman (Adam West), Robin (Burt Ward), Senior citizens interested in atten- Retired Man (W illiam Schallert) and a number o f well-known villains, he’ s had ing should call 248-4752. several national TV breaks. He’ s doing voice-over commercials and has per The workshops w ill feature formed in a variety o f night-clubs. training as well as intense question “ Humor has no race distinction.” observes Sanders, whose night-club and answer periods which will allow audiences range from Black to white. " I f your material’s funny, it ’ s going to be Seniors direct information from elec- funny. I f it ’s not, forget it.” triptych is three paintings on one subject, and B ill’ s subject is Black W om anhood. A l Jamison is no stranger to theater. He is the founder o f the Kansas City Black Contemp orary Players and he directed the company for four years. His outburst of laughter after Deborah Hicks so apt ly reads one o f Tommy’ s lines direct ed toward Oldtimer, seems to reflect his inner thoughts; that not only are Ms. Childress’ characters alive in theater, but Deborah and Otto know a Tommy and an Oldtimer who exist in real life. Ms. Deborah H icks (T om m y) made her theater debut in the PSU Black Cultural Affairs production o f “ A Raisin In The Sun” . Ms. Hicks is a professional model. Cynthia played by Ms. Vanessa Jobe is new in Portland, from Nash ville, Tennessee. She plays the guitar, piano and is a violinist w ith the String Ensemble Quartet. Ms. Jobe studied Speech and Drama at Ten nessee State University where she appeared in “ Up the Down Stair case.” M arvin Johnson (Sonny-M an) born in Detroit, Michigan, has lived in Portland for fifteen years. He at tended G rant H igh School and studied Business Adm inistration at the University o f Oregon. He is just beginning to explore his creative talents; this is his first production. Mr. Johnson finds theater a personal chall ge. “ W ine In The W ilderness” is produced and directed by Portland actress/director, Rosemary Allen. Ms. Allen has nurtured the concept o f bringing together the Portland Black Repertory Theater since producing and directing “ Five On The Black Hand Side” at Portland State University through the Black Cultural A ffairs Board. Presenting plays o f “ Wine In The Wilderness” caliber is not new to Ms. Allen. Cold weather or not the Portland Black Repertory Theater’s presentation o f A lice C hildress’ “ W ine In The Wilderness” w ill be worth seeing. The performances w ill be present ed January 26th through February 10th at 1708 N.E. Alberta, 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday’ s at the Royal Esquire Club. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Albina Women’s League and at the door for $2, $3.50, and $5.00. Seating is lim ite d , and reservations can be made at 281-0457. JOB FINDER HELP WANTED THE PORTLAND HILTON HOTEL IS HIRING HOUSEKEEPING EMPLOYEES Will train as Room A t tendants. Must be 18 or over and available to work weekends. Short or full shifts avail able. Ideal fo r house w ife, m others and students. lLDERNEtt D IR E C T E D B V P O S E M A R Y A L L E f ^ P ... I BEEN TOO DAMN 6 E N E R 0 U S \ 7 An Equal Opportunity Employer CITY OF PORTLAND ELECTRICIAN »20.862 Paid vacation, sick leave, health and dental insur ance covers dependents too. Requires an Oregon G eneral J o u rn e y m a n Electrician's License. APPLY Portland Civil Service Board 510 S.W. Montgomery St. Portland, OR. 97201 OPEN CONTINUOUS A n Equal Opportunity Employer Extra income guaranteed stuffing envelopes. Send stamped addressed en velope fo r inform ation to: Powers Publications, Dept. PO, 1320 S.E. 158th, Portland, OR 97233. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ed o ffic ia ls and com m unity organizers on how to not only follow legislation but also how to lobby ef fectively on their own behalf. 3 Curley Massey, Sr. died at the University o f Oregon Health Sciences Center Hospital on January 7th. He was born in Point, Texas on Novem ber 27, 1912. He had lived in Portland since 1944 and retired in 1974 after eight years employment as a draftsman for the Bonneville Power Adm inistra tion. He operated a grocery business in Portland for twenty years. Survivors include his wife, Mary J. Massey, and six children — Hazel Sibley, Curley, Jr., Helen Bennett, and Jimmy L. of Portland; Joe L. o f Vancouver and Donnie o f Seattle. Also, two sisters — Ernestine Ivory o f Portland and Althea Riley o f Palm Springs, California — nineteen grandchildren, 25 great grandchild ren. The funeral was held at M t. Calvery Church o f God in Christ on January 12th, with burial at Rose City Cemetery. Colonial Mortuary officiated. Ushers meet The Union Ushers o f Portland will have a call meeting on Sunday, January 21st, 4:00 p.m. at Van couver Avenue First Baptist Church, 3138 N. Vancouver. A ll U nion Ushers are asked to please attend. HUGHES MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH REV A U S T IN V. RAY, M INISTER 111 N.E. FAILING Dial-A Prayer 284 0684 Worship 11 00 a m . Church School 9:45 a m . Office 281 2332 Specializing In Individual • M arriage and Fam ily • Group Therapy 'The C hu rch W h ara N o S tran g er Feels S trangs'* NEW HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH REVEREND A. BERNARD DEVERS, PASTOR THE CHURCH DESIGNED TO MEET YOUR NEED PRISAT UAN26** FEB IO '7 9 ROYAL ESQUIRE CLUS 1708 NE ALBERTA 0 : 3 0 P H I ‘ 2 ’3 ’ ° Ç *5 at the door A t P&M ßW H Of THEPM M r/srSPiM SEM Ci SPOHSQEE? Sr ALÙHA WüMEHÏ LEAbGE WOODLAND PARK MENTAL HEALTH CENTER 1400 S.E. Umatilla Portland, OR. 97202 234-5353 ext. 366 Equal Opportunity Employer We encourage minority applicants ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY $945 per month, 4 month tem porary position, 1 year office experience in volving coordination of multi-faceted work load. Ability to type 50 wpm accurately, a bility to record and edit meeting m inutes, w ork under pressure with minimum supervision, deal effec tively with public and co workers, knowledge of CETA helpful, m ainte nance and retrieval of files, phones. Need not be CETA eligible. Must be available for personal interview . REFER TO J O B 4 A D -3 8 . C lo se s 1/25/79, 5 pm. Resumes to M ult-W ash CETA Consortium, 806 S.W. Broadway, Suite 325, Portland, OR. 97205. A n Equal Opportunity Employer An Equal Opportunity/ Affirm ative Action Employer TRAFFIC ENGINEER Position w ith national engineering firm requires a minimum of two years experience in street de sign, signal design (solid state), master systems (solid state), and traffic studies. Experience in airport runw ay/taxiw ay design, transportatio n planning, traffic assign m ent, and im pact as sessments is desirable also. Send resumes to: S T R A A M E n ginee rs, Inc., 5505 S.E. Milwau kie Ave., Portland, OR 97202. An Equal O pportunity/ A ffirm ative Action Employer EXECUTIVE SEDAN 1977 Olds Regency. * door. Black. Every op tio n . Leather. A stro roof. A M /FM cassette Mags. Climate control All power. $7,850. 297 4507. Monday-Friday, 8- 5. //« C H U R C H ? C FRIED V . CHICKEN F SUPER BOW L S P E C IA L $1 Off w ith coupon on purchase o f a 10-piece F A M IL Y or a 15-piece SUPER F A M IL Y order. T ry our Big Pieces! Coupon offer expiree J u . 29. 1979 5721 N .E . Union Avenue 188th A S E. Stark 122nd 4 S.E. Powell I k. Obituary PORTLAND BLACK REPERTORY THEATRE „rtP » V A L IC E C H IL D R E S S DRAFTING TECHNICIAN/CIVIL Experience in prepara tion of plans for sewers, w ater systems, water and sewage treatm ent plants, and pum ping UNIT SECRETARY Full-time, evening posi stations. Excellent fringe benefits. Salary depends tion now available. Back on qualifications. Send ground in hospital resumes to: STRAAM routines and previous u n it secretary/ ward Engineers, In c., 5505 c le r k e x p e r ie n c e S.E. M ilw aukie A ve., Portland, 97202. preferred. Apply at Portland Hilton Hotel Personnel Office from 10:30 to noon weekdays, 921 S.W. 6th Ave., Portland, OR. Seniors study Legislature The North District meeting w ill be held on January 27th at the Memorial Coliseum Panel members w ill be: Representatives Jim Chrest, Howard Cherry, George Starr, and Jane Cease; and Senator Frank Roberts. Registration beings at 9:00 and the workshops run from 9:30 un til noon. REGISTERED NURSE Full-time position avail able at private psychiatric hospital for Staff Nurse on the nighi shift. Sunday School 9:30a m. Morning Worship Evening Service 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays Communion 1st Sunday W e d - Family Prayer Meeting and Bible Study Friday — Brotherhood Fellowship Service with Morning Star 3rd Sunday 10:30a.m 7:00p.m . 5:00 p.m. 7 :3 0 p m . ?:00p.m Preyer and Pastor Phon« 281 6 4 /6 Church Phons: 281-0163 3725 N Gantenbein Avenue, Portland, Oragon1 T i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i ST. ANDREWS CATHOLIC CHURCH 806 N.E. Alberta Street Reverend Bertram Griffin, Pastor 281-4429 Masses: S :00p.m . V ig il — S atu rd ay 10:00 a.m . C ho ir — Sunday 12:00p .m . Folk — S unday ST. ANDREW COMMUNITY SCHOOL ^919 W.F. 9th A VS. N o r lu K a liy , P rincipal *>Qe icon G ra d .« , thro® ^ h , P H ry r» »