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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 2016)
ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, February 20, 2016 MOVIE REVIEW East Oregonian Page 3C PENDLETON Community theater stages ‘Eleemosynary’ Play probes relationships of three generations of women East Oregonian Rafy/A24 via AP This photo shows Anya Taylor-Joy as Thomasin in a scene from “The Witch.” ‘The Witch’ a haunting prequel to Salem trials ۻۻۻۼ R, 92 minutes (AP) — Set under gray Puritan skies in a deathly autumn, “The Witch” is a slow-burning 1600s horror thriller so bone-dry it would only take a match for the whole movie to go up in Àames. “A New England folktale” is how the opening titles describe writer-director Robert Eggers’ impressively rigorous feature debut. The ¿lm doesn’t just take place in early 17th century America, but it has effectively summoned the nightmares and superstitions of the era, much of which Eggers faithfully reproduced from various historical sources. The subject here is less witches as some supernatural fright than the Puritan psychology that dreamed them. Do not expect broomsticks. A family, led by a prideful patriarch, William (Ralph Ineson, terri¿c), is banished from the plantation after his stubborn refusal to accept common law as above his own, superior piety. “I would be glad of it,” he seethes when threatened with expulsion. Our images of the settlement are Àeeting. The eldest of the ¿ve children, Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy, in a breakout performance) peers backward as the wooden gates close behind them as they ride out. The picture is drained of color and the score (by Mark Korven) is eerie and discordant: trouble waits outside the gates. After setting up a scrappy existence in the wilderness, misfortunes mount. The crops die and when Thomasin takes the newborn out near the forest, the child vanishes. That night, after frantic searching, an image Àickers of a witch-like ¿gure Àoating toward a full moon. A spell of mysterious source seems to have settled over the family that spookily manifests in various farm animals: a rabbit in the woods, a bloody chick in an egg. Eventually, a goat and a crow get in on the act. A suitably creepy set of toddler twins is here, too. As things get steadily worse and demons seem literally at the door, the faith of the family is tested. Suspicions begin falling on Thomasin, a fair, pale-white girl whose growth into womanhood is drawing the curious gaze of her younger brother, Caleb (Harvey Scrimshaw). Could she be a witch? The spell is cast over the viewer, too, as the authentically resurrected world of “The Witch” transports to a time of suffocating fear, born out of a harsh new land and hardened religious fervor. Taking place decades before the Salem witch trials, “The Witch” is a kind of horror chamber piece, a stripped-bare prequel to the forces that propel Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter.” The characters speak in the formal diction of the period — lots of “thees” and such. It’s a kind of time travel, for those looking for a far grimmer trip to colonial America than New England tourist attractions afford. It is, to say the least, not a barrel of laughs. But what makes “The Witch” more than a mere museum reclamation project is Taylor-Joy. The movie is in many ways seen through Thomasin, who stands apart from her devoted family. Wide-eyed and rebellious, she more resembles a girl of today. Whether she is, in fact, a witch remains in suspense. But we witness how Puritan paranoia and misogyny turns a pretty young woman like Thomasin into a fearsome seductress in the eyes of her family. When the combustible “The Witch” ¿nally lets itself ablaze, the brutal and surprisingly sober ¿nale is also — and more thrillingly — Thomasin’s awakening. Drawn by the lure to break free of her upbringing, to “live deliciously,” she turns out to be something scarier than the Puritans could fathom: a teenager. Described by the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Dispatch as “funny, perceptive, and eloquently written,” “Eleemosynary” will be staged by the College Community Theatre. The play jumps back and forth in time and space, memory and emotion, to examine the lives of three generations of exceptional women. “Each character is in a quest for love, ful¿llment, and, ultimately, forgiveness and understanding,” said Craig McIntosh, College Community Theatre artistic director. A Pay-What-You-Can preview night is Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Bob Clapp Theatre, located in Pioneer Hall at Blue Mountain Community College, Pendleton. Subsequent performances are Feb. 26-27 and March 3-5 at 7:30 p.m. and matinée shows are Feb. 28 and March 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets Photo contributed by Debbie McIntosh Chris Ferguson, Katie Scruggs and Vanessa Hawkins will take the stage in the College Community Theatre production of “Eleemosynary.” It opens with a Pay-What-You-Can Preview Night Thursday, Feb. 25 in the Bob Clapp Theatre at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton. for regular performances are $10 for adults and $5 for students. The show contains some mature language and isn’t really suitable for young children. The box of¿ce phone number is 541-278-5953. In addition, tickets will be available at the door. Dorothea Westbrook, played by Chris Ferguson, is a self-declared eccentric. Her daughter, Artie, portrayed by Vanessa Hawkins, is a brilliant research scholar with total recall. And her daughter, Echo, played by Katie Scruggs, has been raised mostly by her unorthodox grandmother and is the reigning national spelling bee champion. “Playwright Lee Blessing maneuvers these remarkable and complicated women through personal, emotional, and societal land mines with both humor and compassion,” McIntosh said. Others involved with the production include Osa Jubilee Forrester as stage manager, Josh King as production manager and Gary Burnett and Don Pinkerton are lead carpenters, with additional set construction and decoration by Elizabeth Olsen, Cody Pedroza and Christian Quinlin. Also, Gary Ferguson is lighting designer, Matt Henry is light board operator, Judy Moore is box of¿ce manager and house managers are Doreen Matteson and Gary Burnett. “Eleemosynary” replaces the previously scheduled musical “Hello Dolly.” Season ticket holders will use “Hello Dolly” tickets for this production. For more information, contact McIntosh at 541-278-5928 or cct@ bluecc.edu. WHAT TO DO Festivals Eastern Oregon Bridal Show Sunday, Feb. 21; noon-4 p.m. Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Highway 395 www.eobridalshow.com $7/door, $5/advance, addi- tional discounts for brides who buy tickets in advance. Offers one-stop wedding planning. Wedding fashion show at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Oregon Back- country Festival Friday, Feb. 26; 7 p.m. Art Center East, 1006 Penn Ave., La Grande Feb. 27-28; all day Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort www.eou.edu/outdoor/east- ern-oregon-backcountry-festi- val-2016 Donations accepted. The festival kicks off with a showing of the Winter Wildlands Film Festival. Local food and beer are available for purchase and WKHUH¶V D UDIÀH DQG VLOHQW DXF- tion. The party moves to Antho- ny Lakes on Saturday with an uphill/downhill race, clinics and live music by the Wasteland Kings in the Starbottle Saloon. Sunday features self-organized tours of Anthony Lakes back- FRXQWU\ 7KH IHVWLYDO EHQH¿WV the Wallowa Avalanche Center. Lift ticket and equipment rental discounts are available for Sat- urday and Sunday activities. Beerex Fest Saturday, Feb. 27; noon-7 p.m. Nookies/Hermiston Brew- ing Co., 125 N. First St., Herm- iston w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / events/207152289629450 $10/advance, $15/at the door, $25/couple. Features 15+ breweries, live music and smoked food specials. 21 and older. Art & Museums ArtWORKz 2016 Monday-Saturdays, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tamástslikt Cultural Insti- tute, near Wildhorse Resort & Casino. www.tamastslikt.org Free reception, regular ad- mission is $10/adults, $9/se- nior citizens, $6/youths, free/5 and under or $25/family of four. Youth art show and competition features original artwork from area youths. Runs through Feb. 27. In The Footsteps of Charles Heaney Tuesday-Fridays, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. www.pendletonarts.org Free. Exhibit features the work of Tom Prochaska and Christy Wyckoff, who created sketches and prints based on the travels of Oregon land- scape artist Charles Heaney (1897-1981). Also, in the Lo- renzen Board Room is an ex- hibit by Pendleton artist Andrew Sykes. Runs through end of February. Heritage Station Muse- um Tuesday-Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 108 S.W. Frazer Ave., Pendleton www.heritagestationmuse- um.org $5/adults, $2/student, $4/ seniors, $10/family. SAGE Center Monday-Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 101 Olson Road, Board- man www.visitsage.com $5/adults, $3/students, se- niors, free/under 5. An interac- tive visitor center highlighting sustainable agriculture and energy. On-site store features local art, jewelry, food, wine and gifts. Music Inland Northwest Or- chestra Saturday, Feb. 20; 4 p.m. Enterprise High School, 201 S.E. Fourth St. Sunday, Feb. 21; 4 p.m. Hermiston High School, 600 S. First St. www.inlandnorthwestmusi- cians.com Free, but donations accept- ed. Features Tchaikovshy’s “Ro- meo and Juliet,.” Based on the Shakespeare play, it’s designed like a symphonic poem in sona- ta form. Program also includes Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 Op. 107 - “Reformation.” His Little Feet Saturday, Feb. 20; 6 p.m. Armand Larive Middle School, 1497 S.W. Ninth St., Hermiston. www.hislittlefeet.org Free, but love offering taken. Faith-based program features orphaned and rescued children ages 6-13 from several coun- tries, including India, Ethiopia and Haiti. Rock-Bot Karaoke Saturday, Feb. 20, 9 p.m. No cover Wildhorse Sports Bar at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off Highway 331, Mission. Fun Addicts Friday, Feb. 26; Saturday, Feb. 27, 9 p.m. No cover Wildhorse Sports Bar at Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off Highway 331, Mission. Oregon Mandolin Or- chestra Saturday, Feb. 27; 7:30 p.m. Vert Auditorium, 480 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton www.oregoneastsymphony. org $20/adults, $15/students, seniors, $45/family. Presented by the Oregon East Symphony, the Portland-based ensemble will perform some numbers with symphony members. Small Souls Monday, March 21; 7 p.m. All ages. No cover. *UHDW 3DFL¿F :LQH &RI- fee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pend- leton There is No Mountain Thursday, March 24; 7 p.m. All ages. No cover. *UHDW 3DFL¿F :LQH &RI- fee Co., 403 S. Main St., Pend- leton premium seats. 21-and-over show features Joey from the hit ABC series “Full House.” Dave Coulier also is known for his voice-over talent, includ- ing many Saturday morning cartoon favorites. No-host bar available. DJ music Saturdays, 8 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Sunday Fundays Sundays; 4 p.m. Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla No cover. Food/drink spe- cials available. Whiskey Wednesday Game Night Wednesdays; 3-7 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston No cover. Drink specials and games, including Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo 64. RocKaraoke Third Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off Highway 331, Mission. No cover. Live band kara- oke the third Wednesday of each month through December. Thursday Night Comedy Thursdays, 8 p.m. Wildhorse Sports Bar, Wildhorse Resort & Casino, off Highway 331, Mission. Fridays 8 p.m. (9 p.m. if game on) Riverside Sports Bar, 1501 Sixth St., Umatilla DJ and dancing Fridays, 8 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Stage & film “My Fair Lady” Feb. 20, 26-27, March 4-5, 11-12; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20, 27, March 5, 12; 2:30 p.m. Elgin Opera House, 104 N. Eighth St. w w w. e l g i n o p e r a h o u s e . com Reserved $17/$8. The Broadway musical hit set in London in 1912 features the transformation of Eliza Doo- little into an upper class lady. “Eleemosynary” Feb. 25-27, March 3-5; 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28, March 6; 2 p.m. Bob Clapp Theatre, BMCC, 2411 N.W. Carden Ave., Pendleton Feb. 25 is pay-what-you-can preview night; other performanc- es, $10/adults, $5/students. College Community Theatre production of Lee Blessing that probes multi-generational rela- tionships. Mac’s Trivia Night Thursdays, 8 p.m. No cov- er Mac’s Bar & Grill, 1400 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton 21 and older. East. Drink. Think. Teams of 2-8 compete in trivia contest with other teams. Live host and prizes. Series runs through Feb. 25. Digital Karaoke Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m. The Pheasant, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston Wine tasting Night life Fridays, 4-8 p.m. Sno Road Winery, 111 W. Main St., Echo. Dave Coulier Open Mic Thursday, March 10; 7 p.m. Wildhorse Rivers Event Center, off Highway 331, Mis- sion. www.wildhorse.com $19/general seating, $29/ Karaoke First/third Friday each month, 8 p.m.-midnight The Packard Tavern, 118 S.E. Court Ave., Pendleton www.facebook.com/groups/ pendletonopenmic Hot tickets Toby Mac. March 15, Toy- ota Center, Kennewick. Tick- ets ($26-69.50) available via www.ticketmaster.com Joseph and the Amaz- ing Technicolor Dreamcoat. May 10, Windermere Theater, Kennewick. Tickets ($47-67) available via www.ticketmas- ter.com Hunter Hayes. Aug. 26, Benton-Franklin Fair, Pasco. Also Salt N Pepa (Aug. 23). Tickets ($15) available via Kennewick Ranch & Home or www.bentonfranklinfair.com ——— Want to get your event list- ed in our calendar? Send in- formation to tmalgesini@eas- toregonian.com, or c/o Tammy Malgesini, 333 E. Main Street, Hermiston, OR, 97838. BRIEFLY Oregon Mandolin Orchestra performs Feb. 27 PENDLETON — The Oregon East Symphony presents the Oregon Mandolin Orchestra, a Portland-based group of about 30 members. The concert, which is in memory of Mary Brown, is Saturday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Vert Auditorium, 480 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students or seniors and $45 for a family. They are available at the symphony of¿ce, Armchair Books or at the door. The Oregon Mandolin Orchestra was founded by Elizabeth and Brian Oberlin in an effort to revive the beauty and popularity of the traditional mandolin orchestra. The ensemble includes mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos and double basses. With the emergence of folk music, the mandolin regained popularity, and mandolin orchestras are popular in many U.S. cities. Their presence abroad, which never waned, also continues to grow. The music for mandolin orchestras ranges from classical to swing to jazz and everything in between. In addition to its program, the Oregon Mandolin Orchestra will perform a selection of collaborative pieces with members of the Oregon East Symphony. For more information, call 541-276-0320 or visit www.oregoneastsymphony.org. ‘Full House’ star to entertain at Wildhorse MISSION — Known best for his role as Joey from the hit ABC series “Full House,” Dave Coulier will perform at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. As part of its 21st anniversary celebration, Coulier will perform stand-up comedy Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m. at the resort, which is located off Highway 331, Mission. Contributed photo The Oregon Mandolin Orchestra directed by Brian Oberlin, front center, will perform Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Vert Auditorium in Pendleton. The 21-and-older show includes a no-host bar. Tickets are $19 for general seating or $29 for premium seats. They can be purchased at the casino’s gift shop or at www.wildhorseresort.com. Also known for his voice-over talent, Coulier’s additional credits include many Saturday morning cartoon favorites. He began by doing voices on Hanna-Barbera’s “Scooby Coulier Doo” and has lent his voice in others including the re-syndicated version of “The Jetsons” and “The Muppet Babies.” Following the success of “Full House,” Coulier hosted “America’s Funniest People,” ABC’s “World’s Funniest Videos” and his own series, “Out of Control for Nickelodeon.” Recently, Coulier guest starred on “How I Met Your Mother” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” The show will kick off a weekend of anniversary events at the resort, including the popular ¿reworks show. The sky will ignite with color Saturday, March 12 at 8 p.m. A special musical medley choreographed with the ¿reworks will blast from huge speakers or people can listen from a car radio by tuning to Umatilla Tribal radio KCUW, 104.3 FM. For more information, contact Tiah DeGrofft, Wildhorse community relations, at 541-966-1628, tiah. degrofft@wildhorseresort.com or visit www. wildhorseresort.com. ——— Submit information to: community@ eastoregonian.com or drop off to the attention of Tammy Malgesini at 333 E. Main St., Herm- iston or Renee Struthers at 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton. Call 541-564-4539 or 541-966- 0818 with questions.
