I see a lot of performances but last month was my first visit here. The Juliet Letters was…read moreperformed by PDX Opera and Papermoon Opera. I very much enjoyed the space and the staff were incredible especially since I went through it to get there. I left WAY early knowing rain + cars bad. The disclaimer here is that Google is now corrected because I reached out to Artists Repertory Theatre when I discovered the issue and they got Google to correct it. I had never been to the venue before but knew about where it was and I am downtown several times a week in different areas. I've lived here forever and also traffic gets weird off 405 so it is not uncommon to be tossed onto offramps when an accident or something happens. I was using Waze.. address saying 1515 SW Morrison. Coming from Beaverton, I am almost to the tunnel when the freeway STOPS and GPS adds a LOT of minutes. While stopped in the far left lane waiting for traffic to move, I had my window down for a spot of fresh air. A car HITS a pocket of water rolling down the other side of the freeway and my car gets a tidal wave of gray water. So I was VERY awake and DRENCHED... The second I am through the tunnel, FINALLY, there is no traffic. I was pretty annoyed since the horrific traffic ate a half hour and I was now going to be barely in time. I was so hyper focused on getting there that I was not really registering that I was in NW, not SW. I pull up to the Armory. I was so pissed at myself. I was JUST at the Armory for a Portland Center Stage show and thought I must have absent minded typed The Armory into Waze. But Waze was genuinely saying I was at 1515 SW Morrison. FYI - Someone had 'tagged' Artists Repertory Theatre in a photo they too of a fundraiser for Artists Repertory Theatre, held at The Armory resulting in Google having Artists Repertory Theatre IN The Armory. I had to manually enter the address and am doing that AT start time for the opera. I was having an anxiety attack and thinking about just going home but NO, DAMN IT I WILL MAKE IT. I will be late but I did not just go through this for nothing. And I genuinely was excited to see this venue I had never seen. I am so grateful I stuck it out though my adventure was not over yet! Driving the blocks from NW to SW, I was green lights all the way. BUT people randomly would just walk in front of me for zero reasons. Then a Max train genuinely just drifted slowly straight in front of my car when I was green light and they were not... my 5 minutes turned to 10 minutes... But I see an empty parking spot out front which is so great since I am ADA and walk with a cane but see no ADA spots. Everything is covered in wet fall leaves which can be a bit scary for my walking. As I pulled up, the space in front is just being taken. I parked around the corner, in front of a bar next to a truck that pared like they pregamed before hitting the bar. While getting out of the car, in sideways rain with zero light on that street (hysterically there was a light that was on when I came out after the performance but when I arrived it was pitch black) I see a perfect banana peel right where I would step to stand up getting out of my car?? And who says the universe does not have a sense of humor?!? I arrived and security came at me like I was dying because I probably looked like I was! Everyone was AMAZING. The lovely person with the will call list found me so easily and they tucked me right in like a mysterious diplomat with a folding cane who clearly walked into a lake and fought ninjas to get there. I, again, am ADA and try to just tuck in away from people at an end seat. There were five seats marked reserved for us ADA folks (the kind people from the venue had told me the whats what when I got my ticket) and they were all empty. As it was, right before I popped in to rush to my seat, they were apologizing to me that it had already started. I was shocked as I was mortified I was so late! I did make note of the great bar area with some tables and chairs to the right of the performance area for people to be social before and after with vendors selling wares. As I am taking a seat, I see an end one in the very front which I sit behind as the person seated directly to its right left a napkin with something...on it... that looked like chewed food. I was a bit distracted the whole show by that napkin because ewww. When the show ended, I took my program and political sign I was handed during the show as part of the show to get a photo. I chatted with an usher about the opera while I was taking my pictures and I was VERY surprised when I noticed the genuine blood stains on the wood floor next to me. Innocent probably but also MAYBE MURDER (had to).

Seats on the first floor theater are incredibly uncomfortable - they're basically foldup chairs…read morewith a cushion. The show was good minus the loud sneeze I had just as the actor was about to start their monologue :p My apologies to the audience!

One of the hardest things about being mobility challenged is accessibility to just about anything…read morereally. I was so active and and I try to continue to be as much as I can. I have a tissue disorder so I need ADA seating and thankfully I was able to relearn to walk and I'm not paralyzed but my body also causes my funds to be limited. With that said, I completely understand that companies want to sell as many tickets at full price as they can before allowing Arts for All patrons. I just wish they would have this disclosed on the Arts for All site or that they only offer Arts for All as a rush situation the night of the event. Triangle Productions says to contact the box office for AFA tickets so I left several messages for Triangle Productions with no call back for weeks. Now the production is a month away so I figured I'd try email. I had to hunt down their email because their website just has a phone number. A few hours later I received a curt reply that they're too busy to deal with phone calls and that they only allow AFA tickets day of the show. They were only able to give me ADA seating if it was for a regular ticket. It's shocking and sad to receive such an uncomfortable reply like this especially reading their mission statement. I didn't ask to be disabled and unfortunately my disability affects my available funds. I want to support the Arts still and wish I could monetarily. I was just at a show last night and the choreographer's thank you speech moved me stating thank you for including yourself in this experience with us... my friend and I, upon leaving discussed how much this really affected us. I'm so grateful I was gifted that inclusive message last night because it made this intensely oppositional message a bit easier to bear. I might mention that that company reserved space for us weeks ago and all of their shows are sold out for their run as well.

What a wonderful experience in watching Margie Boule starring as Eleanor. She delivered a first…read moreclass performance. The story of Eleanor's life was woven together very well. I knew very little about her life. Fascinating. The reason for the low rating is due to the lack of microphones as well as speakers. Sitting five rows from the stage in the center and clould not hear Ms Boule most of the time except when she stood down stage.

All around win for me…read more Tyler, the director of Post5 has made a sound effort to create a company and space that are an alternative to the standard Shakespeare theatre world. They started with a dream of something different and they have achieved something grand! Some of the plays hit home in their own ways but more and more they all are reaching something tangible in your emotional response. The first of last summer was fun and a bit heavier whilst this last one, "comedy of errors" was a light and cheering story true to the original but taking all of those things we love and hate about our city to laugh at together. It was pure genius. So proud to be connected to that world and support it! The space is warm in the summer so bring something to fan yourself with. They provide ice cold water bottles at times and apologetic smiles for the heat but the shows are well worth the small suffering. It's a charming quirky church anex that not only allows such tomfoolery as shakespeare but even a drag show after our first experience! The lovely Isis or Chip depending on his role is absolute brilliance in any role they cast him for. And thus far 2016 has proven to produce some amazing works already! Support this local troop and venue! go Post5!

Awesome, these guys (and gals) are just awesome!…read more I went here to see a play that a buddy of mine suggested and I was not disappointed. It was like watching a movie, but real life, up close and personal. The stage props, lighting, and sound all come together nicely with the terrific acting to give you a very dramatic and emotional experience. There were moments that put me into deep thought and anticipation, then moments later I was laughing my ass off! Very well done. They also serve food and beverages and have a full bar to take advantage of. They have intermissions so you can go back for more if needed. I will definitely be back to watch another one. I'd recommend taking family or friends, or even a date for a fun-filled, entertaining night!

I attended a performance last night of "Notes From the Field". It was my first time at this venue…read moreand I was impressed with every aspect of the venue and the play. Seats were comfortable and you could see the stage from every seat.. The sound system was perfect and oh my gosh, the performance was outstanding. This is a one person play, and Ramona Lisa Alexander was amazing. I was literally on the edge of my seat throughout the entire performance, and it brought tears, laughter and a much greater knowledge of the black experience. I will be coming here often if this is a reflection of what happens in this space! Bravo Portland Playhouse and everyone involved in this production!!

Wonderful actors and great facility! Actors were talented and you could tell they were enjoying…read morethemselves. Highly recommend! We saw Christmas Carol and it was the highlight of the season!

Back Fence PDX is without a doubt my favorite way to spend an evening in PDX…read more If you're a fan of The Moth, This American Life, Snap Judgement or anything in this vein, this is an absolute no brainer. Stop reading - buy your tickets.The performers that Back Fence procures are nothing short of masters of the craft. It's not all laughs although there is a lot of that. Most of the time my face hurts from smiling so much when I'm walking out the door. Stories run the gambit from lighthearted, embarrassing, heartbreaking, crazy, you name it! I am always impressed by how raw and authentic the performers are in a room full of strangers. It's refreshing to see and always leaves me thoughtful for days afterward. I have been to four Back Fence shows at this point. This last weekend I had tickets to the first night and immediately bought tickets to the following night - I just couldn't stand the thought of missing out on a new set of story tellers! I especially like the "Russian Roulette" nights which they have been having regularly. During these shows performers spin a wheel to select a topic and are given 5 mins to come up with the story. There are more rules but you get the gist. It's a testament to these artists that within 5 minutes they are able to construct compelling, beautiful stories. I love this particular format for the spontaneity. I am not a fan of things being over rehearsed and it's not even an option in the case. I have been to the Russian Roulette night twice - each time I have been blown away by the story tellers. Tickets will run you from $10-$20 and believe me when I tell you it's worth every penny. It's a steal even! ! But if your reading this Back Fence don't raise ticket prices because I still want to come - to each and every show. Events will sell out so leave you lackadaisical portlandness behind for a second and get tickets before hand or you'll be out of luck. If you're a fan of storytelling or just looking for a unique and fun way to spend an evening, this is it.

So sad to have to leave this update. I love Back Fence PDX as a general rule. However. sadly, I…read moregive up and will not be attending for awhile until they get things worked out in terms of volume of music in between performers and also get the microphone situation worked out. I complained about this in my first review. Someone contacted me and let me know that the music volume situation would be fixed so that people could have coherent conversations when performers were not on stage. The situation has not been fixed. If anything, the music was louder, and I just could not have any conversation with my friends. I don't understand this, particularly since this event is supposedly about the art of human conversation and story telling. Also to add insult to injury, the volume in terms of the microphone was such that the emcees would speak into the microphone and literally cause at least me to jump and startle at the volume. Turn down the volume of the damn music significantly, as in a lot, and get the microphones fixed and I will return. Until then, I am officially ducking out of the event.

I saw a play here earlier this month (Marsha, done by the North End Players). They are an excellent…read moregroup of performers. The play was very well done. I was blown away, as I Had other expectations when I'd heard that this was an all volunteer group. The venue is a little discouraging, but I seriously recommend overlooking it because the play will be well worth it. It is in a church basement (reminiscent of the one your grandma probably used to play bingo in) and is set up with card tables that have plastic flowery table covers on them. Popcorn and drinks/snacks were available for very little cost.

Outstanding theater company in SE Portland…read more Most recently, we had the pleasure of seeing 21ten's production of "The Other Place," a thoroughly engaging and heartbreaking drama about a brilliant female scientist and her emerging understanding of her past. The show featured a dynamic local actress, Diane Kondrat, in the lead role. Quite a performance! The play was so memorable that several audience members returned for a second performance and brought their family and friends. The house is comfortably small and intimate, with excellent sight lines and inventive lighting and sound. 21ten's productions are well worth the ticket price. Truly quality theater in Portland.

I'm so happy to see new life breathed into this Portland classic. Theater is such a magical way to…read morebring people together, and we need it now more than ever.

The fire throwing was incredible to watch. So glad I happened upon this. Very talented artists and…read moregreat music.

I am so happy I found JaJa Circus! It is my ideal aerial gym: lots of space, height, big windows…read morewith lots of light, and tons of apparatuses! They have plenty of room for acrobatics, handstands, floor work, etc. The ceiling height is wonderful: 26' ceilings. They have lots of aerial classes and private lesson availability: silks, trapeze, corde lisse, straps, sling, lyra, and some custom apparatuses as well. The founders are veteran circus performers with decades of experience in Cirque du Soleil and Le Rêve, among others. I trust their industry expertise, knowledge, and connections. So happy to be training here!