WRW celebrates the 11th annual McMenamins UFO Festival with the classic sci-fi adventure serial, “The Amazing Interplanetary adventures of Flash Gordon.” A special compilation of the first four episodes of the 1935 weekly serial, which we are calling “Marooned on Planet Mongo!” will be presented at 2pm Saturday, May 15 in Mattie’s Room at McMenamins Hotel Oregon in McMinnville. The show is free.
The cast includes Scott Jamieson, Mary Thomas, James Dineen, Mark Homayoun, Carole Dane, Matthew Richards and Sam A. Mowry.
Originally aired in the spring and summer of 1935, “The Amazing Interplanetary Adventures of Flash Gordon” was a very faithful adaptation of the Alex Raymond comic strip, starring Gale Gordon as the heroic Flash, Maurice Franklin as brilliant scientist Dr. Zarkov, and Bruno Wick as evil overlord Ming the Merciless.
WRW has presented individual episodes of “Flash Gordon” at past UFO Festivals, most recently in 2007, but this is the first time the “Brave Earth man” has been at the top of the bill!
For more information about the UFO Festival, check out the McMenamins site. There’s no charge to attend “Marooned on Planet Mongo!” but if you’d like to support WRW, we will have CDs of other WRW shows available for sale before and after.
VOX: A Spoken-Word Chorus Presents Poetry Off The Page
Some of Portland’s finest actors and singers present an ingenious evening of poetry in performance. VOX, a unique spoken-word chorus, performs poetry as music. Phrased by actor and director Eric Hull, and selected with the guidance of poet and PSU professor Michele Glazer, the poems are arranged much like a musical score. The results express the natural music of the poetry through vocal performance. Download an audio sample at www.voxpdx.com .
Selections include “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas, the luscious love poem “She Walks In Beauty” by Lord Byron and “Hate Poem” by Julie Sheehan. Ursula Le Guin’s “Angel”‘ is also on the bill. There is also a medley of poems by William Stafford and Kim Stafford.
This is the third VOX performance. The chorus is building on successful productions last spring and winter. VOX audiences experience poetry in performance from a fresh, unforgettable perspective.
7:30 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, April 16 – 18 and 23 – 25
The Waterbrook Studio
2109 N. Albina #108
Portland, OR 97227
Tickets: $10 – 15 at the door
Info: www.voxpdx.com
Poets: Dylan Thomas, Gertrude Stein, Michele Glazer, William Stafford, Kim Stafford, Maya Angelou, Li-Young Lee, Lord Byron, Cornelius Eady, Omar Khayyam, and more.
Chorus: Gary Brickner-Schulz, Grant Byington, Adrienne Flagg, Theresa Koon, Sam A. Mowry, and Jamie Rea.
Poetry Arrangements: Eric Hull
Poeturge: Michele Glazer
Directions: Take N. Interstate Avenue to N. Tillamook. (Look for the “Poetry” sandwich boards.) Turn west onto the overpass. Follow Tillamook as it curves downhill. Turn right at the next street, Lewis. Turn right at the next street, Loring. You may park in the lot on the right. Enter on the corner of Loring and Albina.
VOX is funded in part by the Regional Arts & Culture Council and Work for Art.
Performance Date: Friday, April 9, 2010Time: 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Location: Splendorporium Art Gallery, 3421 SE 21st Avenue, Portland, OR
Join us for the Julians premier performance on Friday, April 9th at 8:00 p.m. at the amazing Splendorporium Gallery, 3421 …SE 21st Ave!
“East of the Sun West of the Moon” is a night of music making and story telling, combining classic fairy tales with a mash-up of vocal music. We’ll combine such tales as “The Fisher King,” “The King of Cats,” and “The Golden Key” with music by Tormis, Sondheim, Kocsar, Bjork, and Distler.
The Julians are proud to welcome Sam A. Mowry and Alyson Ayn Osborn of the Willamette Radio Workshop for this one night only performance!
Entry is a suggested $10/$8, and is available at the door. Cash only please.
Don’t miss this amazing night of performance, the first for the Julians, the fresh PDX female vocal ensemble.
Cast Members: Sam A. Mowry (King Lear); Megan Murphy (Goneril); Heather Harlan (Regan); Lauren Luiz; Tom Beckett (Kent); David T. Loftus (Albany); Atticus Mowry (Cornwall); Michael Streeter (Gloucester); Jeffrey Gilpin (Edgar); Coleton Sticka (Edmund); Peter Armetta (Fool); William Bodiford, Alex Bowman, Amanda Pred, Sara Rossi, Leif Tjaden, Barrie Wild (Ensemble)
Please note that for a small charge, Chartwells Catering will be providing a small plates buffet with wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages 45 minutes prior to curtain and at intermission for each of the performances. Come early and mingle in the comfort of our beautiful College Theatre Lobby while enjoying tasty treats and cold or warm beverage before curtain.
King Lear, old and tired, divides his kingdom among his daughters, giving great importance to their protestations of love for him. When Cordelia, youngest and most honest, refuses to idly flatter the old man in return for favor, he banishes her and turns for support to his remaining daughters. But Goneril and Regan have no love for him and instead plot to take all his power from him. In a parallel, Lear’s loyal courtier Gloucester favors his illegitimate son Edmund after being told lies about his faithful son Edgar. Madness and tragedy befall both ill-starred fathers.
Come join the Willamette Radio Workshop as we make another journey to Middle-earth with “The Hobbit’s Greatest Hits,” our one-of-a-kind adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkien classic. We start at the beginning and end at the end, but a lucky draw from the hat will take us to “The Trouble with Wargs,” “Roast Mutton,” meeting the “Trolls, Goblins and Riddles in the Dark,” or any number of other mysterious destinations in Middle Earth.
The performance is set for 2pm Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the McMenamins Kennedy School, part of the annual J.R.R. Tolkien Birthday Celebration. The performance is absolutely free, but remember: when you come to Middle-earth, you too may be called into service! Audience participation includes the battle of the Five Armies and a costume contest judged by you, the audience. Prizes will be awarded. What more could you ask for?
The Willamette Radio Workshop is proud to present the 7th annual Halloween audio theater extravaganza at McMenamins Kennedy School on Saturday, October 31st at 4 and 6 pm. This year’s presentation is an original compilation of stories based on “The St. James Infirmary Blues”, featuring live music and foley, and streaming in real time on the internet. “Tales from St. James Infirmary” is a cross between ER, The X Files and EC Comics, featuring stories of zombies, lost loves, murder and revenge – in other words the perfect Halloween confection. You’ll never be unsatisfied with your HMO again.
There will be two programs with eleven stories split between the two. Here’s the schedule so you won’t miss a thing. All shows are free and open to everyone (who has the guts, that is).
First Show 4pm in the Kennedy School Gymnasium:
“St James Sisters” by Cynthia J. McGean. A Civil war tale of Old Man St. James and his seven daughters. Angels of mercy? Well, that’s what they say.
“Old Doc Haggard” by David Ian. The old gang is looking for something to do. Too bad they stumble upon the old, burned out infirmary. Nothing could live in there. Could it?
“Room 413” our first story from William S. Gregory. Join four nurses as they work the graveyard shift. Something bad needs attention in room 413.
“Raising Dan” by William E. Gregory. When you play poker in the bowels of St. James, you’d better be ready to bet your life on it.
“Case Study” 720 by Bryan Mackey. A disturbing case awaits Dr. Seward at the original St. James Infirmary in the White Chapel section of London. What could happen here? We visit an old friend in a new setting.
Second Show at 6pm in the Kennedy School Gymnasium:
“Delicious” by William S. Gregory. Script voted most terrifying by our dramaturge. Sam just thinks it’s a nice chat with an old friend. See who’s right.
“The Reason Why” another by William S. Gregory. Science, fame and fortune are all examined in one moment in time. Have you had your 15 minutes yet?
“The Real McCoy” by Angela McKennie. A jazz aged, snappy patter, fun house ride of love, double crossing and the St. James Infirmary. Somebody gets a happy ending.
“No Shelter” by Afterhell’s own Joe Medina. Raoul loves Jenny; he’d never do anything to hurt her. Well, Jenny might argue the point. If she could.
“The System” by Jan Bear. Every guy has a system. Some work better than others. Some work too well.
“Tesla” by Sam Spackman. Where is Jonathan? Who are those men in black? Questions will be the death of you. Haven’t you learned anything?
CAST AND CREW FOR THE HALLOWEEN SHOW
Tim McKennie, Lindsae Klein, Alyson Osborn, James Dineen, Mark Homayoun, David Loftus, Bryan Mackey, Sarah Rea and Mary Thomas.
Sam A. Mowry is the producer and director.
Cynthia J. McGean is our Dramaturge.
Marty Gallagher- Sound Co-ordinator/Auto harp, David Ian- Foley, Dino de AElfweald- Foley, Randall Howington- Grip/Foley, Lori Day-Reynolds-Mix, Marc Rose- Sound Special Effects and Abelton.
Galen Huckins- Musical Director/Composer. Megafauna and the Classic Revolution are the musicians.
Jeff Hylton-Simmonds- Streaming Mix for Radio 23. Listen in at:
Writers for the full recorded “Tales from the St. James Infirmary” (featuring additional stories) include: Jan Bear, Sandra De Helen, Fred Greenhalgh, William E. Gregory, William S. Gregory, David Ian, Craig Kenworthy, Bryan Mackey, Cynthia McGean, Angela McKennie, Joe Medina, Rolf Semprebon and Sam Spackman. Watch for the full collection of Tales next Halloween on a radio station near you.
Special thanks to Jamie Lawson and Joe Medina/Afterhell, Dry Smoke and Whispers, Jerrel McQuen, Claudine Hemminway, Tapestry Theater and Judy Straasland, West Hills Covenant Church, Filmusik, Classical Revolution, Joanne Gallagher and all our families and friends who make this possible. That means you, you listening audience!
In the summer of 2005, the Willamette Radio Workshop appeared on the OPB Radio program “LiveWire,” performing “The Island of Dr. Moreau.” This is a seven-minute adaptation of the final chapter, written by Cynthia J. McGean and performed by Tim McKennie, Greg Alexander, David Ian, Marty Gallagher, Marc Rose, Atticus Mowry, Robert Kowal and Sam A. Mowry. Posted with permission from “LiveWire.”
“Bats in the Belfry: A Hair-Raising Fund-Raiser” is a Halloween-themed variety show at The Old Church on Sunday, October 25, at 3:00 p.m. Proceeds will benefit The Old Church attic to provide safer access and upgrades for better stage lighting and improved insulation/ventilation. Don your costume and bring the family for treats, wine, cider, door prizes, and a chance to win a professionally carved pumpkin.
The fun includes music from pianists Michael Allen Harrison and Susan DeWitt Smith, organist Tom Curry, and violinist Ron Blessinger, Director of Third Angle. PSU’s Student Opera Club will perform excerpts from “Maelstrom, A Zombie Opera”.
The Willamette Radio Workshop is happy to be able to add to the festivities by presenting William S. Gregory’s “Room 413,” especially commissioned for WRW’s Halloween show “Tales From St. James Infirmary.”
The cast includes Mary Thomas, Sarah Rea, Lindsae Klein, David Ian, Martin John Gallagher, Dino de AElfweald and Sam A. Mowry.
Advance tickets are $12.50 (adults), $5 (youth 6-17 years), and free (children 0-5 years) from www.PDXtix.net/oldchurch or 503-205-0715; tickets at the door are $17 (adults), $5 (youth 6-17 years), and free (children 0-5 years).
The unofficial “Audio Theater Month” begins with a preview of Willamette Radio Workshop’s Halloween spectacular, “Tales From St. James Infirmary.” A special sampler of four of these original stories will be presented this Friday evening, Oct 2nd, as part of the “mediartZ: Art as Experiential, Art as Participatory, Art as Electronic” Kick Off Party @ North Bank Artists Gallery (http://www.northbankartistsgallery.com/), 1005 Main St., in downtown Vancouver. This event is free and open to the public.
Willamette Radio Workshop will be doing these Halloween themed audio drama presentations starting at 6pm and then periodically during the evening.
All original stories from a collection of national and local radio dramatists are loosely based around the Jazz classic “St. James Infirmary Blues”. Friday evening’s plays will include “The Legend Of Old Doc Haggard” by David Ian, “In This Cornered” by Craig Kenworthy, “Leaving You is Hell” by Frederick Greenhalgh and “The Reason Why” by William S. Gregory.
The performance will include live Foley Sound Effects by David Ian and Dino de AElfweald Music and Ableton by Martin John Gallagher and Special Effect SFX by Marc Rose.
Our cast includes Mark Loring, Keith Cable, James Dineen, Bill Barry, Bryan Mackey, Mark Homayoun, Lindsae Klein, Sybil Johnson, Mary Thomas and is directed by Sam A. Mowry.
More “Tales From St. James Infirmary will be presented Halloween night at McMenamins Kennedy School at 4 and 6pm.
The Filmusik presentation of another 1950s sci-fi B-movie, “Missile to the Moon,” with voices by the Willamette Radio Workshop, is tonight and Friday, June 3 and 5, at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland. Don’t miss it!
WRW celebrates the 11th annual McMenamins UFO Festival with the classic sci-fi adventure serial, “The Amazing Interplanetary adventures of Flash Gordon.” A special compilation of the first four episodes of the 1935 weekly serial, which we are calling “Marooned on Planet Mongo!” will be presented at 2pm Saturday, May 15 in Mattie’s Room at McMenamins Hotel Oregon in McMinnville. The show is free.
The unofficial “Audio Theater Month” begins with a preview of Willamette Radio Workshop’s Halloween spectacular, “Tales From St. James Infirmary.” A special sampler of four of these original stories will be presented this Friday evening, Oct 2nd, as part of the “mediartZ: Art as Experiential, Art as Participatory, Art as Electronic” Kick Off Party @ North Bank Artists Gallery (