The first review of this wonderful and fun production should be out soon – if you want to share your opinions, send us a comment or three!

Here's a photo of the entire cast on opening night. See you at the theatre!!

A special thanks goes out to Matt Williams at Straight Line Design and Remodeling LLC (503-616-8592) for the wonderful set. We love it!

If you find a review we don't have listed, just let us know, and we'll add the link as soon as possible. Enjoy!

We are also delighted to get a shout out on Oregon Live today! See what is being said about HART and yet another reason to support the Arts in our community.

Have you found an interesting article or review of HART? Let us know, and we'll add it to our News & Events page.

• Josh Belville
• Anthony Gray Finocchiaro
• Michael Hoeft
• Ellen Margolis
• Kurt Miser, Brad Beaver, & Russ Cowan (musical)
• Sally SunBear

Check back to see which of the multitude of the talented Hillsboro area actors will be reading (and singing) from these scripts. Updates will be posted here first!

This is it, your chance to help shape a new show. If we're lucky and you love them, we may even end up performing some of these original pieces in their entirety at some future date. OK, there is a bit more to it than that, but you can let us know which ones you like, love, hate, or whatever emotion the scenes pull out of you. And when these shows go on to great things, you can tell everyone that you were there the first time those words were read to the public…

See you there!

We are most appreciative!

Be sure to make your reservation soon! We'll see you there!

On Saturday, October 20th, HART Theatre is presenting a Playwright’s Showcase, taking a unique look at the creative process which takes a playwright’s work from page to stage with readings from previously unproduced plays or works in progress.

We are asking local playwrights to submit scenes no longer than 15 minutes and the best of these will be chosen to present as staged readings in an evening that encourages a dialogue between playwright and audience members.

Please send scenes electronically to ginaw@hart-theatre.org with the subject “Playwright’s Showcase”. Include a short summary of the play and your contact phone number. The deadline to submit material is Monday, September 24th. We will let you know whether your scene has been chosen by the end of that week.

On Saturday, October 20th, from 1 – 5:30 p.m., you will have the opportunity to work with the six actors (3 male, 3 female) who will be reading your script. There will be time for dinner, then the Showcase begins at 7:30 p.m.

One of these new plays might end up in one of HART’s upcoming seasons…

Hillsboro Artists Regional Theatre (HART) is Hillsboro’s only community theatre celebrating its eighteenth year. It has an ongoing commitment to local artists, producing new works by local playwrights, providing training for technicians and actors, and encouraging young directors.

In 1940, the United States was just emerging from the shadow of the Great Depression and war loomed in Europe. Politics were front and center for most Americans, Into these serious times stepped Gracie Allen, part of the popular comic duo Burns and Allen, who launched a campaign for president.

Allen's Surprise Party began as a publicity stunt, and Gracie popped up to make frequent and unexpected "campaign stops" on other popular radio programs of the day (including The Jack Benny Program and Fibber McGee and Molly) while stumping on the nutty-pine platform of the "Surprise" Party. A few of her ideas for the country were:

• Put Congress on a commission basis. Whenever the country prospered, Congress would get ten percent of the additional take.
• Extend Civil Service to all branches of government, because “a little politeness goes a long way.”

  

During a whistle-stop tour across the country the campaign took on a life of its own. Although her campaign wasn't serious, Allen received thousands of votes as well as the endorsement of Harvard University students. Allen's campaign was characterized by her wit, double-talk and sharp puns. As a matter of record, on Election Day, Franklin D. Roosevelt won the presidential race.

Paul Roder as George Burns and Maille O'Brien as Gracie Allen along with the supporting cast bring to life skits from the original Burns and Allen radio and television shows of the 1950's. Join us as we enjoy a visit to the days of great comeday, one-liners, and hints of vaudeville with this new show, written and directed by Hillsboro's own Norma Hill.

We look forward to seeing you on opening night!

September 7-23
Gracie for President
Written and Directed by Norma Hill

October 26 – November 4
Knives in Hens
Written by David Harrower
Directed by Devan McCoy

November 30 – December 23
Nuncrackers
Written by Dan Goggin
Directed by Butch Vandehey

February 15 – March 3
How the Other Half Loves
Written by Alan Ayckbourn
Directed by Dan Kroon

March 29 – April 14
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Paul Roder

June 7-30
Once Upon a Mattress
Music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer and
book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer
Director: Peter Stein