For Better

• Written By: Eric Coble

by Eric Coble

Directed by Sharon Gordon

In this plugged-in world of email, text-messaging and camera phones, do a bride and groom really need to be in the same country to go on a honeymoon? Karen and Max are getting married. At least, if their jobs will ever let them be in the same city at the same time. A romantic comedy for the digital age, For Better is a hilarious new farce that pokes fun at our overdependence on the gadgets in our lives.  

"Eric Coble's hilariously funny, psychologically astute portraits hit home with rib-tickling acuity" – New York Times.

Rumors

by Neil Simon

Directed by Meghan Daaboul

One of Neil Simon’s most popular comedies, Rumors takes place in the posh suburban residence of New York’s deputy mayor, Charley Brock who, at the beginning of the show, is lying off-stage with a bullet hole in his earlobe. This puts a slight crimp in the plans for a tenth anniversary party for himself and his equally absent wife, Myra. As the guests arrive, each couple tries to keep each new arrival from finding out about Charley’s possible suicide attempt. The confusion is not helped by the plethora of rumors about Charley, Myra and most of the guests.

It opened on Broadway in 1988 to rave reviews and ran for 535 performances. Time Magazine called it, "An old-fashioned door slamming, crockery-smashing farce."

Amadeus

by Peter Shaffer

Directed by Molly McDevitt

Winner of a Tony Award for Best Play, the Academy Award for Best Film, and triumphant in recent revivals in the West End and on Broadway, this provocative work weaves a confrontation between mediocrity and genius into a tale of breathtaking dramatic power. In the court of the Austrian Emperor Josef, Antonio Salieri is the established composer. Enter the greatest musical genius of all time: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Salieri has given himself to God so that he might realize his sole ambition to be a great composer. Mozart is a foul-mouthed, graceless oaf who has that which is beyond Salieri's envious grasp: Genius.  

STAGES’ The Phantom Tollbooth

We are pleased to announce that STAGES Performing Arts Youth Academy will be performing The Phantom Tollbooth at HART, opening Jan. 13th.

Blithe Spirit

• Written By: Noel Coward

by Noel Coward

Directed by Stephen Kelsey

Charles Condomine, a happily married man, doing research for a book he intends to write, invites the eccentric Madame Arcati to hold a séance at his home. She unwittingly calls back the ghost of his first wife making Mr. Condomine into a sort of  “astral bigamist”. Noel Coward’s acerbic wit, in this love triangle that spans the world of the living and “the other side”, makes this classic comedy a charming night at the theater. 

The Woman in Black

• Written By: Susan Hill, Adapted for the Stage by Stephen Mallatratt

by Stephen Mallatratt

Directed by Devan McCoy

The framework of this spine tingler is unusual: a lawyer hires an actor to tutor him in recounting to family and friends a story that has long-troubled him concerning events that transpired when he attended the funeral of an elderly recluse. There he caught sight of the woman in black, the mere mention of whom terrifies the locals, for she is a specter who haunts the neighborhood where her illegitimate child was accidentally killed. Anyone who sees her dies! The lawyer has invited some friends to watch as he and the actor recreate the events of that dark and stormy night.

The Woman In Black run has beenExtended!

Haven't had a chance to come see the show yet? Don't panic! We've extended the run to include the first weekend in November (Nov. 4, 5 & 6). But you may want to get your tickets now…they're going fast!

It’s A Wonderful Life:

• Written By: Adapted by Joe Landry

  A Live Radio Play
Adapted by Joe Landry

As the holidays approach and we begin to think of our favorite traditions, HART Theatre is pleased to announce its staged reading of a timeless classic with a twist, “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”, adapted by Joe Landry. Written for five actors, with live sound effects and set “live” in 1946 at radio station WBFR, this adaptation retains all of the charm, family appeal, and relevance of the well-known film, as well as almost all of the original dialogue and characters. The script also features two “commercial breaks”, complete with song, product, and ad copy. In the words of Freddie Filmore, WBFR announcer: “Tonight, we bring you a real feel-good heart warmer, perfect for this or any other Christmas Eve”.

For director Paul Roder, who also plays Freddie Filmore, this is the second time around mounting this show. He directed it at Beaverton Civic Theatre in 2009; Tony Smith reprises his role from that production here as well. This time, Roder says: “I wanted to take the opportunity in the context of a staged reading to be on-stage with these particular actors, all of whom I’ve worked with before in one or more capacities.” Those actors are Kraig Williams as Jake Laurents, Jody Spradlin as Sally Applewhite, Ilana Watson as Lana Sherwood, and Tony Smith as Harry “Jazzbo” Heywood. Karen Roder provides the live sound effects.

The production opens November 18^thand runs through November 27^th; performances are at 7:30 PM Friday and Saturday nights, 2:00 PM Sundays.                                           

Tales of Miracles and Wonder;

• Written By: Batya Podos

HART Fundraiser!

 Storytelling Appropriate for ages 9 to 100

By Batya Podos

Author of The Bird With The Golden Feather and Bad Wolf

December 22, 2011 at 7:00 PM

Thursday evening, December 22 at 7:00 p.m. HART will be offering Tales of Miracles and Wonder, a storytelling performance for ages 9 to 100 by Batya Podos, the author of Bird with the Golden Feathers and Bad Wolf, both of which have been produced by HART with great success.  These enchanted tales about the miraculous and unexpected come from around the world and are perfect to begin a magical season.  There is no pre-booking for this event, you can buy your tickets at the box office before the performance.  As it’s a fundraiser, tickets cost $20 per person, but the performance comes with a free glass of champagne and an automatic entry into a raffle for two free season tickets for the remainder of the season.  There will also be some wonderful auction items.  Please join us for the first of our fundraisers this year and raise a glass to HART.

All food donations are to benefit the Oregon Food Bank, while financial contributions are to support your community theatre.

The Orphan Train

• Written By: Ray Hale

Written and Directed by Ray Hale

2010-2011 Season