FRONT PLAY ROW
Are you the next Oregon Poet Laureate?
FRONT ROW
THE SCENE ON STAGE
November 17 to December 9
The Oregon Poet Laureate Program is accepting nominations for the state’s next poet laureate through Jan 8, 2024. Over a two-year term, the Oregon Poet Laureate fosters the art of poetry, encourages literacy and learning, addresses central issues relating to the humanities and heritage and reflects on public life in Oregon. “A poet is a witness who imagines, and through these acts gives us permission to do the same. For the times we’re in, we must be powerfully imaginative, so to have for Oregon a position to foster and rally this imagining is a beautiful importance and gift for our state,” said Anis Mojgani, Oregon’s current poet laureate. During their term, the poet laureate will participate in public readings or other events around the state, demonstrating the value and importance of poetry and creative expression to business, community and state leaders. Nominees must be current residents of Oregon and have lived in the state at least 10 years. They must be publicly recognized as poets and wellregarded for excellence in their work; have a significant body of published or performed work; and agree to the conditions and the term of the appointment. Poets may nominate themselves. To nominate a poet, fill out the form at oregonpoetlaureate.org.
26 | pressplaysalem.com | winter 2023
Explore theater in
A past holiday production at Theatre 33
November 9 to 19 Corban University presents You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown — Based on the popular and insightful Peanuts comic strip, by Charles Schulz, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown features the Peanuts gang experiencing life’s disappointments and surprises together. The musical delights audiences with its wit and charm, but its lasting appeal comes from the memorable characters who remind us of ourselves, and more importantly, to never give up, to practice kindness, and to live life with hope. Directed by Tamara McGinnis. ON STAGE: 7:30 p.m. Nov 10-11, 17-18 and 2 p.m. Nov 19 in Psalm Performing Arts Center at Corban University, 5000 Deer Park Dr SE. Tickets are $8-$15 | corban.edu/arts/theatrearts/events/
Pentacle Theatre presents The Play That Goes Wrong — Welcome to opening night of the Cornley University Drama Society’s newest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor, where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. This 1920s whodunit has everything you never wanted in a show—an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead and actors who trip over everything (including their lines). Part Monty Python, part Sherlock Holmes, this Olivier Award–winning comedy is guaranteed to leave you aching with laughter. It's a chaotic fun time to forget all your troubles by watching a group of bumbling idiots have a terrible time. Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields. Directed by Susan Schoaps. ON STAGE: 7:30 p.m. Nov 17-18, 22, 24-25, 30, Dec 1-2, 7-9 and 2 p.m. Nov 19, 26 and Dec 3 at Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave NW. Get tickets at pentacletheatre.org. Info: 503-485-4300
December 8-15 Theatre 33 presents Holiday Shorts: 5 new holiday short plays written by theater alum. Here’s what’s in store — Mrs. Santa and the Paradigm Shift by Nora Douglass — The good old days are gone, and now Santa’s workshop is a commercial subsidiary, called Expensive Cheap Toys. The eves are working to the bone to keep up production when they realize there are no more toys and too many orders to fill. What happens next is simply miraculous.
