If you didn’t get to see it, you missed the funniest play about murder, ever. Take a look at these exclusive photos and you’ll find it hard to believe these actors are high school kids ‚Ķ 
Could it be that his home-made wine contains more than fermented grapes?
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Everything about Parkrose High Thespians’ production of Arsenic & Old Lace is outstanding.
From a very professional theatrical set, to the play’s presentation, these young actors truly bring this classic comedy to life.
Could these sweet, hospitable old ladies have really ‘done in’ a dozen lonely men?
About the play
Arsenic & Old Lace is a farce revolving around Mortimer Brewster, a theatre-loathing drama critic who must deal with his murderous family ‚Äì and the local police. Given his situation, he’s debating whether to go marry the woman he loves.
Mortimer: “My aunts are doing ‚Ķ WHAT?”
His family includes two spinster aunts who have taken to “helping out” lonely old men.
It also includes a brother who believes he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and digs locks for the Panama Canal in their home’s cellar–and a criminally murderous brother who has received plastic surgery from his alcoholic accomplice, “Dr. Einstein”, to conceal his identity.
Brother Johnny comes home. But…is this a good thing?
Final show was March 3
People who went had a great time at this play! More from our Arsenic & Old Lace photo album
It’s a standoff. What to do now?
All is happy in the Brewster household.
But, the aunties can’t seem to keep from going back to their old ways ‚Ķ
Good show! Well done! Bravo!
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
This show is guaranteed to chase the wet winter blues away! Take a look, and see why you should be buying your ticket for this show, opening March 9th …
David Douglas Theater Department works on the parts in this play, “See How They Run”. It’s loaded with multiple mistaken identities, gaffes, and well-timed comedic confusion.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
The line, “See how they run”, originally drawn from the nursery rhyme about the “three blind mice” is best known in popular culture today from The Beatles’ use of it in two of their songs, “I am the Walrus” and “Lady Madonna”.
But perhaps Paul McCartney and John Lennon used this phrase in the songs not because of the children’s rhyme, but because they enjoyed the comedic confusion that reigns in this 1945 farce by Philip King. It’s marked with screwball situations and humor.
The play’s storyline
Set in the 1940’s, the quiet house of a British minister is turned upside down by four mistaken identities, two impostors, an escaped spy, and one train- wreck of confusion after another.
But the plot doesn’t stop there. The closet is filled with surprises and prisoners. The town busybody is found inebriated, out of control, and in the most embarrassing of situations.
The dizzying pace of the plot culminates in a roundabout chase through the middle of a polite conversation between a new house guest and hostess who maintains impossible appearances.
David Douglas Theater Department’s Michael Givler goes over rehearsal notes with the cast.
Staging provides intimate setting
Because all of the play’s madcap action takes place in one “house”, Theater Manager Mark Taylor and his student staff built the set out, away from the fixed stage. This moves the action up close to the audience.
Order tickets today
See How They Run opens on Friday night, March 9, and Saturday, March 10. It continues the following weekend, on March 15, 16, and 17.
Showtimes for all performances are at 7:30 p.m. in the beautiful Howard Horner Performing Arts Center, 1400 SE 130th Ave., Portland, OR 97233.
-
Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults.
For ticket information, call the David Douglas Box Office at (503) 261-8270.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Some arms were twisted, but no one needed a “license to kill” to pull in big bucks to boost this great, inner SE Portland high school’s activities. Look: you might see Mr. Bond in the background‚
“Place your bets,” calls roulette croupier Ryan McKenzie, as he spins the ball for high rollers Marilyn McKenzie, Colleen Beckmeyer, and Marla Fuller.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
With the tinkle of cocktail glasses, the sound of the ball spinning in the roulette wheel, and folks dressed formally, you’d have expected to see Agent 007 slip into the Cleveland High School Annual Auction at any moment.
Sporting the theme “007 ‚Äì License to Spend”, this sold-out event, hosting 400 guests, is part party, and part fund-raising event.
“The money we raise,” organizer Corrie Dawn Greiling-Fritsch tells us, “is spent on all sorts of things: books, computers and technology.”
Leigh Nunez checks Sara Kirschenbaum in for her night of fun and food.
According to organizer Greiling-Fritsch, the silent and live auction’s two paddle bids will go to the school’s foundation and for educational technology. “The balance of the funds is spent all throughout the school for things like sports uniforms, text books, everything under the school that it needs.”
Organizer Corrie Dawn Greiling-Fritsch is ready for a big evening helping big spenders‚ with the help of volunteers like Jasmine Fritsch, here working at an auction computer station.
As attendees glide past the silent auction tables, the cool jazz sounds of the band “Groover Cleveland” play in the background.
“It is a fun event,” says Greiling-Fritsch. “There is a lot of camaraderie. We keep the ticket prices reasonable, so it’s not just the elite who can attend. The fact that all of the people in the school and the community come together to support education is a phenomenally good thing. They’re spending their money on our kids.”
Ready to enjoy a fine dinner, served in the historic Oaks Park Pavilion, are Sandy and Terry Brown, and David and Teresa Coiteux.
This event, Cleveland High’s largest fundraiser of the year, raised $100,000 for academics, the performing arts, and athletics.
“It looks like this event is another huge success,” exclaims Greiling-Fritsch. “Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s auction. From committee members, to donors, to bidders ‚Äì we couldn’t do it without you!”
Cleveland High Auction Photo Album
This accomplished jazz duo, known as “Groover Cleveland”, Charlie Stanford and Grant Richards supply mellow music while attendees write down their bids during the silent auction and hors d’voures.
Linda Golaszewski and David Summers are checking the silent auction bid sheets to make sure someone else doesn’t win their treasures.
Chris Sheik, auctioneer, starts a friendly bidding rivalry and runs up the donations benefiting CHS students.
The banner about the buffet says it all!
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
See how this program, taught by cops in uniform, gives kids the skills they need to avoid getting into tobacco, drugs, and gangs‚
Two of the many students giving a presentation about how they learned to avoid tobacco, drugs, and gangs through the Parkrose Middle School G.R.E.A.T. program were Mickenin Sprague and Michelle Pham.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
We all know Parkrose has many “great” students. But, not long ago, an entire auditorium full of Parkrose Middle School students was honored as being “G.R.E.A.T.” students.
“The objective of the Gang Resistance Education And Training program,” explained coordinator and Portland Police Bureau Officer Michael Paresa, “is giving students life skills that help immunize them against youth violence, delinquency, and gang involvement.”
Paresa added, “The program also works as an effective bridge between police and the community’s youth, allowing relationships to be forged that extend outward from the school into your own neighborhood.”
Aimed at middle school students
“Trained, uniformed police officers present the G.R.E.A.T. Program in middle school classrooms across Portland,” Paresa explained. “Officers present the 13 week program, using a wide range of activities, that result in the necessary life skills, a sense of competency, usefulness, and personal empowerment needed to avoid involvement in youth violence and criminal activity.”
Prizes and pizza party
It isn’t all teaching and learning. We were invited to the “graduation” at Parkrose Middle School. There, students — representing all of the school’s classes — presented skits, poems, readings, and posters, illustrating what they had learned.
Sergeant Larry Graham (far left) congratulates the GREAT program participants. Outstanding students from each class are shown holding a gift from the program — a boom-box music system.
After the student presentations, long time G.R.E.A.T. instructor, Sgt. Larry Graham, addressed the students and teachers.
“I appreciate the support we get from the Portland Police Bureau that operates this program. But most of all, I thank the staff at the school. You welcome us here year after year. You’re here to help us with your classes. You make this possible,” Graham said with gratitude.
Addressing the students, Graham added, “We didn’t tell you drugs and gangs are ‘bad’ ‚Äì you came to that decision on your own. We gave you skills: how to say no, how to make decision, how to plan out life events. You will keep this up on your own. I thank you all for participating. No one is graduating this program without participating. You earned it.”
While all of the kids received a certificate of completion, top students in each class were given a boom-box music system.
Officer Michael Paresa, program coordinator, and Joann Alminiana, program administrator, dishing out pizza to 6th grade graduates of the G.R.E.A.T. program.
With their official certificate of graduation, a new philosophical outlook towards police in mind, and the tools needed to resist gang pressure, these 257 “GREAT” kids then enjoyed a pizza party.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Instead of complaining about shabbiness at your local public school, see how volunteers have pitched in at this outer East Portland high school – and how you, too, can help on August 25th…
They’re never too young to help: Claudia and Jonathan, Samantha and Blue McAbee, helping clean up the Marshall Campus.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although school isn’t in session, more than a dozen volunteers spend a summery July Saturday morning sprucing up the Marshall Campus in Lents.
“We’ve heard that many people have a negative impression of Marshall Campus,” says Aaron Betcher, a AmeriCorps community resource developer at the school, as he trims branches by the front door.
Trimming bushes are AmeriCorps workers Aaron Betcher, Rebecca Leimert, Lauren Audick.
“Some people even say Marshall seems like a scary place,” continues Betcher. “It’s a bad rap. We’re holding community events, like our clean-up day today, to show a more realistic image of the school.”
The AmeriCorps worker says this is the first year they’ve been helping at Marshall Campus. “Part of what we’re doing is increasing parent and community engagement with the school.”
Tiffany Pham helps Tammy Pham and Terri Pham sign up for service at Marshall Campus.
Volunteers from SOLV and Hands-On Portland – some from as far as Hillsboro – work at clipping, raking, painting and beautifying the campus.
The 12-member Portland AmeriCorps team, serving schools at SUN sites across Portland, helped plan the event, Betcher says.
Amanda Keppeler and Lawrence Palmer clean the entry of the campus.
Your turn to help …
On August 25th, Portland Public Schools and SOLV are enlisting volunteers to do grounds work at schools across the city, as part of Community Care Day – from 9 a.m. to noon.
To register and for information on specific sites, go to the Web site www.pps.k12.or.us/depts/communications/news/ and click on “Community Care Day 2007”, or call Monica Kearsley of SOLV at 503-844-9571.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Instead of complaining about shabbiness at your local public school, see how volunteers have pitched in at this outer East Portland high school – and how you, too, can help on August 25th…
They’re never too young to help: Claudia and Jonathan, Samantha and Blue McAbee, helping clean up the Marshall Campus.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although school isn’t in session, more than a dozen volunteers spend a summery July Saturday morning sprucing up the Marshall Campus in Lents.
“We’ve heard that many people have a negative impression of Marshall Campus,” says Aaron Betcher, a AmeriCorps community resource developer at the school, as he trims branches by the front door.
Trimming bushes are AmeriCorps workers Aaron Betcher, Rebecca Leimert, Lauren Audick.
“Some people even say Marshall seems like a scary place,” continues Betcher. “It’s a bad rap. We’re holding community events, like our clean-up day today, to show a more realistic image of the school.”
The AmeriCorps worker says this is the first year they’ve been helping at Marshall Campus. “Part of what we’re doing is increasing parent and community engagement with the school.”
Tiffany Pham helps Tammy Pham and Terri Pham sign up for service at Marshall Campus.
Volunteers from SOLV and Hands-On Portland – some from as far as Hillsboro – work at clipping, raking, painting and beautifying the campus.
The 12-member Portland AmeriCorps team, serving schools at SUN sites across Portland, helped plan the event, Betcher says.
Amanda Keppeler and Lawrence Palmer clean the entry of the campus.
Your turn to help …
On August 25th, Portland Public Schools and SOLV are enlisting volunteers to do grounds work at schools across the city, as part of Community Care Day – from 9 a.m. to noon.
To register and for information on specific sites, go to the Web site www.pps.k12.or.us/depts/communications/news/ and click on “Community Care Day 2007”, or call Monica Kearsley of SOLV at 503-844-9571.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Opening November 29, see why, in addition to the story’s beloved main characters and great special effects, the scene-stealer is Dorothy’s dog, Toto! Take a look …
While her new friends in the Land of Oz have other desires, Dorothy (Tegan Tracy, in rehearsal, not yet costumed) and her aunt’s dog, Toto, say they just want to go home.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Want to start the season with a fun, family show? You don’t have to travel downtown Portland to see great theater – just head for David Douglas High School’s production of the Broadway Musical version of The Wizard of Oz, starting November 29.
“We have a great cast,” says the show’s director, Michael Givler. “This Broadway-style production, originally adapted for the Royal Shakespeare Company, brings a lively, fresh, and unique look to a classic childhood story.”
Well over 100 students are involved in this production, adds Givler. The cast features 56 actors, singers, and dancers. They’re musically accompanied by a full-staffed student orchestra.
The brain-deficient Scarecrow (Sam De Roest), the heart-lacking Tin Woodsman (Ada Chang), the homesick Dorothy (Tegan Tracy), and the Cowardly Lion (Robert Hill) find themselves bedeviled and in the clutches of a bad witch’s minions.
Fast paced and fun
As we watch a technical rehearsal, the dancers are working out the details of a number that will take place in the Emerald City – home of the great Wizard, Oz.
Next, thanks to the technical expertise of theater manager, Mark Taylor, and his student crew of 20 stage technicians, we watch witches fly – yes, actually fly – into a scene, trying to grab the central character, Dorothy, and her dog Toto.
David Douglas High School drama instruction, and the show’s director, (In a black shirt, third from the left) Michael Givler, coaches the actors in a scene from Wizard of Oz.
In many student productions of The Wizard of Oz, you’ll see Toto represented by a stuffed toy animal. But this show features a real Toto – the cutest little black terrier.
About the story
First published in 1900, L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz has been translated into more than 40 languages.
Dorothy, a young girl living on a Kansas farm with her Uncle Henry and Aunt Em, is swept up in a tornado. She, her dog Toto, and the farmhouse itself crash-land in Munchkin Land – right smack on the Wicked Witch of the East.
A flying witch (not yet in costume, of course) grabs Dorothy, and tries to fly her away from her friends.
A good witch directs Dorothy and three new friends – a brainless Scarecrow, a heartsick Tin Woodsman, and a ‘fraidy-cat Cowardly Lion – to the City of Emeralds to ask the Wizard of Oz for help. How do they find their way? “Follow the yellow brick road!”
An entertainment bargain
The show opens on November 29 at 7:30 p.m.; and runs Nov. 30, December 1, 6, 7 and 8. And, there’s a special matinee performance on Sunday, December 2 at 2:30 p.m.
When word gets out about the excellence of this show, the later performances will most likely sell out. Buy your tickets now, and enjoy this great show.
Tickets for this full-evening show are just $10 for adults; $7 student/seniors. For ticket information, call the David Douglas Box Office at (503) 261-8270 from 3 to 5:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays on school days, as well as
an hour before show times. Or, e-mail DDHSboxoffice@ddouglas.k12.or.us.
All performances are held at the Howard F. Horner Performing Arts Center, 1400 SE 130th Ave. (between SE Stark St. and Division St.).
Expect great sets, professional lighting, and clear sound – twenty student technicians, directed by theater manager Mark Taylor (calling out cues in this photo), give the show a professional feel.
© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service
Find out how the school will use the $2,500 gift presented to them, when they cut the ribbon at this shiny-new super discount store …
The waiting is over – this Big Lots! store in Plaza 205 is finally open.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
“Big Lots! shoppers rejoice! No longer must you drive to Vancouver or Gresham.” That’s what Richard McCaw, Manager of the Gateway area Plaza 205 “Big Lots!” (the name is officially spelled with a “!”) said, as he and his crew officially opened their store for business on October 28.
“Shoppers will find just about anything you can think of that you’d find in big box retailers,” McCaw told us as they readied to cut the ribbon, dedicating the store. “We buy from up to 3,000 sources. These sources give us closeout items; so, many of the items you’ll see carry brand names that you recognize.”
Categories of merchandise that line the aisles include furniture, housewares, food items, cosmetics, and utility items. “It’s a wide variety of products, anything that you’re typically finding in any other full-line store,” McCaw added.
The new store manager, Richard McCaw, says shoppers will find great prices and superior service at his store.
Presents a BIG check
To help with the store’s official opening, McCaw said they invited staff from Floyd Light Middle School to the opening. After his brief remarks, one new store employee volunteered that she was a Floyd Light and David Douglas High alumnus; another said she was a “Floyd Light Mom”.
“As a token of our appreciation,” McCaw then announced, “We’re presenting your school with this check. It’s my pleasure to make a donation of $2,500 to the school.”
Richard McCaw and Eric Sapp from Big Lots! present a check for $2,500 to Natalie Osburn, David Douglas School District’s Assistant Superintendent over secondary schools; and Floyd Light Middle School’s Improvement Coordinator, Lisa Just; Lili Olmos, head secretary; Michelle Heffner, a school counselor and Mark Gaulke, the school’s Principal.
Funds to support positive behavior program
Mark Gaulke, Principal of Floyd Light Middle School, said he and his staff were happy to help out with the grand opening – and to receive the big check.
“Our school operates several programs in which we provide incentives for kids,” Gaulke explained. “One of them is called ‘Positive Behavior Support” – we reward kids for doing the right thing.”
These incentives are like pizza parties, or an after-school activity, or clothing, the Principal said.
With a snip of scissors, the store opened, and customers streamed in to check out the new Big Lots! discount store in outer East Portland, located at 10548 SE Washington Street.
Floyd Light Middle School’s head secretary, Lili Olmos, cuts the ceremonial ribbon, officially opening the store.
See why you should order your tickets NOW for year’s musical at David Douglas High School, starting its run on December 4 …
All of the townspeople – especially the girls – are enamored with Conrad Birdie (Sam De Roest, playing the lead role of the ’50’s rock star about to be drafted) in their production of Bye Bye Birdie, opening for a limited run on December 4.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For the first time ever, the timeless musical Bye Bye Birdie will take the stage at David Douglas High School (DDHS), opening on December 4.
This lavish production, played out on a double-deck stage, will feature a singing, dancing, and acting cast of 70 students – and 12 DDHS staff members (including Principal John Bier as a Shriner!) – plus the school’s full orchestra.
Adapting to adoration
“It’s pretty nice to be adored both on and off stage,” DDHS senior Sam De Roest says with a smile, about his lead role of Conrad Birdie, a 1950’s rock-and-roll star modeled after Elvis Presley.
“Birdie is a character who is kind of a jerk – making him fun to play – but he learns about love and responsibility. You can’t beat that in a role,” De Roest told us.
Here’s the story:
A hip-swiveling rock and roll superstar (modeled after Elvis Presley), named Conrad Birdie (the name is a parody of the ’50’s singer Conway Twitty), is about to be drafted into the army in 1958. Birdie’s agent wants to cash in on new song, “One Last Kiss” on live television, and give one lucky girl from his fan club a real “one last kiss” during the Ed Sullivan Show.
“In reality, Conrad Birdie is a person of questionable character,” explained the show’s director, Judy Le Coq. “The comedy comes from the disruption his visit causes both in the girl’s family – and the entire town – by his actions, and the town’s new-found fame.”
Spectacular staging
“The two-story, multi-position stage that theater arts instructor Mark Taylor and his class created is just unbelievable,” Le Coq said.
Taylor agreed that building a set of this kind is an ambitious project.
“We came up with this two-story set,” commented Taylor, “as we thought about a number in the show called ‘The Telephone Hour’ – and started designing a setting reminiscent of the ‘Hollywood Squares’ game show. Each cubbyhole will accommodate rapid scene changes.”
Conrad Birdie (De Roest) is coached on his performance by the show’s director, Judy Le Coq.
Show opens December 4
Bye Bye Birdie opens on December 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Then, the show runs in the evenings at 7:30 p.m. on December 5, 6 11, 12 and 13. And, there’s a special Sunday Matinee show on December 7 at 2:30 p.m.
All performances are at the Howard Horner Performing Arts Center, 1400 SE 130th Ave., between SE Stark and SE Division Streets.
We understand that reserved seating sales are going at a brisk pace; we recommend you call for reservations (unpaid reservations are held only for 24 hours), or buy your tickets today. You can pick up your paid tickets at the theater’s box office in advance or before the show.
Tickets are $10 for adults; seniors/students are $7. Call to make your reservations at DDHS Box Office at (503) 261-8270.
© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
Here’s why you should plan now to come see this powerful story presented by the Parkrose High School Thespians, starting February 26 …
The Parkrose High School actors practice a scene from their new play. A slave girl who did a little more than just dabble in the occult, Tituba (Kylie Simmons), professes her faith in God – and accuses other village women of witchcraft – to Reverend John Hale (Jason Newman), an expert in occultist phenomena.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For their winter season production, Parkrose High School Thespian Troupe 1783 is taking on the challenge of presenting The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
This dramatic classic is based on historical events that led to the Salem Witch Trials. Playwright Miller wrote it during the early 1950s as a response to US Government “blacklisting” people like himself, who were accused of being (or associating with) communists by Senator Joseph McCarthy’s House of Representatives’ Committee on Un-American Activities, in 1956.
“The Crucible is a timeless play,” Ms. Zena, theater instructor and director, said as we watched the cast work on their parts this week. “Miller’s demons were wrapped up in the McCarthy era. This story still resonates today; we still face prejudices based on a lack of knowledge – and sometimes on selfish actions based on a desire to make ourselves feel better or safer.”
The show features a cast of 30 students, as well as a production crew of 20 more. From what we saw, this should be a great evening of theater. However, due to the adult themes (but not the content), it might be uncomfortable for very small children.
Giles Corey (Sterling Arkills) looks on as Betty Parris (Shannon Webb), daughter of a not-well-respected reverend, lies lifeless. Reverend Hale and the greedy Thomas Putnam (Derek Rathke) wonder if witchcraft had anything to do with the girl’s condition.
Show opens February 26
Opening night for this dramatic presentation of The Crucible is February 26. It also plays on the evenings of February 27 and 28 – then again on March 6 and 7. Curtain time is 7 pm for all shows.
Tickets are available at the door, and are only $8 for adults, $5 for students 18 and under, and $5 for honored citizens 65+. Come early to assure yourself a good seat.
The shows are on the stage of the Parkrose High School Theatre, 12003 NE Shaver Street, just west of NE 122nd Avenue.
© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
Are you a surfer (or ho-dad), looking for good time? Come out and enjoy this fun-in-the-sun musical, presented on March 19 and 20 …
Can these kids help save the Surf Shack from greedy developers? Come see this musical, that tells the story.
Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Even if you aren’t a surfer, you’ll enjoy the new musical being presented by Lent School called Wipeout! It will be playing on their stage on March 19 and 20.
“Our musical uses the talents of an all-star cast composed of 23 students from 5th through 8th grades,” said Rebecca Rothery, who occupies a triple role as the school’s eighth grade language arts teacher, the social studies teacher, and the drama director.
“The musical features students singing and dancing as they reveal life on sunny Avalon Beach,” Rothery explained, as the cast rehearsed a musical number. “This surf musical takes us back to a simpler time when life was groovy, the music was hip, and the world was about to change. It’s about a group of plucky teens who get together to save Mom and Pop’s ‘Surf Shack’ from being destroyed by a greedy, heartless land developer.”
In addition to the cast, five students serve as the show’s technical stage crew.
Show supports unique school program
“Lent School is the only elementary school with a dramatic program,” Rothery told us. “We have a music teacher, and a theater and an art teacher here.”
She added that many organizations have donated time and materials. “Some of our set design and props came from Michael Curry of Michael Curry Design – the man who won a Tony Award for ‘The Lion King’, and who has done work with Cirque du Soleil. We’ve had a lot of support generated to support these kids.”
Come hear The Verbtones live, as they rock out with surfer favorites before the March 20 show. Image used with permission
The Verbtones play before March 20 show
Pre-show entertainment is planned for both days. And, we learned that the fabulous Verbtones will be the ones to kick things off at the Friday, March 20 performance, at 6:00 p.m.
Formed in 2001, this band promotes their performances as “Showcase haunting, spine-chilling, vintage-yet-modern surf melodies for ho-dads and grimmys in Oregon and beyond”. They have a true love for today’s surf music – and “a respect for their surfin’ forefathers has influenced their unique sound, providing a time capsule from yesterday that somehow seems right for today.” To visit the band’s website, CLICK HERE.
Dinner and a show
During the pre-show entertainment, pizza and other refreshments will be available for sale as a part of the Lent Theater Program fundraising efforts, Rothery said.
The Lent SUN Community School proudly presents its musical comedy, Wipeout!, on Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20 from 6:00 until 8:30 pm.
Admission to the performance is $3.00 at the door. Admission for children 12 years & younger is $1.00. Lent School is located at 5105 SE 97th Avenue (between SE Harold Street and SE Holgate Boulevard).
© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
Find out why this internationally-known recording artist makes
an annual pilgrimage to Parkrose High School …
When nearby young ladies saw us about to snap a candid photo of Michael Allen Harrison talking with a Parkrose High student in the Choir Room, seven additional gals glided into the frame.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
December’s wild and wooly weather shuttered an annual holiday event – internationally-known composer and recording artist Michael Allen Harrison’s annual concert.
Not to be denied the opportunity; Harrison made time in his schedule to attend the “Music in our School’s” winter concert on March 16.
“Coming back to Parkrose is part of the fabric of my life,” Harrison, one of Parkrose High’s most illustrious alums told us. “It’s part of my deal. It’s my hometown here; it’s a valued tradition with me.”
The Parkrose Honor Choir performs at the Parkrose High Theater.
First on the program was the Parkrose Honor Choir, drawn from Prescott, Russell, Sacramento, and Shaver Elementary schools. They sang two numbers, Everybody say Peace and I’ll make a Difference.
The Parkrose High School Treble Choir sings Lullay Alleluia.
Heaven Somewhere is being performed by the Parkrose High School A-Choir.
When Michael Allen Harrison sits down to play, the auditorium grows silent.
Harrison began by playing two of his own compositions, and then chatted with the audience.
He reminisced about going to school in Parkrose; this subject led him into presenting a novelty number, in which he demonstrated how he creates music, based on a single phrase of notes.
As always, the performance finished up with the return of the Honor Choir; they sang Follow the Drinking Gourd with Harrison.
“Even though it was delayed since December, we raised about $2,000 to help support our programs,” said choir director Lesley Bossert. “We really appreciate Michael Allen Harrison’s support of our musical program. Our students are deeply affected by his support and care about our musical program. He really connects with our musicians.”
You can learn more about Michael Allen Harrison by visiting his website: CLICK HERE.
© 2009 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News
click here to subscribe
