Dmae Roberts talks with Portland Playhouse about three African American plays performed in repertory. Artistic director Brian Weaver and actors Bobby Bermea and Ramona Lisa Alexander join for The Brother/Sister Plays running in repertory till May 13. In the latter part of the show, we also hear about opera singer Brian Tierney who was shot on his way home from his job. Liz Bacon joins us to talk about a benefit concert on April 22nd to help his family mounting medical costs.
The first play is called IN THE RED and BRown Water (PART I)
Description: Oya runs -- fast enough to win a scholarship out of the projects. But then the grief of family and the spirits of the bayou tear up the path beneath her swift feet, threatening to pull her beneath the waters. How strong is the song of Oya’s run and can she outpace the call of fate?
Plays are presented in two parts in repertory:
THE BROTHERS SIZE (PART II)
Description: Orphaned in early childhood, Ogun and Oshoosi Size are inextricably bound. Always the responsible one, Ogun has borne the weight of his younger brother his entire life. Now, Os-hoosi’s out on parole and back home, floundering to find his way amidst dead ends. Ogun’s willing to give him one more chance, but Oshoosi has to escape his past, which, no matter how far he drives, is always close behind.
MARCUS: OR THE SECRET OF THE SWEET (PART II)
Description: A devastating storm’s heading to the bayou, and sixteen-year-old Marcus is haunted by a dream of pounding rain and an unidentifiable man – a dream his father once had and no one wants to hear. Marcus’s quest for its meaning takes him to the bayou’s darkness. The quest may cost him friendships and a mother’s love, but may
Portland Playhouse presents...
THE BROTHER/SISTER PLAYS by Tarell Alvin McCraney and directed by Victor Mack. Cast includes Ramona Alexander, Bobby Bermea, Jennifer Lanier, Damian Thompson, Lava Alapai, Brian Jones, Salim Sanchez, Jonah Weston. Show runs through May 13, Thursday–Sat 7:30pm; matinee Sundays at 2pm; Sat 4pm on some days. Tickets $12 - $23. Buy online at: www.portlandplayhouse.org Call the box office: (503) 205-0715. All shows are at the Old Church, 602 NE Prescott Street in Portland.
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In the latter part of the show, we hear about Brian Tierneywho was shot on March 28th on his way home on I-205 from his job as a choir director. Dmae talks with singer Liz Bacon of The Julians who fills us in on Tierney's progress and details about the benefit concert to help his family with mounting medical expenses.
The benefit concert for Brian Tierney with some of portland’s best classical singers is Sunday, April 22nd at 7:00 pm. The concert is at All Saints Catholic Church located at 3847 NE Glisan street in Portland. For more info visit a a site dedicated to the concert.
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