The world premiere of Astoria: Part Two — the conclusion of a two-part stage adaptation of Peter Stark’s best-selling book ASTORIA: John Jacob Astor and Thomas Jefferson’s Lost Pacific Empire; A Story of Wealth, Ambition, and Survival adapted and directed by Chris Coleman — begins preview performances at The Armory on January 20, opens January 26 and closes February 18.
Prior to the opening of Astoria: Part Two, special reprise performances of Astoria: Part One will be presented on January 13, 14, 16 and 17. During the run, three opportunities will be offered to see both productions together as a one-day marathon, on February 11, 15 and 17.
“Every once in a blue moon you run across a story that catches your imagination and won’t let go,” said Chris Coleman. “Astoria was that for me: riveting, shocking, surprising, transforming. I became obsessed with it, and knew that we had to find a way to do it. The will to survive against impossible odds is a major thread in the story, as is the question of what makes a worthy leader. The current economic landscape of the American theater presses us to produce smaller and smaller work, so it’s a thrill to have found the support to bring a work of this scope and moment to Portland.”
TICKET INFO
Regular tickets start at $25. Tickets may be purchased at www.pcs.org, 503.445.3700, or in-person from the box office (128 NW Eleventh Avenue, Portland, OR). Rush tickets are $20. Students and patrons who are 30 or younger can purchase $30 premium tickets. $5 tickets are available for Oregon Trail Card holders through the Arts for All program. Discounts for groups of 10+. Active duty or veteran military personnel and their immediate families get 50% off the price of regular tickets. General performance times are Tuesday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.; Thursday matinees at noon; special exclusions apply, see below for more information. Recommended for ages 14 and up. Contains gunshot sound effects and some mature content/language. Tobacco-free herbal pipes will be used.
THE STORY
At a time when the edge of American settlement barely reached beyond the Appalachian Mountains, two visionaries — President Thomas Jefferson and millionaire John Jacob Astor — foresaw that one day the Pacific would dominate world trade as much as the Atlantic did in their day. Just two years after the Lewis and Clark Expedition concluded in 1806, Jefferson and Astor turned their sights westward once again. Thus began one of history’s most dramatic but largely forgotten turning points in the conquest of the North American continent. Astoria: Part One is about the journeys by land and sea to reach present-day Astoria; Astoria: Part Two details the extraordinary endeavors that followed to establish the first permanent United States settlement on the West Coast. The premiere of Astoria: Part One last season broke box office records as the highest-selling world premiere in the company’s history. Production photos from Astoria: Part One are available for download on Flickr. A short video recap of Astoria: Part One, for those who missed it or want a refresher, will be available at www.pcs.org/astoria closer to the opening.
THE CAST
Returning after last season’s run of Astoria: Part One are Jeremy Aggers (Edward Foote, Alliance Theatre); F. Tyler Burnet (national tours of Sister Act, West Side Story); Nick Ferrucci (A View from the Bridge, Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Michael Morrow Hammack (Adrift in Macao, Broadway Rose Theatre Company); Christopher Hirsh (God of Love, Oscar-winning short film); Gavin Hoffman (Great Expectations, The Armory); Chris Murray (The Oregon Trail, The Armory); Ben Newman (JAW: A Playwrights Festival, 2014-2016); and Leif Norby (A Christmas Memory/Winter Song, The Armory); Ben Rosenblatt (Waiting for Godot, Commencez! International Beckett Festival); DeLanna Studi (August: Osage County, First National Tour); Benjamin Tissell (Fly By Night, Broadway Rose Theatre Company). New to the company are Douglas Dickerman (Never Swim Alone, Off-Broadway); Jimmy Garcia (An Octoroon, Artists Repertory Theatre); Anthony Lam (Elliot in the Elliot Trilogy, Profile Theatre); Michael Evans Lopez (The Taming of the Shrew, Off Square Theatre); and Rafael Untalan (The Price, Arena Stage).
THE CREATIVE TEAM
The design team from Astoria: Part One returns — scenic designs by Tony Cisek, costume designs by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Diane Ferry Williams and sound design Matthew Nielson — with the addition of Alex Wren Meadows, who will design the new costumes for Astoria: Part Two. Completing the creative team are Mary McDonald-Lewis (dialect coach); Rick Lewis (music director/vocal arranger); Randall Robert Tico (composer); Brandon Woolley (assistant director); John Armour (fight director); Christopher Hirsch (movement director); Benjamin Fainstein (production dramaturg); Barbara Hort, Ph.D. (consulting dramaturg); DeLanna Studi (cultural consultant); Mark Tynan (stage manager); Kristen Mun (assistant stage manager); and Will Bailey and Katie Nguyen (production assistants).
TICKET AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
When: Astoria: Part One | January 13, 14, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Astoria: Part Two | January 20 – February 18, 2018*
*Opening Night/Press Night: Friday, January 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Preview Performances: January 20, 21, 23, 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m.
One-day marathons of Astoria: Part One and Astoria: Part Two**
February 11 (2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.)
February 15 (Noon and 7:30 p.m.)
February 17 (2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.)
**Must purchase separate tickets for each production.
Where: On the U.S. Bank Main Stage at The Armory
128 NW Eleventh Ave., Portland, Ore., 97209
To Purchase: Regular tickets range from $25 to $82. Rush tickets are $20. Students and patrons who are 30 or younger may purchase premium tickets for $30. $5 tickets are available for Oregon Trail Card holders through the Arts for All program. Discounts for groups of 10+. Active duty or veteran military personnel and their immediate families get 50% off the price of regular tickets. Prices vary by date and time, and are subject to change.
Online: www.pcs.org
By Phone: 503.445.3700, 12–6 p.m.
In Person: The box office is at 128 NW Eleventh Avenue
12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on performance days
12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on non-performance days
Groups: Discounts available for groups of 10+ by calling 503.445.3794.
More Info: www.pcs.org/astoria
Showtimes: Tuesday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. (excluding February 4 and 18); Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. (excluding January 20, 21, 27); and Thursday matinees at noon on February 1, 8 and 15.
Please Note: Recommended for ages 14 and up. Contains gunshot sound effects and some mature content/language. Tobacco-free herbal pipes will be used.
Accessibility: Learn about our accessibility options at www.pcs.org/access.
NORTHWEST STORIES SERIES
Portland Center Stage at The Armory’s Northwest Stories series is a celebration of the essence of the region. From fresh looks at history to dynamic explorations of contemporary culture, Northwest Stories blends adventurous storytelling with local impact, all created with the immediacy and vibrancy that only live performance can bring. This season’s Northwest Stories offerings include two world premieres, Astoria: Part Two and Winter Song. The company also commissioned four new works by James Beaton, Mary Kathryn Nagle, Dan O’Brien and Lauren Yee, which are currently in development. These artists are each crafting plays that will examine our culture and ignite dialogue about the events – and the places – that define our region.
PORTLAND CENTER STAGE AT THE ARMORY
Portland Center Stage at The Armory is the largest theater company in Portland and among the top 20 regional theaters in the country. Established in 1988 as a branch of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the company became independent in 1994 and has been under the leadership of Artistic Director Chris Coleman since 2000. Around 150,000 visitors attend The Armory annually to enjoy a mix of classical, contemporary and world premiere productions, along with a variety of high quality education and community programs. Eleven productions are offered each season, in addition to roughly 400 community events created — in partnership with 170+ local organizations and individuals — to serve the diverse populations in the city. As part of its dedication to new play development, the company has produced 23 world premieres and presents an annual new works festival, JAW: A Playwrights Festival. Home to two theaters, The Armory was the first building on the National Register of Historic Places, and the first performing arts venue, to achieve a LEED Platinum rating.
THE 2017-2018 SEASON
The 2017-2018 season is funded in part by Season Superstars Tim and Mary Boyle and Lead Corporate Champion Umpqua Bank. Further support comes from Season Sponsors the Regional Arts and Culture Council, The Wallace Foundation and Oregon Arts Commission, a state agency funded by the state of Oregon and the National Endowment for the Arts. Support for Astoria comes from Fred W. Fields Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation; The Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation/Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan Schnitzer; Mr. and Mrs. W.T.C. Stevens; Dan Wieden and Priscilla Bernard Wieden; Rob Goodman; Broughton and Mary Bishop; Brigid Flanigan; William and Karen Early; Dedre J. Marriott; Ritz Family Foundation; Hilary Krane and Kelly Bulkeley; Travel Portland; Delta Air Lines; Bill and Larue Stoller/Express Employment Professionals; and Portland Monthly. Mark Spencer Hotel is the official hotel partner for the company. Portland Center Stage at The Armory was selected as a participant of the Wallace Foundation’s Building Audiences for Sustainability Initiative, a four-year effort with a nationwide cohort of 26 performing arts organizations.
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