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| Portland, OR Apr. 21 - Apr. 26, 2009; The Keller Auditorium | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 27 2008, 04:56 PM (693 Views) | |
| mouser | Sep 27 2008, 04:56 PM Post #1 |
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FIFTIES QUESTIONS: The Beach Boys were originally called: a. The Pendletones b. The ElCaminos c. The California Kids ------------------------- April 21 - April 26, 2009 Keller Auditorium 222 SW Clay St Portland, OR 97201 (503) 274-6560 TICKETS: $TBA Box Office: (503)-224-4400 Sale begins Marc.h 1, 2009 at the venue. You can purchase tickets for $92.00 to $ 132.00 off venue . The Keller Auditorium Box Office on site is open 2 hours prior to performances for day-of-show sales and will-call tickets. Apr 21 7:00P Apr 22 7:00P Apr 23 7:00P Apr 24 7:00P Apr 25 2:00P Apr 25 8:00P Apr 26 2:00P Apr 26 8:00P Apr 28 7:00P SEATING CAPACITY: 2992 SEATING CHART: ![]() 2ND BALCONY -------------------- Is 10 rows deep (A-K) Sections B, & D have 13 seats across Sections A, & E have 6 seats across Except row A which has only 4 seats across Section C has rows of 14 and 13 seats across Boxes A & E have 10 seats each 1ST BALCONY ------------------- Is 8 rows deep (A-H) Sections B, & D have 12 seats across Sections A, & E have 11 seats across Except row c which has 9, and rows D-H which have 7 seats across Section C has rows of 13 and 12 seats across BOXES ------------------- There are 14 boxes Boxes 4 through 11 are considered center boxes Boxes 5 through 10 have 16 seats each First 8 in front, and 8 in back Boxes 1-3 and 12-14 have 12 seats each Boxes 4 & 11, have 14 seats Backs of boxes 4 & 11, are used for wheelchairs ORCHESTRA LEVEL -------------------- Five sections with rows PA and PB being the first two rows From there it goes back 31 rows (A-FF) Rows vary from 7 to 13 seats across Seats are numbered from Left to Right (facing the stage). THE VENUE: ![]() As part of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts., The Keller (originally known as the Civic Auditorium) was built in 1917. It was completely renovated in 1968. Throughout the years, it has been the 'workhorse' theater for the city of Portland, hosting many performing arts events each year. The building is home to the Portland Opera, The Oregon Ballet Theatre, and Oregon Children's Theatre. It also hosts many national acts and traveling Broadway shows. On May 25, 2000, Richard B. Keller donated $1.5 million to the renovation of the Portland Civic Auditorium. In recognition of that gift, the auditorium has been renamed Keller Auditorium. Richard Keller is the son of the late Ira Keller, for whom the fountain across Third Avenue was named. Since its opening, the Portland Center for the Performing Arts has won numerous design awards and has become equally popular with the public. The Center has over 1,000 events and welcomes over one million visitors each year into its theatres. ![]() The concession stands (located on the main level and first balcony) offer fresh cookies, coffee, and other small fare. Full service bar locations are also open during most events. images courtesy of http://www.pcpa.com/ and flickr.com RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g52024-i238-k1542438-Restaurants_near_Keller_Auditorium-Portland_Oregon.html Restaurants http://realtravel.com/a-207361-portland_attraction-keller_auditorium Hotels POINTS OF INTEREST: Tillamook Cheese Factory 4175 Highway 101 North Tillamook,, OR. 97141 In 1909 ten independent dairy farmers joined together to establish the Tillamook County Creamery Association with the vision of having a central body to oversee quality control and marketing. From those beginnings came the Tillamook Cheese Factory, a dairy co-operative that includes 150 dairy farms producing butter, ice cream, sour cream, yogurt, and the famous Tillamook Cheddar from one central plant. Now host to over a million tourists a year, the factory allows visitors to watch the cheesemaking and packaging processes from a viewing gallery over the production floor. A visitor's center provides an observation area, museum, and educational slide show, as well as a deli and fudge counter. Also on the creamery grounds is a full-sized replica of the 1854 schooner once used by farmers to transport butter to Portland. Pittock Mansion 3229 NW Pittock Drive, Portland, , OR 97210 ![]() Portland pioneers Henry and Georgiana Pittock, who had helped shape the city through Henry's business empire and Georgiana's dedication to community service, made the Pittock Mansion their home from 1914 to 1919. Their wonderful personal history is on full display at the mansion, where visitors can enjoy generations of art and artifacts from the Pittock era and discover the fascinating stories of the impact the Pittock's had on the city. The mansion's most prized possessions include portraits of Henry and Georgiana, their 1887 Steinway piano, family photographs, and a collection of porcelain, silver, glass, and Tiffany pieces. The mansion itself is a wonder to behold with its eclectic architecture and an interior richly decorated in period furnishings. Georgiana's lush gardens, her particular pleasure, are as beautiful as ever and hide miles of hiking trails that visitors are free to wander. Photography enthusiasts, picnickers, and history buffs alike will all find plenty to explore at this exquisite mansion. Japanese Garden 611 SW Kingston Avenue, Portland, , OR 97205 ![]() Weary travelers will find the respite they need in a corner of Washington Park where the Japanese Garden offers meandering streams, intimate walkways, an expansive view of Mount Hood, and infinite tranquility. The garden is composed of five different garden styles in which the careful arrangement of plants, stones, and water creates beautiful, meditative scenes. The Moon Bridge leads visitors to the Strolling Pond Garden, where they are met by crane sculptures and a pond of koi. Other paths lead to the formal Flat Garden, the Natural Garden with its waterfalls, streams, ferns and mosses, and the abstract Sand and Stone Garden with its simple beauty of stones rising from raked sand. The small Tea Garden leads to the Tea House, where demonstrations are given of the traditional Tea Ceremony. Open to visitors year round, the garden offers guided tours and hosts special events, traditional festivals, art shows, workshops, and exhibits of ikebana, the traditional art of flower arranging. Oregon Museum of Science & Industry 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, , OR 97214 A must-see attraction, the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry is a virtual playground for kids and adults alike. Ranked one of the top ten in the country, the Museum features five exhibit halls and eight science labs that offer a whirlwind of fun interactive exhibits and hands-on demonstrations. After a day of experimenting or exploring the USS Blueblack Navy submarine, visitors should head to the Motion Simulator to experience the twists and turns of a journey through a volcano or a high-speed lap around the Grand Prix racetrack, or visit the five-story OmniMax theatre where they can take a breathtaking virtual tour of the Alps or get inside a hurricane. Not to be missed are the astronomy and laser shows at the Kendall Planetarium. A giant domed theatre transports visitors into space with shows like Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity, or submerses them in the dazzling display of special effects at the Laser Symphony of the Stars show. MEDIA AND REVIEWS: 1. Grease Is The Word April 21st, 2009 at 11:39 pm by Marty Davis · Tuesday, April 21 marked the opening night in Portland of The Fred Meyer Broadway Across America presentation of Grease. The production isn’t great; but neither is it awful. Tonight’s numbers were not marred by horrid sound glitches, a common feature of opening nights at Keller Auditorium. The cast is talented and energetic, though many semed a bit long in the tooth to be playing Rydell High School students. There was more than one scene where students could easily have been mistaken for teachers. But, it’s theater, let your imagination take over the evening. Eric Schneider, cast in the lead role of Danny Zuko did not bring to the stage the physical presence needed to flesh out the tough guy role. Playing a lead role in Grease would be a dauting task as movie fans now have 20 plus years of viewing history, with John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and Stockard Channing embedded in our collective memories. There is only one Danny Zuko. There is only one Rizzo. And what about Taylor Hicks, you ask? Hicks fans need to manage their expectations. He is not the star of the show. His one musical number appears in the second act; but here’s the good news, he’s well worth the wait. The trimmed down, quite handsome winner of season five of American Idol does a campy and ever-so-slightly gay number that brings a needed boost to the production. And, if you’re a Hicks fan, don’t be the first one out the door, there is a bonus musical number at the end of the staged performance. And if you’re seriously a fan, Hicks will be in the lobby signing copies of his CD at the end of the evening. 2. LIVE REVIEW: Grease 1:03 PM April 22nd, 2009 by Kelly Clarke http://blogs.wweek.com/news/2009/04/22/live-review-grease/ When it comes to the live Broadway touring show of Grease, cheese is the word (is the word that you heard, it’s got groove it’s got meaning, bah-bah-bah-BAAAAH). From the Brylcreemed hair and cotton candy pink jackets to rampant pelvic thrusting and PG-13 sex gags, it’s all here. Everything but John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. And that’s really the only problem with this production, which bounces across the Keller stage from last Tuesday night through Sunday, April 26 as part of the Fred Meyer Broadway Across America series. Although the gritty stage musical about Rydell High’s star-crossed lovers has been around since 1971, its the 1978 Lycra and leather movie hit that most everybody knows—and sings along to—best. No worries, all of the movie’s songs have been added to this happy, shiny, new stage revival—appearing along with a bunch of tunes, from “Those Magic Changes” to “It’s Raining on Prom Night,” that fans will recognize from the film soundtrack (psst: they’re from the original musical). Be forewarned, your favorites may show up at different times in the stage show than you expect. Blame the movie. It’s what moved the raunchy favorite “Sandra Dee” from the football bleachers to the bedroom. The show actually starts before the house lights dim, with WAXX radio DJ Vince Fontaine (Dominic Perkins), he of the slicked back pompadour and sparkly pink jacket, enlists the crowd to sing along to “Runaround Sue” and do the Twist and the Swim. It’s goofy and silly and fun, and that mood is carried through on stage by a cast that is uniformly bubbly, cheerful and blessed with voices big and brassy enough to give Frankie Avalon a run for his money. Although leads Eric Schneider and Emily Padgett moon and croon Danny and Sandy’s ballads with aplomb, its tough not to compare them to their movie predecessors. Padgett battles comparisons by playing Sandy more geeky than angelic, her clear voice hitting each syllable of her beloved lyrics like she’s performing an oral exam. Schneider goes a more relaxed route, his face crumbling as he sings his stranded at the drive in ode to Sandy. Sadly though, at times he seems to play it so cool that it looks like he’s simply doing a walk-thru of some of the dance number choreography. It’s the dual gangs of the T-Birds and Pink Ladies that really push the musical to its most charming heights: Standout moments coming from porky Roger (Will Blum) and Twinkie-obsessed Jan (Bridge Carroll), while as Marty, Kelly Felthouse deliciously channels every breathy blonde bombshell squeak and shimmy invented from Marilyn to Paris Hilton. Unless you’re illiterate and blind, you already know that the production has been sold the past few months as starring American Idol Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks, his open, smiling mug and salt-and-pepper coif gazing out from every surface available. In truth, Hicks plays Teen Angel, who has less than five minutes of stage time in Grease. Luckily, when you’re make your entrance from the inside of a giant, floating ice cream cone, time stops. The crooner seems to be having a ball as he vamps through his single song, “Beauty School Dropout,” even tossing in a hip shake and a eyelash flutter for good effect. His voice is a knockout—as is his suit, adorned with silver-spangled angel wings. And if you didn’t get enough of the Hicks, stick around after the cast takes its final bow. In an epic (and, frankly, tasteless) bit of cross promotion, the Idol winner actually sings his new adult contemporary-ish single “What’s Right Is Right” at the end of the show. I like him better as Teen Angel. Ultimately, Grease is exactly what one would hope to be, a fun compilation of ’50s schmaltz and sweetness—although at two and a half hours, that much happiness is a little exhausting. One quibble: for the life of me I can’t tell you why some of the stage show’s most memorable lyrics have been scrubbed cleaner. Kenickie now thinks that “the chicks will scream for Greased Lightning” instead of “cream.” Also, the car is no longer a “real pussy wagon.” Why omit these dirty lyrics when Rizzo chastises Kenickie for instigating a “gang bang” two minutes before the song starts? All I know is that it totally puts the breaks on a rowdy audience sing along. And that’s what we’re all here for, right? Grease plays at the Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., 241-1802. 7:30 pm Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 pm Saturday, 1 and 6:30 pm Sunday, April 22-26. $23.50-$68.50. 3. Oregon Live 'Grease,' playing at the Keller, unleashes bright, shiny colors by Holly Johnson, Special to The Oregonian Thursday April 23, 2009, 7:00 AM Joan Marcus Broadway Across America's "Grease" It's as slick as a '50s ducktail hairdo, as hyperactive as a high school hop and as fun as a drive-in burger joint on Saturday night. "Grease," currently on tour with Broadway Across America at the Keller Auditorium, just doesn't seem to slow down over the decades. Taylor HicksCleverly featuring "American Idol" star Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel, this touring production is a far cry from the original, grittier stage version of "Grease" -- about Polish American working-class high school kids -- co-created by Jim Jacobs and the late Warren Casey. It was first performed in 1971 in Chicago and concentrated more on story than song and dance. It seems that as time has passed, the music and dance numbers have multiplied, but the story and characters have faded. In this newest incarnation, which includes additional songs composed by Barry Gibb, John Farrar and others for the 1978 film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, there's little sense of being in an actual '50s high school because Derek McLane's set is so ... otherworldly. It's a teenage fantasy land of candy colors, a trip back to the '50s with tinted lenses. Bright colors abound in every scene, thanks in part to colored spotlights. Tall pink and blue lockers gleam. Glitter decorates the boys' pastel jackets. Kenickie's T-Bird shines candy-apple red. The malt shop radiates a glorious turquoise and hot pink. And, as often as possible, masses of twinkling lights fill the entire back of the stage. "Grease" When: Final performances 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday Where: Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St. Tickets: $23.50-$68.50, Ticketmaster, 503-790-2787 Web site: broadwayacrossamerica.com The actors are strong, particularly in song and dance, but we scarcely get to know their characters. Eric Schneider as heartthrob Danny Zuko is sweet-faced despite the leather jacket and false bravado. Emily Padgett's Sandy is rather waiflike until she is transformed into a blond bombshell in the last act. Both are vocally strong and dazzling dancers. Hicks is perfect for the cameo role of Teen Angel, floating down out of a giant ice cream cone to croon "Beauty School Dropout," one of the show's most delectable numbers. Kathleen Marshall's direction and, particularly, her choreography sparkle with invention. It's bright, shiny and candy-coated -- like the "Grease" most of us know so well. http://www.oregonlive.com/performance/index.ssf/2009/04/grease_playing_at_the_keller_u.html 4. 'Grease,' the musical at Portland's Keller Auditorium 09:19 AM PDT on Friday, April 24, 2009 By ELLEN KIMBALL, Special Contributor for kgw.com GREASE: In Portland April 21 – 26 The one that you want is back! GREASE, Time magazine’s 2007 pick for “#1 Musical of the Year,” is rockin’ into Portland, Oregon -- and across the country in this new production direct from Broadway. Take a trip to a simpler time of poodle skirts, drive-ins, and T-birds. (Hey, I remember ALL those things!) “Bad boy” Danny and “the girl next door” Sandy fall in love all over again to the tune of your favorite songs: “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightning” and “We Go Together” as well as additional songs from the hit movie: “Grease Is the Word,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “You’re the One That I Want.” Weekend planner: Local events So throw your mittens around your kittens and hand jive the night away with the show that’ll make you want to stand up and shout, “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop, A-wop-bam-boom!” It’s GREASE! Warm-up DJ Vince Fontaine, from fictional Radio Station WAXX -- played by the deliciously double-jointed, fast-talking Dominic Fortuna -- is worth the price of admission alone! You will lose count of the number of local jokes he makes, especially the ones poking gentle fun at the town of Scappoose. Everyone in the cast is totally SWELL, including Eric Schneider as "Danny Zuko" and Emily Padgett as "Sandy Dumbrowski." Fifth season "American Idol" TV winner Taylor Hicks ("Teen Angel") makes quite an entrance in a levitating ice cream cone. The floating device opens like a clamshell to reveal Mr. Hicks wearing more sequins on a man's suit than I can remember seeing since Liberace was alive! His voice is smooth on "Beauty School Dropout." Don't leave early because Hicks re-appears to croon his final song at the very end. Of course, there was a first-night standing ovation for "Grease." It's all in the spirit of fun and -- for those of us audience members with a bit of mileage on our individual odometers -- a rare look at our memories, including one flashy, racy red Ford Thunderbird I KNOW I rode in decades ago. Ah, yes, those were the days we thought would never end! http://www.kgw.com/lifestyle/stories/kgw_042009_lifestyle_grease_musical.f3d18a6f.html 5. Byron Beck's blog Slick Hicks: American Idol Steals Grease Tour as Campy Teen Angel Posted by Byron Beck on April 21, 2009 at 10:30pm SLICK HICKS Here is the first pic of American Idol winner Taylor Hicks immediately following his show-stealing performance as "Teen Angel" during the opening night of "Grease" currently onstage at the Keller Auditorium. Okay, it wasn't a perfect show, hell it wasn't even very good, but dammit if the kids in this touring production didn't do the best they could with the material given to them—and the fact that most of the audience have seen the film version of it about a million times or so. That said, when Hicks hit the stage to sing "Beauty School Dropout" (well he actually descended from the ceiling out a giant ice cream cone) it became a completely different show bent on giving the audience what they had come for: an entertaining experience full of cheesy songs and campy deliveries. ....I do know a couple of things about that harmonica-playing boy. He sure knows how to be girly (his ass-wiggling dance moves were equal parts Paul Lynde and Cher) and he is one hot guy. Who knew? http://byronbeckwindow.ning.com/profiles/blogs/slick-hicks-american-idol SOUL PATROL MEMORIES : 1. WritingGoddess We saw "Grease" last night and it was a truly wonderful performance. Taylor Hicks (from "American Idol") was in it and did a great job. Nicole went up to his afterwards (he was signing CDs) and leaned over to tell him he was gorgeous (he is). He was startled and gave her a great smile. She was beaming. Where did my shy little girl go? courtesy of Chris Kalani who took his mother to see Grease for her Birthday. 2. saboo I was thrilled to see throngs of people headed the same direction. I figured there would at least be a pretty large crowd. As it turned out later, the place was PACKED. If it wasn't sold out, I'll bet it was darned close. We entered the Keller, and one of the first things I see in the lobby is Bill and another guy manning the merchandise stand, surrounded by people about 4-5 deep. Vince Fontaine also had people in the audience who were not from Portland shout out where they were from. We heard.... "Salem!"...."Corvallis!"... "Eugene!".... "Scappoose!"..."Washougal!" The name of that last town, Washougal, which is in Washington State across the Columbia River from Portland, cleverly found it's way into one of Vince Fontaine's lines much later in the play. It brought the house down. The sets are very simple, but I think very effective. Taylor said he sells about 80 CDs a night at the Grease performances courtesy of TaylorFan69 April 24, 20093. TaylorFan69 All I can say is that when Taylor is onstage he fills the room with his presence, but when he is off stage he is unassuming, gracious, and thoughtful. It was a real pleasure to visit with him. That is an understatement. courtesy of TaylorFan69 ( Meet and Greet area)4. CloudNine I asked Taylor if there was any chance if he might have any members of his band play with him Wednesday night for the AI show and his response was "Maybe, wasn't sure, hadn't made up his mind and etc. etc. from ByronBecksBlog
Edited by mouser, Aug 8 2009, 06:30 PM.
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courtesy of Chris Kalani who took his mother to see Grease for her Birthday.
courtesy of TaylorFan69 April 24, 2009
courtesy of TaylorFan69 ( Meet and Greet area)
from ByronBecksBlog



2:38 AM Jul 11