Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Settling into a theater seat as the houselights dim and a performance gets under way – that’s one of my favorite places to be.
If you’re a theater junkie, too, I have good news: Two local productions are scheduled to take place this month in Portales.
One is a revenge comedy that cleverly deals with a tough topic; the second is a lighthearted parody perfect for all ages.
The revenge comedy — “Exit, Pursued by a Bear” by Lauren Gunderson — opens Thursday for a four-day run in the intimate black box at the Eastern New Mexico University theater under the direction of Anne Beck.
Even though it’s a comedy, it deals with a woman experiencing domestic violence, and Beck points out that it “contains strong language and themes which may be inappropriate for younger and sensitive audience members.” (More on that in a moment.)
The second show is the fall production of Portales High School’s Theatre and Drama Club, a family friendly parody set in Harry Potter’s wizarding world called, “Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic.”
“Puffs” will be on the stage of the PHS Performing Arts Center the evenings of Nov. 17 and 18, under the direction of theater teacher Melody Gallagher. PHS senior Nadiya Borys (who also happens to be my favorite Ukrainian exchange student) is the assistant director.
First a bit more about “Exit, Pursued by a Bear.”
This has been a whirlwind production for Eastern’s Department of Theatre and Digital Filmmaking, Beck said, with barely over three weeks of rehearsal time for the four-member cast, following a last-minute decision to swap out a previously scheduled show.
“Lauren Gunderson’s plays are more produced than other playwrights right now,” Beck told me. After attending a rehearsal last week, I can understand why.
The show is about a woman who has come up with a plan to finally leave her abusive husband, but not without giving him a look at why she’s made the decision. The script is sharp and surprisingly witty, and the ending is both empowering and hopeful.
The topic, however, is obviously a serious one, and the script is seasoned liberally with salty language and adult content. If that’s not within your comfort zone, you might want to take a pass on this one.
“Puffs,” on the other hand, is “great for all ages,” Gallagher said, “and it doesn’t matter if you’re not familiar with the ‘boy wizard.’”
The comedy has been billed as a story for “anyone who has never been destined to save the world,” which is part of the fun, according to assistant director Borys.
“Everyone knows the story of Harry Potter, but ‘Puffs’ is the side we haven’t heard about,” she said, “the aspect of people who have failures and how they react as normal people. It’s fun to see the same moments we all know, but from the other side.”
Both shows are one-act only, with no intermissions. “Exit” is about 65 minutes long; “Puffs” is about 90 minutes in length.
Curtain time for “Exit, Pursued by a Bear” is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday in the black box at the University Theatre Center, Portales. Tickets are $10 general admission, $7 for senior citizens (60 and up) and active-duty military, and free to ENMU students with ID.
Find “Puffs” a week later, at 6 p.m. on Nov. 17 and 18 in the PHS Performing Arts Center, 201 S. Knoxville, Portales. Please bring cash only to buy your tickets. They are $7 general admission and $5 for military and students with ID. Children under 5 may attend for free.
In this month of giving thanks, I am always and forever thankful for the great entertainment we have in our community.
Betty Williamson is perpetually ready for an evening of theater. Reach her at:
