'Summer Lighting' strikes the stage at Brush Creek

Lights dim and characters come to life on June 11 when Silverton resident Michael Smith's play "Summer Lightning" premieres.

The latest production of the Brush Creek Players, the script is a backstage comedy set in a Greenwich Village coffee shop during the '60's. Playing into their dramatic talents, a group of actors stage a Greek tragedy.

Smith is a prize-winning playwright and director who was a part of downtown theatre in New York. He wrote this play as a tribute to the Caffe Cino - historic birthplace of Off-Off Broadway - and some of the people he encountered there.

The cast of characters call for nine actors, some of them playing double roles.

Betty Ann Prior plays the role of Wilma Velp and the tragic heroine Phaedra. Joining her are Kory Crosen, Jacob Dickson, Cynthia Evans, Tavis Evans, Norman Gouveia, Vere McCarty, Alfred St.John Smith, and Alison White.

Performances run through June 28, with shows scheduled on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. The box office, open a half an hour before start time, sell general admission tickets for $10 and tickets to seniors and students for $7.

Auditions for Austen

Ann Elliot is a stereotypically oft-forgotten middle child. Motherless and a spinster by society's standards, Jane Austen's protagonist in her last novel "Persuasion," broke off an engagement at 19 under the advisement of her friend Lady Russell but eight years later must try and reconcile a relationship with the man.

The classic novel is set to turn Bruce Starker Arts Park's Amphitheatre into the English countryside, but is in need of actors to tell the tale.

On June 20, Majestic Theater holds auditions for the stage adaptation, with roles up for eight women, four men, and a general understudy. Thespians aged 16-65 are invited to come and try out. The auditions are scheduled for 1-5 p.m., and if necessary, on June 21 starting at 2 p.m. Appointment are acceptable if prior arrangements are made.

A short monologue, one to two minutes, from a piece of classic literature or a short poem is asked of auditioning actors. Those without a monologue are asked to read a selection chose by the director before any additional reading can be conducted.

Those who make it through the process have rehearsals beginning June 24 to be held at Majestic or out-of-doors within Corvallis.

The shows is set to run August 21-September 5.

A summer retreat

Housed in a wooded area of West Salem and hugged by a running creek, Pentacle Theatre hosts a true reprieve from summer heat, especially in June, as it offers a wintry story entitled "The Retreat From Moscow."

The only serving of true drama from the theater this season, "The Retreat From Moscow," is a story of a 33-year marriage dying during the winter. The couple, Alice and Edward, discover that perhaps they never loved each other as they begin to drift apart.

Edward, played by Todd Logan, wants to keep the pretense of their marriage because it's easy. His wife (played by Robynn Hayek), however, tries to use tricks to illicit an emotional reaction from her husband. She goes so far as to bring their son Jamie, played by Seth Allen, into the conflict.

The play, which runs through June 20, is directed by Jenni Bertels.

Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday matinees are held at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $17 or $18 depending on the date of attendance and may be purchased by the Pentacle Theater Office located at 145 LIberty Street downtown.

For more information, call the the theater's office at 503-485-4300.