production history

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Lee Moyer		 Shining City
by Conor McPherson
Jan. 4 - Feb. 2, 2008

Third Rail returns to Ireland with this acclaimed play by the author of The Weir. John visits Ian, a psychiatrist, for help with a predicament: his wife won't leave the house. The problem: she was killed in an automobile accident months ago. Shining City is a story of faith, guilt and loss, where the ghosts of your past can either haunt you or set you free. Nominated for the 2006 Tony Award for Best Play.

Cast:
Cast: Bruce Burkhartsmeier, Chris Harder, Val Landrum, and Michael O'Connell*



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Reviews:
"A characteristically superb production from Third Rail Repertory Theatre." - The Oregonian

"Third Rail's production showcases the impressive talents of director Slayden Scott Yarbrough." - Willamette Week

"Shining City develops an irresistible momentum, with the play's elegant structure bolstered by thoughtful performances, for yet another solid production from Third Rail." - Portland Mercury


poster design by
Lee Moyer		 Grace
by Craig Wright
Sep. 28 - Oct. 27, 2007

We're thrilled to present another work by one of our all-time favorite playwrights. As you've come to expect with Craig's plays, you'll see the world (and your place in it) from a uniquely theatrical perspective. Darkly comic and sublimely honest, Grace tackles the big questions of God, faith, destiny and tech support.

Cast:
Stephanie Gaslin, Damon Kupper, Doug Mace and Leif Norby

Production Photos

Reviews:
"It's the best show I've seen on any Portland Stage since The Pavilion, Third Rail's last Wright production... Drop whatever you're doing and order your tickets now. You don't want to miss this one." - Willamette Week

"A great piece of writing, intellectually vigorous and playfully structured, and given a note-perfect delivery in this production by Third Rail Repertory Theatre." - The Oregonian

"Third Rail Repertory Theatre's ongoing love affair with playwright Craig Wright ... pays off richly in this finely crafted drama." - Portland Tribune


poster design by
Lee Moyer		 A Lesson from Aloes
by Athol Fugard
May 4 - June 2, 2007

A psychological mystery of survival and politics, this award-winning play is considered by many to be Fugard's masterpiece. Set in apartheid-era South Africa, Aloes shows how a nation's ideology creates an atmosphere that is either nurturing or poisonous. At what point does personal survival outweigh social justice? What happens to a friendship undermined by fear and paranoia? What can be done when mere existence is considered an act of treason? With guest artists Gretchen Corbett and Kevin Jones and company member John Steinkamp.

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Reviews:
"Fugard's examination of the effects of totalitarian repression on human relationships is a work of terrible sadness played with stifling desperation by the excellent ensemble." - Willamette Week

"John Steinkamp is wonderful as the stubborn Piet.... Gretchen Corbett and Kevin Jones also are terrific, and Slayden Scott Yarbrough's steady direction creates a dire, affecting tableau." - Portland Tribune

"Third Rail's solid production eloquently renders Fugard's message. In the hands of director Slayden Scott Yarbrough, this story speaks clearly and articulately as a lesson for our own time." - Portland Mercury

Awards:
Third Rail garnered FOUR Drammy Awards for their 2007 production of A Lesson from Aloes by Athol Fugard.


poster design by
Lee Moyer		Number Three
by Ebbe Roe Smith
Jan. 12 - Feb. 10, 2007

Third Rail is proud to present this world premiere by local playwright Ebbe Roe Smith. Set in 1950's America, Number Three is the heartbreaking, hilarious story of the youngest child in a military family. Featuring Third Rail company members Tim True, Michael O'Connell, and guest artists Scott Coopwood, Maureen Porter and Val Landrum. This production made possible in part by the Oregon Cultural Trust.

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Reviews:
"With Ebbe Roe Smith's world premiere play, Third Rail repertory Theatre once again delivers what audiences have come to expect from the company: a provocative story offered with technical precision and superb acting" - Portland Tribune

"Third Rail delivers everything they've become known for: note-perfect performances; engaging, effective technical design... it ranks among the best Portland has to offer." - Portland Mercury

"The five-person cast is uniformly terrific." - The Oregonian

"An excellent production of a chilling and hilarious play." - Willamette Week

Awards:
Number Three by Ebbe Roe Smith captured a Drammy Award for Outstanding Original Script.


poster design by
Lee Moyer		The Pavilion
by Craig Wright
Oct. 20 - Nov. 18, 2006

With The Pavilion, Third Rail returns to the universe of Craig Wright (Recent Tragic Events ), who tackles metaphysical questions with compassionate humor and bold theatricality. Set in a dance hall in small-town Minnesota, a twenty-year high school reunion provides the backdrop for Wright's cosmic distillation of time, choice and irrevocability. When the "Cutest Senior Couple" of 1986 meets on the dance floor, will their flame be rekindled or will their history tear them to pieces? Featuring company members Valerie Stevens, Michael O'Connell (Drammy winners for their work in Recent Tragic Events), and Damon Kupper.

Production Photos

Reviews:
"Every aspect of this production is excellent, from the acting to the lighting to Jen Raynak's enveloping sound" - Willamette Week

"The cast and crew make this production look effortless-as though tech, acting, and directing snap together this cleanly all the time...you won't find many nights in the theater more satisfying than this one." - Portland Mercury

"There is nothing showy here-just a deep immersion in the script and the technical skills to bring out its natural rythms without forcing anything or letting anything go slack." - The Oregonian

Awards:
Third Rail's production of The Pavilion received a Drammy Award for Outstanding Sound Design by Jen Raynak.



poster design by
Lee Moyer		The Lonesome West
by Martin McDonagh
May. 19 - Jun. 17, 2006

Our third production moves from the absurd/global to the naturalistic/domestic - but don't count on things being any more peaceful as a result.

With Sam Shepard's True West, Neil Simon's The Odd Couple and J.M. Synge's Playboy of the Western World as points of reference, the play is a surprising and very funny look at the darker side of family.

Company members Stephanie Gaslin, Mike O'Connell, John Steinkamp and Tim True appear in this production, with Slayden Scott directing.

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Reviews:
"Excellent - a play that makes the season worthwhile. Modern Irish absurdity presented with Third Rail's consistently high level of craftsmanship, a level of professionalism that should be Portland theatre's baseline, not its bar. Opening-night audience seemed one feckin' laugh track, though play's humor and humanity lay beyond lilting punch lines." - followspot.blogspot.com

"[Third Rail's] small, stellar pool of actors always seems perfectly cast, despite playing wildly different characters every time . . . Watching this wonderful production of his wonderful play is like slipping into a hot bubble bath. The pain eases, the muscles relax, and a notion floats into the mind on a cloud of blissful relief: Yes. It can be done in Portland. It really can." - Portland Mercury

"McDonagh's masterly story invites you to come on in, take a cozy chair in between obstinacy and outright stupidity, and enjoy your stay. You will . . . Director Slayden Scott's small cast is superb . . . one of the most entertaining plays in Portland this season." - Portland Tribune

"Third Rail nails the rhythm of Martin McDonagh's dark Irish comedy The Lonesome West . . . the first local production that's caught the deadpan transgressiveness and hard-slamming beat of McDonagh's taboo-busting comic style . . . good theater is a seduction . . . and Portland's Third Rail Repertory Theatre is breathing hot and heavy with . . . [a] brawling, blackhearted new production of McDonagh's perverse comedy . . . True and Steinkamp . . . [are] a terrific physical match." - The Oregonian

"Director Slayden Scott has chosen Third Rail's first comedy well. The Lonesome West is about as ambitious as comedies come . . . It's a brilliant show... and definitely rises to the occasion." - Willamette Week

Awards:
Third Rail garnered THREE Drammy Awards for their 2006 production of The Lonesome West by Martin McDonagh.


poster design by
Lee Moyer		Dirty Story
by John Patrick Shanley
Sep. 9 - Oct. 8, 2005

In this savage, very funny play by John Patrick Shanley (Tony- and Pulitzer-award-winning "Doubt," "Moonstruck"), a familiar story of domestic strife takes a twist that will make audiences gasp. In the hands of Third Rail Repertory Theatre, this promises to be a thrilling and provocative evening of theater. Director Slayden Scott has assembled a dynamite quartet of actors: company members Valerie Stevens and Michael O'Connell (both of whom recently received Drammy awards for their work in Third Rail's first production, "Recent Tragic Events") are joined by Damon Kupper (last seen in ART's "Death of a Salesman") and the venerable Ted Roisum.

Production Photos

Reviews:
"Third Rail delivers it with that giddy combination of talent, humor, and professionalism." - Portland Mercury

"A dizzyingly clever thrill ride from brainy and dark to howlingly funny, this play is not to be missed." - Portland Tribune

" A deliciously savage comedy... a bristling, fiercely smart production from Third Rail Repertory Theatre" - The Oregonian

" ...hilariously rendered by Third Rail's cast of pros..." - Willamette Week


Recent Tragic Events
by Craig Wright
Feb. 4 - Mar. 12, 2005

Reviews:
"Third Rail's debut production, RECENT TRAGIC EVENTS, is one of the best plays you will see this year. Period." - Portland Mercury

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"Risky...I look forward to seeing what they will do in the future." - The Oregonian

"This is what professional theater looks like, and if you go to the theater in Portland only occasionally...make this one of the occasions. RECENT TRAGIC EVENTS is an event. " - Willamette Week

Awards:

Third Rail captured FIVE Drammy Awards for their 2005 production of "Recent Tragic Events" at the CoHo Theater.