X by Alistair McDowall

May 22, 2026 - June 7, 2026

CoHo Theater - 2257 NW Raleigh St, Portland, OR 97210

Stranded in the cosmos, far from the world you know, what remains that roots you to home?

In the distant future, a group of explorers and scientists are abandoned inside an isolated research base on Pluto. All contact with Earth has ceased. As hope gives way to paranoia, time disintegrates and reality is questioned; strange visitations begin to encroach. Faced with a sense of rapidly escalating alienation, the galactic castaways fight to retain their humanity and the relationships upon which their survival depends.

Science fiction meets cosmic horror meets psychological drama in the propulsive final play of Third Rail’s 20th Anniversary Season.


Run Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes (including one 15-minute intermission)

Click here for Content Advisory Notes

This production contains discussions of death, portrayals of violence, and suicidal actions


Special Events

Community Access Night Saturday, May 30

Third Rail is committed to furthering equity, inclusion, and access for artists and audiences. Our Community Access Nights are special Pay-What-You-Will performances that intentionally welcome all people into the theatre doors. We especially invite audiences of marginalized identities—including BIPOC audiences and LGBTQIA2S+ audiences—as well as younger audiences and theatre lovers for whom ticket prices often pose a financial obstacle. Join us for a performance that celebrates our richly diverse community.

ASL Interpreted PerformanceFriday, June 5

For this performance, we will have two American Sign Language interpreters. Please email boxoffice@thirdrailrep.org if you have any questions about this performance.

Talkbacks

Join us after the show for a talkback, following most performances.


Youth Performance Schedule

Rose (Rosie) Kashinsky will appear as Young Mattie May 22 (Opening), May 24, May 29, May 31, June 4, and June 6

Fiona Kashinsky will appear as Young Mattie May 21 (Preview), May 23, May 28, May 30, June 3, June 5, and June 7


Photos credited to Rick Liu (above) and Owen Carey (below)

*Actors and stage managers appearing through an Agreement between this theater and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United State.

Artists

  • Writer Alistair McDowall
  • Director Rebecca Lingafelter
  • Assistant Director Annabel Cantor
  • Lighting Designer Carl Faber
  • Scenic and Props Designer Alex Meyer
  • Sound Designer Mark Valadez
  • Video Designer Trevor Sargent
  • Costume Designer Jenny Ampersand
  • Fight/Intimacy Coordinator Kristen Mun-Van Noy
  • Sound & Video Technician Kaitlyn Gill
  • Technical Director and Builder Emma Boyd
  • Lead Electrician Sam Kemp
  • Stage Manager Mia Webster*
  • Production Assistant Hayley Lamsma
  • Wardrobe Erin MacGillivray

Cast

  • Gilda Maureen Porter*
  • Clark Mike O'Connell*
  • Ray Bruce Burkhartsmeier*
  • Mattie Olivia Mathews
  • Cole Austin Michael Young*
  • Young Mattie Rose (Rosie) Kashinsky & Fiona Kashinsky