February 5, 2005 - March 12, 2005
by Craig Wright
directed by Scott Yarbrough
CoHo Theater - 2257 NW Raleigh St, Portland, OR 97210
In the West Coast premiere of this stunning new comedy by Craig Wright (writer on HBO’s Six Feet Under), Recent Tragic Events places the enormity of world tragedy in context – a dazzling, delirious context of uncanny blind dates, drinking games, and Joyce Carol Oates. Craig Wright frames 9/11 in a splendidly cracked rear view mirror, becoming a catalyst for examination of who or what is running our lives. Do we really have a choice, or are we mere puppets espousing freedom?
Reviews
Third Rail’s debut production, Recent Tragic Events, is not only good enough to meet the expectations you should be having about them, but is one of the best plays you will see this year. Period…Third Rail’s stellar ensemble juggles Wright’s blend of realistic dialogue and absurd trickery with masterful nonchalance.
Portland Mercury
The performance I saw early in the run was laugh-out-loud funny. Weeks later, the play still haunts. The ensemble was tight, the work was specific, the ideas were provocative and, at the end of the play, I was moved to tears.
The NW Drizzle
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