Recent Events
Salon: Lifelines
A poetic heart, and language most glorious.
The poetry anthology Lifelines began when Irish school children yearning to help famine victims in developing countries, wrote to famous people asking them to name their favorite poem and tell the reader why. They published the responses, and the proceeds went to aid the needy and hungry. Our sharing of the material featured a grand cast of local artists, performing in English, Spanish, French, Gaelic and in song. Lifelines was directed by Gemma Whelan and performed at Stonehenge Studios. [June, 2011] (More)
The Spring Concert
An artful plea to fix gun checks.
A concert to promote sanity in the streets and safety in the schools. This large-scale 2011 event S.O.S. – Songs of Sondheim reunited the award-winning cast of the highly-praised local production of Sondheim’s Assassins, as well as other beloved vocalists and musicians. The concert honored victims of gun violence everywhere, and Cerimon House partnered with Stumptown Stages and Ceasefire Oregon Education Foundation to raise funds and consciousness. Performed at the historic Alberta Rose Theatre. [May, 2011]
The Portrait Project
The story within the historic image.
A commission of local Portland painter and graphic artist Jeremy Boldt. His 18 portraits graced the stage of our May 2011 benefit concert: S.O.S. – Songs of Sondheim. These illuminating and provocative images captured the essence of 9 American presidents and 9 related personalities who are featured in the songs from the Tony-Award winning Sondheim musical Assassins. In the wake of the Tucson mass killing in January 2011, the concert brought focus to gun safety issues. These portraits were created digitally and can be obtained in a popular printed Collectors Set by contacting Cerimon House at info@cerimonhouse.org [May, 2011]
Shaw – Don Juan
Playing with a literary fire…and it smarts.
In George Bernard Shaw’s theatrical allegory Don Juan In Hell, Senor Don Juan Tenorio finds his way to Heaven with a little help from an old and artful friend named Lucifer. This Cerimon House Salon featured Gilberto Martin del Campo as Don Juan, Jennifer Le Blanc as Dona Ana, Joel Morello as Don Gonzalo and Megan Cole as The Devil. Directed by Randall Stuart, adapted by Ms. LeBlanc & Mr. Stuart, performed at Stonehenge Studios. Don Juan stands as one of the 20th Century masterpieces of literature. [April 2011]
Shaw – Heartbreak
Bohemia reawakened on a boat called England.
G. Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House is a delicious and witty prayer for peace, ranking among the finest of 20th century masterpieces. This presentation featured a reunion of the cast from the beloved Porchlight Theatre Company’s 2005 production (directed by Ms. E. Craven) which included Ms. M. Noble, Ms. J. Gelb, Ms. J. LeBlanc, Ms. P. Silver, Mr. R. Parnell, Mr. C. Neibaur, Mr. N. Sholley, Mr. J. Craven, Mr. T. Tressler and Mr. R. Stuart – and joined in this salon by Mr. P. Jones. Performed at Thorne Manor in Oakland, California. [January, 2011]
Salon: James Agee
Discovering the author’s American voice.
An evening about the life & times of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and film critic, James Agee. James Agee: An American Son featured excerpts from many of his most beloved writings and reviews, and including portions of his classic A Death in the Family. Created by Randall Stuart & Gemma Whelan, and performed by members of the Cerimon House Board of Directors as well as special guest Megan Cole. Performed at Stonehenge Studios. [January, 2011]
Salon: Wilde Irish
A green carnation in your lapel is jaunty.
Our very own Gemma Whelan hosted a marvelous Irish night at the historic Ainsworth House, to celebrate the birthday of Oscar Wilde. The audience was treated to high spirits, lovely harp music, pithy readings of Wildean note from the theatrical collection The Importance of Being Oscar, and an excerpt from Gemma’s newly-published novel about being born in Ireland: Fiona, Stolen Child read by the author. [October, 2010]
A Lovely Day
All in a day’s work: a revolutionary tale.
The whimsical new play A Lovely Day…in collaboration with the faculty and students of Pacific University’s Theatre Department. Cerimon House was pleased to mount a full production of this commedia-inspired work (with thanks to our co-producer Dr. Ellen Margolis.) A Lovely Day is a musical adaptation of the 1929 surreal comedy Pantagleize by Michel de Ghelderode. Book & Lyrics by Randall Stuart, Music by Rodolfo Ortega. Production Design by Tal Sanders and Caitlin Quinn. [October, 2009]
Beatles Songspiel
Speaking words of wisdom: Let It Be.
This vision-raising event was special in many ways. On International Peace Day, vocalist Gretchen Rumbaugh presented We Can Work It Out – A Beatles Songspiel in collaboration with musician Mark Anderson. The concert was presented in the parlors of two gorgeous historic homes in Portland. The evening featured 70 minutes of beloved tunes, truly reinvented from the musical canon of the Fab Four. [September, 2009]
