“Lazarillo,” turns out to be an exceptional production put on by the Miracle Theatre Group at the Milagro Theatre, 525 SE Stark Street in Portland.

My wife and I attended opening night and had a great time. The theatre itself is very intimate and up-close, so you can really see and enjoy all that’s going on around you.  The set design proves they have some very talented designers working for them. There wasn’t an empty seat to be had this night. I expect it to be that way throughout it’s run.

“Lazarillo” is a story of a young boy who just can’t catch a break.  Accused of a crime he claims he didn’t commit, Lazarillo takes us back to tell his story.

He is born in Puerto Rico to poor parents that work their fingers to the bone to provide for him.  As the father struggles with lack, he does what he feels needs to be done to put food on the family table.  Caught by the police for theft, he is given the choice of jail or the army.  Opting to go the way of the army, he is mistaken for an enemy soldier and killed.

Lazarillo’s mother sees a better life for her son and herself in America and they set off for New York.  Once again, struggling to survive, our hero’s mother sells him into slavery to an old, but crafty blind man who teases and beats the boy.

Lazarillo eventually escapes the torment of his “guardian” only to find himself passing from person to person in an attempt to make a life for himself, each Guardian as brutal and demeaning as the other.  Through each event, he attempts to reconcile the ways of the world with his still-soft heart.  Picture a Puerto Rican Huck Finn.  That’s Lazarillo.

You’d think that something with a plot of this nature would leave you melancholy, but not true at all.  It will have you laughing and soaking in every moment.  You’ll also be provoked to think.  You truly have to experience it for yourself.

The group of only five Thespians are stunningly good at their craft.  With the exception of talented Carlosalexis Cruz, who plays the lead, the other four play multiple parts and have you believing each one.  Kudos to Kate Braidwood, Emily Gleason, Matthew Kerrigan, and Andrew Phoenix.  Wonderful, wonderful!

“Lazarillo” plays at the Milagro Theatre through Saturday, May 28th.  You can find all the information at their web site,  http://www.milagro.org/

You’ll remember this well-done production for a long time to come.  Highly recommended!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Created by CarlosAlexis Cruz, based on the novel Lazarillo de Tormes

Directed by CarlosAlexis Cruz

Sponsored by National Endowment for the Arts, The Boeing Company and Urban Robotics

WHEN: May 6-28, 2011

Friday, May 6, 8 p.m., Opening Night with complimentary reception catered by La Bonita Restaurant

Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.

Sundays at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Milagro Theatre, 525 SE Stark Street, Portland, Oregon 97214

ADMISSION: $14 – $25; discounts for students, seniors and advance purchases

Tickets can be purchased from www.milagro.org or 503-236-7253

MORE INFORMATION: 503-236-7253 or www.milagro.org

ABOUT THE PLAY

Sold to a blind beggar as a child and then passed from one master to another — each more cruel and incompetent than the previous — young Lazarillo must pilfer and deceive to survive, and is usually punished for his pains. But like his literary successors Pinocchio or Huck Finn, the endearing Lazarillo learns to fake miracles and mouse infestations, to expose hucksters and the absurdities of the establishment, all in an attempt to elevate his position in society. Based on the first picaresque novel once banned by the Inquisition, this modern interpretation set in the Bronx of the 1980s integrates hip-hop, circus and comedia dell’arte traditions to create a vibrant evening of physical theatre suitable for audiences age 5 and older. Bilingual.

ENSEMBLE

CarlosAlexis Cruz … Lazarillo

Andrew Phoenix … Ensemble

Kate Braidwood … Ensemble

Matthew Kerrigan … Acrobat

Sy Parrish … Acrobat

Jeff Holt … Musician

Kris White … Musician

Travis McAlister … Musician

PRODUCTION TEAM

CarlosAlexis Cruz … Writer/Director

José E. González … Scenic Designer

Kate Braidwood … Mask Designer

Valerie Ditchfield … Costume Designer

Leslie Smith … Lighting Designer

Gabriela Portuguez … Choreographer

Alodie  Lopez … Prop Master

José Gutierrez … Spoken Word Consultant

Gavin Hales … Stage Manager

Andrew Phoenix … Master Carpenter

Hampton Rodriguez … Artcard Artist

Sylvia Malán, Sarah Hinds and Daniel Moreno … House Managers

Estela Robinson … Production Assistant

Olga  Sanchez … Artistic Director, Miracle MainStage

José E. González … Executive Director

ABOUT THE ORIGINAL NOVEL

La vida de Lazarillo de Tormes y de sus fortunas y adversidades was a pioneering book in many ways, and not just because it was published in 1554, barely 100 years after the printing press was invented.  At a time when heroes and leaders were always portrayed as wealthy, refined noblemen, Lazarillo was the first picaresque novel (picaresco) — one that revolved around a poor man, a charming rogue (pícaro) whose antics revealed the hypocrisies and flaws of Spain’s most powerful people. Lazarillo was a servant (as well as a scoundrel and thief) who moved through a succession of masters, each more powerful and wealthy — and corrupt — than the last.  The book was realistic in its depiction of lower-class life and used common, everyday language — shocking innovations in that era. Lazarillo was also centuries ahead of its time in sympathetically portraying an interracial marriage and step-family.

Over the centuries, Lazarillo has inspired a wide range of anti-hero novels from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and On The Road, to Don Quixote, Candide, The Adventures of Auggie March, The Tin Drum, and The Tropic of Cancer. One precursor and likely influence was the German trickster Till Eulenspiegel, a subject of many folkloric tales first published in book form by Hermann Bote in 1510.  Eulenspiegel was the original “Merry Prankster,” a simple peasant who played cruel practical jokes on his superiors and often misunderstood figurative language by taking it too literally.

ABOUT THE CREATOR/DIRECTOR

CarlosAlexis has been working as a professional actor for the past nine years performing in Puerto Rico, Northern California and Portland, and touring shows from New York City to Los Angeles, from the Dominican Republic to Mexico. Locally he has performed with Do Jump!, Imago and Milagro. He directed Miracle’s touring production of El Último and most recently staged the show A Suicide Note from a Cockroach… at Imago, marking the debut of his own new theatre company Pelú Theatre. As an actor, Cruz has appeared in Miracle Theatre Group’s Spanish language production of Ana en el trópico, among others. CarlosAlexis has an MFA degree in Ensemble Based Physical Theatre from the Dell’Arte International School, a BA degree in film studies from the School of Communication at the University of Puerto Rico, and has trained in Circus Arts at San Francisco Circus Center.

ABOUT THE SPONSORS

This production is sponsored by National Endowment for the Arts, The Boeing Company, and Urban Robotics.

Miracle Theatre Group’s 2010-2011 season is funded in part by Meyer Memorial Trust, Oregon Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, Regional Arts & Culture Council and Work for Art, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, Kinsman Foundation, Collins Foundation, James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation, Juan Young Trust, Shubert Foundation, Jose Mendoza and Hugh Mackworth, Oregon Cultural Trust, El Hispanic News and El Centinela.

The restaurant sponsor for the opening night of this production is La Bonita/Mayahuel Catering.

ABOUT MIRACLE THEATRE GROUP

The Miracle Theatre Group has been dedicated to bringing the vibrancy of Latino theatre to the Northwest community and beyond for more than 25 years. In addition to its national tours, Miracle provides a home for Spanish and Latin American arts and culture at El Centro Milagro, where it enriches the local community with a variety of community outreach projects and educational programs designed to share the diversity of Latino culture. For more information about the Miracle Theatre Group, visit www.milagro.org or call 503-236-7253.

How would you like to get some groovy arts and crafts for your home or business and be a part of raising money for the Oregon Food Bank at the same time?  How cool is that??

On November 28th, 2010 from 11am to 5pm, you can shop the GIVE Handmade Sale, located at the Left Bank Annex, 101 N Wiedler, in Portland, Oregon.

Vendors from all over will put their handmade goodies on display and offer them up to holiday shoppers for purchase.  This special Portland event began some five years ago and has been very successful for both the vendors themselves and the Oregon Food Bank.

Don’t miss this amazing time this year.  Making a difference in the lives of hungry families and individuals will make you feel good inside.

Click here for the entire scoop on the GIVE Handmade Sale in Portland….

Long-time Portland cartoonist, writer and songster, John Callahan died on July 24th, 2010 from complications due to his paralysis.

I remember seeing John in his wheelchair, cruising through the streets of North Portland. He was quite a character and completely unmistakable with his shot of bright red hair. His oh-so politically incorrect cartoons is what John was most known for. Since he was a quadriplegic himself (resulting from an alcohol-related car accident when he was only 21), he was allowed and boy were they funny.

The man had absolutely no problem making fun of himself and the handicapped, taking every opportunity he had to do so. Those who don’t take life so seriously (myself included) looked forward to his contributions to the world of cartoons and humor in general. John Callahan did a lot more, but I wasn’t privy to much of his other works. Perhaps I’ll take some time to discover more about him now. His single box cartoons is what I knew him best for.

John died at Good Samaritan Hospital. He was 59. He will be missed.

You can visit John Callahan online at http://www.callahanonline.com

The first ever PDX Bridge Festival kicks off tomorrow, July 23.  This is a huge, two week event, celebrating the gorgeous Portland bridges that span the Willamette.  A very cool Portland event for me since I’m so in love with the bridges already!  It all starts at the early hour of 6am.

The PDX Bridge Festival will host special speakers, music, bridge tours, and a ton of other fun things to do in Portland.

If you’re someone who appreciates the artistic side of these wonderful bridges as well as the romance, set some time aside over the next two weeks for the festival and be a part of history in the making.

For more information and the full schedule of what will be happening, hit the PDX Bridge Festival web site.

Maybe we’ll bump into each other!

I love when Spring time hits and Summer is right around the corner.  That signifies to me that Portland is going to be jumping more than normal.  Right now, ticket have just went on sale for the 32 annual Summer Concert series at the Oregon Zoo.

These outdoor concerts smack dab in the middle of the Zoo’s lawn are so much fun. Running from June through August, the 2010 Summer Concert series is bringing 15 artists to town for this summer long event.

Jewel, Portland’s own Pink Martinis, Chris Isaak, the B-52s and others are all coming to Portland to entertain zoo goers and music lovers.

The Summer Concert series at the Oregon Zoo is an extremely popular event and tickets have just gone on sale.  As is the usual case, they are going to sell quickly.  Get your tickets right here and have a fantastic time!  Maybe I’ll see you there!

On March 6th and 7th, Portland artists get the chance again to show off what they do best.

It’s time for the 7th annual Portland Art Walk.  This is really an amazing time of viewing what local Portland artists are doing.  People can meander through the southeast sections of the city, from studio to studio, and enjoy a time of culture and making new friends.

You’ll have the opportunity to meet the artists and view their works in their native environments, purchasing at reduced rates, if the art so moves you!  It’s always a great time to be had.

The event kicks off on Saturday at 10am and runs, both days, until 5pm.  Admission is free.

For more information, head over the the Portland Art Walk web site.

The 7th annual Portland Jazz Festival, held this year from February 21 through 28, means a week of music, culture and fun for everyone who wants to partake.

This year’s them for the Portland Jazz Festival is, “Is Jazz Dead (Or Has It Moved to a New Address)? – New Music from Norway.”  This annual time of local, national and international jazz attracts some of the top artists in the industry.  But, that is just the tip of the iceberg. We’re talking Portland here, folks, and when we have an event, it’s a city-wide one.

Discover all the exciting things to do that Portland has to offer.  Bring the family and wander through the art galleries, boutiques and eat at some of the finest restaurants in town.

Stay at the exceptional and historic hotels in the area.  Put on the Ritz!

In other words, don’t miss a single minute of the Jazz Festival and take advantage of every moment you have while in Portland, Oregon.
Click for more information on the Portland Jazz Festival and get your tickets today.  Have a fantastic time!

I just received word from John Cleese’s marketing people that the Monty Python alumni will indeed be invading Portland on Monday, November 2nd at 8pm.

I remember discovering the zany comedy of the Python’s when I was a teen and I loved it. Mind you, it’s not your upper-brow type of humor and that is exactly why it suited me so well. I like the obscure stuff…the slapstick…the weird.

Honestly, if you told me a very well thought out story joke that was all the recent rage, I may or may not laugh.I just can’t guarantee you anything. But, if you happened to pass wind while telling me that joke, I’d break up laughing. Sorry, folks…it’s all in the delivery….or something of the sort.

Anyway, John Cleese has that wacky sense of humor that will keep an audience in stitches. He is the epitome of a master story teller as well as a crafted comedian and actor. Can you get a better package?

John will be at the Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway, discussing his career in the world of comedy, as well as his most pressing medical problems, his inability to find a suitable female companion, his mistrust of folk-dancing, and his latest plan for world peace. At the same time, his famous BBC series, Fawlty Towers, is being released as a remastered DVD set to a whole new generation. Right up there with Monty Python, Fawlty Towers highlighted the comedic talent of John Cleese as well as anything could.

This Portland event is right around the corner, so hurry over to Ticketmaster and grab your tickets before they’re all gone. This will definitely be a night you won’t forget! Hope to see you there.

Portland has and always will be a potpourri of cultural activity. You can always find happenings around the city to stretch your mind and expand your horizons.

The Oregon Day of Culture falls upon out fair city on Thursday, October 8.  With the weather supposed to be in the mild 60s, it will be a perfect day to head downtown to enjoy what is offered up. Treat your kids to the arts and culture at an early age….they’ll thank you for it when they’re older.

Personally, I’ll be heading to the Portland Classical Chinese Garden to soak in the Asian culture and lavish in the beauty and peacefulness there. Admission is free on this day, so if you’ve never been, now is the time.

There are many other things open to the public on Thursday (either free of discounted), so hop over to the Oregon Day of Culture’s Events page and map out your day.

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Discover more events, attractions and things to do in Portland at Uniquely Portland Oregon.com