Welcome to Best Bets, a weekly column in which The Oregonian’s arts desk highlights selected theater, classical music and dance performances and visual arts events. Here are our picks for Feb. 10-16.
“Elliot, a Soldier’s Fugue”
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegria Hudes looks at war through three generations of a Puerto Rican family; The New York Times described her play as “true to its title … composed like a fugue, with several strands of narrative playing in point and counterpoint around a single theme.” Hudes is the featured playwright for Profile Theatre’s 20th season; Elliot’s story will wrap up in November with two simultaneous productions. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday through Feb. 19, Artists Repertory Theater, 1515 S.W. Morrison St. Tickets start at $20; profiletheatre.org or 503-242-0080.
“Secret of the Spider”
The Portland shadow puppetry troupe Night Shade has a new show, “Secret of the Spider,” which it describes as “a psychedelic allegory” about a mother whose search for a vanished daughter “illuminates the shadows of her past.” Be prepared for a fully immersive visual experience. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 16-18, 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, Third Rail Repertory Theatre, 17 S.E. Eighth Ave. $20, thirdrailrep.org or 503-235-1101/
“In the Blood”
The Portland Actors Conservatory will perform Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks’ “In the Blood,” a modern-day retelling of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel “The Scarlet Letter.” Here, Hester La Negrita, a single mother of five, dreams of breaking out of poverty and homelessness. This production is not recommended for children younger than 15. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Firehouse Theatre, 1436 S.W. Montgomery St. $5-$18, pac.edu or 503-274-1717.
Half price tickets for Goldstar members! https://t.co/BM8Wvdrv2E https://t.co/uz9Rqjotzl
— PAC (@pdxconservatory) February 6, 2017
“We’re All Mad Here”
“Alice in Wonderland” meets America under Donald Trump in this original production from Shaking the Tree Theatre. Says artistic director Samantha Van Der Merwe, “We need to look within first if we want to examine what has occurred in our country.” Matthew Kerrigan performs in multiple theatrical styles including clown, shadow puppetry, acrobatics and improvisation. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday through Feb. 25, Shaking the Tree Theatre, 823 S.E. Grant St. $10-$25, shaking-the-tree.com or 503-235-0635.
we’re all mad here; a must see show
“Pied Piper of Portlandia”
In the old folk tale, the Pied Piper led away a town’s entire population of children by playing music they couldn’t resist. In this concert, the Oregon Symphony joins forces with Pacific Youth Choir and Dance West to bring to life Benjamin Britten’s classic “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.” This time, the kids come back after an hour – with new appreciation for symphonic instruments and music. 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway. Tickets start at $10, tickets.orsymphony.org or 503-228-1353.
“Interlude,” PDX Contemporary Ballet
Six choreographers present six works, most of them premieres, performed by six dancers, with themes such as language and meaning, resilience, the body and movement, and female stereotypes. Violinist Tomoki Martens performs as well. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Feb. 10-11, 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, CoHo Theater, 2257 N.W. Raleigh St. $15-$30, pdxcb.com.
Johannes Girardoni, “Resonance”
Johannes Girardoni, a Los Angeles sculptor and installation artist who works within the Light and Space movement, returns to PDX Contemporary Art for his latest solo exhibit, “Resonance.” The installation consists of 12 cast-resin sculptures that explore the intersection of light, material and perception – is the art in the object, or in experiencing the object? On view, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through Feb. 25, PDX Contemporary Art, 925 N.W. Flanders St. Free, pdxcontemporaryart.com or 503-222-0063.
Gert Mathiesen
The Danish American potter, painter and printmaker’s works are popular with private and corporate collectors. Last year, he was the subject of an exhibit at the Museum of Danish America in Iowa; now that exhibit is in Southwest Portland. Mathiesen’s widow, the artist Pam Smilow, will attend the opening reception. Opening reception, 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10; on view, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday through March 14, Nordia House, 8800 S.W. Oleson Road. Free; scanheritage.org or 503-977-0275.
If you would like your event to be considered for inclusion in Best Bets, email the details to fineartsbestbets@oregonian.com.
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