The triumphant return of CRT’s Bar Theatre kicks off March 4 at 6:30pm with an endearing story about an etiquette teacher who meets a student who is determined to be the first to pass her class with perfect marks. Mrs. Mannerly by Jeffrey Hatcher is a two person show that allows for one of the actors to play multiple roles, while the other seamlessly interacts with the many different faces.
CRT started Bar Theatre last season with successful readings at OC Brewing Co. Unfortunately our friends at OC Brewing could not host us again this year but not to worry we found another great venue only 2 miles south of Clackamas Rep. The reading of Mrs. Mannerly will be at Trail Distilling and patrons will be served a delightful custom cocktail created with Trail Distilling spirits to enjoy during the reading. First Round is on us!
When we were on the hunt for an actor who could be as delightful as she is stern, Anita Sorel came to mind. Anita has performed in previous staged reading at CRT including last season’s reading of Ripcord by David Lindsay-Abaire. We liked Ripcord so much that we decided to add it to our 2018 season and Anita will be reprising her role as the saccharine sweet Marilyn. Anita spent 20 exhilarating years performing professionally in American theatre before taking up the challenge of directing/coaching in NYC and Kenya. She has performed opposite Mandy Patinkin, George C. Scott and Don Johnson, and toured with the National Shakespeare Co. Favorite roles include Hedda Gabler, Rosalind, Jane in Kind Sir, Abby in Desire Under the Elms, and Mrs. Fezziwig. She was Peg Roberts on Search for Tomorrow for two years. She is very proud to be a part of Sandy Actors Theatre, where she has directed The Importance of Being Earnest and most recently appeared as Ethel Thayer in On Golden Pond.
Ok, so we found our Mrs. Mannerly next task was to find an actor who can seamlessly change from one character to another. Enter Jayson Shanafelt. Many of you have seen Jayson’s work at CRT, he has acted for CRT for the past 13 years and continues to perform at a level that audiences can’t get enough of. Jayson is a pretty busy guy so we were pleased that he joined the cast for this special reading. Memorable CRT roles include; Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey, Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps, and Francis Henshall in One Man, Two Guvnors.
But what would a staged reading be without the stage directions. Allison Teegarden, reading stage directions, is a current theatre student at CCC. She has performed in several college productions including Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire. This will be Allison’s CRT debut (but you may recognize her from our box office last summer!)
Get your tickets today!
Anita Sorel
Jayson Shanafelt
Allison Teegarden