Portland Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations

Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Portland Playhouse
by Krista Garver - December 10, 2024

What did our critic think of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Portland Playhouse?...

Review: TWELFTH NIGHT, OR WHAT YOU WILL at Portland Center Stage
by Krista Garver - December 10, 2024

What did our critic think of TWELFTH NIGHT, OR WHAT YOU WILL at Portland Center Stage?...

Review: SCENES OF THE SEASON at Northwest Theatre Workshop
by Krista Garver - December 06, 2024

What did our critic think of SCENES OF THE SEASON at Northwest Theatre Workshop?...

Review: WAITING FOR GODOT at Corrib Theatre
by Krista Garver - December 05, 2024

What did our critic think of WAITING FOR GODOT at Corrib Theatre?...

Review: FIVE GOLDEN RINGS at Broadway Rose
by Krista Garver - December 03, 2024

FIVE GOLDEN RINGS, now playing at Broadway Rose, is the perfect way to get you in the holiday spirit. This delightful musical, with a book by Stephen Garvey and music and lyrics by David Abbinanti, is a loving sendup of those cozy Christmas movies shown on a certain greeting card channel that many p...

Review: LIBERACE & LIZA HOLIDAY AT THE MANSION (A TRIBUTE) at Portland Center Stage
by Krista Garver - November 21, 2024

The evening is truly a celebration, wrapped in shiny costumes, dazzling performances, and a sense of togetherness that’s just what the season calls for....

Review: DOROTHY'S DICTIONARY at 21ten Theatre
by Krista Garver - November 14, 2024

What did our critic think of DOROTHY'S DICTIONARY at 21ten Theatre?...

Review: THE EVENT! at Artists Repertory Theatre
by Krista Garver - October 24, 2024

What did our critic think of THE EVENT! at Artists Repertory Theatre?...

Review: WICKED at Keller Auditorium
by Krista Garver - October 18, 2024

WICKED is always worth watching. If you haven’t seen it yet, or even if you have, don't miss this fantastic production. ...

Review: SWEENEY TODD at Portland Center Stage
by Krista Garver - October 17, 2024

Portland Center Stage’s SWEENEY TODD is perfectly suited to those looking for some spine-tingling entertainment this Halloween season. Whether you're a Sondheim fanatic who knows every word or brand new to this masterpiece of musical theatre, I think you’ll be happy. ...

Review: LIZZIE: THE MUSICAL at Chapel Theater
by Krista Garver - September 24, 2024

Like a good grunge rock show, LIZZIE is not meant to be a big overproduced spectacle. All it needs is a tight band and four kickass women who can channel their inner rock goddesses. As a long-time fan of this show, I can confidently say this production nails it....

Review: A NEW BRAIN at Fuse Theatre Ensemble
by Krista Garver - August 20, 2024

Fuse's take on this musical about art, creativity, and renewal has a ton of heart....

Review: MY FAIR LADY at Clackamas Repertory Theatre
by Krista Garver - August 13, 2024

Whether you already know and love MY FAIR LADY or are seeing it for the first time, the production now running at Clackamas Repertory Theatre shows exactly why this Golden Age classic continues to be one of the best-loved musicals of all time....

Review: REGGIE HOOPS at Profile Theatre
by Krista Garver - August 08, 2024

What do we owe to the people who sacrificed for us? What must we sacrifice for others? And, most importantly, is that sacrifice ever worth it? REGGIE HOOPS, a new play by Kristoffer Diaz now getting its world premiere at Profile Theatre, explores these and other questions about the complications of ...

Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Broadway Rose
by Krista Garver - July 30, 2024

Enjoy some of the most iconic music produced across several decades being performed by a first-rate cast led by Merideth Kaye Clark....

Review: A SEAGULL at Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble
by Krista Garver - July 05, 2024

Strong direction, fierce performances, and incredible design make A SEAGULL one you don't want to miss....

Review: CLYDE'S at Portland Center Stage
by Krista Garver - June 12, 2024

CLYDE’S is a must-see play and the best possible way to end the PCS season....

Review: OUR ORANGE SKY at Profile Theatre
by Krista Garver - June 12, 2024

OUR ORANGE SKY weaves personal struggles and societal issues into a family reunion where no one escapes unscathed....

Review: THE SPITFIRE GRILL at Broadway Rose
by Krista Garver - June 06, 2024

This well-directed, well-acted musical is about forgiveness, community, the strength of the human spirit, and the power of dreaming big....

Review: FROM A HOLE IN THE GROUND at Corrib Theatre
by Krista Garver - May 10, 2024

FROM A HOLE IN THE GROUND is a play for lovers of myths and fairytales, movement-based storytelling, and beautiful things in general....

Review: CORIOLANUS at Portland Center Stage
by Krista Garver - May 08, 2024

What did our critic think of CORIOLANUS at Portland Center Stage?...

Review: PASSING STRANGE at Portland Playhouse
by Krista Garver - May 03, 2024

Portland Playhouse’s production of this wild, exuberant roller coaster ride of a musical makes for a fabulous night at the theatre....

Review: THE MERRY WIDOW at Portland State University Opera
by Krista Garver - April 26, 2024

This production is full of physical comedy and solid acting. In addition to singing beautifully, this cast has embraced the theatricality of the art form, and the result is a heck of a lot of fun....

Review: THE BROTHER AND THE BIRD at Shaking The Tree
by Krista Garver - April 25, 2024

I’ve seen a lot of extraordinary theatre at Shaking the Tree. This spine-tingling production just might be the best so far....

FERTILE GROUND ROUNDUP #2
by Krista Garver - April 24, 2024

Portland’s 2024 Fertile Ground Festival of New Works is officially over. What a great festival it was! I enjoyed everything I saw, and there are several that I believe merit full productions....