2008-09 launches PST 's 5th season!

We're back with a new line-up, new shows, some new guest tellers, and more of the same honest, authentic, original storytelling our audiences have come to expect from PST. Here's how the coming season is shaping up:

October 24th, 25th, and 31st, November 1st, 7th, and 8th, it's our fall ensemble show, MY FAVORITE PAIR, opening our 5th season. PST regulars Lynne Duddy, Lawrence Howard and Penny Walter will regale you with true, personal tales about their favorite pairs of .... shoes? pants? people? earlobes? pliers? lips? other body parts that come in matching sets? Use your imagination! We are very lucky to have our favorite improv performers, The Tuesday Group, joining us for this one.

Back by popular demand! January 23rd, 24th, 30th and 31st, PST is pleased to announce the return of last year's sold-out solo show, SHACKLETON'S ANTARCTIC NIGHTMARE, by Lawrence Howard.

This is the gripping, heart-breaking, true story of British explorer Ernest Shackleton and the Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914. Shackleton's dream of being the first to cross the Antarctic continent on foot became a nightmare when his valiant ship, the Endurance, was crushed in the pack-ice of the Weddell Sea. The story of how he and the twenty-seven men of the expedition survived on the ice and eventually came to safety is an epic tale of hardship and suffering, of courage, determination and fortitude.

Many who saw the show last year have said they would come again; many who missed it have begged for a return performance. Woven with just a touch of personal narrative about Lawrence and his father and the lifelong passion they shared for the Shackleton saga, this is a performance that will move you to the depths of your soul.

Then in February, it's our new Valentine's show, SMITTEN. Remember your first crush? That girl or boy who was so cute you completely lost the power of speech? That kiss that made the fireworks explode inside your head? That woman so beautiful it hurt you just to look at her? That man you loved so much you wanted to smite him dead?

PST regulars Penny Walter, Lawrence Howard and Lynne Duddy will be joined by special guest stars Michael Philips, Will Hornyak and Concetta Antonelli. Lynne and Lawrence are going to tell in tandem, as are Will and Concetta. February 12th, 13th, 14th (two shows) and 15th. There will be something for everyone in this one!

One night only! On March 28th, Portland Story Theater will sponsor the 15th Avenue Writers' Group in SEMI-LITERATE, a reading of recent works. A bit of a departure for PST, this show will bring some new talents to the stage and is sure to be a lot of fun. Rumor has it that the Portland Cello Project will provide some musical interludes for this one. How literary is that?

Finally, on April 24th and 25th and May 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th, Portland Story Theater presents SINGLEHANDEDLY!, a festival of solo performances.

There will be two shows each night, for a total of twelve. The exact line-up is still taking shape, but you can expect to see some of your favorite performers, including Rick Huddle, Penny Walter, Lynne Duddy, Lawrence Howard, Will Hornyak, and others, each have their proverbial hour upon the stage. Stay tuned, we'll let you know more when we get a little closer.

All shows will be at Hipbone Studio, the hippest venue in town! 1847 E. Burnside (close-in Eastside). Lots of free parking.

We'll send out a more detailed announcement about each show in plenty of time for you to make your reservations. Thanks again for your continued support of Portland Story Theater.

We hope to see you at Hipbone in October!