The Last Show You’ll Ever See

Creator and performer Sarah Liane Foster is one of the most brilliant, quirky, Portlandesque people I know, so it seems ironically fitting that I start my first “real” post with her performance title:
The Last Show You’ll Ever See – A Woman. A Trombone. Apocalypse.

Have you ever met someone who listens to you so intently it is disconcerting? That is Sarah – and she brings that intensity to everything she does. From her physical comedy performances, to her commitment to biking, to a casual conversation…Sarah is dedicated.

I first met Sarah in 2004, when she was performing in the play “We The People” with Insight Out Theatre Collective – I remember distinctly, as just days before I had become a board member – and have been following her path ever since.

Sarah is an intense person. On stage her characters seem to consume her, freeing her body expression and pulling the audience in to feel her every move and mannerism. Physical Comedy should be like that…your body, dynamically compelled to laugh.

Sarah trained in physical theatre and clown at the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre. Thanks to the remarkable program at Dell’Arte, she is one of a host of talented Dell’Arte grads now residing and performing in Portland – some of whom I plan to introduce here, so come back to read about them.

One of the most intriguing projects that Sarah is plugged into is Clowns Without Borders . She has traveled the world with CWB spreading their mission “No Child Without a Smile” and offering “laughter to relieve the suffering of all persons, especially children, who live in areas of crisis including refugee camps, conflict zones and territories in situations of emergency.” I recommend being on her mailing list when she goes on these trips. Her ability to describe and reflect upon what she is encountering is well worth the ding in your inbox.

When she is not touring and fundraising with CWB, Sarah is active locally with Nomadic Theatre. She has also worked with two organizations that are near and dear to my heart PlayWrite Inc., and again with Insight Out Theatre in 2008 with The Yellow Boat.

And now, about the show….that very Last Show You Will Ever See. I actually don’t know too much more that you’ll find here. But, I have seen her clown before in her work with Amy Jo McCarville called Afield, it was a riot. I think maybe all you need to know to trust me on this show is that the woman is a stilt walker (although not in this show), plays trombone and yes, wears a red nose. I’m going Friday (5/15) night – leave a comment if you want to know what I thought.

The Last Show You’ll Ever See
Dates:   May 15-17 & 22-24, 2009
Times:  Fri & Sat 10pm —  Sun 7pm
Location:  Curious Comedy, 5225 NE MLK Blvd, Portland
Tickets:  $12 general | $10 students
Tickets available at Curious Comedy Theater 503.477.9477