After enjoying his go-around as the director of last season’s “Fuddy Mears,”
Jay Hash wanted to dive back in and direct another show. This month, his
follow up will be “Jitters,” by David French, at the Nutz-n-Boltz Theater
Company (NNB).

The comedy takes the audience behind the scenes of the theater world, a
“play within a play,” as a provincial Canadian theater company mounts a

production of “The Care and Treatment of Roses.” In it, a popular (but aging)
actress attempts to make a comeback in Canada, but conflicts due to egos
and personal issues threaten to derail the plan.

“Things start to escalate and you wonder how it’s going to work out in the
end, “Hash said. “It’s a struggle, because there’s egos involved. Not just hers,
but others who see it as a vehicle for her.”

Hash noted that he prioritizes character exploration and working with his
actors to discuss relationships, history and other intricacies of their roles.
“It gives a more fleshed out character over the course of (the show),” he said.
“I like to make sure that is one of the key elements of when I’m producing a
show like this.”

Hash also added that NNB’s stage, located at the Boring Grange, allows for
them to break the “fourth wall,” an imaginary wall that separates the
audience from performers, by utilizing the area in front of the stage for part of
the action.

“We have this interesting split level thing going on,” he said, noting that
characters such as the writer and director of the “play within the play” are on
the same level as the audience and utilize the theater’s entrances and exits.
“It gives this immersion for the audience.”

NNB presents “Jitters” from May 19 through June 4 at the Boring Grange,
27861 Grange Street in Boring. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and
Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, including ticket
pricing or to make reservations, call 503-593-1295 or visit nnbtheater.com.

NNB auditions
NNB will hold auditions for its September production of “Steel Magnolias,” by
Robert Harling French, from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, May 20, and 6:30-9 p.m.
Monday, May 22, at the Boring Grange. Auditions will consist of cold readings
from the script.

The Gin Game at SAT
Sandy Actors Theatre’s (SAT) May production of D. L. Coburn’s “The Gin
Game” has a small cast, but an experienced one. Just two performers take the
stage, and Jim Butterfield and Anita Sorel are well known to SAT audience
members. So is the director, Tobias Andersen, a veteran of stage, film and
television.

Butterfield noted that he’s worked with Sorel in the past, including “On Golden
Pond,” when they received compliments on their chemistry on stage.
“It occurred to me this would be a good thing to do with her,” he said.
The pair play two residents at a home for senior citizens who strike up a
friendship over a game of gin rummy. Butterfield noted the card game
becomes a battle between two people who are not comfortable with others
but are also desperately trying to find companionship.

“They each have their own difficulties relating to the world at large,” he said,
while noting how different the characters are from each other. “Somehow,
they get thrown together, desperately trying to find a connection with each
other. In a place with a couple hundred in the old folks home, neither of them
has found anybody else in the entire place to talk to.”

“They’re stuck, they won't get off it,” Andersen added. “She won’t get off of it
with her husband, he won’t get off of it with his business partners. Any
audience coming to see this show will have a lot of laughs and they will see
two of the most fascinating characters ever written.”

SAT presents “The Gin Game” from Friday, May 5 through Sunday, May 28, at
17433 SE Meinig Avenue in Sandy (behind Ace Hardware). Show times are
7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $18
general admission, $15 for students, seniors, first responders and veterans,
and $13 for children (reservations are recommended). For more information,
or to make reservations call 503-936-4378, find SAT on Facebook or visit
sandyactorstheatre.com.

“Cinderella” continues
Sandy High School will continue its production of the classic musical
“Cinderella,” music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, new
book by Douglas Carter Beane and original book by Oscar Hammerstein II,
from May 4-6. Performances will take place at 7 p.m. in the school’s
auditorium, located at 37400 Bell Street in Sandy. Tickets are $11 for adults,
$8 for students and seniors and kids five and under are free.

For more information, visit https://www.sandydrama.com/.