Blog
Happy 135th Birthday to the Mother of Social Security!
Secretary Perkins stands behind President F.D. Roosevelt as he signs the Social Security Act Our season-closing show, American Night: the Ballad of Juan José sheds lights on some of lesser known moments and figures in the history of the country. Frances Perkins is not portrayed on stage, but on the 135th anniversary of her birth, we take a look at the extraordinary life and contributions of the first female US Cabinet member. Perkins (née Fannie Coralie Perkins) was by all accounts a woman with a remarkable life, being named Secretary of...
read moreWho remembers Storefront Theatre?
José does! Our fearless leader and founder will be speaking this weekend as part of a panel discussion on the history of theater in Portland. The Oregon Historical Society will be presenting, as part of their Second Sunday series, “Glimpses of Portland Theater History.” The discussion will be moderated by the influential arts critic Bob Hicks (formerly of The Oregonian and current Performance and Visual Arts writer for Oregon Artswatch), and the panel will include Don Horn (Executive Director and founder of triangle productions) and Julianne...
read moreTwo decades of theatre and health education
A slightly different version of this story was originally published in our newsletter, Miracle Insider. Click here to subscribe. When Milagro Founder and Executive Director José González decided to quit smoking about a decade ago, he did it on April Fools’ Day so he would always remember what a fool he was to begin. Today we take a look at the many ways Milagro has helped increase awareness and improve the wellness in our communities. Although touring educational shows have been part of our offerings since the early days of the company,...
read moreHistory and its Malcontents: Howard Zinn & APHUS
Peter Esterhazy wrote, «History belongs to the victors, legends to the people, fantasy to literature,» but in this Information Age, control over official accounts has been somewhat equalized by instant contact, citizen journalism, and more equitable access to education. Our next production, American Night: the Ballad of Juan José, takes us through the house of mirrors where our nation’s history, legends and fantasies have made their home, using as our guide a text as controversial as it has been influential: A People’s History of...
read moreCapture Spring in Corn Husk Flowers!
Seasons in the Pacific Northwest seem unpredictable some times, but you can make this spring last for years with corn husk flowers! This upcoming April 16 (6-8pm), the multi-talented artist and frequent Milagro collaborator Nelda Reyes will conduct a workshop teaching you this expressive tradition. Read on to learn about the handicraft, and make sure to RSVP to reserve your spot for the class! The central role that maize has played in feeding the Americas has also made everything about it ever-present in the culture: religious calendars and...
read moreA blurry vision of American Night
We’re so excited for the next and last show in our 31st Season, American Night: the Ballad of Juan José! Over the weekend, the fabulous photographer Russell J. Young conducted a photo shoot with Ozvaldo Gonzalez, who plays the title character. This blurry pic is a preview of their work together. Stay posted here and on our Facebook page to view the professional set!
read more3 Decades Making Theatre and “Culture Clash”
Ric Salinas, Herbert Siguenza, and Richard Montoya from Culture Clash. Photo: Eric Schwabel Audiences in the Pacific Northwest have enjoyed Milagro’s provocative and irreverent work for over three decades, but for national audiences, another group has been a source and beacon of Latino-based social critique for almost as long: Culture Clash. As we prepare to open a play written by one of its members, we take a look at this influential troupe. American Night: The Ballad of Juan José was written by Richard Montoya as a commission by Oregon...
read moreA look back as we await the arrival of «American Night»
While JTC’s dark satire The Ministry of Special Cases plays at Milagro, rehearsals are under way for the next and last production in our 31st Season, American Night: the Ballad of Juan José, under the direction of the award winning director of Oedipus el Rey (2012), Elizabeth Huffman. The play was written as a commission from Oregon Shakespeare Festival by Richard Montoya, and had its premiere in 2010. Montoya is part of the 30 year old comedy troupe Culture Clash, which is known for their exploration of provocative social issues and...
read moreNext at Milagro: American Night: The Ballad of Juan José
“A lovable hodgepodge of references, historical and pop-cultural, with a deadly serious message at its heart — The New York Times” “Richard Montoya has thrown just about every element of Americana into «American Night: The Ballad of Juan José» except a roller coaster. But that’s what his play is – and not just the coaster: It’s the whole amusement park.» —SFGate Culture Clash, the veteran troupe of Chicano-American social satirists, is back with one of its most trenchantly funny works to...
read moreComing soon from JTC: The Ministry of Special Cases
In less than two weeks our friends from the resident company Jewish Collaborative Theatre present their latest work, the Page2Stage adaptation of Nathan Englander’s award-winning first novel, The Ministry of Special Cases. Dealing with the troublesome times of Argentina’s Dirty War, JTC’s newest production features some outstanding local talent. Check out their brief promo video below, learn more and get your tickets for this intriguing show at JTC’s website! The Ministry of Special Cases will play at Milagro March 14...
read more