Ray Bradbury has collaborated with Portland, Oregon, actor Tobias Andersen for a staged re-telling of The Illustrated Man, Bradbury’s third novel first released in 1951. Rather than use the stories from more than a half-century ago, however, Bradbury and Andersen have selected a new, mind-spinning collection of whimsy and what-if.

The Illustrated Man: Tales From The Master will have its universal premier this month at the Clackamas Repertory Theatre on the campus of Clackamas Community College.

The one-man performance will run Sept. 27 through Oct. 14, Thursdays through Saturdays ,at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
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The Illustrated Man—A Metaphor For Possibilities

DARK STAGE. SCRIM BEGINS TO SPARKLE WITH SUNS AND PLANETS STREAMING FROM AN INFINITE POINT TO SOMEWHERE BEHIND THE AUDIENCE. A SOFT ACCENT LIGHT FADES UP AND SHOWS A MAN IN A BLUE SUIT, SMOKING A CIGARETTE.

NARRATOR: For your consideration, The Illustrated Man, who wanders the face of the planet looking for work, but no one will have him—for long. You see, under that tightly-buttoned shirt he harbors a blessing and a curse—many of them.

They may be tattoos; they may be works of art. They’re alive, and they’re constantly changing. Ask and the Illustrated Man will show you his curse, his blessing, but with a warning: You may never be able to look away.
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Consider Albert Brock. His angry form is there on the Illustrated Man’s shoulder. As you watch, fascinated, Brock tells you of his smoldering, red-hot hate for technology. Only murder can quench that white-hot hate. That’s why Mr. Brock tells you of the great pleasure he took in stuffing his telephone down the kitchen sink’s disposal . . . and he’s not done yet.
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Consider McDunn, the lighthouse keeper, who can summon ancient things from the even older ocean depths, or Doug who, with his Dustbowl refugee family, finds hope scribbled on the shell of an egg at the Inspired Chicken Motel, 50-cents a night no matter how many you stack in the room.

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Not convinced that impossible is just a word? Then, consider Doone, the Irish filmgoer who has invented the new national sport of Anthem Sprinting. Or, Aunt Tildy who refuses to stop knitting, even for the Grim Reaper.

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And, if you are still not convinced that the mind regularly warps across time and space, consider for your amusement a man named Jesus Christ, whose California driver’s license lists his address as 911 Beachwood Avenue, Hollywood, and his occupation as carpenter.

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You may also add to your list of considerations Fire Captain Beatty, who makes a good case for burning all books a ’la Fahrenheit 451.

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Or, meet Craig Bennet Stiles, self-proclaimed time traveler extraordinaire who has been to the future and now brings hope to the world. After all, it’s what “they” want to hear, isn’t it? Now must disappear before he’s asked to prove his Toynbee Converter really works!

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The Illustrated Man, flexes his back and Mars shimmers dusty red as two recent acolytes to the Old Ones—Father Peregrine and Brother Mathias—complete their other-worldly alter in the shifting, red sands and pray for inspiration which, surprisingly, comes!

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The Illustrated Man runs Thursday through Sundays, Sept. 27 through Oct. 17 at the new $6 million Osterman Theatre on the Campus of Clackamas Community College. Thursday through Saturday performances are at 7 p.m.; Sunday performances are at 2:30 p.m.

For tickets, phone (503) 657-6958 Extension 2356. The Box Office opens one hour before each performance. Maps are found at:

http://www.clackamas.edu/maps/


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