Justin Lazenby, director of the Nutz-n-Boltz Theater Company’s (NNB) May
production of “The Dining Room,” once acted in a production of the comedy
during his college years. The play is set in the dining room of a house over the
course of many years, with a cast of six playing 50 different characters.

“When I was in it, it was fun for that aspect,” Lazenby said. “You just got to
shuffle the cards of all the human interactions that any one person might have
encountered in their life.”

Those human interactions include scenes such as Thanksgiving with an aging
grandmother, a birthday party with small children, adult children fighting over
the house's furnishings and older children needing to live at home again.
Lazenby noted that the scenes organically flow from one to another with quick
exits and entrances and is a “peppering of 30 different messages” in an array
of different stories.

“It’s one of those shows that has a little something for everyone, which I
really like,” he said
.
And while the play offers a lot of humor, it also has some meaningful
moments that will touch the audience.

“It’s funny, but at the same time there’s a lot of life in there,” Lazenby said,
noting that the production is appropriate for all ages. “The comedy comes
from having to deal with life, with hard decisions.”

NNB presents “The Dining Room,” by A. R. Gurney, from Friday, May 20
through Sunday, June 5, at the Boring Grange, 27861 Grange Street in
Boring. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. on
Sundays.

Ticket prices are $12-15, with group discounts available. For more
information, or to make reservations, call 503-593-1295 or visit
nnbtheater.com.

More comedy in Sandy
Sandy Actors Theatre’s May production is the comedy “Welcome to Paradise,”
by Julie Marino, offering the story of Evelyn, who takes what might be her
final trip to her Caribbean beach house but those around her have other ideas.
The production will run from Friday, May 6 through Sunday, May 29, 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 for adults,
$15 for senior citizens, veterans, and students and $13 for children
(reservations are recommended). For more information, or to make
reservations call 503-936-4378 or visit sandyactorstheatre.org.

A preview night will also be offered at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5, preceded by
the Wy’ East Artisans Guild’s art gallery presentation “Relationships.” Tickets
for the preview are $10 and only available at the door.