Portland actor, musician and writer Lauren Steele was ready to perform the
one-woman show “Queens Girl in Africa,” by Caleen Sinnette Jennings, last
fall at Clackamas Repertory Theater (CRT) when the pandemic took a turn for
the worse and the production was delayed. This month, Steele’s performance
as Jacqueline Marie Butler and 17 other memorable characters can be enjoyed
by theatergoers as the show will go on.

“It’s been a really cool experience to have something marinating in your mind
for months and months,” Steele said, adding that while this is her first time
back as an actor due to the pandemic, she has also been working on her
musical endeavors, including a new album and a single that’s now available on
music platforms.

“Queens Girl in Africa” is the second play in the “Queens Girl in the World”
trilogy, and Steele also tackled the first play in 2019 at CRT, winning a
Drammy award for Best Solo Performance.

The second play picks up with Butler as she finds herself at a crossroads of
personal and political upheaval when her family abruptly moves to Nigeria
following the assassination of civil rights leader Malcolm X, a close family
friend.

Steele played more than a dozen characters in the first installment, and noted
that she’s spent time on the characterization of the array of characters in
“Queens Girl in Africa,” with the biggest challenge in tackling a variety of
African dialects.

“We have the comfort of some of the same archetypes as last time, (but)
different circumstances and personalities,” she said, adding the only
characters that appear in both plays are Butler and her parents.
Steele sees parallels between the play and the world around us, as Butler has
to deal with different aspects of her identity within the larger context of war
and political upheaval.

“I think that’s kind of where we’re at now,” she said. “I hope people walk
away with some comfort in that it’s not the first time we’ve been through
something like this. What you’re feeling is okay and you’re not alone.”
Steele also noted that the audience will also enjoy the humor in the play.
“I hope people have a whole lot of fun,” she said.

CRT presents “Queens Girl in Africa,” by Caleen Sinnette Jennings and
directed by Damaris Webb, through Sunday, April 24, at the Osterman
Theatre on the Oregon City campus of Clackamas Community College, 19600
Molalla Avenue in Oregon City.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m.
on Sunday. Ticket prices are $40 for adults and seniors and $30 for youth
(ages 6-25).

For more information, visit clackamasrep.org or call 503-594-6047. A free
pre-show lecture will be held one hour before the Sunday matinees on April 3,
10 and 24.

Music in Boring
Americana singer Larry Wilder will be back this month at the Nutz-n-Boltz
Theater Company (NNB) in Boring for a weekend of music. Wilder, who
performed last April at NNB, spent much of time since then working on a
variety of cruise lines, including a ship docked in The Dalles for the Fourth of
July.

“I’m so glad to be doing this,” Wilder said about his NNB performances.
He noted that the last two years have given him a chance to evolve as a
performer. Wilder’s approach is to try and make a connection and engage with
the audience through his songs (and jokes).

“Without question, the pandemic gave us pause to reflect on everything,
family relationships, personal philosophy and faith,” he said.
Wilder doesn’t plan on mentioning the pandemic (or politics) in his
performance, but will focus on the songs, ranging from The Kingston Trio to
Harry Belafonte to John Denver to Rodgers and Hart and more.
“The song stories are phenomenal,” he said. “I want to keep the people
having fun; make them feel part of the great American musical heritage. I’m
pretty lucky to get to do this.”

NNB presents Larry Wilder at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3 at
the Boring Grange, 27861 Grange Street in Boring. Tickets are available at the
door or online. The performance will consist of two 45-minute sets with one
intermission and is appropriate for audience members of all ages. For more
information, or to make reservations, call 503-593-1295 or visit
nnbtheater.com.