Reviews of 9 Parts of Desire
What Audiences are Saying
“Great material and fabulous acting - best play of the season!”
“Incredibly impactful. Makes me face something I haven’t given a lot of thought to as an American.”
“Powerful, beautiful writing and performance.”
“Stunning performance!!!”
National Acclaim
“Don’t miss this amazing theatrical experience!” –Gloria Steinem
“An example of how art can remake the world” –The New Yorker
“A moving portrayal of Iraqi women ... exquisite, passionate and penetrating.” –Los Angeles Times
“Riveting ... Raffo’s women, each uniquely colorful, merge to from a complex portrait of modern Iraqi identity.” –Time Out New York
“A highly absorbing 90 minutes with equal parts intellectual heft and raw human compassion.” –Chicago Tribune
“The voices are a study in contrasts: vivid and subdued, sophisticated and naïve, seductive and standoffish. But they cohere to form a powerful collective portrait of suffering and endurance.” –The New York Times
“The words cut bone deep. It took nearly 10 years of research to give voice to these profoundly moving stories.”–Entertainment Weekly
Local Acclaim — Reviews from the 2008 Production by CoHo and Cygnet
“9 Parts of Desire is one of the most compelling pieces of solo theater you will ever see on a Portland stage.” –Portland Mercury
“Raffo's script puts faces and emotions on the side of the Iraq War that Americans seldom see.” –The Oregonian
More about 9 Parts of Desire:
Nine Parts, One World
An interview with Iraqi-American Israa Hasani, cultural consultant for 9 Parts of Desire, on how she helps ensure the show's authenticity and safeguards the spirit and intent of the stories being told.
The Armory Bar Takes Teatime to a Boozy Level
Read about what parts of Curious Incident and 9 Parts Desire influenced our specialty cocktails and mocktail, including a few tea-based ones. We also include a recipe for one of the drinks to make at home!
Current & Upcoming
Improvisation Classes for Beginners
Whether you're looking to get more confident in social situations, think quicker on your feet, or get in touch with your imaginative side, these "one-off" improv classes will set you on the path to success!
Adult Class : TWELFTH NIGHT, Before & After
Join veteran actor Joe Costa for a unique opportunity to take a “deep dive” into both Shakespeare’s text of Twelfth Night, and the PCS Production. Participants will read the play out loud as a group, with “intermissions” provided for lively discussion of themes and content. Interested participants will have a chance to act in selected scenes, guided by the instructor.
Improv Comedy: Love, Shakespeare
Witness the Magic of unscripted Elizabethan comedy! Step into the offbeat world of Love, Shakespeare, where seasoned Portland comedians attempt something audacious: performing a fully improvised Elizabethan play based on your suggestions!
Albina Music Trust presents A Brown Branch Christmas
Celebrate this holiday season with A Brown Branch Christmas at Portland Center Stage. Now in its fourth season, this two-night big band celebration features directors Domo Branch and Charlie Brown III guiding a heavy 15-piece lineup of regional and national musicians.
BIPOC Affinity Night DJ Party with ALoSo
Join us for a double feature BIPOC Affinity Night, featuring a live DJ set by ALoSo, plus holiday craft market vendor tables, art exhibits by Albina Music Trust Wall to Wall Sound and Jason Hill's Favorite Things, with complimentary select drinks provided by Multnomah Whiskey Library and Deschutes Brewery while supplies last.
Winter Teen Academy: Scene Work
Calling all teens! Are you looking to expand your acting skills and be the best scene partner you can be for your fellow actors? In this class, we will dig deep into scene study, character motivation, and active listening, while learning the necessary questions to ask in every rehearsal situation. You'll develop fuller characters and deeper relationships on stage by partnering in scene work — and have lots of fun too!
Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).
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