116 NE Russell Street
Portland, OR 97212-3706
tel: 503.493.4077
Mission statement
Artistic Directors
History of Cygnet
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Cygnet Actors Honored
Two Cygnet Actors-Grant Byington and Jeffrey Szusterman-
Honored With Drammys for Best Actor in a Lead Role
Cygnet Production
Not About Heroes Provided Plum Roles
Portland, OR-June 12, 2001-Cygnet Theatre has the honor of being the producer
of a theatrical work that has earned 2000-2001 season Drammy awards. Cygnet's
searing season opener, Not About Heroes, was in the literary tradition Cygnet
is known for: A composite of dialogue, letters, excerpts from memoirs and
pieces of poetry, Not About Heroes tells the true story of the two of England's
most lauded poets, Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon, who met when both were
hospitalized during World War I. These two articulate, compassionate men
shared a commitment to telling the unpopular truth about the "Great War." Both
betrayed their pacifist convictions to return to the front to confront private
ghosts of fear and nihilistic desire, and Owen died there at the age of 26.
The poignant play's only characters are the two leads; both won 2000-2001
season Drammy awards for Best Actor in a Lead Role. Grant Byington played
Siegfried Sassoon and Jeffrey Szusterman played Wilfred Owen; these were the
first Drammy awards for either.
"Jeffrey Szusterman, a new actor to Portland from New Zealand, is most
effective as Owen, the man with the real genius for words. With hair parted
dead center, hat in hand, Szusterman's Owen is appropriately shy and
respectful, but also comes to realize his talent.
"Grant Byington's performance quietly takes off in the second (act), and we see
a man who loves language as much as he hates the ravages of war, deploring
'those fools (who) only believe in the wounds they can see.' ... Byington
knows when to hold back as he quietly shapes the Sassoon character. Bits of
poetry by both men elevate the play to a high level of lyricism... Cygnet,
whose goal is to celebrate writers and hold literature to light, succeeds with
Not About Heroes."
Holly Johnson
The Oregonian, November 2, 2001
Louanne Moldovan and Shelly Lipkin, co-artistic directors of Cygnet, comment:
"We are of course very proud of Grant and Jeffrey, and very pleased for the
acknowledgement. Cygnet has for its entire existence stuck very closely to its
mission of producing works of great or notable literary worth. To have our
actors win these awards, for a very fine, very literate production, which
encompasses that mission, is a welcome validation."
Cygnet's season-closing production Pinter on Pinter on Pinter (two early
one-act play by Harold Pinter, The Collection and Night School) continues this
literary tradition until its final performance Saturday June 23, 2001.
Pinter on Pinter on Pinter plays 8:00 p.m. Thurs, Fri & Sat, 7:00 p.m. Sun at
the Russell Street Theatre, 116 NE Russell Street. Fri & Sat, $15; Thurs &Sun
$12; $2 discount for students, seniors on request. Call Cygnet at 503.295-3555
for reservations, or call Ticket Central, 503 275-8352.
About the Drammy Awards:
The Drammy Awards is a 22-year tradition recognizing the best Portland-area
theatre efforts of the previous season. The Drammy committee has fourteen
members, including veteran actors, directors and designers, academics, and
critics. Historically, each of the nearly twenty categories had five nominees
and one winner. In an effort to more equitably acknowledge excellence, the
Committee has conducted a three-year experiment in which up to four awards for
can be given in each category. No official decision has been announced yet as
to whether the multiple-award system will continue, or whether the previous
system will return.
About Cygnet:
Cygnet Theatre, a literary cabaret, turns literature into entertaining,
thought-provoking theatre by staging world classics, little-known literary gems
and original work in an intimate setting. The company carefully selects works
to produce, looking for literature with a broad appeal that is culturally
inclusive and has a contemporary resonance. The result is high-quality
productions that are elegant yet spare, focusing on the text and inviting the
audience to open its imagination and engage intellectually, socially and
emotionally.
See also:
'I Love You' is perfect at Drammys - from The Oregonian, 06/13/01
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