Hal Long,who lived in Tualatin for many years but now resides in Joseph, Oregon, has written another play and is directing at the Tualatin Heritage Center once more. Long is artistic director of Tualatin’s Lumiere Players and has previously written seven plays, three of which he also directed at the Heritage Center: “War of the Worlds,” “North Platte Canteen” and “We Hold These Truths.”His current play, “The Legend of Jimmy Blue Eyes,” is being polished for the Oregon American Association of Community Theatre One Act Festival, taking place in Forest Grove the first weekend in February.
The play is a dramatic retelling of an old New Orleans legend involving a man’s quest to gain musical prowess by selling his soul to the devil. “It’s done in music and rhyme, very different from anything we’ve ever done,” said Long’s wife, Lynn Wolf.
In preparation for competition, the Lumiere players are premiering the play at the Tualatin Heritage Center, 8700 S.W. Sweek Drive, for two weekends: Jan. 18-20 and 25-27. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with 2 p.m. Sunday matinees.
After the performances there will be an opportunity for audience members to ask questions and offer critique. In honor of the play’s New Orleans setting, there will be a special drawing for audience members who come sporting a Mardi Gras mask. The winner will receive a ticket to Lumiere’s spring show. Tickets are $10 each; to order, call 503-692-5050.
“Long’s story in itself is one of triumph over adversity,” said Bill Gleason, who has appeared on the Lumiere stage and is husband of Lumiere favorite and board member Doris Gleason, in an email. “When you meet him as director and recall his struggle through three tours in Vietnam to GI Bill student, engineer to playwright and presenting competitive arts forms, you must agree that he has written, directed and put a company together worthy of praise.”
–Â Ginger Moshofsky