Mars on Life - LIVE!
November 16, 2010 - December 23, 2010
By Susannah Mars
Directed By Grant Byington

EXTENDED!! Additional performances added Dec. 21-23 at 7:30pm. 

This production runs approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes with one, 15-minute intermission. 

Susannah Mars returns with the warmth and charm that Artists Rep audiences have come to expect.

This year she explores the expectations of what the holiday home is “supposed to be” — the havoc, the harmony, and the universal challenges the season can mean for each of us. 

“Mars on Life- LIVE!  is not as an alternative to typical holiday fare but an addition,” said Susannah Mars. “We will run the gamut of the human experience at the holidays – the stress, the wonder, the celebrations, and the laughter needed to cope with it all...” 

Amid a revolving door of special guests, Susannah will sing 26 songs, give gifts galore, dance and even bake. Not really, she will fake-bake with the help of physical theater choreographer Jerry Mouawad of Imago Theatre.  Just a few of Susannah’s special guests will include Rebecca Kilgore, Portland Gay Men Chorus, Body Vox’s Jamey Hampton and Holcombe Waller. 

Check out the full guest list here - see a favorite? Buy tickets today!

As always, audience participation will be a big part of the evening’s experience, with the audience receiving gifts and being photographed. This is a chance for audiences to banish their holiday baggage, and embrace Susannah’s, in an unpredictable show that will be different every night! 

The band will include local stalwarts of the music scene Bill Wells, Ross Seligman, Bob Shotola, Matthew P. Rotchford and Dan Shulte performing holiday songs old and new from a variety of composers such as Irving Berlin and Jason Robert Brown.

Susannah Mars has spent the holiday season on stage with Artists Rep since 2006, starring in Mars on Life: The Holiday Edition and Holidazed.

Cast

Vocalist Susannah Mars*
Music Director/Piano    Bill Wells
Guitar  Ross Seligman
Drums/Percussion    Bob Shotola
Bass Matthew P. Rotchford 
Bass Dan Shulte

 

 

 

Production

Scenic Designer  Jeff Seats
Lighting Designer  Kimberly Scott
Sound Designer Rodolfo Ortega
Costume Designer Russel Terwelp
Props Designer Torie Van Horne
Stage Manager Carol Ann Wolhmut* 
Production Assistant  Lauren Mitchell

 

 

 

 

 

*Member of Actors Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

NEW VIDEO! See how some of Susannah's favorite guests spread the holiday cheer in this video. Produced  by Brent Rogers, camera by Alison Grayson.

PLAYWRIGHT
Mars on Life – LIVE! Will be Susannah’s  11th appearance at Artists Rep.  She was Julia in Holidazed for the last two years, Mary Reade in Pirates Lullaby, Mabel in Chaps, Karen in Dinner With Friends, Lola in Theater District, and also premiered the first incarnation of Mars On Life; The Holiday Edition at Artists Rep.  Most recently Susannah was Mother in Ragtime at Portland Center Stage, Eva Peron in Evita, at Broadway Rose, and Frieda and Betty  at the 5th Avenue Theatre, in Seattle, in Sunday in the Park with George.  Ms. Mars is the recipient of five Portland Drama Critics awards.  Treasured roles include Rose in Gypsy, Meredith in Bat Boy (Portland Center Stage,) and Trina in Falsettos. (triangle Productions!)  She opened the Bullitt Cabaret at A Contemporary Theatre, in Seattle, with Mars on Life, which premiered in New York at Don’t Tell Mama's.  Her recording, Take Me to The World, on LML Music, was nominated “best CD of 1998” by  M.A.C.  Find it, and information on her new CD, featuring the music of Richard Gray, at http://www.susannahmars.com/

PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES
November 16 through December 19, Wednesday through Sunday at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:00pm
Wednesday matinee at 11:00am on December 8.

EXTENDED! Additional performance added Dec. 21-23 at 7:30pm

NO PERFORMANCES ON:
Saturday, Dec. 11 at 7:30pm
Sunday, Dec. 12 at 2pm
Friday, Dec. 17 at 7:30pm
Saturday, Dec. 18 at 7:30pm

PRESENTING SEASON SPONSOR:

US Bank

SHOW SPONSORS:

City Center Parking All Classical Logo

Vibrant Table_new


The Reviews...

"Mars’ mid-show 'baking' vignette would make Lucille Ball proud, " said Anne Adams, Portland Monthly Magazine's Culturephile. Read the full review here.

"...Mars' voice sparkles throughout, showcasing why she's one of the most-dependable musical stars in the city. Getting to hear her at Christmastime is a gift itself," said Grant Butler of The Oregonian in a rave review , read the rest here!

"The ones that work best sprinkle in some of the natural seasonal nuttiness, along with just enough sweet sentiment, cooking up a holiday treat everyone can enjoy," said The Oregonian. Read the full preview here.

“…a performance that makes the show a worthwhile evening even for those with the most severe allergies to Christmas cheer.” - The Oregonian of Mars on Life: The Holiday Edition in 2007. Read the full review here.

“Susannah Mars is one part old-school diva, one part Martha Stewart and one part indie comedian…Mars’ multiple personas bring something for everyone.” - Willamette Weekly of Mars on Life: The Holiday Edition in 2007.

Tickets for Artists Repertory Theatre's 2011/12 season are on sale now. Click on the link below to purchase or call our Box Office at 503.241.1278.