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Show scheduled for Feb. 25

Known for hosting a variety of concerts, live performances and community events, McMinnville’s park Theater is welcoming an act of a different sort for a performance Sunday, Feb. 25.

Made up of about 10 performers, Artrageous will bring a blend of performing and visual arts featuring live music, art demonstrations, dancing and street theater for their afternoon show scheduled for 2:30-4:30 p.m.

“During a live Artrageous show I think people get the sense right off the bat when they come in the doors that this isn’t really like an ordinary theater show they have been to before,” performer Lauri Francis said. “The troop is out in the theater meeting people, doing little art activities, passing out props and things they will need for the show and just getting them involved straight away.”

Francis said audience members can be as involved in the show as they want to be, or simply enjoy what is happening around them from the comfort of their own seat in the theater.

“If they just want to be observers that is wonderful, if they just want to tap their toes along to the music, great…sing along, dance in the aisles, come on stage, see your friends on stage… all of it is possible at an Artrageous show,” she said.

Francis said Artrageous got its start as a nonprofit theater in Vancouver, Canada.

“We were like street performers in the mid-80s,” Francis said. “We are a group of friends that like to do things together, including see the world, and the best way that we found to do that is through entertaining and bringing people joy and happiness and that really is what Artrageous is all about.”

Francis said the unique combination of performing and visual arts offers up something a little different than what audiences might have seen in the past.

“I don’t think there is any other show out there quite like us because we do try to put as many arts on the stage as possible,” she said.

In addition to live music, singing and dancing, attendees will also be able to witness live fine arts.

“It is like these giant canvases that come to life before your eyes and I think one of the fun things for the audience is trying to guess what is being painted,” Francis said. “We try to keep it a secret until the very end. There are all of those arts on stage which is very unique to Artrageous.”

Based out of New Mexico, the Artrageous show scheduled for Sunday Feb. 25 at The Park Theater will be the acting troop’s first time performing in McMinnville.

“We do a lot in the Midwest and the northeast and the southeast, that is really where our bread and butter is but we have performed in Canada, we have performed in Mexico, which we are going to Mexico in March, we have performed in Tanzania, Africa, we really have performed all over the world,” Francis said.

Francis said she would like for those considering attending the show to give it a shot.

“It is a unique experience and it is really immersive and it is for the whole family,” she said. “I feel like it is just a really joyful and fun experience and I think you will leave happier than when you came.”

Park Theater Assistant Manager Ashley Wright said the historic theater has been making efforts to book a wider variety of acts.

Wright said the theater asked for an increased investment from the city budget for booking this year, which it received.

Part of how we got that from the city was we also asked for commitment from the community,’ Wright said. “We got some sponsors this year for what we have been calling the Park Theater Signature Series.”

One request the theater has received over the years is for more events geared towards families and children.

Wright said that is exactly what they are trying to do with shows like Artrageous.

“The community and the city brought the park theater back for the purpose of art entertainment, art education to the community so it just fits in with that,” she said.

All tickets cost $35 and can be purchased online at www.parktheatermcminnville.com.