NEWBERG, Ore. — Gather Repertory Theatre will present the Oregon premiere of “Pásale, Pásale,” an immersive musical staged outdoors on the forecourt of the Chehalem Cultural Center, according to a press release from the theater company.
Performances are scheduled for August 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15 and 16 at 415 E. Sheridan St. Shows on August 6, 8, 9, 13, 15 and 16 have doors at 5:30 p.m. and a 6 p.m. curtain; the August 7 show has doors at 7:30 p.m. and an 8 p.m. curtain.
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The musical, written by Mario Vega and conceived by Maria Patrice Amon with music and lyrics by Eliza Vedar, is directed by Cambria Herrera and was originally produced in San Diego in 2024. The story follows a community of swap meet vendors responding to rising rent prices and finding strength in one another.
“By setting this play in the present moment and right where we are in Newberg, Oregon, coupled with the timely turmoil that occurs amongst the characters and the bountiful opportunities for the audience to be a part of the show, Gather Repertory aims to immerse audience members in a lighthearted but poignant story that they can relate to,” stated a press release about the show. “Patrons will undoubtedly recognize themselves, neighbors, friends, and family in both the delightful comedy and the heartfelt honesty of this show.”
The show centers Latine and Filipino community members within a broader story about collective action and care, the release states. Scenic designer Kacy Hughson adapted the courtyard’s brick space into a market-and-stage set that wraps around the audience and includes rolling vendor carts that move on and off with the show’s characters, according to the release. Music director Daye Thomas leads a group of musicians and performers through the production’s songs, the release states.
The production incorporates several interactive elements built around its swap-meet setting. Audience members are invited to sample food prepared by two of the show’s characters — Jo’s halo-halo and Rafa’s raspados — and to take part in a Latino-American history trivia game led by a character called DJ Tiangis. The release describes the approach as treating audience members as participants in the market alongside the performers, similar to the dynamic between customers and vendors at an actual swap meet.
The production runs a little over an hour and is recommended for all ages, according to the release; children four and under do not need a ticket. With potential smoke on the horizon, organizers say they’re preparing for an indoor alternative option for those who are sensitive to smoke or heat.
Tickets are pay-what-you-will with a suggested price of $15 and are available at the event or online through the Chehalem Cultural Center website. Patrons seeking wheelchair accessibility accommodations can contact the Chehalem Cultural Center box office.
