Portland State University

Join scholars Dr. Lindsey Mantoan, author of It's All Happening: How Musical Theater Does High School (Oxford, 2026), and Dr. Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, author of Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist (Simon & Schuster, 2025) for a free conversation about high school on the musical theater stage. This evening will feature performances by PSU students from some favorite high school musicals--come to sing, chat, and cheer along!

Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Learn more about theTheater Arts program at PSU's School of Music & Theater.

Music & Libretto by Michael Ching
Based on a concept by Dean Anthony

Portland State University’s Opera program kicks off its 50th anniversary season with Michael Ching’s “Speed Dating Tonight!” (2013). Set over the course of a single evening at a local bar, this clever, heartwarming opera follows a revolving cast of singles searching for that elusive spark. There's the dreamer, the hopeless romantic, the bashful, the over-sharer, the chronically distracted, and everyone in between, each getting their moment in the spotlight through music that is equal parts tender, heartbreaking, and hilarious.

Written with duets and ensembles for up to 45 voices, “Speed Dating Tonight!” has a flexible modular structure that can be customized to fit any cast size, voice type, or gender identity. PSU Opera’s version of “Speed Dating Tonight!” features 35 song selections and arrangements specifically chosen to reflect the unique assortment of voices in the 12-member cast.

At its heart, this is a show about the universal human longing to be seen and cherished by another person. Woven through the interactions is another question: can a genuine connection actually happen in five minutes or less? With Michael Ching’s delightful opera, the answer is decidedly yes.

Visit the Speed Dating Tonight! web page to learn more about this production, including additional dates, cast and crew information, photos, and more as we get closer to opening night.

Learn more about the Opera program at Portland State University's School of Music & Theater.

Music & Libretto by Michael Ching
Based on a concept by Dean Anthony

Portland State University’s Opera program kicks off its 50th anniversary season with Michael Ching’s “Speed Dating Tonight!” (2013). Set over the course of a single evening at a local bar, this clever, heartwarming opera follows a revolving cast of singles searching for that elusive spark. There's the dreamer, the hopeless romantic, the bashful, the over-sharer, the chronically distracted, and everyone in between, each getting their moment in the spotlight through music that is equal parts tender, heartbreaking, and hilarious.

Written with duets and ensembles for up to 45 voices, “Speed Dating Tonight!” has a flexible modular structure that can be customized to fit any cast size, voice type, or gender identity. PSU Opera’s version of “Speed Dating Tonight!” features 35 song selections and arrangements specifically chosen to reflect the unique assortment of voices in the 12-member cast.

At its heart, this is a show about the universal human longing to be seen and cherished by another person. Woven through the interactions is another question: can a genuine connection actually happen in five minutes or less? With Michael Ching’s delightful opera, the answer is decidedly yes.

Visit the Speed Dating Tonight! web page to learn more about this production, including additional dates, cast and crew information, photos, and more as we get closer to opening night.

Learn more about the Opera program at Portland State University's School of Music & Theater.

Music & Libretto by Michael Ching
Based on a concept by Dean Anthony

Portland State University’s Opera program kicks off its 50th anniversary season with Michael Ching’s “Speed Dating Tonight!” (2013). Set over the course of a single evening at a local bar, this clever, heartwarming opera follows a revolving cast of singles searching for that elusive spark. There's the dreamer, the hopeless romantic, the bashful, the over-sharer, the chronically distracted, and everyone in between, each getting their moment in the spotlight through music that is equal parts tender, heartbreaking, and hilarious.

Written with duets and ensembles for up to 45 voices, “Speed Dating Tonight!” has a flexible modular structure that can be customized to fit any cast size, voice type, or gender identity. PSU Opera’s version of “Speed Dating Tonight!” features 35 song selections and arrangements specifically chosen to reflect the unique assortment of voices in the 12-member cast.

At its heart, this is a show about the universal human longing to be seen and cherished by another person. Woven through the interactions is another question: can a genuine connection actually happen in five minutes or less? With Michael Ching’s delightful opera, the answer is decidedly yes.

Visit the Speed Dating Tonight! web page to learn more about this production, including additional dates, cast and crew information, photos, and more as we get closer to opening night.

Learn more about the Opera program at Portland State University's School of Music & Theater.

Music & Libretto by Michael Ching
Based on a concept by Dean Anthony

Portland State University’s Opera program kicks off its 50th anniversary season with Michael Ching’s “Speed Dating Tonight!” (2013). Set over the course of a single evening at a local bar, this clever, heartwarming opera follows a revolving cast of singles searching for that elusive spark. There's the dreamer, the hopeless romantic, the bashful, the over-sharer, the chronically distracted, and everyone in between, each getting their moment in the spotlight through music that is equal parts tender, heartbreaking, and hilarious.

Written with duets and ensembles for up to 45 voices, “Speed Dating Tonight!” has a flexible modular structure that can be customized to fit any cast size, voice type, or gender identity. PSU Opera’s version of “Speed Dating Tonight!” features 35 song selections and arrangements specifically chosen to reflect the unique assortment of voices in the 12-member cast.

At its heart, this is a show about the universal human longing to be seen and cherished by another person. Woven through the interactions is another question: can a genuine connection actually happen in five minutes or less? With Michael Ching’s delightful opera, the answer is decidedly yes.

Visit the Speed Dating Tonight! web page to learn more about this production, including additional dates, cast and crew information, photos, and more as we get closer to opening night.

Learn more about the Opera program at Portland State University's School of Music & Theater.

Music & Libretto by Michael Ching
Based on a concept by Dean Anthony

Portland State University’s Opera program kicks off its 50th anniversary season with Michael Ching’s “Speed Dating Tonight!” (2013). Set over the course of a single evening at a local bar, this clever, heartwarming opera follows a revolving cast of singles searching for that elusive spark. There's the dreamer, the hopeless romantic, the bashful, the over-sharer, the chronically distracted, and everyone in between, each getting their moment in the spotlight through music that is equal parts tender, heartbreaking, and hilarious.

Written with duets and ensembles for up to 45 voices, “Speed Dating Tonight!” has a flexible modular structure that can be customized to fit any cast size, voice type, or gender identity. PSU Opera’s version of “Speed Dating Tonight!” features 35 song selections and arrangements specifically chosen to reflect the unique assortment of voices in the 12-member cast.

At its heart, this is a show about the universal human longing to be seen and cherished by another person. Woven through the interactions is another question: can a genuine connection actually happen in five minutes or less? With Michael Ching’s delightful opera, the answer is decidedly yes.

Visit the Speed Dating Tonight! web page to learn more about this production, including additional dates, cast and crew information, photos, and more as we get closer to opening night.

Learn more about the Opera program at Portland State University's School of Music & Theater.

A co-production by PSU Theater Arts and Oregon Children's Theatre.

Gretel! The Musical is not your typical fairytale. Drawing from Vassilisa the Beautiful (the Russian folktale that is the true origin story behind Hansel and Gretel) and many other Eastern European Tales, this new musical for young audiences places grief, anger, and survival at its center. When Gretel's mother dies, she is left with little more than a magic doll, a cruel stepmother, and an impossible errand: travel into the deep forest and steal the skull of undying light from Baba Yaga, the most fearsome witch in all of folklore. What follows is a journey through darkness and wonder — horsemen who carry the sun across the sky, a hut that walks on chicken feet, three impossible tasks — but at its heart, Gretel! is a story about a girl learning to harness her own ferocity, tend her own grief, and claim her own power.

Featuring an alternative folk-rock score by Jenn Hartmann Luck and a fluid ensemble of actor-musicians and puppeteers, this production brings a bold, contemporary theatricality to a primal story. This is an exciting co-production with Oregon Children's Theatre — a partnership that will shape the production's visual identity from the ground up.

This is preview night. $15 tickets are available for anyone.

Book by Jason Tremblay & Suzan Zeder; Music & Lyrics by Jenn Hartmann Luck, Zeder & Tremblay
Cello Arrangements by Nora Karakousoglou
Directed by Theresa Robbins Dudeck

Visit the Gretel! The Musical web page to learn more about this production, including additional dates, cast and crew information, photos, and more as we get closer to opening night.

Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.

A co-production by PSU Theater Arts and Oregon Children's Theatre.

Gretel! The Musical is not your typical fairytale. Drawing from Vassilisa the Beautiful (the Russian folktale that is the true origin story behind Hansel and Gretel) and many other Eastern European Tales, this new musical for young audiences places grief, anger, and survival at its center. When Gretel's mother dies, she is left with little more than a magic doll, a cruel stepmother, and an impossible errand: travel into the deep forest and steal the skull of undying light from Baba Yaga, the most fearsome witch in all of folklore. What follows is a journey through darkness and wonder — horsemen who carry the sun across the sky, a hut that walks on chicken feet, three impossible tasks — but at its heart, Gretel! is a story about a girl learning to harness her own ferocity, tend her own grief, and claim her own power.

Featuring an alternative folk-rock score by Jenn Hartmann Luck and a fluid ensemble of actor-musicians and puppeteers, this production brings a bold, contemporary theatricality to a primal story. This is an exciting co-production with Oregon Children's Theatre — a partnership that will shape the production's visual identity from the ground up.

Book by Jason Tremblay & Suzan Zeder; Music & Lyrics by Jenn Hartmann Luck, Zeder & Tremblay
Cello Arrangements by Nora Karakousoglou
Directed by Theresa Robbins Dudeck

Visit the Gretel! The Musical web page to learn more about this production, including additional dates, cast and crew information, photos, and more as we get closer to opening night.

Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.

A co-production by PSU Theater Arts and Oregon Children's Theatre.

Gretel! The Musical is not your typical fairytale. Drawing from Vassilisa the Beautiful (the Russian folktale that is the true origin story behind Hansel and Gretel) and many other Eastern European Tales, this new musical for young audiences places grief, anger, and survival at its center. When Gretel's mother dies, she is left with little more than a magic doll, a cruel stepmother, and an impossible errand: travel into the deep forest and steal the skull of undying light from Baba Yaga, the most fearsome witch in all of folklore. What follows is a journey through darkness and wonder — horsemen who carry the sun across the sky, a hut that walks on chicken feet, three impossible tasks — but at its heart, Gretel! is a story about a girl learning to harness her own ferocity, tend her own grief, and claim her own power.

Featuring an alternative folk-rock score by Jenn Hartmann Luck and a fluid ensemble of actor-musicians and puppeteers, this production brings a bold, contemporary theatricality to a primal story. This is an exciting co-production with Oregon Children's Theatre — a partnership that will shape the production's visual identity from the ground up.

Book by Jason Tremblay & Suzan Zeder; Music & Lyrics by Jenn Hartmann Luck, Zeder & Tremblay
Cello Arrangements by Nora Karakousoglou
Directed by Theresa Robbins Dudeck

Visit the Gretel! The Musical web page to learn more about this production, including additional dates, cast and crew information, photos, and more as we get closer to opening night.

Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.

A co-production by PSU Theater Arts and Oregon Children's Theatre.

Gretel! The Musical is not your typical fairytale. Drawing from Vassilisa the Beautiful (the Russian folktale that is the true origin story behind Hansel and Gretel) and many other Eastern European Tales, this new musical for young audiences places grief, anger, and survival at its center. When Gretel's mother dies, she is left with little more than a magic doll, a cruel stepmother, and an impossible errand: travel into the deep forest and steal the skull of undying light from Baba Yaga, the most fearsome witch in all of folklore. What follows is a journey through darkness and wonder — horsemen who carry the sun across the sky, a hut that walks on chicken feet, three impossible tasks — but at its heart, Gretel! is a story about a girl learning to harness her own ferocity, tend her own grief, and claim her own power.

Featuring an alternative folk-rock score by Jenn Hartmann Luck and a fluid ensemble of actor-musicians and puppeteers, this production brings a bold, contemporary theatricality to a primal story. This is an exciting co-production with Oregon Children's Theatre — a partnership that will shape the production's visual identity from the ground up.

Book by Jason Tremblay & Suzan Zeder; Music & Lyrics by Jenn Hartmann Luck, Zeder & Tremblay
Cello Arrangements by Nora Karakousoglou
Directed by Theresa Robbins Dudeck

Visit the Gretel! The Musical web page to learn more about this production, including additional dates, cast and crew information, photos, and more as we get closer to opening night.

Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.