When Fall of the House opened last spring, I admit I was a bit skeptical about the possible entertainment to be derived from a serialized, unscripted show about “five young Portlanders attempting to form a community against a backdrop of ping-pong and videogames,” in which “relationships evolve, devolve, and cataclysmically combust.” (I mean, I could just go hang out with my ex-boyfriend if I wanted to watch that shit.) However, apparently it was a sharp, funny, affecting run, and I regret not catching it at that point. Action/Adventure Theatre launches Fall of the House’s fall run tonight at 10:30 pm; each week features a new one-hour installation in the series.

Miranda King from Action/Adventure said this in an e-mail:

Fall of the House is about a group of housemates and their extended circle of friends who live in Portland and struggle to balance their artistic lives, day jobs, and relationships- and I think it speaks truthfully to aspects of an identifiably Portland experience. It runs for four weeks, 3 shows a week, and each week is a different episode.

This season we are also adding to the local dimension of the project by using as much local music as possible. A lot of our friends (like a lot of everyone in Portland’s friends) are in bands, and we wanted to utilize the wealth of musical talent that we know.

Fall of the House, Thurs-Sat 10:30 pm, through Nov 10 (with a different episode each week); Theater! Theatre! 3430 SE Belmont, $10 for 1 episode, $24 for a 4-week pass, $2 off for every previous episode seen, Thursdays “Pay What You Will,” reservations at 503-358-8646 or email reservations@actionadventure.org

Press release after the jump

Portland's only improvised serial is back!
Last season, The Fall of the House introduced you to five young Portlanders attempting to form a community against a backdrop of ping-pong and videogames. Now, The Fall of the House returns with all your favorite characters and lots of new faces! Be a fly on the wall in the living room of a Portland house shared by friends and lovers and get caught in the tangled webs they weave. Relationships evolve, devolve, and cataclysmically combust. Add to that money trouble, career trouble, and general "what am I doing with my life" trouble and watch stories that are both complicated and familiar arise. "This isn't escapism, but magnifying mirror to nature – not to mention some of the most honest, exciting stage work all season," said Followspot of Season 1. The story unfolds over four weekends, with a new episode each week; but a one-time glimpse into this ongoing epic provides a show of its own.

The story is mapped out, but the actors work with no script. Improvised dialogue keeps the action fresh, immediate and unpredictable. Featuring a weekly recorded soundtrack full of local music highlights, including The Shaky Hands, Loch Lomond, and The Builders and the Butchers; plus an original theme song recorded by Henry Dark. In the spirit of the one-hour television drama, Fall of the House delivers a weekly fix of fun to the serious serial addict, or a heavy dose of something different to a curious one-time viewer. Tune in this Fall.

Cast includes Patrick Coleman, Nichole Cooper, Kevin Crooks, Steve Granmo, Amanda Jensen, Aubrey Jessen, Briana Pruett, Laura Faye Smith, Yolanda Suarez, Patrick Tango and Beth Thompson. Directed by Tamara Carroll, with assistant/guest director Miranda King.