The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has a long history of producing the popular comedy "Merchant of Venice."
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival has a long history of producing the popular comedy "Merchant of Venice." The play was one of only two — the other being "Twelfth Night" — put on in the very first OSF season in the summer of 1935.
Over the years, Shylock has appeard on stage 13 times in Ashland, making "Merchant" one of the most-produced plays at OSF. Festival founder Angus Bowmer was the first to put on the moneylender's beard, a role he reprised with regularity. Productions of "The Merchant of Venice"
Year Director Theater
1935 Angus Bowmer Elizabethan Stage
1936 Angus Bowmer Elizabethan Stage
1938 Angus Bowmer Elizabethan Stage
1947 Angus Bowmer Elizabethan Stage
1948 Angus Bowmer Elizabethan Stage
1953 Richard Graham Elizabethan Stage
1958 James Sandoe Elizabethan Stage
1964 Rod Alexander Elizabethan Stage
1970 Angus Bowmer Bowmer Theatre
1977 Michael Addison Elizabethan Stage
1985 Albert Takazakas Elizabethan Stage
1991 Libby Appel Bowmer Theatre
2001 Michael Edwards Elizabethan Stage
The Temple Emek Shalom is teaming up with OSF for a series of talks, "Perspectives on 'The Merchant of Venice.'"
The series includes three events, with the first, "The Merchant of Venice — A Director's Perspective," being held at 7 p.m. today at the Temple, 1800 E. Main St. Rauch and Neimark will be the speakers.
The series follows up with "An Actor's Perspective" with Tony Heald at 7 p.m. June 14, and "A Historical Perspective" with Earl Showerman at 7 p.m. July 12.
"Merchant of Venice" runs at OSF June 3 through Oct. 10.
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