Oregon Shakespeare Festival Opens its 2024 Season Today
ASHLAND, Ore. — The atmosphere in Ashland City today is one of buzzing excitement as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) stages its first drama of the 2024 season. The city is filling up with visitors, while residents and shopkeepers are promising to give their full support.
Season Kicks Off with Macbeth
The season begins with the bard’s powerful Macbeth at the Angus Bowmer Theatre, directed by Evren Odcikin, a former associate artistic director of the OSF. Macbeth is well-known and loved by followers of Shakespeare and tells the story of magic, war, and power-mongering.
The next OSF production is a dark comedy entitled Born with Teeth at the Angus Bowmer Theatre. This Alley Theatre production is by Liz Duffy Adams and directed by Rob Melrose and associate director Anna Crace. The play portrays an encounter between Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, who fight, flirt, and fester while working in collaboration on a play.
The first part of the 2024 season also includes Shakespeare and the Alchemy of Gender, and Smote This, a Comedy About God…and Other Serious $H*T.
Shakespeare and the Alchemy of Gender takes the stage at the Thomas Theatre, brought to life by Lisa Wolpe in both creation and performance, with direction by Laurie Woolery. Lisa Wolpe, a Shakespeare scholar and renowned actor, gives a memorable performance in this fearless, lyrical and personal one-woman show.
Smote This, a Comedy About God…and Other Serious $H*T, will also be presented at the Thomas Theatre. The one-man play will be performed by its creator, Rodney Gardiner, and directed by Raz Golden. Gardiner portrays a Black boy in a tumultuous Miami in the 1980s who attempts to abandon God despite his Christian upbringing.
The second half of the OSF season begins in May and includes Virgins to Villains: My |Journey with Shakespeare’s Women, Thomas Theatre, May to July, Lizard Boy, Thomas Theatre, June to October, Coriolanus, Thomas Theatre, July to October, Behfarmaheen (If You Please), Thomas Theatre, July to September, Much Ado About Nothing, Allen Elizabethan Theatre, June to October, and Jane Eyre, Allen Elizabethan Theatre, May to October.
Artistic Director Praises the Commitment of OSF Ensemble
OSF’s seventh artistic director, Tim Bond, says the 2024 season displays the “perseverance, dedication, and commitment of our artists, staff, crews, generous supporters, and the Ashland community have for our beloved festival.”
Bond says he is immensely grateful to be part of the OSF’s 10th season as the industry flails against tough economic times. “We will delight our audiences and provide them a world-class theatre-going experience.”
References
https://www.osfashland.org/en/season/2024/2024-season-announcement.aspx
https://www.osfashland.org/en/tickets-and-calendar/calendar.aspx?single-column=
