Ashland is My Haven

Yesterday, I departed from the single greatest little town I know in my corner of the world of NorCal/Oregon: Ashland. You probably all know, I am infatuated with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and do plan on being part of its acting company some day. This was the final season for Libby Appel, the mother of the head of the acting program at UCSB, Irwin Appel. I loved some plays, there were others I didn't care for, and I'm thoroughly sad we had to the end the trip on a rather anti-climactic note: our last show, "As You Like It" was the one show people in our group walked out of. I stuck around (because I am not one to walk out on shows) and it never got any better. It was all set in the depression era and its presentation was amateur...by no fault of the actors. [Danforth Comins, by the way Stacy, played Orlando and was shirtless during the wrestling scene...the man is an Adonis! I'm so sad your hand wasn't there for me to grab]

I have a feeling all the young actors in the company are wonderfully built and cut, because John Tufts who played Romeo was also shirtless at one point and oh my god I would never have guessed that aside from being a wonderful actor (and a refreshingly different Romeo at that) he had a phenomenal body.

But enough with me drooling over the thought of these chiseled abs and pecks, those of you interested, here is my ranking of the shows we saw this season:

1. Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire and Taming of the Shrew are tied for first with me.
The relationships in Rabbit Hole were so well established, plus it starred the greatest actress of the company: Robin Goodrin Nordli (whose hand I've finally shaken and at long last I was able to confess that I'd be completely enamoured of her since I saw her in Henry VI). Taming was not at all misogynistc and the Kate and Petruccio were so in love (it was almost unbearable, Stacy)
2. Gem of the Ocean by August Wilson
This was my first August Wilson play and I must say a wonderful introduction. Plus we got to see the actress that had originated the role of Aunt Ester (they say it was Phylicia Rashad who did on Broadway, but according to Irwin it was actually Greta Oglesby).
3. The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov
It was my second time seeing it and I cried even more the second time through. Stories dealing with change and with nostalgic themes really get to me. I was in love with the character of Firs: the actor barely had to do anything and I would just start crying...probably cuz he really reminds me of my dad and Opa (grandpa), but mostly he was a constant reminder of change and ever-passing time.
4. Romeo and Juliet
This is where I start to get critical. The actors that played R and J shed a whole new light on the characters and I really appreciated that. The play overall wasn't afraid to be funny and that was really refreshing...but it had its downsides. The second half seemed like it was from a completely different play cuz (naturally) it got really depressing and everything seemed to go downhill after Mercutio died (played by the brilliant Dan Donohue...whose death was more heartbreaking than R&J's now that I think about it). The director placed an emphasis on the differences between the generations by putting the older characters in Renaissance attire and the younger generation in modern dress- it threw me off more often than it helped me.
5. The Tempest
I wasn't all impressed by the Prospero. I just didn't feel it. Visually it was wonderful. That is all.
6. As You Like It
Like I said before: amateur presentation.


Between plays, I spent a lot of time walking with my wonderful roommate and friends downtown. We got some good food at different places.
Aside from the plays we also had actor discussion sessions. Our first was with Tyler Layton and Robin Goodrin Nordli from Rabbit Hole. I worship them both. At one point we were talking about the actor's life and how they adapt with all the moving about when needbe. Tyler's answer really got me thinking. Stability to many, she said, is buying a house and getting settled and starting a family. Staying put. To her stability it just a state of mind. She has all this freedom and the ability to wake up in the morning and decide "I think I want to go to Chicago" and because there's nothing tying her down in Ashland she can do that...and she's going to. Irwin said later, "She's a gypsy at heart, that one." It made me rethink about what the future has in store for me. I always just figured I'd get married and have a kid or two someday, but I want to act and have a career on the stage more than I want to be a wife and mother, I think. At least that's what I'm thinking now. I don't know, I'm not entirely opposed to the idea of being those things, but I'm starting to realize it might not end up that way...and I'm totally okay with that as long as I'm doing what I love. Whatever feels right, I'm going to do it.
I'm just gonna do what I know will make me happy and what feels right. That's why Libby chose to end her time at OSF as Artistic Director: "It was time for me."
That's probably the best anyone can do for themselves; really know when something should be done for them.

Our conversation with Danforth Comins and Dan Donohue was equally inspiring. As Dan put it, "actors are [generally considered] the laziest artists" and it's pretty accurate. But it doesn't have to be like that. When not working on a show you can be honing your craft by reading plays...something I really should get on top of.

Aside from these discussion sessions and the plays and the food, one of the biggest highlights for me on the trip was the time I spent in Lithia Park reading and/or just enjoying nature. It was one of the most beautiful parks I've seen, and being able to sit in the shade (where the temperature was perfect) reading a wonderful book in the cool grass was just heaven for me.








Sitting under this shade with this book in my hands...never have I been so happy to just lie and read.

So, [yes, Stacy] I had a glorious time.
So glorious, I cried as my mother and I drove away.