It's OSF Opening Weekend Time Again

Every year at this time we make a pilgrimage to southern Oregon for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Opening Weekend. I feel so fortunate to be able to attend all of the plays, usually during three of four visits throughout the season and visit my family simultaneously. Unbelievably it’s been a year since my 50 States in ’08 post about the previous season opening.

The 2009 offerings at OSF did not disappoint. The four plays presented are drawn from opposite corners of the theatrical spectrum. Our first and my favorite was a full scale musical: The Music Man. This is not usual fare for OSF and I had concerns about the staging which were unfounded. It was a terrifically wild ride with superb dancing and singing from a company known more for its acting chops. Next up was Dead Man’s Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl: a contemporary play with dark humor. Nobel prize winning Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman was a vivid epic offering insights into another culture. We ended the weekend with the Bard. OSF described their current production of Macbeth as a thriller. It’s fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

While my husband & I were entranced in the theater the rest of our group was enjoying other area opportunities.

Crater Lake National Park is 80 miles from Medford and is a spectacular destination year-round.

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Closer to home there are so many gourmet food options:
Rogue Creamery
Madrone Mountain Winery tasting room.
Lillie Belle Chocolates
Roxy Ann Winery
Schmidt Family Vineyards
Harry & David Country Store

And the not so gourmet, Jacksonville Tavern.

We enjoyed terrific meals at the house but ventured out to Omar’s Restaurant a local favorite and Carriage House at Nunan Estate.

It was a busy weekend and a good time for all of us. Even the dog and alpacas.

Goodbye 'til next time, Oregon!

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Thanks, Clare, for use of the terrific pictures.