OSF Presents, My Fair Lady

Rachael Warren as Eliza Doolittle - Photo Credit: Oregon Shakespeare Festival

When one buys a ticket to see a classic performance such as My Fair Lady one hopes to be highly entertained and OSF's 2013 production of My Fair Lady does not disappoint. 

I am often impressed by the simplicity of the stage settings of an OSF production and for this production I think the setting is just about perfect.  Two grand pianos (and pianists) are on the stage throughout the entire performance providing all of the music, with one exception; that of a solo violinist who plays beautifully at various poignant points in the story.  Theater seats are also on the stage, about a dozen of them, to set the scene of a studio workshop and when not performing the members of the ensemble take their seats.  And while at first you might think they are just sitting and waiting for their next cue, they are very much a part of the on-going story in a quiet subtle manner; telling the back story.  I was also impressed with the slight costume changes for each member of the ensemble to capture the particular scene.  With very simple changes, such as adding gloves, or tucking in skirts to show a different fabric, they set the scene.  By far the most entertaining costume change took place as they all gathered at the Ascot races.  All of the fabulous hats came down from the rafters and set themselves right on the actors heads.  It was brilliant!

It is the classic telling of Eliza Doolittle (Rachael Warren) and Henry Higgins (Jonathan Haugen) and how an unlikely relationship changes both of their lives. Both actors are perfectly cast and the on-stage presence between them is played beautifully.  Anthony Heald was excellent as Eliza's father Alfred P. Doolittle and his rendition of "I'm Getting Married in the Morning" was almost too much fun as he led the entire ensemble in a stomp dance number.  And Ken Robinison as Freddy Eynsford-Hill almost stole the show with his comedic "On The Street Where You Live." 

Photo credit:  Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Directed by Amanda Dehnert, My Fair Lady runs approximately 3 hours including 1 15-minute intermission.  Sometimes, I feel a 3-hour performance can be a bit long but not this one.  This production keeps the audience engaged throughout.   The music of My Fair Lady is timeless and if you know it at all, you find yourself silently humming along.  As we were exiting the theater I overheard a woman telling her friends it was so nice that such a classic story can still be told in a fresh way.  I'd have to agree with that sentiment.  If you are coming to Ashland for the 2013 season, do not miss this one. I predict it will be the hit of the season.

The Sights of Spring

Here at Abigail's, the sights of spring are budding all around us.  The resident gardener is digging in the dirt, pulling weeds, laying mulch and planting splashes of color all over our property, to bring our beautiful gardens back to life.  Here is just a sample of what's blooming!  It's a glorious time of year to visit southern Oregon.  

Another Fabulous Season

Finally, we can turn a page on the calender and welcome March and with it comes the hope of spring. It's that time of year when the Oregon Shakespeare Festival has opened their doors to another fabulous season of theater. 

We recently saw the play, "The Taming of the Shrew" and we loved it!  It's rare to find something unlikeable about any production of OSF. Sometimes a little detail here or there doesn't quite work for an audience member and occasionally a topic just doesn't jive with  someone's moral compass, but isn't that what great theater is all about?!  I think though, anyone would be hard-pressed to find fault with, "The Taming of the Shrew" and our guests are in agreement, it's just too much fun.  Set in Padua, Italy, but with a twist as the stage setting is that of a beach boardwalk and you know what, it works!  It's the classic story of a father who won't allow his beautiful young daughter, Bianca (Royer Bockus), to marry before her older sister, Kate (Nell Geisslinger), is married.  What's a father to do?  Hilarity ensues as Petruchio (Ted Deasy) weds Kate and then sets to taming her, while three suitors try to win the hand of Bianca.  The acting is wonderful, the comedic timing is spot on and the music is upbeat. When the last word was spoken the audience was on their feet with a resounding standing ovation... an early indicator of a sure-fire hit for the season!  Directed by David Ivers, the play has a running time of 2 hours - 15 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.  

Petruchio & Kate - The Taming of the Shrew.  Photo credit:  Oregon Shakespeare Festival

What's that you say?  Theater isn't your thing, or you'd like to visit Ashland for several days but you don't want to spend all of your time in a theater? Absolutely no worries!  There is SO much to do and see in the beautiful Rogue Valley and we've taken the work out of planning your vacation.  Visit our website's newly-revised activities page where we've done all of the planning for you.  We've provided you with a list of planned day trip itineraries; everything from white water rafting to visiting Crater Lake National Park to wine, cheese and chocolate tasting.  We have the best in dining and boutique shopping and we have the most beautiful 93-acre park, right here in Ashland, just a 10-minute walk from Abigails.  

So, pull out that calendar, put in your time-off request from work and/or your daily life and come to Ashland in 2013!   

http://www.osfashland.org/productions/2013-plays/cymbeline.aspx

http://www.osfashland.org/productions/2013-plays/my-fair-lady.aspx

http://www.osfashland.org/productions/2013-plays/king-lear.aspx

http://www.osfashland.org/productions/2013-plays/the-liquid-plain.aspx

http://www.osfashland.org/productions/2013-plays/a-midsummer-night-s-dream.aspx

http://www.osfashland.org/productions/2013-plays/the-tenth-muse.aspx

http://www.osfashland.org/productions/2013-plays/the-heart-of-robin-hood.aspx

http://www.osfashland.org/productions/2013-plays/the-taming-of-the-shrew.aspx

http://www.osfashland.org/productions/2013-plays/a-streetcar-named-desire.aspx

http://www.osfashland.org/productions/2013-plays/two-trains-running.aspx

http://www.osfashland.org/productions/2013-plays/the-unfortunates.aspx

 

Winter Wonderland ~

This morning we awoke to a beautiful winter wonderland and the snow is still silently falling.  What is it about snow that is so magical?!  I was hoping for a white Christmas, but I think it came a bit too early.  We had a white Easter this year, which just seemed so wrong.  I will continue to hold on to hope for a white Christmas, but just in case I'm going to bundle up and head out for a walk in the snow!

Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows ~

We photographed another festive Halloween parade and following Halloween I think we maybe had two weeks of true fall weather before we were pushed right into winter with full force. 

Halloween 2012

All of a sudden it was time to gear up for the fall/winter season; taking our classic Adirondack chairs from the garden to storage, taking the outdoor furniture cushions and placing them in storage as well and lowering the patio umbrellas... time to batten down the hatches so to speak!

The Rogue Valley offers 4 distinct seasons; each one ideally perfect. When its fall the colors are stunning and when its winter you pull out the hats and scarves and gloves and jackets and.... yep, it's cold!  But it's a fun cold if you will, you can take crisp walks in Lithia Park and then head home for a cup of steamy hot chocolate with those wonderful mini marshmallows floating on top.

We get the best snowfalls.  Most often we'll awaken to one or two inches of moist snow that will melt quickly away once the sun hits it.  At times, if it is particularly cold and the sun doesn't come out, the snow can stay for a day or two, but we've never had to take out a shovel or put on chains; it's the best kind of snow.  My absolute favorite snow happens in the darkness and stillness of night when the snow falls silently in beautiful graceful flakes, it's magic!

The winter season is peaceful, the crowds of tourists and play-goers have gone and a lovely calm has settled over the valley, along with the layers of fog.  Sadly, many travelers do not recognize the year-round playground that is the Rogue Valley.  The boutique shopping, casual and fine dining, and wine tasting are more accessible and if you're a snow skier, Mt. Ashland is the local ski destination and offers not only great skiing but absolutely panoramic views of southern Oregon and northern California.  And the Oregon Cabaret Theater offers highly entertaining dinner theater in an intimate setting where there are no bad seats.

When you're looking for that peaceful winter get-a-way, look to Ashland and come experience the serenity for yourself. We'll have the hot chocolate and marshmallows waiting!

 

Chestnuts!

The other morning we went out for a l-o-n-g walk.  It was one of those cool crisp mornings where there is not a cloud in the sky and the spectacular colors of fall were everywhere.  We walked down a street and I noticed a ton of nuts smushed all over the street.  When I looked closely I realized the nuts were chestnuts.  I had never seen an actual chestnut tree and had no idea the nut is encased in a thick pokey (sharp!) skin-like covering.  We both like chestnuts so I filled the pocket of my hoodie and we continued on to one of Abi's favorite coffee houses.  Once there, I asked for a paper bag and on the way back filled the bag with chestnuts.  I was eager to get home and take on the task of roasting chestnuts, not on an open fire of course, but in my convection oven.  I could even hear Johnny Mathis singing in my head.

Fresh off of the tree!

Use a serrated knife to make a cut through the shell of the nut, but not all of the way through.

Add a good splash of salt to the water and bring the water just to a simmer

Just to a simmer

Drain, and put on sheet pan and bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes

Take out of the oven and cover with a clean kitchen towel for 15 minutes, acts as a steamer

Let cool, peel and enjoy!

The Colors of Fall

One of the best things about living in southern Oregon, specifically, the Rogue Valley, is the fact that we have 4 distinct seasons.  Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year. The air is cool and crisp, the trees are spectacular, pumpkins are being carved, I pull out my old friend cardigan sweater, my nose gets cold when we're out walking, which causes me to start drinking hot chocolate again and we look forward to the soon to be upon us holiday season.