Whether you are a regular at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival or considering visiting our beautiful city for the first time, the 2023 Shakespeare Festival has something for everyone.
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival was founded in 1935 by Angus L. Bowmer, a teacher at what is now Southern Oregon University. Since then it has become an Ashland tradition with visitors from across the country enjoying an annual trip to see their choice of plays and musicals. And, of course, many of these visitors, over the years have stayed at The Bards Inn Hotel.
Here is a rundown of the upcoming plays for 2023, two by the Bard and more classics and modern plays by others:
Romeo and Juliet
Starting on April 18, this classic story of young love amid family conflict is given a modern twist which is often the hallmark of the OSF.
Twelfth Night
This hilarious yet heartbreaking tale of unrequited love takes over the Allen Elizabethan stage beginning June 1st. This production is inspired by early Blues and Jazz greats like Bessie Smith.
Rent
You’ve probably heard of this Pulitzer Prize–winning musical. With its profound message of joy and hope in the face of uncertainty and some wonderful music, we’re sure this will be a hit in Ashland too, starting on April 19.
The Three Musketeers
A tale of courage, honesty, and valor. This adaptation finds its inspiration in the oft-ignored fact that writer Alexandre Dumas was of French-Haitian heritage. Deploying verse, contemporary vernacular language, hip-hop, Rap, dance, music, and swordplay, it will be both familiar and surprising. From May 31.
Where We Belong
This solo performance takes place in 2015 and examines what it means to belong in an increasingly globalized world. A Mohegan theatre-maker moves to England to pursue a PhD in Shakespeare, grappling with the question of what it means to remain or leave, as the Brexit vote threatens to further disengage the UK from the wider world. Starting August 24.
It’s Christmas, Carol!
Packed with slapstick physicality, sparkling verbal wit, music, and mayhem. This third presentation of Carol! is a romp through time and runs from November through December.
If you would like more info on the OSF 2023 season, just click here: www.osfashland.org/
We hope you enjoy this season of the OSF and be sure to Book your stay at The Bard’s Inn Hotel in advance to secure your room within easy walking distance from the theaters.