Ashland’s plays offer new lineup

ASHLAND, Ore. – This year’s Oregon Shakespeare Festival schedule includes a number of classics – Shakespeare favorites such as “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” as well as shows like “Bus Stop” and “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

The season also offers newer works: “Up,” by Bridget Carpenter, and Lynn Nottage’s “Intimate Apparel.”

Here’s the lineup, along with a few recommendations:

“”Bus Stop,” by William Inge, New Theatre, through Oct. 29. A young cowboy learns the ways of the world from an old cowhand and a young female singer.

“”Cyrano de Bergerac,” by Edmond Rostand, Elizabethan Stage, through Oct. 7. A shy guy looks for help with the ladies.

“”Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” by David Edgar, Angus Bowmer Theatre, through Oct. 28. A respected doctor messes himself up with a little something he concocts in the lab.

“”Intimate Apparel,” by Lynn Nottage, Angus Bowmer Theatre, through Oct. 28. A portrait of a black woman living in New York in the early 1900s, where she designs lingerie for the rich.

“”King John,” by William Shakespeare, New Theatre, through Oct. 29. A rare chance to see this infrequently produced Shakespeare history.

“”The Importance of Being Earnest,” by Oscar Wilde, Angus Bowmer Theatre, through Oct. 29. Country laughs and city laughs in this Victorian comedy by a master of words.

“”The Merry Wives of Windsor,” by William Shakespeare, Elizabethan Stage, through Oct. 6. John Falstaff comes back to another Shakespeare play to woo a couple of married ladies.

“”The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” by William Shakespeare, Elizabethan Stage, through Oct. 8. A couple of guys look for love in fair Verona.

“”The Winter’s Tale,” by William Shakespeare, Angus Bowmer Theatre, through Oct. 29. Banishment, jealousy and a royal daughter saved from death and raised by a shepherd all stand in the way of a happy ending.

Now, for the recommendations. Say you just had one long weekend to spend at the festival, Friday night to Sunday – here’s a good viewing plan:

Friday night you need to laugh, so the logical choice is Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.” This charming, funny show manages to preserve the gentility of the 1890s with the sharp barbs Wilde created so well.

Saturday afternoon, try “Intimate Apparel,” the Lynn Nottage show. This is by the same woman who wrote “Crumbs From the Table of Joy,” a wonderfully offbeat and engaging show.

Saturday evening, you recall that this is a Shakespeare festival, so you take in “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.”

Sunday afternoon is a tough one, since you’ll probably be hitting the road that evening. It might be fun to take a chance on Bridget Carpenter’s “Up,” a new play that was inspired by that guy who attached helium balloons to his lawn chair and went up in the sky.

On the other hand, the company has never produced “Bus Stop” in its entire 71-year history. It would be great to see how a contemporary director and cast handle this steamy play.

Finally, if you want to take an extra night, you might look in on “Cyrano de Bergerac.”