Living here in this brand-new world might be a fantasy. But it’s taught me to love, so it’s real to me.” This lyric from “Home,” the final musical number in The Wiz, is an expression of my journey to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. At six years old, I was seeing a live musical for the first time—The Wiz, which inspired me to pursue a life in theatre. Now all these many years later, I can say it’s true that theatre has taught me to love, and I am proud to call Ashland and OSF home. 

As I reflect on our 2016 season, it strikes me that these characters in these plays have all embarked on some journey: varied, dark and fantastic; in search of home, identity, legacy; in search of love. What a privilege to share these 11 stories with you that they may provide laughter, comfort, warmth, challenge, compassion and understanding (all the things we dream make a home). 

From the bittersweet twists confronting our lovers—a shipwrecked Viola (Twelfth Night), the steadfast Helena (The River Bride) and a loyal Jan Point (The Yeomen of the Guard)— or the maturation we witness as our young heroes Pip (Great Expectations) and Dorothy (The Wiz) come of age, there is romance and loss, and a chance for each to get lost and find their way again. 

While our Shakespearean men, Hamlet (Hamlet), King Richard (Richard II), Leontes (The Winter’s Tale) and Timon (Timon of Athens) wrestle with rage and despair, they also come to see themselves and their missteps more clearly. 

There are tender and humorous biographical snapshots as a playwright (Vietgone) crafts a version of his family’s immigration to the United States and recounts his parents’ love story. Similarly, we get just a glimpse of Norma McCorvey (Roe), a fascinating account of the real “Jane Roe” from inside her messy and complex life. 

This eclectic mix of new and old, world premieres and treasured classics, does sing something of home. Welcome, and allow us to offer you the embrace of a heart-full, heartbreaking and heartwarming season.

 U.S. Bank, proud sponsor of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival since 1978