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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 11, 1957)
3- v 1 ' - mrm , fa's " f i , , -1 (:' ; sip -?fC3 V- r - M 1 J ? "V 4 4 r re " '4 The Roguo volley boasted three "first nights" ihe week of August 1 . When the 1 957 Oregon Shakespearean festival opened at Ashland, Life magazine sent a photographer-reporter team to cover the event. That week Medford Footlighters opened the annual summer play and on the same evening of the festival opening, 29 children presented a neighborhood play in the James W. Stewart's garden on Vashti way. Pictured here during the festival first night party are Producing Director Angus Bowmer (foreground) with Nat Farbrrran, San Francisco (at right). Life photographer, and Bob Stein, Portland reporter who represents Life and Time in Oregon. MEDFORDdtTRIBUNE MEDFORD, OREGON, SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 1957 Opening Night ' n' -,-r'U V " , Footlighters' summer play was "Mister Angel," comedy-fantasy by Harry Segall about "angels" who come to earth and meddle in the affairs of the mere mortals. Pictured in a scene opening night are Gary Heilsberg, Whitworth college student from Spokane, Wash., who played the title role; Margaret Dix, wife of Dr. Paul Dix, who made her Footlighter debut with- the play, and Madelyn Buonocore, young daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Buonocore, whose previous dramatic experience had r . been confined to school programs. I s "til ' I II II iv- I tr f ' I v. - :! - "Dancing on the Green" was provided during the opening night party by six members of the festival company. The dancer are performing for other festival functions, and are appearing c stage for some of the plays. They are directed by Marcia Thayer, festival choreographer. Drum and bagpipe music by the Ashland Kiltie band added to the enter tainment of the opening night party. W. Bernard Windt, director of music for the festival, rot only has planned instrumental and vocal music for the plays, but presents a concert or Elizabethan music each Sunday afternoon during the season. i:vr:5l- 'vfila' 111 It is a tradition that Oregon's governor and his wife attend the first night play of the Shakespearean festival season in Ashland. Governor Robert D. Holmes and Mrs. Holmes are shown here with Mrs. John C. Cotton, Ash land, president of the festival association, who wore an Elizabethan costume for the annual "Feasting of the , Tribe of Will," opening night party held in Lithia park below the festival theater. Later, Governor and Mrs. Holmes attended the first performance of "As You Like It" and then remained in Ashland for the first productions of the remaining three plays. The party and opening were attended by scores of festival fans from all parti of the state as well as numerous other state officials. ' E , i? -i. ai-" - 'i w Jf1 Ix rit j Mrs. James W. Stewart, who planned, directed and made all the costumes for The Vashti way neighborhood play called "April fn August," is shown here with Sharon Breedlove, Bill Blew (center) and lonnie Walters. This was second such produc tion planned by Mrs. Stewart, who decided the neighborhood youngsters needed something to keep them busy. Mothers of children in cast helped buy materials for costumes and furnished food for party which followed play. Courtney Bell of Ashland donned Elizabethan costume and . rode a pony, in Lithia park during "Feasting of the Tribe of Will" to add a touch of color, and gaiety. .Posing with Courtney is Rudolf E. Vest Jr., Ashland, actor with the festival company for his third year. In addition to "As You Like It," which was the opening night play, the company is presenting "Othello," "Two Gentlemen of Verona" and "Henry VIII" in repertory style. " ' ir.;'"" ; ; """ "s:Sai8gsaa . )B mum i i. annum win ugKfSrSrTTfr'fJnm , -i 1 A cast of 29 children presented "April in August" as neighborhood entertainment the evening of August 1. Posing in their costumes are (left to right around the circle) Jackie King, Bill Blew, Susan Davis, Steven Grigsby, Barbara Linn Lester, Donna Glather, Jeanette Littlefield, " Teresa Grigsby, Joanie Littlefield, Donna Smith, Judy DaVis, Pamela Dunlap, Dana Dunlap, Gladys Davis, Miltoni Bernheisel, Nicki Sue Meshew, Jeanette Keller, Danny Davis, Bobby Glather, Rickey Snooer, Tommy Peterson and Marsha Dunlap. Genene Williams and Sharon Breedlove are sitting center front; grouped in front of the pool are (left to right) Marylin Stewart,' Jeanie Littlefield and Miles Stewart and in the back row, center, are Deanne Stewart, Lynn Peterson and Patty Glather. Mrs. Stewart made all the costumes, working about two months in her spore time.
