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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
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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.
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"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. '
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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. " '
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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.