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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Police Reports Schneider Art Museum installation re-imagines Rivera UPDATED: Two lanes open after I-5 truck crash near Siskiyou Summit 10 things to know for Friday Education New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Why OLLI matters: A personal perspective Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Rotary Club of Ashland names Riley O'Sullivan as Student of the Month Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers With pre-season conditions worst in 25 years, catastrophic wildfires expected in region this summer Business Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Snow hopes dashed, Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts season-ending party Saturday Iconic Ashland bookstore to celebrate 35th anniversary on April 19 Test Drive: 2015 Honda Accord Cars We Remember: The original Candymatic Ramchargers Politics and elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for first year Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Alicia Applegate Hardy Death Notices Rosalind Dee Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Ashland Rowing Club hires highly touted coach and national-award winning team director to lead expansion Antionette Kerr: Tourney fever gets superstitious Blazers fight back, edge Jazz Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory High school Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Grizzlies rally past GP, to 2-0 start Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor Southern Oregon University Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Ducks enjoy the challenge Oregon bows out Voices Latest Stories Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Letters to the Editor, March 27 Editorial Our View: Build it; they will play Our View: How it should work Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class Our View: Tuition trauma Our View: SOU's economic clout Letters Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Letters to the Editor, March 23 Letters to the Editor, March 20 Letters to the Editor, March 19 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Columns Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Jeffrey Gillespie: Pax Americana? At what price? Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Top 5 things to do this week Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Community blog: Words, wine and Craig Wright 4 Things To Do This Week Theater Ticket availability Ticket Availability Ashland Contemporary Theatre seeks new artistic director Ticket Availability The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Music Futureshock: Kendrick Lamar release points to road ahead Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: In ‘Danny Collins,’ Pacino helps us imagine a Lennon story Noah Baumbach talks Ben Stiller, adult comedies and more In 'Timbuktu,' lust for power disturbs peace Movie review: ‘The Gunman’ misses the target Movie listings: March 20-26 Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque App Finder: Best barbecue apps Health Watch: It’s OK to have a cheat day Inner Peace: The good, the bad and the spiritual Antionette Kerr: Tourney fever gets superstitious Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Ashland Calendar: Saturday, March 28 ... Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent ... Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity ... Ashland Calendar: Saturday, March 28 ... Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent ... Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity ... THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES THEATRE COMPANY Theater review: Thanks for the Memories pulls off challenging 'Anastasia' in Ashland Comment By Roberta Kent For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Roberta Kent For the Tidings Posted Mar. 15, 2015 at 1:24 PM By Roberta Kent For the Tidings Posted Mar. 15, 2015 at 1:24 PM » Social News Did Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Czar Nicholas, die in the Bolshevik fusillade that killed the rest of her family in 1918? Or did she miraculously survive, to resurface in the mid-1920s as the mysterious Anna Anderson? The play “Anastasia” is a highly romanticized version of the story, dependent on strong actors playing enigmatic Anna; her grandmother, the Grand Duchess, the only person who can positively identify her; and the wily con man, Bounine.  The ambitious new production of “Anastasia” at Ashland’s new Thanks for the Memories Theatre Company has three talented actors in those title roles. They make “Anastasia” worth seeing — in spite of a start-up theater production budget and an unfortunate and unforeseen last-minute change of venue to Ashland’s rather primitive Pioneer Hall.  The French playwright Marcelle Maurette’s 1955 play, adapted into English by Guy Bolton, was made into an American film a year later. The movie starred Ingrid Bergman, Yul Brynner and Helen Hayes. Bergman won an academy award for her portrayal of Anna.  As rumors of Anastasia’s survival swirl among the Berlin Russian émigré community, former czarist general Bounine has concocted a plot to claim the fortune deposited abroad by the czar. A young amnesiac woman, recently escaped from a mental asylum, is claiming to be the princess. There is enough physical resemblance to make her story vaguely plausible. Bounine will coach her on imperial family details and present her to surviving distant relatives. If he can pass her off, she collects the bank accounts.  Anna proves to be a quick study but also gradually remembers facts and events that would only be known to the real Anastasia. She is able to convince relatives that did not know her well. She even convinces her cousin, Prince Paul, her childhood playmate and betrothed. The critical test will come when she confronts the Grand Duchess, her grandmother. Can Anna convince the regal old woman that she is, indeed, Anastasia?  As the Grand Duchess, veteran performer Presila Quinby positively walks off with this production. Quinby has the stage presence and the acting nuances to make the imperious Grand Duchess who has lost everything believable. When Quinby appears on stage, she owns it.  Thanks for the Memories Theatre Company founder and artistic director Peter Wickliffe is a deliciously oily and perpetually conniving Bounine.  Anna/Anastasia is a complicated role. Meagan Kirby’s performance gets stronger as the plot unfolds and she ultimately steps up to its challenge in the famous “recognition scene” in the second act.  Zaq Wentworth and Jonny Degner do a fine job as Bounine’s panicky accomplices. Catherine Hansen provides the comic relief as the fluttery Baroness Livenbaum and John Richardson is properly solemn in the roles of Bounine’s nemesis, Counselor Drivinitz and Anna’s former lover Dr. Serensky.  Wickliffe co-directed “Anastasia” with Hansen. He also designed the set, lighting and sound.  Thanks for the Memories Theatre Company hoped to present “Anastasia” in its new home at 722 Jefferson Ave. in Ashland, but delayed approvals from the Ashland Building Department made that impossible. The remaining performances of “Anastasia” are in Pioneer Hall, 73 Winburn Way, Ashland, at 8 p.m. on Monday, March 16, at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21, and at 4 p.m., Sunday, March 22. Roberta Kent is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach her at [email protected].             Width: 1 Height: 0   Placing: A Column: 1   Scaling: 0 Format: Photo Caption       Left to right: Peter Wickliffe, Meagan Kirby and Presila Quinby appear in Thanks for the Memories' production of Marcelle Maurette's drama "Anastasia." Photo illustration courtesy of Graham Lewis.         Channels:   OR_Medford_Online       Page sugg.:   A3       X33-publicationChoice:   None       X33-publishWithFacebookAccount:   None       X33-publishToFacebookPage:   None       Paywall:   Paywall   By Roberta Kent For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Roberta Kent For the Tidings Posted Mar. 15, 2015 at 1:24 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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