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`Love Letters' At 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, the Old Siskiyou Barn will present Doug and Leona Mitchell in A. R. Gurney's "Love Letters," directed by Rogue Music Theater Artistic Director, Richard Jessup. The Mitchells came to Ashland 15 years ago after successful careers in the professional theater and on national television. They are both very involved with local theater and currently own Ashland Camera, on Main Street. "Love Letters" actually began as a writing exercise-but evolved into a most delightful theatre experience. Two people, Andrew Makepeace Ladd, III and Melissa Gardner write a lifetime of letters and notes to each other over a span of more than fifty years. The audience watches the two as young children exchanging formal birthday party invitations and as they develop through their teen years and into their adult lives. The headaches and heartaches, the heights and depths and all the twists and turns of growing older are presented in sometimes amusing, and other times poignant missives. Admission is $14 Nestled in the mountains south of Ashland, parking and seating at the Old Siskiyou Barn are limited and reservations are always required. There are no ticket sales at the door. For reservations, information, and directions, call 488-7628 or e-mail: [email protected] . Leona Mitchell came to the Rogue Valley in 1986 after a successful career on the Broadway stage and in Los Angeles nightclubs. Two seasons ago, she played the title role in the Rogue Music Theatre production of "Hello, Dolly," and has appeared in RMT productions of "Follies" and "A Little Night Music." Other credits include several productions for the Oregon Cabaret in Ashland, including her one-woman show, "Leona Sings Judy," "Fasinatin' Rhythm" and "Nightclub Confidential." She is currently the cantorial soloist at Temple Emek Shalom and owns and operates Ashland Camera, in Ashland. Richard Jessup has been performing, teaching, choreographing and directing for the past 22 years. He is currently Artistic Director for Rogue Music Theatre in Grants Pass. Jessup has directed and/or choreographed over 20 productions there since 1992. He has also directed and choreographed musical productions in California, Nevada and Washington, and has taught as a Master Jazz Dance teacher throughout Oregon, California, Nevada and Washington. Jessup previously directed his own Jessup/Jenkins Dance Studio in Seattle, and produced live dance performances there, as well as at Dance Centre Seattle before moving to the Rogue Valley full-time in 1996. He currently teaches dance at Southern Oregon University's Extended Campus Program, and at Stillpoint Dance Studio in Grants Pass. He will be directing the spring Rogue Music Theatre production, "A Grand Night For Singing" in March of 2001. After almost 20 years on the professional stage and on national TV, Doug Mitchell moved to Ashland 15 years ago. His Rogue Valley credits include productions at all of the local community theaters, several shows at the University of Southern Oregon and the Oregon Cabaret. In addition to acting, he also directs and has appeared in numerous theatrical readings around town. Visit our back issue library Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Western Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing