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2 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 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end 10 things to know for Thursday Prisoners in their own home How do you feel about new cell towers? Education Prisoners in their own home Louie's to donate sales to Helman Hug Fund Ashland High School Drama Club to host Showcase Night on Thursday Ashland Kiwanis recognizes Samara Diab Hands-On work with robots at ScienceWorks Environment 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 Legislature might be divided on clean fuels bill, but these Ashlanders weren't Business Breaking ground on organic vineyard practices Southern Oregon University: Recent and pending projects at SOU total about $132 million Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Ride & Drive: 2015 Hyundai Genesis Politics and elections 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 Mark L. Hopkins: Looking for a political straight shooter Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Nation - World Leonard Nimoy, famous as Mr. Spock on 'Star Trek,' dies Obituaries James Ellis York Death Notices Death Notices Shiela R. Ettlich Karen June Shaw Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society Sports Latest Stories Oregon's Altman used to rebuilding, reloading Wade scores 32, Heat rally to beat Blazers AHS grad Bailey claims national wrestling title Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor Fredrickson leads Grizzlies to season-opening romp High school Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor Fredrickson leads Grizzlies to season-opening romp Grizz alpine skiers finish strong at state Ashland High's Honsinger tops field in final nordic ski meet Grizz snowboard team heads to state with repeat potential Southern Oregon University Oregon's Altman used to rebuilding, reloading AHS grad Bailey claims national wrestling title Thompson, Weber to play in all-star game Beavers get No. 3 seed, host NCAA games Young shoots Ducks into Pac-12 title game Voices Latest Stories Bert Etling: A homegrown news diet Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Antionette Kerr: Some items shouldn’t fly with TSA Our View: Tuition trauma Letters to the Editor, March 19 Editorial Our View: Tuition trauma Our View: SOU's economic clout Our view: Keep it simple in developing marijuana rules Our View: Ashland is at risk as a bad fire season looms Our View: Ashland backs residents over visitors in lodging decision Letters Letters to the Editor, March 19 Letters to the Editor, March 18 Letters to the Editor, March 17 Letters to the Editor, March 14 Letters to the Editor, March 12 Guest opinions 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 Guest Opinion: Ashland schools failed to protect my son from bullying Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report Columns Bert Etling: A homegrown news diet Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Council Corner: City considers the sharing economy Herb Rothschild Jr.: Demonizing Putin makes case for war Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Best bets for entertainment around Ashland, March 19 Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Community blog: Herzog scholarship for young writers Movie listings: March 13-18 Theater Ticket Availability Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Oregon Shakespeare Festival designer for a half-century says he's still learning Ashland High School Drama Club to host Showcase Night on Thursday Theater review: Thanks for the Memories pulls off challenging 'Anastasia' in Ashland Music 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 The Farr Side: Madonna — ever the trendsetter Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen performs at the Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie listings: March 20-26 More wonderful wrinkles at 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' 8 must-see spring films Movie review: ‘Wrecking Crew’ is a look at the people who really put the bomp Movie review: ‘Cinderella’ is an instant classic Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories A better bedtime Studying stress Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Stargazing is a fun, free family activity 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 Amateurs match dead bodies to missing person reports ... Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area ... Bert Etling: A homegrown news diet ... Amateurs match dead bodies to missing person reports ... Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area ... Bert Etling: A homegrown news diet ... 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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