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[an error occurred while processing this directive] (none) Musicals at OSF Andrée Lanthier A Playwright (Richard Farrell) right, coaxes An Actress (Suzanne Irving) into the evening's performance as A Wardrobe Mistress (Christine Williams) left, and A Dresser (Linda Alper) look on in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's 2001 production of `Enter the Guardsman,' book by Scott Wentworth, music by Craig Bohmler, lyrics by Marion Adler. By Robert H. Miller Special to the Tidings Over the years, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival has leavened its diet of drama with an occasional treat of musical dessert. Did you know indeed that for four years, from 1966 to 1969, OSF supplemented its quota of four Shakespearean plays with a ballad opera? This was the era of "Stay Four Days, See Four Plays, with Shakespeare under the Stars," spread over a three-month season (July-September). Well, when you delve into history, intriguing facts emerge, especially when you have the assistance and razor-sharp memory of Kit Leary, OSF's archivist. You ask a question. She has the answer - and can dip into a file and instantly bring out a supporting document. These ballad operas, which comprised spoken dialogue and popular tunes made into songs, were performed at Ashland's downtown Varsity Theatre, which at the time had a seating capacity something less than that of the yet-to-be-built Bowmer Theatre. In each instance, the stage director was Carl Ritchie, the choreographer Shirlee Dodge, and music director, W. Bernard Windt. There were matinees only. And the price of admission? One buck! The Shakespeare plays began promptly at 8.45 p.m. at "America's First Elizabethan Theatre" (admission from $1.50 to $4). The program cautioned members "to allow sufficient time for parking and reaching their seats." If there was a problem then, what about now? I know of playgoers who have had to park beyond the duck pond in Lithia Park. In 1966, there were eight performances of "The Beggar's Opera," by John Gay, a look at the lives of a group of thieves and prostitutes in 18th century London. Angus L. Bowmer played Peachum, the fence. In 1967, there were six performances of "The Maid of the Mill," a 17th century comic opera rarity by Isaac Bickerstaffe et al, set in an engulfed garden. Admission went up to $2. As it says in the program: "The book of this production was trudged-for. Our General Manager, William Patton, while in London, was under instruction to `find the words of the opera.' He did, in a small London shop, ripped sometime earlier from a larger tome, and left aging on a dark back shelf." The fare in 1968 was "Lock Up Your Daughters," an adaptation by British actor, Bernard Miles, of Henry Fielding's comedy, "Rape Upon Rape." Perhaps the subject matter warranted the increase of performances to twelve. Lionel Bart's lyrics were set to music by Laurie Johnson. It had originally been performed at London's Mermaid Theatre in 1959. Bart, by the way, achieved a great success in 1960 with "Oliver," his musical adaptation of Dickens' "Oliver Twist." "Virtue in Danger," based on Sir John Vanbrugh's "The Relapse" was offered for 14 performances in 1969. A Restoration romp, with book and lyrics by screenwriter-lyricist Paul Dehn and music by James Bernard, it introduced us to such richly conceived characters as Lord Foppington (a new peer), Sir Tunbelly Clumsey (wealthy squire), Loveless (erring husband), and Berinthia (prospecting widow). It, too, had first been presented at the Mermaid Theatre in 1963. Seats for both the musical and Shakespeare plays edged up from $2 to $5. Scanning the cast, I espied the name of Mark Murphey who played Friendly (he is Dr. Caius in OSF's 2001 "The Merry Wives of Windsor"). And among the orchestra brass section is the name of Todd Barton, who has since become OSF's resident composer and music director and has composed scores for more than 150 plays including the entire Shakespeare canon. Moreover, Richard L. Hay is listed as the scene designer, and he has been with OSF since 1950 and is now its Principal Scenic and Theatre Designer. When the Angus Bowmer Theatre opened in 1970, OSF at first continued to include a musical in its program. The choice was "The Fantasticks." Four years later came "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" for which Stephen Sondheim had written the lyrics and music. A long gap ensued until, in 1986, "The Threepenny Opera," the Brecht/Weill 1933 version of "The Beggar's Opera," took the stage. Next year, though Brendan Behan's "The Hostage" was not exactly a musical, he liberally followed his own advice: "The thing to aim for is to amuse people and any time they get bored, divert them with a song or a dance." And jog us with a jig, he did! Ten years later came Tom Stoppard's "Rough Crossing," set to music by Andre Previn. And that leads us today - to "Enter the Guardsman." As for the Black Swan and the Green Show, their musical contributions deserve a separate telling. Actors' Theatre Alexs Restaurant Ali Ross/ Real Estate Agent Allyson's of Ashland Aphrodite's Salon Asante Health Ashland Community Food Store Ashland Community Hospital Ashland Homes Real Estate Ashland Springs Spa Associates for Oral & Maxillo Beasy's On The Creek Big Kahuna in the Park Bloomsbury Books Bookwagon New & Used Books Charter Communications Chateaulin Restaurant Conversations With God Center Cycle Sport Denny's Restaurant Earthly Goods Womens' Apparel Enchanted Attic Energy Outfitters Gateway Real Estate Grants Pass Visitor's Bureau Greenleaf Restaurant Hellgate Excursions Hot Spring Spas Jacksonville Inn John L. Scott Real Estate of So. 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