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New for '02: 10 plays, one theater Shakespeare to stage �Macbeth� as opening act By Bill Varble William Shakespeare�s "As You Like It," Edward Albee�s "Who�s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and Mustapha Matura�s "Playboy of the West Indies" are among the highlights of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival�s 2002 season announced Friday. Artistic Director Libby Appel unveiled next year�s season at the OSF�s annual members� meeting in Ashland. The season is also expected to debut the festival�s $8 million replacement for the Black Swan, the intimate but challenging former car dealer�s shop that since 1979 has been home to some of OSF�s most acclaimed plays. The project includes a new multi-level parking garage now under construction. "I am especially excited about opening the new space with an adaptation of �Macbeth� which will run for the entire season," Appel said. She said that Shakespeare favorite, along with "Playboy" and the West Coast premiere of "Handler," would showcase the new theater, especially its flexible seating. The new theater doubles the audience potential of the Swan and can be configured in several ways, depending on the production being presented. Here�s a schedule: In the Angus Bowmer Theatre: "Julius Caesar," by William Shakespeare, directed by Laird Williamson. "Idiot�s Delight," by Robert E. Sherwood, directed by Peter Amster. "Noises Off," by Michael Frayn, directed by Kenneth Albers. "Who�s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" by Edward Albee, directed by Timothy Bond. In the new theater: "Macbeth," directed by Michael Donald Edwards. "Handler," by Robert Schenkkan, director to be arranged. "Playboy of the West Indies," by Mustapha Matura, directed by Kenny Leon. On the Elizabethan Stage: "The Winter�s Tale," by Shakespeare, directed by Michael Donald Edwards. "Titus Andronicus," by Shakespeare, directed by James Edmondson. "As You Like It," by Shakespeare, directed by Penny Metropulos. Also Friday, OSF released some numbers for the fiscal year just concluded. Treasurer Sue Naumes said earned income for the year was $12.4 million, or about 10 percent more than OSF�s budget forecast. Operating expenses for the year were $16.1 million. Contributed income was $4.1 million, or about 11 percent above projections. Gerry Drummond, president of the festival�s endowment fund, said that fund grew by $732,235 last year to a new high of about $15 million. The 2002 season opens in February with four plays to be presented in the Bowmer and new theater. Reach reporter Bill Varble at 776-4478 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.