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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Teenager struck, killed by car 10 things to know for Wednesday Emergency Services Medford, Talent language groups hope to attract Spanish speakers 10 things to know for Tuesday Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Teenager struck, killed by car Emergency Services Serial killer Susan Monica found guilty on all charges, gets 50 years Five teens sent to hospital after crash near Medford Susan Monica testifies she feared for her life Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. 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Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Erickson shores up business with three contracts Agriculture Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again Letters to the Editor, April 22 Kathleen Parker: Mr. Hughes goes to Washington Landgren cartoon: Tick season Granlund cartoon: Minnesota ISIS Editorials Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again Other Views: Delay edible marijuana products for safety Our View: The rule of law vs. armed confrontation Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Our View: Impeachment should be an option Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 22 Letters to the Editor, April 21 Letters to the Editor, April 20 Letters to the Editor, April 19 Letters to the Editor, April 17 Columns Kathleen Parker: Mr. Hughes goes to Washington Esther Cepeda: What happens in Latin America should be reported Kathleen Parker: Presidential election 2016: The woman trap Dana Milbank: America's new cycle of partisan hatred George Will: Don't seize the raisins Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Lifestyle Latest stories Page H. Onorato: Did you really eat that? Lost in Suburbia: Ashes, ashes, we all fall down Dave Ramsey: Difference in debts 5 Things to Do This Weekend (April 24-26) Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Food Page H. Onorato: Did you really eat that? Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? 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Restaurant inspections: April 19, 2015 Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Teenager struck, killed by car ... Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again ... Medford, Talent language groups hope to attract Spanish speakers ... Teenager struck, killed by car ... Our View: Raises for Jackson County officials — again ... Medford, Talent language groups hope to attract Spanish speakers ... OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL REVIEW: 'Secret Love' strikes comical, poignant balance By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 20, 2015 @ 10:55 am Updated Apr 20, 2015 at 11:07 AM By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 20, 2015 @ 10:55 am Updated Apr 20, 2015 at 11:07 AM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Enduring love, loss and longing are universal feelings that transcend language and connect cultures. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival's production of Taiwanese playwright Stan Lai's wildly popular Chinese drama, “Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land,” makes a statement about history and human relationships while entertaining a diverse audience. The two plays-within-a-play involve two troupes of actors who are mistakenly double-booked into the Angus Bowmer Theatre for dress rehearsals. One is performing “Secret Love,” a contemporary drama. The other troupe is performing “In Peach Blossom Land,” a comedy about a fabled paradise described by fourth century Chinese poet Tao Yuanming. The drama opens in Shanghai in 1948 as actors portraying young lovers Jiang and Yun, played by Cristofer Jean and Kate Hurster, say their goodbyes in a city park. The two believe their separation is only temporary, but when the Communists take control of mainland China after the Chinese civil war ends, Jiang is forced to flee to Taiwan without knowing what has become of Yun. Forty years later, Jiang is on his deathbed, still brooding over his lost love. In the comedy, a fisherman, played by Eugene Ma, leaves his unfaithful wife and her lover, played by Leah Anderson and Paul Juhn, gets lost and discovers a land where people live in utopian bliss, twirling about to capture injured butterflies and return them to their mothers. Eventually, he misses his home and decides to return. While at first, the two stories seem to have little in common, the characters' desires to overcome separation and reunite with old loves becomes increasingly apparent as scenery, props and even the actors' lines start to overlap one another. The tragic drama has comic elements and the comedy has deeply poignant moments. This is the first professional production of Lai's play in America, but it has been staged hundreds of times, possibly thousands, if you count unauthorized productions, in China and Taiwan since its debut in 1986. It is possibly the most well-known modern play in China, and Lai is considered one of the most influential playwrights and directors in Asia. In addition to translating an iconic Asian work to suit a western audience, Lai also adapts the story specifically to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. He peppers it with Ashland in-jokes, and simultaneously embraces and pokes fun at the festival's commitment to multiracial casting. For the most part, the play translates extremely well, though there are some comic moments in the first act that go on just a bit too long, and one enigmatic character whose presence is never satisfactorily explained. Along the way, the audience enjoys a truly touching wartime love story, traditional Chinese slapstick, a brief history lesson and a bit of theater high jinx. Amidst this jumble of contrasts, Lai strikes a seemingly magical balance, interleaving the two very different stories with behind-the-scenes mayhem in a way that should be a train wreck, yet somehow hangs together beautifully. Lai's play is complicated, but it doesn't feel heady. The two stories are constantly interrupted by each other, and by scene re-painters, frustrated actors, bumbling crew, demanding directors and a grumbling custodian, drawing plenty of laughs. Amazingly, the tragic love of Jiang and Yun shines through this mosquito-cloud of distractions to tug our heartstrings at the finish. That an audience can become invested in the truth of these characters, despite countless reminders of their falsity, is a testament to Jean and Hurster's skill as actors, and demonstrates the strength of theater in the right hands. While “Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land” is entertaining, even goofily funny at times, it is also a thoughtful, layered work that explores the anguish of people separated from their loved ones, the weight of a violent history and the way such emotional pain colors every aspect of life. "Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land" continues through Oct. 31. For tickets, call 541-482-4331 or visit www.osfashland.org. Angela Decker is a freelance writer in Ashland and can be reached at [email protected] . By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 20, 2015 @ 10:55 am Updated Apr 20, 2015 at 11:07 AM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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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