He died at home in Ashland, where he worked 38 seasons on the Shakespeare Festival stage

By Jim Flint for Ashland.news

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, suffering the loss of a second distinguished alumnus in the span of little more than a week, flew its flag at half-mast in honor of the two men.

James Edmondson, an actor, director, and educator with more than 38 seasons at OSF, born in Montrose, Colorado, on June 29, 1938, died at home in Ashland on April 2, eight days after the death of Tony-nominated and fellow OSF veteran Denis Arndt.

Edmondson’s death was confirmed by Paul Barnes, his partner of 49 years and husband of two days, who said the death was from natural causes. Edmondson had suffered a series of illnesses during the last five years. He was 86.

In addition to his work with OSF, where he directed 38 productions and performed nearly 100 roles, Edmondson was involved with the Ashland New Plays Festival, was active in the Phoenix, Arizona, theater scene during the late 1960s, and played major roles in numerous regional theaters across the country.

He came to OSF in 1972 to play Petruchio opposite Liz (Megan) Cole as Kate in Robert Benedetti’s production of “The Taming of the Shrew.”

Barnes describes Edmondson’s entry into the OSF world as “accidental.”

“He came here on the recommendation of people at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, who suggested he audition for (OSF Artistic Director) Jerry Turner,” Barnes said. Edmondson had worked at Colorado Shakes early in his career.

“When he arrived, he recognized a kindred spirit in Jerry,” he said. “Both grew up in rural parts of Colorado and came to Shakespeare when they were in college.”

Edmondson played many kings during his career — King Lear, directed by Libby Appel in her first full season as OSF artistic director, John in “King John,” Richard in “Richard II,” among them. He also is remembered for unforgettable performances as Willy Loman in “Death of a Salesman,” George in “Of Mice and Men,” Joe in “The Time of Your Life,” Angelo in “Measure for Measure,” Shylock in “Merchant of Venice, the Stage Manager in “Our Town” and many more.

Edmondson relished the minor roles as well. And in OSF’s repertory theater environment, it was a matter of course for all actors to play several roles, big and small.

“Jim always recognized Shakespeare as a great place for character actors,” Barnes said. “He always considered himself a character actor rather than a leading man, and shared Angus Bowmer’s regard for the ‘little’ guys. They were fun to play.”

Edmondson found directing Shakespeare a fulfilling endeavor.

“For Jim, it was his awareness that Shakespeare understood what it meant to be human. He understood the human condition,” Barnes said. “That elevated Shakespeare, for him, above other playwrights. Jim was a lover of language, and it just doesn’t get any better than Shakespeare.”

Edmondson founded, with Jerry Turner, the Daedalus Project, an annual OSF event for more than 30 years, originally organized in 1988 as a fundraiser for local, regional, national and international HIV/AIDS organizations.

“It meant everything to him,” Barnes said, “because it was a community-generated project.”

It culminated with an evening performance by company members in the Elizabethan Theatre.

“They never intended the evening performance to be the 12th production. It always came from the heart,” Barnes said.

Edmondson’s productions were known for their emotional clarity and deep scholarship. His research was thorough and comprehensive.

“He would start very early on for any production, especially to direct,” Barnes said. “We’re both pre-digital directors, so we have an enormous library. Jim used to sit for hours in his favorite chair in the living room, looking at books and scripts — and images to present to designers. He understood it was a collaborative art. He sought to lead and guide, not dictate.”

Outside the theater, Edmondson enjoyed gardening and cooking.

“He was famous for his spaghetti carbonara,” Barnes said. “He was also famous for occasionally throwing pasta at the wall to see what stuck.” A theater metaphor, perhaps.

Edmondson studied theater at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and the University of Colorado in Boulder, spending his summers at the Perry Mansfield performing arts camp and later at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival.

A get-together to celebrate Edmondson’s life will take place probably this summer, Barnes said.

What Barnes most wants people to remember about his partner is his compassion.

“I want them to remember his willingness to say ‘yes’ and to find the goodness in another human being,” he said.

For that reason, Barnes believes Edmondson’s legacy will live on not only in the roles he embodied and the stories he shaped, but also in the warmth he shared so freely.

Freelance writer Jim Flint is a retired newspaper publisher and editor. Email him at [email protected].

April 11: Corrected state of birth.

June 10: A celebration of James Edmondson will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18 in the Angus Bowmer Theatre. Seating is open, but a large turnout is expected. RSVPing is recommended: celebratejimedmondson.com.