‘Death and the Maiden,’ ‘Constellations’ and a reading of ‘Angels in America, Part 1’ are among the upcoming shows; casts include many OSF veterans
By Jim Flint for Ashland.news
At season preview parties for major donors on Nov. 9, Rogue Theater Company unveiled another slate of provocative plays and powerhouse casts, continuing its tradition of pairing bold storytelling with stellar casts.
Artistic director Jessica Sage said the 2026 lineup will offer “exceptional stories told by extraordinary artists” that are “daring, tender and enriching.”
“These plays will invite us to laugh, to wrestle with big questions, and to recognize ourselves in the struggles and triumphs of others,” she said.
The Ashland company, known for its discerning play selections and powerhouse casts, populated by many Oregon Shakespeare Festival veterans, will present four productions at the Richard L. Hay Center at Grizzly Peak Winery, 1600 E. Nevada St., plus a Shakespeare series with scholar and OSF alumnus Barry Kraft.
“In a world that often feels divided and overwhelming,” Sage said, “we need theater more than ever as a space to pause, reflect, and connect with stories that illuminate the human experience.”
Unraveling Hamlet
The 2026 season begins Feb. 7 and 8 with Kraft’s annual Shakespeare series, this time devoted exclusively to “Hamlet,” his favorite play. Participants can attend in person or via Zoom, or access recordings afterward.
From March 11 to 29, RTC will stage Bruce Graham’s “Stella and Lou,” directed by Henry Woronicz and starring Linda Alper and Michael J. Hume.
“’Stella and Lou’ tells the quietly powerful story of two ordinary people discovering the courage to reach for connection later in life,” Sage said. “With humor and tenderness, it reminds us that it’s never too late to take a chance on love.”
A former OSF artistic director, Woronicz returns to helm another production for RTC. Alper’s and Hume’s OSF credits total 52 seasons combined.
Angels take flight
The company’s annual play-reading series, running April 29-May 3, will feature Tony Kushner’s monumental “Angels in America, Part I: Millennium Approaches,” directed by Desdemona Chiang. The cast includes Jordan Barbour, Christian Bufford, Lini Dissanayake, Robin Goodrin Nordli, Jeffrey King, Benjamin Pelteson, Stephen Michael Spencer and Vilma Silva.
“’Angels in America’ soars between the intimate and the colossal,” Sage said, “weaving together love, loss, politics and prophecy in a way no other play has dared.”
Set during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, “Angels” is a theatrical odyssey that confronts the harsh truths of history while illuminating the resilience of the human spirit.
At past RTC readings, audience members have remarked that the performances felt like fully staged productions, thanks to the caliber of the acting.
Love, onstage and off
RTC will present Nick Payne’s “Constellations” July 15-Aug. 2, directed by Emily Moler and featuring husband-and-wife team John Tufts and Christine Albright.
“The play fuses the delicate threads of love, longing and possibility, showing how a single choice can echo through time,” Sage said.
“It’s a deeply moving story that balances heartbreak with hope, leaving audiences reflecting on the fragile beauty of human connection.”
The actors, both OSF veterans, worked together in 2023 for RTC’s one-man show “An Iliad.” He starred and she directed.
The season closes Oct. 14-Nov. 1 with Ariel Dorfman’s “Death and the Maiden,” directed by Nancy Carlin and starring Elijah Alexander, Nell Geisslinger and Jamie Newcomb.
“It’s a gripping exploration of justice, memory and regret,” Sage said, “challenging us to confront the moral ambiguities of revenge and forgiveness.”
She said the tension between the characters keeps audiences on edge, “revealing how the past shapes the present in powerful and unsettling ways.”
All performances are presented indoors at 1 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Audiences can also enjoy RTC’s signature extras: $30 preview tickets on the first Wednesday of each run; Wine Wednesdays on the second and third Wednesdays, with a complimentary glass of wine; Thursday Talkbacks with the cast; Friend Fridays, offering discounts when you bring a friend; education discounts of $15 for students and $25 for educators; and group discounts of 10% for parties of 10 or more.
Tickets and information are available at roguetheatercompany.com or by calling 541-205-9190.
Freelance writer Jim Flint is a retired newspaper publisher and editor. Email him at [email protected].
