Before I saw Ruined last week at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, I was dreading it. I felt like a kid staring at a pile of vegetables - it's supposed to be good for me, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. Immediately after seeing it, mostly I was shell shocked. With a little bit of time to reflect, I have to modify my preconception before broadcasting it: Ruined is good for you, and you absolutely must see it. If you have older children, double that - it's imperative that they see it.

The presence of Well on this year's roster of Oregon Shakespeare Festival productions signals in no uncertain terms that the Festival is going to remain committed to presenting remarkable new work alongside the usual buffet of surefire crowd pleasers. Under the direction of James Edmondson, Well also shows that organizers are succeeding at finding forward-looking plays that can still appeal to Festival audiences for four months: this is a vigorous and thought-provoking production that provides a gorgeous showcase for several Company stalwarts.

Pride and Prejudice is the cure for what ails you. A sunny, unabashedly romantic production, it shines on the Angus Bowmer stage with polished acting and production values that will keep you entertained throughout. This isn't a piece to make you question the nature of etc etc... It's a straight-forward entertainment that succeeds admirably in its goals. One might quibble at the hurried pace it keeps through the opening scenes, but overall it holds together quite well.

You know you've seen something special when Company members are snuffling emotionally in the row behind you. The stereotype of comedians is for them to nod at another comedian's act and say "that was funny" without actually laughing. I've seen actors leave a powerful, moving show giving high fives and chatting excitedly about the performances. So, the fact that the cast of this year's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof got to their fellow actors should tell you a lot.