Robyn's Reviews

Christopher Plummer nominated for an Academy Award

2012-01-24T17:28:00.000-02:00

Christopher Plummer

Christopher Plummer has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Beginners by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. In the film Mr. Plummer plays Hal Fields, a father and widower who comes out of the closet after his wife passes away. He stars opposite Ewan MacGregor.

If he wins, it will be the first Oscar for the Canadian-born icon of film and stage. He was previously nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Tolstoy in 2009's The Last Station.

Mr. Plummer is slated to return to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival later this year to perform in his one-man show, A Word or Two.

C. David Johnson returns for major roles in Pirates, 42nd Street; Jennifer Rider-Shaw to play Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street

2012-01-23T13:52:00.002-02:00

C. David Johnson

[PRESS RELEASE] January 23, 2012… The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is pleased to announce that C. David Johnson, currently starring on Broadway in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, will return to the Festival for the 60^th season.

Mr. Johnson was last seen at Stratford in 2001, when he played Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music opposite Cynthia Dale’s Maria. The two, who also starred as lovers on the popular CBC TV series Street Legal from 1987 to 1994, will be reunited in 42nd Street, as Pat Denning and Dorothy Brock.

Mr. Johnson will also play Major-General Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance.

In his 30-year career, which began at Theatre New Brunswick, Mr. Johnson has appeared in numerous television series and on stages throughout Canada, including as Patrick Flanagan in Jitters, and Davison in Mary Stuart at Soulpepper; George Love in Tryst at the Segal Centre; and Helmut Schmidt in Democracy at Tarragon. He first appeared at Stratford in 1984, playing Speed in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Poins in Henry IV, Part I. He is currently playing Bob in the Broadway production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Jennifer Rider-Shaw

Mr. Johnson will be joined in 42nd Street by Jennifer Rider-Shaw, who will play Peggy Sawyer. Ms Rider-Shaw made her Stratford debut in 2010, appearing in Kiss Me, Kate and Evita, followed by Jesus Christ Superstar and Camelot last season. A graduate of Sheridan’s music theatre performance program, Ms Rider-Shaw was a contestant on CBC’s Triple Sensation, for which Cynthia Dale was a judge. She has also appeared in Ross Petty’s Robin Hood, Drayton Entertainment’s The Wizard of Oz, and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at Theatre Aquarius.

As previously announced, 42nd Street – directed by Gary Griffin – will also feature Sean Arbuckle as Julian Marsh and Kyle Blair as Billy Lawlor, with Naomi Costain as Anytime Annie, Kyle Golemba as Andy Lee, Gabrielle Jones as Maggie, and Geoffrey Tyler as Bert Barry.

The Pirates of Penzance – directed by Ethan McSweeny – will also feature Sean Arbuckle as the Pirate King, Kyle Blair as Frederic and Amy Wallis as Mabel Stanley, with Gabrielle Jones as Ruth and Steve Ross as the Sergeant of Police, as previously announced.

Production co-sponsors for 42nd Street are The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company and Union Gas.

Production co-sponsor for The Pirates of Penzance is RBC. Production support is generously provided by Dr. Dennis and Dorothea Hacker.

Support for the 2012 season has been provided by the Canada Council, the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund and the Ontario Arts Council.

Tickets are now on sale for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s 2012 season, which features 14 productions presented from April 12 to October 28: Much Ado About Nothing; 42nd Street; The Matchmaker; Henry V; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Pirates of Penzance; A Word or Two; Cymbeline; Wanderlust; Elektra; MacHomer; The Best Brothers; Hirsch; and The War of 1812. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit stratfordshakespearefestival.com or call 1.800.567.1600.

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Graham Abbey returns to join cast of Cymbeline; Ensemble named for The War of 1812

2011-11-29T14:53:00.000-02:00

[Press Release] November 29, 2011… As key casting for 2012 nears completion, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival is delighted to announce that GrahamAbbey will return to the company to play Posthumus in Cymbeline. Also returning for the 60^th season are Nigel Bennett, DanChameroy, Josh Epstein, Kyle Golemba, Gabrielle Jones, Nora McLellan, Timothy D. Stickney, Brian Tree and Geoffrey Tyler.

The following actors will make up the ensemble of The War of 1812: Paul Braunstein, Greg Campbell, Richard Alan Campbell, Mac Fyfe, Jacob James, Linda Prystawska and Michaela Washburn.

They join the following actors, previously announced for the 2012 season: Sean Arbuckle, John Beale, Richard Binsley, Kyle Blair, James Blendick, Skye Brandon, Andrew Broderick, Ben Carlson, Juan Chioran, Laura Condlln, Naomi Costain, Cynthia Dale, Deborah Hay, Randy Hughson, Peter Hutt, Robin Hutton, Bethany Jillard, Aaron Krohn, Ian Lake, Daniel MacIvor, Tom McCamus, Yanna McIntosh, Seana McKenna, Rick Miller, Alon Nashman, Stephen Patterson, Lucy Peacock, Erica Peck, Christopher Plummer, Gareth Potter, Cara Ricketts, Tom Rooney, Steve Ross, Andrea Runge, Tyrone Savage, Mike Shara, E.B. Smith, Ken James Stewart, John Vickery, Amy Wallis, Geraint Wyn Davies and Kevin Yee.

Graham Abbey

Graham Abbey, who will also play Aigisthos in Elektra, first joined the Festival company as a child actor in 1982 and returned as a leading player in the late 1990s. He played the title roles in Henry V, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet and Henry VIII, and was featured in other key Shakespearean roles, including Ferdinand in The Tempest, Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Prince Hal in Henry IV (Parts 1 and 2), Jaques in As You Like It, and Tullus Aufidius in Coriolanus. His other roles at Stratford include Happy in Death of a Salesman, Algernon Montford in the four-act version of The Importance of Being Earnest, D’Artagnan in The Three Musketeers and Warwick in The Lark. Mr. Abbey has a number of film and television credits and won a Dora Award for his portrayal of Prince-Don-Squeeze-the-Charming in Ross Petty’s Snow White and the Magnificent Seven.

Nigel Bennett returns for a third season to play Caius Lucius in Cymbeline. Seen this past season as Doctor Caius in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Lord Hastings in Richard III, Mr. Bennett made his Stratford debut in 2010 as Bill Jukes in Peter Pan and Brown in King of Thieves. A Gemini Award-winning actor, Mr. Bennett has extensive film and television credits, including The Border, Lexx, Forever Knight, At the Hotel, Psi Factor, Strike, Murder at 1600, The Skulls, Narrow Margin, Murdoch Mysteries, The Kennedys, Counterstrike and The Sea Wolf. His stage credits include, among others, That Face for Nightwood Theatre, Medea for MTC/Mirvish, Scrooge, Art, Closer, Hamlet, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Retreat from Moscow, A Few Good Men, The Price, The Goat, The Sound of Music, Blue/Orange and Betrayal for the Neptune Theatre and The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole for Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End.

Brian Tree will also join the company of Cymbeline, playing Pisanio. His Stratford credits over 22 years include Dubois in The Misanthrope, Adam in As You Like It, Old Shepherd/Archidamus in The Winter’s Tale, Humphrey Wasp in Bartholomew Fair, Erronius in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Costard in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Touchstone in As You Like It, Stephano in The Tempest, Joxer Daly in Juno and the Paycock, Mr. Dussel in The Diary of Anne Frank, Mr. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Dolly Spanker in London Assurance, Oswald in King Lear, which also toured to New York’s Lincoln Center, Caversham in An Ideal Husband, Holofernes in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and many others. In addition to his work on the stage, Mr. Tree has appeared in Billable Hours, La Femme Nikita, Traders, Forever Knight, Street Legal and eight productions of A Taste of Shakespeare.

Cymbeline will also feature Tom McCamus as Iachimo, Cara Ricketts as Imogen and Geraint Wyn Davies as Cymbeline, with Ian Lake as Arviragus, Yanna McIntosh as the Queen, Mike Shara as Cloten, E.B. Smith as Guiderius and John Vickery as Belarius.

Production support for Cymbeline is generously provided by Barbara and John Schubert and Diana Tremain.

Dan Chameroy to play McGrew in Robert Service musical

Dan Chameroy will return for his 11^th season to play McGrew in Wanderlust, the new musical about poet Robert Service. This past season he played Ensign Pistol in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Sir Dinadan in Camelot. His other Stratford credits include Polixenes in The Winter’s Tale, William and Charles in As You Like It, Miles Gloriosus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Martin in Palmer Park, Curly in Oklahoma!, Father Karolyi in Pentacost, Posthumus in Cymbeline and Lancelot in Camelot. Mr. Chameroy’s other credits include Plumbum in Robin Hood at the Elgin Theatre, The Magic Fire and High Society at the Shaw Festival, The Drowsy Chaperone at the Winter Garden and Into the Woods at Canadian Stage. He has a number of film and television credits and is a Dora Award winner for his portrayal of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

Wanderlust will also feature Robin Hutton as Louise and Tom Rooney as Robert Service, with Randy Hughson as Mr. McGee and Lucy Peacock as Mrs. Munsch.

The production sponsor of Wanderlust is CIBC. Production support is generously provided by Martie and Bob Sachs.

Josh Epstein and Nora McLellan join The Matchmaker

Josh Epstein will return for his second season to play Barnaby Tucker in The Matchmaker and Nora McLellan will return to play Flora Van Huysen. Mr. Epstein made his Stratford debut in 2011 in The Grapes of Wrath and Titus Andronicus and as a member of the Birmingham Conservatory. His credits elsewhere include Barfee in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Belfry/Arts Club); Freddy in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Vancouver Playhouse, Jessie and Ovation nominee); Leo in The Producers (Arts Club, Ovation Award); Studies in Motion (Electric Company, Canadian tour); The Drowsy Chaperone (Canadian tour); Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors (Stage West); Death of a Salesman (Theatre Aquarius); The Lord of the Rings (Mirvish Productions); Bard on the Beach (three seasons); and a European tour of his solo show. Mr. Epstein is a two-time Jessie acting nominee with several TV and film credits and an award-winning playwright and filmmaker.

In three seasons at Stratford, Ms McLellan has taken on such roles as Myrna in King of Thieves, Fräulein Schneider in Cabaret, Athena in The Trojan Women, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! and Anna Jedlikova in Pentecost. A veteran of 22 seasons at the Shaw Festival, Ms McLellan has also recently appeared in such productions as August: Osage County and The Drowsy Chaperone at the Vancouver Playhouse, For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again at Persephone Theatre and Harvey at Montreal’s Segal Centre. She won a Dora Award for her performance in Music for Contortionist at the Tarragon Theatre and du Maurier World Stage and a Jessie Award for her portrayal of Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

The Matchmaker will also feature Tom McCamus as Horace Vandergelder, Seana McKenna as Dolly Levi, Laura Condlln as Irene Molloy, Mike Shara as Cornelius Hackl and Geraint Wyn Davies as Malachi Stack, with Skye Brandon as Ambrose Kemper, Cara Ricketts as Ermengarde and Andrea Runge as Minnie Fay.

Production support for The Matchmaker is generously provided by Jennifer Surridge in memory of Robertson Davies.

42nd Street to feature Kyle Golemba, Gabrielle Jones, Geoffrey Tyler

Kyle Golemba, retuning for his fifth season, will play Andy Lee in 42nd Street. He will be joined by Gabrielle Jones as Maggie and Geoffrey Tyler as Bert Barry. This season Mr. Golemba was seen as Thomas in Jesus Christ Superstar and the Bookkeeper in The Grapes of Wrath. His other credits at Stratford include Gremio in Kiss Me, Kate, A-rab in West Side Story, Evita, Fuente Ovejuna, The Music Man and Cyrano de Bergerac, as well as several understudy performances as Che in Evita and Bill in Kiss Me, Kate. Mr. Golemba also appeared in the Toronto transfer of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. His other credits include Gilbert in Anne of Green Gables for Stage West, Rolf in The Sound of Music for the Neptune Theatre and his all-Canadian cabaret Making Love in a Canoe.

Ms Jones will also play Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance, the play in which she made her Stratford debut, as Billie, in 1994. That same year she also played Daisy and Beetle in Alice Through the Looking Glass. Her other Stratford credits include Hortense in The Boy Friend, Vittoria in The Gondoliers, Maud Dunlop in The Music Man, Lady Anne in Camelot and Lady Montague in Romeo and Juliet. More recently she has been at the Shaw Festival, where, in 12 seasons, her roles have included Mrs. Eynsord-Hill in My Fair Lady, the Countess in The Admirable Crichton, Charlotta in The Cherry Orchard and Mrs. Kramer in One Touch of Venus. Ms Jones enjoyed a long association with the hit musical Mamma Mia!, originating the role of Rosie in the first North American production and U.S. national tour and taking on the role of Donna on tour and in Las Vegas.

After making his Stratford debut in 1992, Mr. Tyler returns for his third season in 2012. He appeared in the Stratford productions of HMS Pinafore, Uncle Vanya, Measure for Measure, Antony and Cleopatra, Gypsy and The Imaginary Invalid. Mr. Tyler’s recent credits elsewhere include Tom Shaw in the Theatre Orangeville production of Ned Durango, Sam in Sitting Pretty for Showboat Festival and the Balladeer in Assassins for Talk Is Free Theatre. He also was a member of the ensemble in Des McAnuff’s production of The Who’s Tommy at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the U.K.

42nd Street will also feature Sean Arbuckle as Julian Marsh, Kyle Blair as Billy Lawlor and Cynthia Dale as Dorothy Brock, with Naomi Costain as Anytime Annie.

The production co-sponsors of 42nd Street are The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company and Union Gas.

Timothy D. Stickney joins cast of Henry V

Timothy D. Stickney, returning for his fourth season, will take on the role of Exeter in Henry V. This past season he was seen as Corporal Nim in The Merry Wives of Windsor and the Sea Captain in Twelfth Night. His other Stratford credits include Sebastian in The Tempest, Thurio in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Banquo in Macbeth, Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Pothinus in Caesar and Cleopatra. His other recent credits include Macbeth at the New York State Theatre Institute, Hamlet for Take Wing and Soar, Oswald in the Public Theater’s 2007 production of King Lear with Kevin Kline, and Escalus in Romeo and Juliet for Central Park’s Delacorte Theater. He is best known on television for playing R.J. Gannon on One Life to Live.

Henry V will feature Aaron Krohn in the title role, with Ben Carlson as Fluellen, Juan Chioran as Montjoy, Deborah Hay as Alice, Lucy Peacock as the Hostess and Tom Rooney as Pistol.

The production sponsor of Henry V is Scotiabank. Production support is generously provided by Claire and Daniel Bernstein, Jane Petersen-Burfield and Family, and Catherine and David Wilkes.

Funding for the 2012 season is provided by the Canada Council, the Ontario Arts Council and the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund.

Tickets for the 2012 season are now on sale to Members of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and will be available to the general public beginning January 7. To order call 1.800.567.1600 or visit www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com.

The 2012 season features Much Ado About Nothing; 42nd Street; The Matchmaker; Henry V; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Pirates of Penzance; A Word or Two; Cymbeline; Wanderlust; Elektra; MacHomer; The Best Brothers; Hirsch; and The War of 1812.

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Stratford mourns the loss of John Neville

2011-11-21T12:31:00.000-02:00

John Neville 1925 - 2011

November 20, 2011… It was with great sadness that the Stratford Shakespeare Festival learned of the death of John Neville. Artistic Director from 1986 to 1989, Mr. Neville was instrumental in returning the Festival to profitability after a period of economic instability. He had an amazing flair for programming and for identifying and nurturing talent.

Mr. Neville died at Toronto’s Wellesley Central Place, on Saturday, November 19, of Alzheimer’s disease. He was 86.

A much-beloved leader and fellow player, Mr. Neville will be greatly missed by the Festival family and remembered as man of great warmth, strength and inspiration.

“John Neville was a superb actor, an outstanding director and a terrific artistic leader of our Festival,” says Artistic Director Des McAnuff. “Among his other achievements, he contributed significantly to our exploration of modern repertoire alongside the classics. His charisma and charm were matched by the generosity of his spirit, and I have always been immensely grateful for the phenomenal support he extended to me, as he did to so many others. We are all in his debt, and we feel his loss deep in our hearts.”

“John Neville’s brave programming and careful stewardship helped save the Festival at a time of extreme financial hardship,” says General Director Antoni Cimolino. “Despite his passing, his light will continue to burn bright at the Festival in the hearts of the many talents he encouraged and nourished. John asked me to join his company in 1988 in Richard III and All’s Well That Ends Well – the Shakespeare plays that began the Festival in 1953 – and T.S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral. Those plays were the hallmark of his artistic programming – intelligent, challenging, theatrical and respectful of tradition. In the U.K. he was a celebrated actor, perhaps one of the best of his generation, but he left all of that to come to Canada and lead several of this country’s finest theatres, culminating in his Artistic Directorship of the Stratford Festival.”

Mr. Neville joined the Festival company in 1983 to play Don Armado in Love’s Labour’s Lost and Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing. The following year he reprised the role of Don Armado and also took on the roles of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice – with Colm Feore, Richard Monette, Domini Blythe and Seana McKenna – and Major Pollack and Mr. Malcolm in Separate Tables, a production which toured to Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre. In 1985, he focused on his transition to Artistic Director, planning the 1986 season, when he would direct his first Stratford production, Hamlet, with Brent Carver in the title role. During his tenure he served as both a director and performer, playing Anton Chekov in Intimate Admiration and Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady – both opposite his favourite leading lady, Lucy Peacock – and directing Othello and Three Sisters.

He was responsible for bringing a number of actors into the company, including Antoni Cimolino, Juan Chioran, Eric McCormack and Geraint Wyn Davies, and fostering the careers of a great many others, including Keith Dinicol, Colm Feore, Richard Monette, Lucy Peacock, Goldie Semple and Susan Wright. He also employed more Canadian designers and directors than had been the case prior to his tenure.

Mr. Neville was a man of enormous generosity, who felt it was important to heal old wounds and welcome artists back into the Festival fold. Under his tenure, he hired his predecessors Michael Langham, Jean Gascon and Robin Phillips to direct, as well as his successors, David William and Richard Monette. In fact, it was Mr. Neville who gave Mr. Monette his first major directing assignment, The Taming of the Shrew on the Festival stage.

Though born in England, where he had an illustrious career, Mr. Neville was a champion of the theatre in his adopted homeland. He immigrated to Canada in 1972, first directing The Rivals at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. He then served as Artistic Director of Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre from 1973 to 1978 and of Halifax’s Neptune Theatre from 1978 to 1983.

Remembered primarily as a man of the theatre, Mr. Neville acted extensively in the U.K., on Broadway and in Canada. He was deeply involved with the Old Vic Theatre, where in one production he alternated the roles of Othello and Iago with his friend Richard Burton. One of the most handsome and accomplished young actors of his day, Mr. Neville, appeared in numerous West End productions and created the memorable title role in the stage play Alfie. He was a leading actor in the first season of the Chichester Festival, under the artistic direction of Laurence Olivier, and was the founding artistic director of the Nottingham Playhouse, where, in its inaugural season, he played the title role in Coriolanus, directed by Tyrone Guthrie.

He had almost a hundred film and television credits dating back as far as 1950, but perhaps his greatest fame on the screen came in the latter part of his life. He was in his mid-60s when he was cast in the title role of the Terry Gilliam film The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, which became a cult hit, and in the 1990s he had a recurring role – the Well-Manicured Man – in the popular TV series The X Files, which he reprised in The X Files film. More recently he was featured in Trudeau, with Colm Feore, Crime and Punishment, with Vanessa Redgrave, Crispin Glover, John Hurt and Margot Kidder, and the David Cronenberg thriller Spider. He was also a regular on such series as Grand, Amazon and Emily of New Moon, with appearances on numerous other shows including Star Trek: The Next Generation and Queer as Folk.

Mr. Neville was a member of the Order of the British Empire and the Order of Canada.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Caroline, and by his children Sarah Neville (John Dungey), Matthew Neville (Joy Cheskes), Stephen Neville (Aneesha), Emma Dinicol (Keith), Rachel Neville Fox and Thomas Neville, and six grandchildren.

A private funeral will be held immediately. Details of a public memorial will be announced in the New Year.

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Casting confirmed for Jesus Christ Superstar at La Jolla Playhouse

2011-11-14T12:16:00.001-02:00

[Press Release]

November 12, 2011… Casting has been confirmed for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar at La Jolla Playhouse. With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar is directed by Artistic Director Des McAnuff and will run in the Playhouse’s Mandell Weiss Theatre from November 18 to December 31, 2011.

The cast will feature Bruce Dow as King Herod, Chilina Kennedy as Mary Magdalene, Jeremy Kushnier as Pontius Pilate, Mike Nadajewski as Peter, Paul Nolan as Jesus and Josh Young as Judas, with Marcus Nance as Caiaphas, Lee Siegel as Simon Zealotes and Aaron Walpole as Annas.

Also in the cast: Matt Alfano as Thaddeus, Mary Antonini as Elizabeth, Karen Burthwright as Ruth, Jacqueline Burtney as Mary (Martha’s Sister), Mark Cassius as Matthew, Ryan Gifford as Bartholomew, Kaylee Harwood as Sarah, Melissa O’Neil as Martha/Maid by the Fire, Laurin Padolina as Rachel, Stephen Patterson as James the Lesser, Katrina Reynolds as Esther, Jaz Sealey as Thomas, Jason Sermonia as John, Julius Sermonia as James, Jonathan Winsby as Phillip, Sandy Winsby as Andrew and Jennifer Rider-Shaw and Matthew Rossoff as swings.

This ground-breaking rock opera, which reinvented musical theatre for the modern age, tells the story of the last week of Christ’s life. The zeal with which Christ’s followers are hailing him as the Son of God becomes a source of dismay to his disciple Judas Iscariot. Fearing that this tide of religious fervor will provoke brutal repression by the occupying Romans, Judas must make his fateful choice between faith and betrayal.

The Stratford production, which closed on November 6, received glowing reviews across the board. The Globe and Mail said, “This production is an absolute miracle,” while the Toronto Star called it “the best show you’ll see this year.” “A sparkling production literally pulsing with life,” wrote the Toronto Sun; and Variety enthused, “McAnuff has managed to come up with a vision that is faithful to the original but manages to make it seem fresh to an audience in 2011.”
Following the Playhouse run, Jesus Christ Superstar will open on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre on Thursday, March 22, 2012, with previews beginning March 1.
Tickets are available online at LaJollaPlayhouse.org or at (858) 550-1010.

Cast (in alphabetical order)

Thaddeus Matt Alfano

Elizabeth Mary Antonini

Ruth Karen Burthwright

Mary (Martha’s sister) Jacqueline Burtney

Matthew/Priest Mark Cassius

King Herod Bruce Dow

Bartholomew Ryan Gifford

Sarah Kaylee Harwood

Mary Magdalene Chilina Kennedy

Pontius Pilate Jeremy Kushnier

Peter Mike Nadajewski

Caiaphas Marcus Nance

Jesus Christ Paul Nolan

Martha/Maid by the Fire Melissa O’Neil

Rachel Laurin Padolina

James the Lesser/Priest Stephen Patterson

Esther Katrina Reynolds

Thomas Jaz Sealey

John Jason Sermonia

James Julius Sermonia

Simon Zealotes Lee Siegel

Annas Aaron Walpole

Phillip Jonathan Winsby

Andrew/Priest Sandy Winsby

Judas Iscariot Josh Young

Swings Jennifer Rider-Shaw, Matthew Rossoff

Artistic Credits

Director: Des McAnuff

Choreographer: Lisa Shriver

Musical Director: Rick Fox

Set Designer: Robert Brill

Costume Designer: Paul Tazewell

Lighting Designer: Howell Binkley

Video Designer: Sean Nieuwenhuis

Sound Designer: Jim Neil

Associate Choreographer: Bradley “Shooz” Rapier

Associate Musical Director: Laura Burton

Dramaturg: Chad Sylvain

Fight Director: Daniel Levinson

Stunt Coordinator: Simon Fon

Casting Director: Beth Russell

Technical Director: Elissa Horscroft

La Jolla Playhouse

Production Manager: Linda S. Cooper

La Jolla Playhouse

Associate Producer: Dana I. Harrel

Associate Lighting Designer: Tristan Tidswell

Associate Sound Designer: Jesse Ash

Assistant Director: Lezlie Wade

Assistant Choreographer: Marc Kimelman

Assistant Set Designer: Brandon Kleiman

Assistant Costume Designer: Laura Gardner

Assistant Lighting Designer: Kaileigh Krysztofiak

Assistant Fight Director: Kevin Robinson

Dance Captain: Matthew Rossoff

Fight Captain: Julius Sermonia

Stage Manager: Brian Scott

Assistant Stage Managers: Meghan Callan, Melissa Rood

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New article for StartStratford

2011-11-03T17:58:00.000-02:00

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is just about to close its doors for the season, but that doesn't mean the end of theatre in town... check out my article about the Perth County Players in StartStratford.com!

Twelfth Night going from stage to screen

2011-10-25T13:26:00.002-02:00

Ben Carlson as Feste in Twelfth Night.
Photo by Celia Von Tiedemann

[Press Release]

October 25, 2011… The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is delighted to announce the filming of the 2011 production of Twelfth Night, directed by Artistic Director Des McAnuff. The production will be screened exclusively at Cineplex and participating theatres across Canada in 2012.

The film will be produced and directed by Barry Avrich, who also produced the Festival’s films of Caesar and Cleopatra in 2008 and The Tempest in 2010.

“The nature of theatre is such that we practise our craft in the eternal present. After a production closes it lives only in our memory, but this is a rare opportunity to capture it in a more enduring medium,” says Mr. McAnuff. “Twelfth Night has had an exuberant response from student and adult audiences all season long. In fact we had to add a performance to help meet the demand for tickets. I’m absolutely delighted that it will be the third production filmed during my tenure.”

“In the past few years we have developed a strong relationship with Cineplex, releasing filmed versions of our productions of Caesar and Cleopatra, The Tempest and now Twelfth Night,” says General Director Antoni Cimolino. “These screenings give people across Canada a taste of what we do here in Stratford and an opportunity to see some of this country’s finest artists at work.”

“This stunning production beautifully filled the stage with an unyielding energy that makes the transfer from stage to screen a natural rebirth,” says Mr. Avrich.

“Cineplex audiences overwhelmingly embraced both previous Stratford productions,” said Pat Marshall, Vice-President Communications and Investor Relations, Cineplex Entertainment. “We are so pleased to once again feature this great Canadian institution and share Twelfth Night with our audiences across Canada.”

Twelfth Night features Brian Dennehy as Sir Toby Belch, Stephen Ouimette as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Tom Rooney as Malvolio, Andrea Runge as Viola and Sara Topham as Olivia, with Ben Carlson as Feste, Trent Pardy as Sebastian, Cara Ricketts as Maria and Mike Shara as Orsino.

Production sponsors include Violet Productions, Richard Rooney and the Slaight Family Foundation.

The music of Twelfth Night, written by Mr. McAnuff and Michael Roth, has been released on CD and is also available for download on CD Baby.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s 2011 season runs until November 6, featuring Camelot, Twelfth Night, The Misanthrope, The Grapes of Wrath, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Homecoming.

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2012 Season and Casting in a Nutshell

2011-10-18T17:23:00.003-02:00

Festival Theatre:
Henry V (Shakespeare) directed by Des McAnuff
- Henry V - Aaron Krohn
- Fluellen - Ben Carlson
- Alice - Deborah Hay
- Montjoy - Juan Chioran
- Archbishop of Cantebury - James Blendick
- Hostess - Lucy Peacock
- Pistol - Tom Rooney

Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare) directed by Christopher Newton
- Benedick - Ben Carlson
- Beatrice - Deborah Hay
- Leonto - James Blendick
- Jon Pedro - Juan Chioran
- Dogberry - Richard Binsley
- Hero - Bethany Jillard
- Don John - Gareth Potter
- Claudio - Tyrone Savage

42nd Street (music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Al Dubin and book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble) directed by Gary Griffin
- Julian Marsh - Sean Arbuckle
- Dorothy Brock - Cynthia Dale
- Anytime Annie - Naomi Costain
- Billy Lawlor - Kyle Blair

The Matchmaker (Thornton Wilder) directed by Chris Abraham
- Dolly Levi - Seana McKenna
- Horace Vandegelder - Tom McCamus
- Irene Malloy - Laura Condlln
- Malachi Stack - Geraint Wyn Davies
- Amrose Kemper - Skye Brandon
- Minnie Fay - Andrea Runge
- Cornelius Hackl - Mike Shara

Avon Theatre:
A Word or Two (Christopher Plummer) directed by Des McAnuff
- Christopher Plummer

The Pirates of Penzance (Gilbert and Sullivan) directed by Ethan McSweeny
- Pirate King - Sean Arbuckle
- Frederic - Kyle Blair
- Mabel Stanley - Amy Wallis
- Sergeant of Police - Steve Ross

You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (book, music and lyrics by Clark M. Gesner) directed by Donna Feore
- Snoopy - Stephen Patterson
- Charlie Brown - Ken James Stewart
- Lucy - Erica Peck
- Sally - Amy Wallis
- Schroeder - Andrew Broderick
- Linus - Kevin Yee

Tom Patterson Theatre:
Cymbeline (Shakespeare) directed by Antoni Cimolino
- Cymbeline - Geraint Wyn Davies
- Imogen - Cara Ricketts
- The Queen - Yanna McIntosh
- Iachimo - Tom McCamus
- Cloten - Mike Shara
- Arviragus - Ian Lake
- Guiderius - E.B. Smith
- Belarius - John Vickery

Elektra (Sophocles, translation by Anne Carson) directed by Thomas Moschopoulos
- Elektra - Yanna McIntosh
- Clymenestra - Seana McKenna
- Old Man - Peter Hutt
- Chrysothemis - Laura Condlln
- Orestes - Ian Lake

Wanderlust* (Morris Panych, music by Marek Norman) directed by Morris Panych
- Louise - Robin Hutton
- Robert Service - Tom Rooney
- Mr. McGee - Randy Hughson
- Mrs. Munsch - Lucy Peacock

Studio Theatre:
The Hirsch Project* (working title) (Alon Nashman and Paul Thompson) directed by Paul Thompson

The Best Brothers* (Daniel MacIvor) directed by Dean Gabourie
- Hamilton - Daniel MacIvor
- Kyle - John Beale

MacHomer (Rick Miller) directed by Rick Miller
- all characters - Rick Miller

The War of 1812

*denotes world premiere

Festival casts title roles for Henry V, Cymbeline, Elektra, The Best Brothers, Charlie Brown

2011-10-18T15:48:00.003-02:00

[Press release]

October 18, 2011… As casting progresses for 2012, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival is delighted to announce that the following actors will return for the 60th season: Sean Arbuckle, Richard Binsley, Skye Brandon, Laura Condlln, Naomi Costain, Randy Hughson, Peter Hutt, Robin Hutton, Bethany Jillard, Aaron Krohn, Ian Lake, Yanna McIntosh, Stephen Patterson, Gareth Potter, Cara Ricketts, Steve Ross, Andrea Runge, Tyrone Savage, E.B. Smith, John Vickery, and Geraint Wyn Davies. Joining the acting company in 2012 are: John Beale, Andrew Broderick, Daniel MacIvor, Erica Peck, Ken James Stewart, Amy Wallis and Kevin Yee.

As previously announced, Kyle Blair, James Blendick, Ben Carlson, Juan Chioran, Cynthia Dale, Deborah Hay, Tom McCamus, Seana McKenna, Lucy Peacock, Tom Rooney and Mike Shara are also key players in the 2012 season.

Aaron Krohn to play Henry V

After making a memorable Stratford debut as Lenny in The Homecoming, Aaron Krohn will return in 2012 to play the title role in Henry V, directed by Artistic Director Des McAnuff. Mr. Krohn’s New York credits include The Farnsworth Invention, also directed by Mr. McAnuff, the Tom Stoppard works The Invention of Love and The Coast of Utopia and Shakespeare’s Henry IV. He was also a member of the ensemble in the Broadway production of Julius Caesar featuring Denzel Washington and Colm Feore. Mr. Krohn is well known for his voice acting in a number of popular anime productions, most notably Neon Genesis Evangelion.

As previously announced, Ben Carlson has been cast as Fluellen, Juan Chioran as Montjoy, Deborah Hay as Alice, Lucy Peacock as the Hostess and Tom Rooney as Pistol.

Geraint Wyn Davies to play Cymbeline

Geraint Wyn Davies, featured this year as Falstaff and King Arthur, will return for the 60th season to play the title role in Cymbeline, directed by General Director Antoni Cimolino. In eight seasons at Stratford, Mr. Wyn Davies has played a number of major roles, including Stephano in The Tempest, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the title roles in Julius Caesar, Henry V and Pericles, Polonius in Hamlet, Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady and Dylan Thomas in the one-man show Do Not Go Gentle. His stage career has taken him throughout Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. and he has dozens of film and television credits, including key roles in Republic of Doyle, ReGenesis, 24, Slings and Arrows, Airwolf, Forever Knight and American Psycho II.

Ian Lake will mark his fifth season with the Festival playing Arviragus in Cymbeline. This season Mr. Lake was seen as Joey in The Homecoming and the Second Officer in Twelfth Night. A graduate of the Birmingham Conservatory, Mr. Lake has played a number of key roles at Stratford, including Silvius in As You Like It, Florizel in The Winter’s Tale, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Berowne in Love’s Labour’s Lost.

Cara Ricketts marks her fourth season at Stratford playing Imogen in Cymbeline. This season Ms Ricketts was seen as Ruth in The Homecoming and Maria in Twelfth Night. Her other Stratford credits include Perdita in The Winter’s Tale, Portia in Julius Caesar and Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Ms Ricketts has worked extensively in Toronto theatre as well as in film and TV.

After making his Stratford debut in 2011, Birmingham Conservatory member E.B. Smith will return to play Guiderius in Cymbeline. This season he played the Marquess of Dorset in Richard III and Alarbus in Titus Andronicus. Mr. Smith’s credits include Seyton in Macbeth and Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet for Chicago Shakespeare Theater, as well as work at the Cleveland Play House and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival.

John Vickery, seen in the title role of Titus Andronicus this season, will play Belarius in Cymbeline. This year he also played the Camp Proprietor and the Officer in Mr. Cimolino’s production of The Grapes of Wrath. Returning for his fifth season at Stratford, Mr. Vickery has appeared as Antonio in The Tempest, the Duke in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Ross in Macbeth, Comte de Guiche in Cyrano, Victor in Zastrozzi, Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Holofernes in Love’s Labour’s Lost and Lucius Septimius in Caesar and Cleopatra. His Broadway credits include the original Scar in The Lion King, The Real Thing, The Sisters Rosensweig and Macbeth.

As previously announced, Tom McCamus will play Iachimo in Cymbeline, in addition to Horace Vandergelder in The Matchmaker. Mike Shara will play Cloten, as well as Cornelius Hackl in The Matchmaker.

Yanna McIntosh to play Elektra

Yanna McIntosh will return for her eighth season to take on the title role in Elektra, directed by Thomas Moschopoulos, and to play the Queen in Cymbeline. This season she was seen as Queen Elizabeth in Richard III and Grace in The Little Years. Other Stratford credits include Hermione in The Winter’s Tale, Lady Macbeth, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Helen in The Trojan Women and Mme. Volanges in Dangerous Liaisons. Ms McIntosh is a Dora and Gemini Award-winning actor, whose Toronto credits include Condoleeza Rice in Stuff Happens and the title roles in Mary Stuart, Hedda Gabler, and Belle.

Peter Hutt will play the Old Man in Elektra, after a season in which he was featured as Oronte in The Misanthrope and Muley and the Contractor in The Grapes of Wrath. In 12 seasons at Stratford, Mr. Hutt has been seen in such roles as Alonzo and Calilban in The Tempest, Antonio in The Merchant of Venice, Macduff in Macbeth, William Shakespeare in Elizabeth Rex and Marcus Andronicus in Titus Andronicus.

The role of Chrysothemis in Elektra will be played by Laura Condlln and the role of Orestes will be played by Ian Lake. As previously announced, the role of Clytemestra will be played by Seana McKenna.

John Beale, Daniel MacIvor take on The Best Brothers

Daniel MacIvor’s new two-hander, The Best Brothers, will feature the playwright as Hamilton and John Beale as Kyle. The production will be directed by Dean Gabourie. Mr. Beale, who played Nurk in the world première of Mr. MacIvor’s play Bingo, comes to Stratford from his home base in Halifax, where his recent credits include Peggy and Manuel in The Peggy Show, Owen in Girl in the Goldfish Bowl, Wendell in Home, Swinburne in Brightest Red to Blue and Reverend John Hale in The Crucible, for which he received a Merrit Award.

Mr. MacIvor joins the Festival acting company for the first time in 2012. One of Canada’s leading playwrights, Mr. MacIvor is a recipient of the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama, and has won several awards for his plays and films. He has written and performed in a number of solo shows, including House, Here Lies Henry, Monster and Cul de Sac. Most recently he directed the première of his play Bingo! for Forerunner Theatre in Halifax.

Key roles cast for The Matchmaker

Laura Condlln will return for her 11th season to play Irene Molloy in The Matchmaker, directed by Chris Abraham. Ms Condlln, a graduate of the Birmingham Conservatory, is currently playing Mistress Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor and also appeared in Richard III. Other highlights of her Stratford career include Mrs. Darling in Peter Pan, Polly in King of Thieves and Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Geraint Wyn Davies will play Malachi Stack, in addition to the title role in Cymbeline.

Skye Brandon will return for his fourth season to play Ambrose Kemper in The Matchmaker. Mr. Brandon made his Stratford debut in 2009, when, as a member of the Birmingham Conservatory, he played Haggis and the Puppet Assistant in Bartholomew Fair, and Cinna in Julius Caesar. In 2010 he was seen as Flute in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Dennis in As You Like It. This season he played the Duke of Norfolk in Richard III and Bassianus in Titus Andronicus.

Returning for a fourth season at Stratford, Andrea Runge will play Minnie Fay. A graduate of the Birmingham Conservatory, Ms. Runge has taken on a number of key roles at the Festival, including Viola in Twelfth Night and Anne Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Rosalind in As You Like It and Cecily Cardew in The Importance of Being Earnest.

Cara Ricketts will play Ermengarde, in addition to her role as Imogen in Cymbeline.

As previously announced, Tom McCamus will play Horace Vandergelder, Seana McKenna will play Dolly Levi and Mike Shara will play Cornelius Hackl.

Robin Hutton, Randy Hughson join cast of Wanderlust

Robin Hutton will return to the Festival for her fourth season to play the leading role of Louise in the new musical Wanderlust, opposite Tom Rooney’s Robert Service (as previously announced). The production will be directed by Morris Panych. Ms Hutton’s Stratford credits include Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly!, Cinderella’s Stepmother in Into the Woods, and Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof.

Randy Hughson will celebrate his fifth season at Stratford playing Mr. McGee in Wanderlust. He was seen this season as Uncle John in The Grapes of Wrath and the Host of the Garter Inn in The Merry Wives of Windsor. His other Stratford credits include Antigonus and Time in The Winter’s Tale, Corin in As You Like It and Senex in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

As previously announced, Lucy Peacock will play Mrs. Munsch.

Three principals cast for Much Ado About Nothing

Richard Binsley, a company member in the 1980s, will return for the 60th season to play Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Christopher Newton. Mr. Binsley has worked at theatres across Canada and played Harry in both the Broadway and Toronto productions of Mamma Mia!. His recent stage credits include Bill in Having Hope at Home and Morrie in Tuesdays with Morrie at the Globe Theatre, La Fontaine in Molière and Reinhard Wilke in Democracy at Tarragon Theatre.

Bethany Jillard will return for her third season to play Hero in Much Ado About Nothing. After making her Stratford debut playing Cécile Volanges in Dangerous Liaisons in 2010, Ms Jillard was seen this season as Lady Anne in Richard III and Young Kate and Tanya in The Little Years. Her other credits include Miss Julie in After Miss Julie at the MTC Warehouse, My Name is Rachel Corrie at Theatre PANIK and Brooke in How It Works at Tarragon Theatre.

Gareth Potter will play Don John, after taking on the title role in Hosanna and the Earl of Richmond in Richard III this year. His eight seasons at Stratford have included such roles as Ferdinand in The Tempest, Proteus in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Malcolm in Macbeth, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Nathaniel in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Edgar in King Lear, Gratiano in The Merchant of Venice, Pierrot in Don Juan and Cromwell in Henry VIII. Mr. Potter is a graduate of the Birmingham Conservatory.

Birmingham Conservatory member Tyrone Savage will return to play Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing. Mr. Savage made his Stratford debut this season playing Floyd in The Grapes of Wrath. His film and TV credits include Wind at My Back, Instant Star, American Pie: Beta House, Stoked and Goosebumps.
As previously announced, Ben Carlson will play Benedick and Deborah Hay will play Beatrice. The production will also feature James Blendick as Leonato and Juan Chioran as Don Pedro.

Full cast named for Charlie Brown

Stephen Patterson will return for his third season to play Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, directed by Donna Feore. Seen this season in Jesus Christ Superstar and Camelot, Mr. Patterson made his Stratford debut in 2010 in As You Like It. Mr. Patterson played Marius in Les Misérables on Broadway and the U.S. national tour. His other credits include Laurie in Little Women (first U.S. national tour), Bobby Strong in Urinetown for Canadian Stage, Bob in White Christmas for the Manitoba Theatre Centre and Neptune Theatre, Freddy in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels for Drayton and the North American Tour, and, also for Drayton, Che in Evita, Chris in Miss Saigon, Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jeff in Brigadoon.

The role of Lucy will be played by Erica Peck. A vocal student of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ms Peck played Mary Maguire in the Really Useful Group/Mirvish production of The Boys in the Photograph. Her other recent credits include Scaramouche in the Mirvish production of We Will Rock You, Penny Pingleton in the C.F.T. production of Hairspray, and Julia in The Wedding Singer at Stage West.
Ken James Stewart will take on the title role in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Mr. Stewart comes to Stratford from the Shaw Festival, where he has spent five seasons playing such roles as Mr. Pinsky in The President, Hegarty in Drama at Inish – A Comedy, the Student in One Touch of Venus and Jake in Serious Money.

Andrew Broderick will take on the role of Schroeder. A finalist in the second season of Canadian Idol, Mr. Broderick has played Gilbert in Hairspray, for both Rainbow Stage and the Charlottetown Festival. His other credits include Motown Gold at Stage West, The Producers at Stage West Calgary and Dreamgirls at The Grand Theatre.

Amy Wallis will make her Stratford debut as Sally. Twice nominated for Jessie Richardson Awards, Ms Wallis was seen most recently at Drayton, playing Willie Cagney in Cagney! and the Snow Fairy in Robin Hood. She played the title role in Anne of Green Gables at the Charlottetown Festival from 2006 to 2009, and during that same period played Belle in Beauty at the Beast at the Arts Club Theatre Festival on the country’s other coast.

Kevin Yee, currently on Broadway in Mary Poppins, will play Linus. His other credits include the Chicago and second national touring productions of Wicked, the Canadian production of Mamma Mia!, and Livent’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Key roles cast for The Pirates of Penzance and 42nd Street

Sean Arbuckle will play the Pirate King in the 2012 production of The Pirates of Penzance, directed by Ethan McSweeny. Seen this season as William Catesby in Richard III and Saturninus in Titus Andronicus, Mr. Arbuckle played Clifford Bradshaw in the 2008 production of Cabaret. Mr. Arbuckle’s credits in 10 seasons at Stratford include Tuzenbach in Three Sisters, Camillo in The Winter’s Tale, Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice, Nick in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Dazzle in London Assurance and Théramène in Phèdre. He has performed extensively in New York, both on and off-Broadway, and has a number of film and TV credits to his name, including Anything But Love, Law & Order and Sex and the City.

Amy Wallis will play the leading role of Mabel Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance, in addition to playing Sally in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.

The production will also feature Steve Ross as the Sergeant of Police. Seen this year as John Rugby in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Noah in The Grapes of Wrath and Clitandre in The Misanthrope, Mr. Ross is also well remembered by audiences for his musical performances in Kiss Me, Kate, Evita, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Man of La Mancha and Camelot. His other credits over eight seasons at Stratford include Ragueneau in Cyrano de Bergerac, Dromio of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors and Mr. Gilmer in To Kill a Mockingbird.
As previously announced, Kyle Blair will play Frederic.

Sean Arbuckle has also been cast as Julian Marsh in 42nd Street. He will be joined by Noami Costain, who will play Anytime Annie. Ms Costain is returning for her seventh season, having appeared in Kiss Me, Kate, Evita, Cabaret, My One and Only, Oklahoma!, Don Juan, Oliver!, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Gigi, The Threepenny Opera and My Fair Lady.

As previously announced, Kyle Blair will play Billy Lawlor and Cynthia Dale will play Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street.

Funding for the 2012 season has been provided by the Canada Council, the Ontario Arts Council and the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s 2011 season runs until November 6, featuring The Merry Wives of Windsor, Camelot, Twelfth Night, The Misanthrope, The Grapes of Wrath, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Homecoming.

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Backstage at Camelot

2011-10-13T19:47:00.000-02:00

Ever want to know who does the heavy lifting backstage in a repertory company? Check out my interview with the stage crew of Camelot at StartStratford.com here.

Festival launches second annual Stratford Challenge

2011-10-13T19:33:00.002-02:00

[Press release] October 12, 2011… Competition offers high-school students a chance to win $10,000 grand prize out of $20,000 purse

The Festival is issuing the Stratford Challenge to all Canadian high-school students, calling on them to recreate the magic of Shakespeare for a chance to win the grand prize of $10,000 out of a total purse of $20,000. After launching last year, the Stratford Challenge has grown, with the Writing Challenge now open to all high-school students across Canada, and a new competition called the Original Works Challenge.

“We are building on last year’s great success by expanding the writing competition to a national level, while also adding a competition for student-written works, which will be national as well,” says donor Felice Sabatino, who spearheaded the Challenge. “With Shakespeare as an imperative cultural foundation for inspiration and innovation, I hope this great initiative will also be a catalyst for our youth’s creative potential, encouraging new, unique and dynamic works.”

“The Stratford Challenge was pure magic last season. The quality of the work submitted and the enthusiasm of the students was inspiring. We are very proud to hold this program for a second year, and delighted that it has grown in scope,” says General Director Antoni Cimolino. “Felice is a true believer in the importance of arts education. His generosity has enabled the Festival to challenge the imagination of students all across Canada in this truly innovative way.”

“The Festival is committed to promoting the arts and classical theatre to young people and it is a goal of ours to have all students in Ontario visit the Festival at least once during their educational careers,” says Artistic Director Des McAnuff. “The Stratford Challenge is another wonderfully creative initiative that helps us to inspire youth. We thank Felice for initiating the program and look forward to seeing the innovative work submitted by students this year.”

The Stratford Challenge has three components for 2012: the Shakespeare Challenge, the Writing Challenge and the new Original Works Challenge.

The Shakespeare Challenge

The Shakespeare Challenge asks high-school students in Ontario to produce a 10-minute scene from Shakespeare, record it and send it off to the Festival, where a panel of current and former Festival artists will review the entries and select five finalists.

These five groups will be invited to Stratford on April 23 to produce their scene on the stage of the Festival’s Studio Theatre, where a different panel of current and former Festival artists and other experts will adjudicate, provide feedback and select the winners.

The first-place team will receive $10,000 – to be shared by the school and the students involved in the scene. The remaining prizes go directly to the students, to be split amongst members of the teams.

Second place will receive $3,000 and third place $2,000. The fourth and fifth place groups will receive $1,000. Both fourth and fifth-placing groups will also receive a class set of tickets and transportation to a Festival show in 2012.

Students are encouraged to submit a two-minute trailer for their video to post on the Festival’s social media pages.

The Writing Challenge

Now being offered to all Canadian high-school students, the Writing Challenge asks young people to write up to 500 words on the topic “Shakespeare and his relevance in the 21st century.” Entries are to be emailed to educate@stratfordshakespearefestival.com.

The Writing Challenge will be adjudicated by a separate panel of literary experts. The top prize for the writing challenge is $1,000 and 10 tickets to a Festival show and post show chat in 2012. The prize will be awarded in person at the Challenge Finals on April 23 in Stratford.

Applicants may choose their own style and form for their written submission. For further details, please check the Stratford Challenge webpage at www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com/challenge.

New! Original Works Challenge

This competition will challenge students from across Canada to write an original one act play inspired by a Shakespeare play. Each Original Work submission must be the sole creation of a single playwright. The original work must be a reading length of 20 to 30 minutes. Each original work must be submitted with a cover letter that contains a brief synopsis of the play and includes an account of the correlation between your piece and its classical counterpart. The winner of this competition will receive $2,000 and the opportunity to hear professional actors read their work on April 23.

The entry deadline for all three challenges is midnight on February 29, 2012.

“This challenge sets the highest standards of excellence by providing the rare opportunity to compete on the best stage in the world – Stratford,” says Mr. Sabatino. “This initiative is a dream incubator for future talent and cultural dynamism amongst our most precious resource – our youth.”

The Festival currently welcomes between 60,000 and 90,000 students each year. Through this challenge and other education programs, it is striving to surpass 120,000 annually.

For information on visiting the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and using its education programs, visit: www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com/education, where you will find links for students and teachers.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s 2011 season runs until November 6, featuring The Merry Wives of Windsor, Camelot, Twelfth Night, The Misanthrope, The Grapes of Wrath, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Homecoming.

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2012 Season Visitor's Guide

2011-10-12T18:59:00.000-02:00

According to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Twitter feed, the 2012 Visitor's Guides are in the mail. Visit http://www.stratfordfestivl.ca/ to order yours, or follow them on Twitter (StratFest). The new 2012 season website should be up shortly after the 2011 season closes, after November 6th.

Broadway beckons: Jesus Christ Superstar to open at the Neil Simon Theatre on March 22, 2012

2011-10-04T21:07:00.000-02:00

Paul Nolan in the title role.
Photo by David Hou.

[Press Release]
October 4, 2011… The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is thrilled to announce that its production of Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by Artistic Director Des McAnuff, will commence a Broadway run this spring.

The New York production of Jesus Christ Superstar will open at the Neil Simon Theatre on Thursday, March 22, 2012, with previews beginning Thursday, March 1.

Dodger Properties and the Really Useful Group will present the Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

“I have wanted to do Jesus Christ Superstar for quite a long time,” says Artistic Director Des McAnuff. “I’m extremely pleased to be able to stage the piece with the company of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. I am even more pleased to be able to go with them back to La Jolla Playhouse, which I still consider an important home. We will all be very excited to go from there on to New York.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the Festival,” says General Director Antoni Cimolino. “Des’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar has delighted audiences here all season long. Now, as it heads for Broadway by way of La Jolla, it will raise our international profile and entice new audiences to come and experience more of our work in Stratford.”

The Festival’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar opened in Stratford on June 3 and will run through November 6. Following that, it will play La Jolla Playhouse from November 18 to December 31.

The Toronto Star called Jesus Christ Superstar “the best show you’ll see this year,” while The Globe and Mail said, “This production is an absolute miracle.”

“A sparkly production literally pulsing with life,” wrote the Toronto Sun; and Variety enthused, “McAnuff has managed to come up with a vision that is faithful to the original but manages to make it seem fresh to an audience in 2011.”

A number of Stratford productions have gone on to New York over the years, including 2002’s King Lear, with Christopher Plummer in the title role; 1998’s The Miser and Much Ado About Nothing; 1996’s Barrymore; 1994’s The Molière Comedies; 1983’s The Mikado; and 1956’s Tamburlaine the Great. The 2009 production of The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and featuring Brian Bedford, inspired a Broadway run this year, as did the 1994 production of Timon of Athens, directed by Michael Langham with Mr. Bedford in the title role.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s 2011 season continues until November 6, featuring The Merry Wives of Windsor, Camelot, Twelfth Night, The Misanthrope, The Grapes of Wrath, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Homecoming.

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Casting News

2011-09-14T14:00:00.004-02:00

Casting begins for Festival’s 60th season

[Press Release]

September 14, 2011… The Stratford Shakespeare Festival has begun to confirm casting for its 60th season and is pleased to announce the return of the following actors: Kyle Blair, James Blendick, Ben Carlson, Juan Chioran, Cynthia Dale, Deborah Hay, Tom McCamus, Seana McKenna, Lucy Peacock, Tom Rooney and Mike Shara.

“I am delighted to welcome all these superbly talented performers back to our stages,” says Artistic Director Des McAnuff. “A theatre is defined by its artists, above all else, and I take great pride in knowing that we will be embarking on our milestone 60th season with an acting ensemble to rival any in the world.”

“This casting announcement is just a taste of what is to come for the Festival in 2012,” says General Director Antoni Cimolino. “With key players like these leading our ensemble, the 60th will be a season to remember.”

Kyle Blair

Kyle Blair takes musical leads in Pirates and 42nd Street

Kyle Blair will play the leading roles of Billy Lawlor in the tap spectacular 42nd Street and Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance. Mr. Blair was last seen at the Festival in 2007, playing Will Parker in Oklahoma! and Achmed in My One and Only. In seven seasons at Stratford, Mr. Blair’s memorable musical credits include Jack in Into the Woods, Professor Hamilton Steeves in South Pacific, Ambrose Kemper in Hello, Dolly! and Noah Claypole in Oliver!

Blendick, Carlson, Chioran return for a season of Shakespeare

James Blendick

James Blendick will mark his 29th season at the Festival, playing the principal role of Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing and the Archbishop of Canterbury in Henry V. Mr. Blendick delighted audiences this season as Master Robert Shallow in The Merry Wives of Windsor. Mr. Blendick has been a stalwart of the Festival stage, playing significant roles in both Shakespearean and modern classics, including Doctor Chebutykin in Three Sisters, Falstaff in Henry IV, Part 1, Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Boyet in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Claudius in Hamlet and Matthew Brady in Inherit the Wind.

Ben Carlson

Ben Carlson, currently playing Feste in Twelfth Night and Alceste in The Misanthrope, will celebrate his fifth season at Stratford playing Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing and Fluellen in Henry V. Among the Festival’s finest young classical actors, Mr. Carlson has taken on an impressive list of key roles, including Touchstone in As You Like It, Leontes in The Winter’s Tale, John Worthing in The Importance of Being Earnest, Brutus in Julius Caesar and the title role in Hamlet.

Juan Chioran

Juan Chioran will return for his 13th season to play Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing and Montjoy in Henry V. An award-winning stage and television actor, Mr. Chioran this season played Philinte in The Misanthrope and Fabian in Twelfth Night. He is admired by audiences for his musical and classical roles, both comic and dramatic, including last season’s Juan Perón in Evita and Fred Graham in Kiss Me, Kate, as well as Solyony in Three Sisters, Parolles in All’s Well That Ends Well, Jaques in As You Like It and the title role in Man of La Mancha.

Cynthia Dale returns in 42nd Street; Deborah Hay returns to play Beatrice

Cynthia Dale in Anything Goes

Cynthia Dale’s eagerly anticipated return to the Stratford stage will see her take on the role of Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street. When last at Stratford, in 2007, Ms Dale starred in another tap musical, beautifully portraying Edythe Herbert in My One and Only. Ms Dale’s musical credits at the Festival also include leading roles in The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls, South Pacific, Man of La Mancha, Camelot and Anything Goes. 2012 will mark Ms Dale’s 11th season with the Festival.

Deborah Hay

Deborah Hay, most recently seen in leading roles at the Shaw Festival, will return for her fourth season at Stratford to play Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing and Alice in Henry V. A member of the Birmingham Conservatory in 1999, Ms Hay played such roles as Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew and Katharine in Love’s Labour’s Lost in Stratford. This season at Shaw, Ms Hay is playing Eliza Doolittle in their hit production of My Fair Lady, as well as Hesione Hushabye in Heartbreak House. Her portrayal of Billie Dawn in Born Yesterday was proclaimed as a standout at the Shaw in 2010.

Seana McKenna and Tom McCamus join forces in a lighter love affair

Tom McCamus

After his moving portrayal of Jim Casy in The Grapes of Wrath and his masterful turn as Master Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Tom McCamus will play the leading roles of Horace Vandergelder in The Matchmaker and Iachimo in Cymbeline. Last season, Mr. McCamus delighted audiences in the deliciously evil roles of Captain Hook in Peter Pan and Le Vicomte de Valmont in Dangerous Liaisons. In 11 seasons at Stratford, he has played a vast number of leading roles in such productions as Three Sisters, Bartholomew Fair, An Ideal Husband, The Threepenny Opera, Camelot, Waiting for Godot and Long Day’s Journey Into Night.

Seana McKenna

After her triumphant turn as Richard III, Seana McKenna will make a welcome return to comedy, playing Dolly Levi in The Matchmaker. Stratford audiences will remember Ms McKenna’s lighter side from such productions as Private Lives, Present Laughter, Noises Off and London Assurance – and will be delighted to see her reunited with Mr. McCamus after their sizzling performances in Dangerous Liaisons. Adding to her acclaimed credits in classical tragedy, Ms McKenna will also play Clytemestra in the 2012 production of Elektra, having given moving portrayals of Medea, Andromache and Phèdre at the Festival, all of which were extremely highly regarded.

Tom Rooney and Lucy Peacock together again in Wanderlust.

Lucy Peacock

Celebrating her 25th season and 60th production with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Lucy Peacock will play the Hostess in Henry V and Mrs. Munsch in the new musical Wanderlust. Ms Peacock combined musical theatre and Shakespeare this season as well, playing Morgan le Fey in Camelot and the delightfully scheming Mistress Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor, with Tom Rooney as her jealous husband. Last season the two actors appeared together in the moving production of For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again and in As You Like It, in which Ms Peacock played a memorable Audrey. In 2012 Ms Peacock and Mr. Rooney will again appear together.

Tom Rooney

Tom Rooney will take on the leading role of Robert Service in Wanderlust, the new musical commissioned from Morris Panych and composer Marek Norman. He will also play Pistol in Henry V. Since joining the company in 2008, Mr. Rooney has fast become a favourite on the Festival stage, most recently with his richly drawn portrayals of Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Master Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor. He gave standout performances in 2009 as the Porter in Macbeth, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Cassius in Julius Caesar. In addition to playing the Narrator in 2010’s For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again, Mr. Rooney played Duke Frederick and Duke Senior in As You Like It and Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale.

Mike Shara to play Cornelius in The Matchmaker

Mike Shara

After making an impressive Shakespearean debut in 2010 as Oliver in As You Like It and the Young Shepherd in The Winter’s Tale, Mike Shara portrayed Orsino in this season’s Twelfth Night, and will return in 2012 to play Cloten in Cymbeline. Mr. Shara will also play the leading role of Cornelius in The Matchmaker. His Stratford credits also include an insightful portrayal of Teddy in this season’s acclaimed production of The Homecoming and the deliciously daft Algernon Moncrieff in the 2008 production of The Importance of Being Earnest.

Casting continues for the 2012 season.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s 2011 season runs until November 6, featuring The Merry Wives of Windsor, Camelot, Twelfth Night, The Misanthrope, The Grapes of Wrath, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Homecoming, Richard III, Titus Andronicus, The Little Years and Hosanna.

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Review: Stranger than Reality TV: The Homecoming

2011-08-21T16:14:00.002-02:00

Brian Dennehy as Max, Ian Lake as Joey, Cara Ricketts as Ruth,
Stephen Ouimette as Sam, Aaron Krohn as Lenny.
Photo by Celia Von Tiedemann

The Homecoming

By Harold Pinter

Directed by Jennifer Tarver

Featuring Stephen Ouimette, Aaron Krohn, Brian Dennehy, Cara Ricketts, Mike Shara and Ian Lake

The Story: Family patriarch Max lives in perpetual struggle for supremacy with his two grown sons, Lenny and Joey and his brother Sam in a run-down part of London in the 1960’s. Their fragile but dysfunctional apple cart is upset by the arrival of Max’s eldest son, Teddy, and his wife Ruth, home after living in America for six years.

“Pinteresque” is a phrase used to describe typical features of Harold Pinter’s plays; dramatic pauses, black comedy, an absurd story, repeated phrases that seem to mean more than they appear. A Pinter play is as much about what is not said as is spoken.

A Pinter play is not light fare; Max and his sons are not The Waltons, this is not your feel-good kind of story. Unless your own life looks better by comparison, you are not apt to exit this play feeling very good about the human condition. Even The Grapes of Wrath – depressing as it is – leaves you with the life-affirming knowledge that the characters will soldier on, in pursuit of something better. With The Homecoming, you just hope you never run across people like these characters and that they never procreate.

This story is for those who like examining people’s unspoken motivations. It is a marvelous play to study; to delve into, pick apart its meanings, dissect characters, to examine themes. It is not a play one enjoys watching.

Not that the direction is not crisp or the acting sharp. Jennifer Tarver has a knack with the darkly humorous, there is no doubt about that. Aaron Krohn makes Lenny into a sociopath – menacing one moment, charming the next; Cara Ricketts is an enigmatic, shrewd Ruth; Stephen Ouimette’s Sam is a gentleman out of place among predators, both haunted by and reveling in secrets. As portrayed by Mike Shara, Teddy is strangely apart but still very much one of Max’s son’s, and Ian Lake turns Joey into an animalistic man-boy. As their father Max, Brian Dennehy is at his best when quietly bullying, switching gears from intimidating to nostalgic as fast as Lenny changes from charming to snaky.

But as good as the direction and performers are, it is not a play one can enjoy watching. The characters are cruel or at best aloof. The comedy is of the uncomfortable kind, the laughs generated by pitiless insults and emotional abuse, rather than any genuine mirth. It is a joyless story, the characters remorseless, the action callous.

The set (by designer Leslie Frankish) is just another clue to the bleakness of the characters’ existence. Dark, dingy wallpaper, a dirty front window, shabby and worn furniture; there are plenty of light fixtures, but only a few of them are turned on at any one time. There is an empty, faded spot where a framed picture once had pride of place, representing the long-dead Jesse, Max’s wife. Whither went she, we are not told. But we are somehow glad she escaped this den of amoral iniquity one way or another.

Watch The Homecoming forearmed with knowledge of the play for best results; Robert Cushman provides a fine analysis of the play’s themes in his review. The Homecoming continues until October 30 in repertory at the Avon Theatre.

Ian Lake as Joey, Cara Ricketts as Ruth, Brian Dennehy as Max,
Aaron Krohn as Lenny.
Photo by Celia Von Tiedemann

Festival adds The War of 1812 to 60th season playbill

2011-08-17T13:08:00.002-02:00

[PRESS RELEASE]

Play marks anniversary of key moment in Canadian history

August 17, 2011… The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is adding an exciting new production to its 2012 season. The satirical historical drama The War of 1812 will be produced in collaboration with VideoCabaret and presented in an intimate, specially designed performance space. The production has been selected to commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812, which coincides with the Festival’s 60th season.

Written by Michael Hollingsworth, The War of 1812 is one segment of a play cycle entitled The History of the Village of the Small Huts, a satirical retelling of the nation’s history, tracing the evolution of the “Canadian identity” as a comedy of manners. The original productions premièred to great acclaim from 1985 to 1999 and have since expanded to 20 plays, honoured by 24 Dora Mavor Moore Awards. The War of 1812 is being reinvented for the Stratford production based on newly available research and new inspiration.

“I have admired Michael Hollingsworth’s work since the 1970s,” says Artistic Director Des McAnuff. “Not only is VideoCabaret’s The History of the Village of the Small Huts a substantial Canadian theatrical achievement, it also represents the life’s work of this extraordinary playwright. We are tremendously proud to be presenting The War of 1812 as part of our 60th season.”

One of the Studio Theatre rehearsal halls will be converted to a performance space with a capacity of 72, designed to accommodate the special staging technique for which VideoCabaret is renowned. The production will run for 55 performances between June 26 and August 12, 2012.

“We are delighted to welcome VideoCabaret to Stratford and look forward to our collaboration on this brilliant satirical work,” says General Director Antoni Cimolino. “In 1812 Canada and the United States were enemies at war, and now we have perhaps the closest and most trusting relationship of any two nations. Attracting visitors from throughout North America, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival can now offer a truly international audience the opportunity to explore the question: what could we have been fighting about?”

VideoCabaret’s unique staging style moves at a cinematic tempo as colourful scenes are conjured up in a black-box set. Using spectacular quick-change costumes and scene-setting props, seven actors portray about 40 characters, who appear and vanish as if by magic.

“Des McAnuff and his superb team have welcomed our company with open arms,” says Mr. Hollingsworth, who in addition to being the playwright shares the position of Artistic Co-Director of VideoCabaret with Deanne Taylor. “We are honoured to launch a new performance space and thrilled to bring our work to the greatest gathering of theatre-lovers on the continent.”

Mr. McAnuff and Mr. Cimolino have planned the 60th season not only as a milestone in the Festival’s history but also as a signpost to its future. The playbill marries the best of Stratford tradition with contemporary innovation and exploration. With the addition of this latest piece, which opens on Canada Day, the 2012 season includes seven Canadian works – Christopher Plummer’s A Word or Two, Rick Miller’s MacHomer, Michael Hollingsworth’s The War of 1812, Canadian poet Anne Carson’s adaptation of Elektra and the world premières of Morris Panych and Marek Norman’s Wanderlust, Alon Nashman and Paul Thompson’s Hirsch and Daniel MacIvor’s The Best Brothers.

Other works being presented in 2012 are Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing, Cymbeline, The Matchmaker, 42nd Street, The Pirates of Penzance and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

“These seven Canadian works – two of which are Festival commissions – represent 50 per cent of the 2012 season. These productions demonstrate our commitment to Canadian plays and will provide our audiences with an opportunity to explore the vast complement of Canadian theatre alongside our classical offerings,” says Mr. McAnuff. “Thornton Wilder did much of the writing for The Matchmaker here at Stratford – he adapted it from his own Merchant of Yonkers at the suggestion of Tyrone Guthrie in what we could describe as the Festival’s first playwright residency.”

“With productions like The War of 1812 – and also MacHomer – we are reaching out to other theatre companies,” says Mr. Cimolino, “and at the same time we are providing an opportunity for these artists to connect with a broader audience.”

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Review: A Lesson in Class - The Misanthrope

2011-08-14T13:00:00.002-02:00

Members of the Misanthrope cast. Photo by Cylla Von Tiedmann

The Misanthrope

By Moliere; translation by Richard Wilbur

Directed by David Grindley

Featuring Ben Carlson, Sara Topham, Martha Farell, Juan Chioran, Kelli Fox

The Story: Alceste is fed up with the two-faced nature of everyone at court, and is resolved to leave mankind behind to live like a hermit where he is free to speak the unvarnished truth. Unfortunately for him, he happens to be in love with one of the falsest creatures on earth, the charming coquette Célimène. When Alceste’s brutal honesty lands him in trouble with the law, and Célimène’s behaviour gets her censured in public, these two opposites may have a chance to attract – but can either of them bend enough to accept the others’ faults?

Director David Grindley was last at Stratford to direct the punk-rock-n-roll Midsummer Night’s Dream of 2009. In that production he gave the play a fresh, almost wild look; in directing Moliere’s The Misanthrope in 2011 however, he stepped back and set it in the Rococco period, roughly 100 years after the Baroque play was penned. This means that this very talky play has little action, but a lot of style.

The set, designed by John Lee Beatty, is a veritable chocolate box of gilding, drapery and light. And the costumes! Robin Fraser Payne’s designs must have take the wardrobe department a year’s worth of work to stitch, and in particular the dress worn by Sara Topham is a frothy confection of pink ruffles, bows and flounces, that could have been lifted straight from The Swing, a 1767 painting by Jean-Honore Fragonard. (Not that the other women’s dresses and men’s multi-layered suits are anything to sneeze at either.)

The acting is anything but frothy, even thought the tone remains light. As Alceste, the Misanthrope of the title, Ben Carlson is as masterful with Moliere as he is with Shakespeare, turning translator Richard Wilbur’s rhyming couplets – which could sound like Dr. Seuss in many actors’ mouths – into everyday conversation. He takes Alceste from rage to heartbreak without ever missing a beat, and one does feel the truth and conviction of the character at every turn.

Sara Topham as Celemine, Ben Carlson as Alceste.
Photo: Cylla Von Tiedmann

Alceste’s love interest, Célimène, is played with both fire and wide-eyed – but false - sweetness by Sara Topham. She shows Célimène to be immature with her petulant rages, but with a slowly dawning realization that she may have gone too far with her behaviour. She also gives as good as she gets, taking on both her rival Arsinoé and her lover Alceste and often getting the better of them. Ms. Topham and Mr. Carlson share one fantastically stormy scene which is riveting in its passion, humour and sweetness.

Kelli Fox as Arsinoe.
Photo: Cylla Von Tiedmann

Alas, Alceste’s ‘radical honesty’ and Célimène’s gossipy slander is no more popular in 1666 as it is in 2011. When the two lovers finally part, the audience witnesses two hearts breaking.

The other actors are equally strong in their performances; Kelli Fox makes Arsinoé a pleasure to dislike, as does Steve Ross and Trent Pardy in their roles as the simpering courtiers Clitandre and Acaste – Mr. Pardy’s Acaste is particularly glittering and mean. Not to be outdone, Peter Hutt takes Oronte’s foppishness down a notch and replaces it with a shade of chilly malevolence. Robert King, Brian Tree and Brigit Wilson are wasted in their small roles, although Mr. Tree makes the most of the inarticulate Dubois .

Martha Farrell as Eliante.
Photo: Cylla Von Tiedmann

As for the true lovers in the play, as Philinte Juan Chioran is at his best when imitating a raging Alceste and exchanging knowing looks with Eliante; played by Martha Farrell, Eliante becomes not just the steady voice of reason, but also a lively woman entirely capable of throwing palpable sparks at Alceste (it is not her fault that it is Philinte who catches fire for her).

All in all, this is a classily acted and designed production of a classic play that is a pleasure to hear and see. It continues at the Festival Theatre until October 29 in repertory.

Review: Hosanna - Timed out

2011-08-12T15:24:00.002-02:00

Gareth Potter as Hosanna, Oliver Becker as Cuirette. Photo by Cylla Von Tiedmann.

Hosanna

By Michael Tremblay

Directed by Weyni Mengesha

Featuring Gareth Potter and Oliver Becker

The Story: The drag-queen Hosanna returns home from a Halloween party, dressed as Cleopatra, where she has been upset. It transpires that her lover Cuirette has had a hand in some joke that has been played upon her, and while they fight and throw insults and talk by turns, the gradual story is revealed, and so are the men underneath.

Here’s what made Hosanna a major force when it was first produced in the early 1970’s: 1) it followed the Quiet Revolution and FLQ crisis in Quebec; 2) it was less than five years after homosexuality was decriminalized; 3) it was written in a Quebecois dialect making it immediately familiar to its audiences, the English translation of which retained its rhythms.

I grew up after the Quiet Revolution on the East Coast, a region with economic problems so gargantuan and immediate that the problem of Quebecois identity - the allegory which Hosanna represents - really didn’t register. So chances are I would have struggled to connect to the play on that level, even if the Bloc Quebecois had not recently been decimated from Canada’s political map. Problem number one with producing Hosanna for modern Canadian audiences.

Problem number two: Not only is being gay legal, gay marriage is also legal, so the issue of simply being gay is no longer as much an issue in Canada as being gay with AIDS, or being transgender when healthcare covers only a portion of the costs associated with either.

I’m not a director. I don’t know what goes into decisions that are made for a character, set, costume etc. I’m not an actor. I don’t know how decisions are made for movement or delivery. I am an audience. And I could tell right away that I was not connecting to either actors or production in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s production of Hosanna that opened August 10.

But the general issue of questioning one’s identity? Now there’s a theme to which I could relate – it rings true for anyone who has to shift between regions, countries, genders or races. So this alone is where the production could have held me; somewhat tentatively like a cat with a claw-snag, but the potential was there.

Claude Lemieux is known by his drag-queen name Hosanna, and is obsessed with Elizabeth Taylor in her role as Cleopatra (four layers of identity, in case you’re counting). She has been given a humiliating comeuppance by some drag rivals, in which her lover Cuirette (aka Raymond Buloc – two levels) has played a part, and they exchange bitter, cruel barbs designed to shred each other, but which have the additional result of stripping away the layers of their false identities and defenses until only the essential and vulnerable men remain. If this had been the only focus of the play, I think I would have been moved more than I was by the production.

Oliver Becker plays Raymond/Cuirette, a leather-clad biker gone to seed, and he is better in the gruff, cruel parts of the character than in parts that reveal Raymond’s softer, caring centre. Quebec-born Gareth Potter is the title character and he carefully brings Hosanna back to the man she was. The rapidly-changing, raw emotion in Mr. Potter’s features as he directly addresses the audience is wonderfully moving, but still a little too bitter to truly heartrending. And although the look of his character curiously recalls Betty Page more than the diva Elizabeth Taylor, monstrous cruelty with which he and Mr. Becker exchange abuses is worthy of Ms. Taylor’s performance in Virginia Woolf.

The set, designed by Michael Gianfranceso is slightly tawdy, cluttered and recall a slightly earlier time, although I doubt the play needs to stay in Montreal or the 1970’s. This may be the biggest problem with the play as directed, it simply felt out of time. The Cleopatra costume by Dana Osbourne is glamorous and worn fantastically by Mr. Potter – weirdly, this may also be a detriment, because it is hard to believe that Hosanna was ever anything but the belle of her ball while wearing it.

Ultimately, it is unfortunate that fine actors end up in uneven productions of plays that should be amazing. It annoys me to anticipate being blown away, only to be left with an irritating whisper in my ear, “this should have been better”.

Hosanna continues in repertory at the Studio Theatre until September 24.

Oliver Becker as Cuirette, Gareth Potter as Hosanna. Photo by Cylla Von Tiedmann.

Review: Watch out - It's Early August

2011-08-08T22:53:00.001-02:00

Early August

By Kate Lynch (world premiere)

Directed by: Shari Hollett

Featuring Catherine Fitch, Sarah Orenstein, Gil Garrett, Haley McGee and Tova Smith

The story: Backstage at a homegrown rural repertory theatre festival, a motley group of actors gets in shape for the day’s matinee performance. There’s the company veteran, Gina-the-diva; Stephanie, the angst-ridden, ambitious ingénue; Chelsea, the gothic but fresh-faced newbie; and Albert, the audience favourite and company horn-dog creating romantic havoc wherever he goes. Teddy the stage manager has her hands full, no doubt – costumes to repair, leaks to avoid, a building inspector to coddle and four actor’s messy lives to untangle – all in the name of great theatre.

Kate Lynch’s Early August is a rare glimpse at the stage actor’s dressing room. Wigs prepared, makeup applied, costumes shimmied in and out of, pre-show rituals followed. For theatre buffs it is a treat, but for those connected to the acting community, it might hit a little too close to home for comfort. The phenomenon of “early August” does appear to affect many theatre companies, a time when actors start to go a little squirrelly, and Kate Lynch uses the singularity to address such issues as backstage politics, ageism, budgets and career haggling. Mind you, they are addressed in such a lighthearted manner (this is a comedy, after all) that it is easy to let your mind brush past these things, but they are there; perhaps fodder for a meatier version of this play somewhere down the road.

Sarah Orenstein

The play is very well written and constructed, with the first half being slightly better than the second, only because the ending becomes predictable shortly into the second half (no spoilers here). The characters are all well defined, and all but one becomes multi-dimensional by play’s end. Set designer Victoria Wallace may have not looked further than backstage at Blyth for her inspiration – the set is small, cluttered with personal affects, wigs and a small fridge, with the graffiti’d names of past actors on its walls.

The actors do a fine job in their roles, as well. Perhaps the best is Sarah Orenstein, the “aging” actress who appears a diva, a den mother and a maneater all rolled into one. The audience is completely prepared to dislike her, but Ms. Orenstein surprises us in a most touching way, by showing Gina’s soft underbelly with one perfectly-pitched line. Similarly Tova Smith takes her character Stephanie from super-nice, uber-prepared pro to Queen B in one smooth exit - by play’s end she is a gal going places and can now leave others in the proverbial dust.

Catherine Fitch

Newcomer Haley McGee has excellent comic timing and deadpans some of the play’s funniest lines as the newbie Chelsea; her comic rival is Gil Garrett, who manages the task of being flirtatious to all four women without being icky. Of course the coup for Blyth was casting Catherine Fitch to be Teddy the stage manager – she already had three seasons of Slings and Arrows under her belt as the long-suffering stage manager Maria. The difference here is that while Maria was treated worse than dirt by her coworkers, Teddy is a managing goddess (perhaps this is Ms. Lynch’s thank-you to all those Marias out there). Teddy holds all the cards and is really the tour de force that keeps the play running (on time, too!), and Ms. Fitch makes the most of each moment, be it practical, comical, dramatic or even romantic (that’s all the spoiler you’re going to get).

A show for anyone connected to a summer theatre festival, any theatre buff, or any laughter afficianado, Early August continues in repertory until August 27 at the Blyth Festival.

Review: Difficult but worth it - Titus Andronicus

2011-07-15T19:40:00.002-02:00

John Vickery as Titus Andronicus.
Photo by Celia von Tiedemann.

Titus Andronicus

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Darko Tresnjak

Featuring John Vickery, Sean Arbuckle, Claire Lautier, Amanda Lisman, Dion Johnstone, Paul Fateux and David Ferry

The story: Having returned from 40 years of fighting for Rome, General Titus Andronicus turns down the emperor’s laurel, bestowing it upon the late emperor’s eldest son, the debauched Saturninus. However, Titus’ fortune abruptly turns when his daughter Lavinia, who is legally betrothed to another man, defies her father’s wish that she marry Saturninus. In a rage, Titus kills one of his own sons who helped Lavinia escape, and Saturninus takes the captive Tamora, queen of the Goths, as his own queen. She immediately begins plotting revenge on Titus, who would not spare her eldest son from ritual slaying, and when Lavonia pays the ultimate price, Titus vows to take his own path of brutal revenge with horrific consequences.

Titus Andronicus is not a tragedy in the truest sense. There is a lot of death – gruesome death, in fact – but no character ever realizes their own part in bring about their own destruction. If they do, they are unrepentant and defiant to the ugly end. It is a difficult play for modern audiences to enjoy in the strictest sense of the word, what with the barrage of images from war-torn countries in the past sixty years.

However, in the hands of director Darko Tresnjak, it becomes something disturbingly enjoyable. This is his third or fourth kick at the Andronici can, and although he thankfully dials it back from beheadings with chainsaws to a Beatles’ soundtrack, Mr. Tresnjak brings out every moment of the inopportune, dark humour he can in this Roman world. Feuding, immature brothers, an Edward-Scissorhands flashback, and changing the order of the text just to get a parting giggle from a relieved audience... Mr. Tresnjak pulls no punches.

The production is fantastic. The set is a bare, marble slab set with three illuminated altars, and four scaffold pillars topped with torsos of men in the throes of rage and agony, constantly spotlit. The costumes designed by Linda Cho are white and blood-red (tribunes), bright blue (Andonici), purple and gold (emperor and empress), and although very Roman-looking, Tamora in particular looks every bit the warrior as she hunts the Andonici. The lighting by Itai Erdai is by turns fractured and brilliant – literally – illuminating Rome’s growing corruption and Lavinia’s mutilation – the audience cannot ignore it if they tried.

In the intimate setting of the Tom Patterson Theatre, no one can ignore the performances, either. At the head of a very strong ensemble, John Vickery is completely believable as Titus, the general with such a firm belief in traditions to the detriment of even the law. By turns quietly menacing, enraged and tender, Mr. Vickery’s brand of quirky humour is well-suited to Mr. Tresnjak’s direction, giving a wry reading of the ‘murdered fly’ scene with his brother Marcus. David Ferry highlights Marcus Andronicus’ voice of reason, as well as to some of the more beautiful poetry of the play – it is evident that one brother is the tribune, the other the warrior when Mr. Ferry and Mr. Vickery share the stage.

Two other brothers are more farcical – Brendan Murray and Bruce Godfree are comical in their immaturity, slinking like curs to their mother’s side in fear, all the more sickening in their rape of Lavinia because one gets the sense they do it only to outdo each other, without thought for the consequences.

Amanda Lisman as Lavinia.
Photo by Celia von Tiedemann

Amanda Lisman portrays the doomed Lavinia, giving her poise and a degree of haughtiness before her downfall, and giving a prolonged illustration of medical shock when reappearing stained with blood before being gently comforted by Marcus and her eldest brother, Lucius (finely played by Paul Fateaux). A further warning: Ms. Lisman’s rendering of mute anguish may haunt your imagination long after the play lets out.

The true villain of the play is Aaron, lover to queen Tamora, played with an alarming charisma by Dion Johnstone. An early version of Iago, Aaron is unrepentant of his masterminded crimes, but as shown by Mr. Johnstone, almost unbelievably tender to his newborn son. Despite Aaron’s villainy, one may find that Tamora is the scarier character; Claire Lautier brings a calculating watchfulness and a wrath worthy of Jupiter to the role - she and Mr. Vickery have two of the finest stage voices in the cast. Coming up in third place for villain is Sean Arbuckle’s slimy, creepy Saturninus – he comes third only because the others are so evil, plus there is a suggestion that Tamora is trying to poison him. He is the outward face of debauchery – the others keep it well hidden.

Claire Lautier as Tamora.
Photo by Celia von Tiedemann.

By play’s end there are at least 13 deaths, some off-stage but most on. There are mutilations and a rape, and even some cannibalism. And in this production, there is plenty of realistic spurting of blood. This is not meant to scare anyone away from the production – forewarned is forearmed. So while it is hard to like the play itself, this production is certainly worth seeing at least once. It is a rarely done play, and even rarer is it done with such crisp perception in both acting and direction.

It is akin to Stephen Ouimette and Peter Donaldson’s 2004 production of Timon of Athens. It is that good.

Titus Andronicus continues in repertory at the Tom Patterson Theatre until September 24, 2011.

Review: Stellar - The Little Years

2011-07-14T20:54:00.002-02:00

Bethany Jillard as young Kate.
Photo by Celia von Tiedemann.

The Little Years

By John Mighton

Directed by Chris Abraham

Featuring Irene Poole, Yanna McIntosh, Bethany Jillard, Chick Reid

The story: 14-year-old Kate has big thoughts about the nature of time but physics and sciences are not considered feminine in the 1950’s. Her scientific potential gets buried deep within her, turning her bitter, angry, and eventually clinically depressed as an adult. It is only through the persistence of her sister-in-law Grace, and Grace’s daughter Tanya, that Kate and her dreams begin to live.

The stage is a white-board of a canvas, reaching into the aisles. Four bright spotlights slowly change position to a soundscape of birds, an occasional plane, frogs, the wind and a low undercurrent of buzzing bass. Young Kate steps onto the stage, her face alight with wonder, listening. Older Kate also steps onto the stage, her face a mask of bitterness. The spotlights coalesce onto the younger girl, and the play begins.

Bethany Jillard plays young Kate (and later her own niece, Tanya). Young Kate is smart – scary smart. Far too smart for a patriarchal, Judeo-Christian school system of the 1950’s. Ms. Jillard is pitch-perfect as the naïve, socially awkward genius, lighting up when talking about time and physics, extinguished when teased, matter-of-fact and unsentimental about her brother’s poetry award and her father’s death – much to the perturbation of her mother.

Irene Poole as Kate.
Photo by Celia von Tiedemann

As the angry adult Kate, actor Irene Poole is by turns dynamic, secretive, and after being institutionalized where she received electric shock therapy and an experimental drug called ‘prozac’, she is a deadened, numb Kate, less ascerbic, but a shadow of her former self. Her sister-in-law Grace, played in name and bearing by Yanna McIntosh, is her constant supporter; her brother William of whom Kate is jealous, is ever-present in name only, a successful and famous writer. He is represented in body by the artist Roger (Evan Buliung) whose success also riles Kate, because he chases time through his art, yet is something he does not truly understand.

The nature of time is mentioned frequently in t he play. A clock is heard ticking, decades pass in seconds, a watch is engraved with “Forever”, a lover will return ‘in a minute’, squares of light swing back and forth on the stage like the pendulum of a grandfather clock, the characters age, some die. Reputations change with time – being the “Barry Manilow of painting” in the 1970’s is a lot better than being called the same in the 1990’s, especially when the artist in question bothers to try to understand time, and it ruins him as a painter. Poets fall out of fashion, girls can study science. Kate feels her time has run out, but learns that the theory of time of which she has always been jealous - linear - will not actually complete her. Kate’s time is relative – quantum time - she will be remembered, she inspired more than one person, and her life does have meaning.

Part of quantum mechanics, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle states that the act of observation influences the event they observe. It also affects the observer. Nowhere is this more true in live theatre – the enthusiasm of an audience is felt by the actors on stage, and they in return pour more into their performances, which moves the audience to joy or sadness. As Kate comes to her final revelation, Ms. Jillard, Ms. McIntosh and especially Ms. Poole create one of those moments in theatre that can lift and carry a person through their whole lives.

Irene Poole as Kate, Bethany Jillard as Tanya
Photo by Celia von Tiedemann

First performed at Theatre Passe Muraille in 1995, mathematics professor John Mighton has “rewritten and polished” his play that examines the intertwined strings of potential, immortality and time. Although one might think the subjects of Newtonian, linear, circular and quantum time more suited to the halls of academia, it is the heart-warming story of a woman crushed by the weight of her dreams who finds redemption that will appeal to all. The Little Years has a little run in a little theatre – it plays in repertory only until September 24 at the Studio Theatre. Get your tickets in time – that’s linear time, not quantum.

Review: Still Bittersweet - Shakespeare's Will

2011-07-14T00:44:00.003-02:00

Seana McKenna as Anne Hathaway in
Shakespeare's Will. Photo by Andrew Eccles. 2007

Shakespeare’s Will

By Vern Thiessen

Directed by Miles Potter

Featuring Seana McKenna

The Story: Coming home from Shakespeare’s funeral, his wife, Anne Hathaway, cannot yet bring herself to open his last will and testament. Instead, she allows herself to be swept away on a tide of memories of their life together… and their life apart.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival premiered Shakespeare’s Will in 2007, and since then the husband and wife team of director Miles Potter and actor Seana McKenna have taken it to the Globe Theatre in Regina, where Peter Hartwell redesigned the formerly square, raised set into the rounded, octagonal set they are using today. Spare, wooden, and decorated with only a simple stool and a lantern hanging from one of two striped posts, it is reminiscent of a ship’s wheel or deck, which is most appropriate given the language of the play.

Very little is known about the historical Anne Hathaway, but in playwright Vern Thiessen’s imagination Anne is very much tied to the sea – her father was a sailor and it was at the seashore where they found refuge when a plague seized their town and carried of her mother. Anne carries the sea with her throughout her life, its alliterative language colouring everything she says and does, its tides becoming a metaphor for the play, for her life with “Bill”.

Drifting from the present – were Bill’s sister Judith is expected and a will waits to be read – back through time to her life while Bill was alive, each person in Anne’s memory - and Anne herself - is given voice by actor Seana McKenna. The present is lit coldly, a dreary rainy day reflected on the floor of their home, the sound of distant thunder interrupting Anne’s thoughts. The past is bright and warm with sepia tones – an altogether happier place, for the most part, where music (composed by Marc Desormeaux) gently underscores each memory.

Anne’s memories are of a Shakespeare who is inarticulate when flirting, a proud but absent father, a man passionate about writing and theatre, and a man who is ultimately as spiteful as his sister. Anne is a woman who likes the company of men, who doesn’t understand her husband’s passion, and who, despite their private vow to live separate lives and to hold dear to the things they love, misses her husband’s presence. She is also a woman – as demonstrated by Ms. McKenna – who knows her own strength, and will prevail whatever the unread will reveals.

As a performer, Ms. McKenna is a dream to watch in this role. With a simple change of vocal tone she immediately illustrates the essence of each personality – Judith’s maliciousness or her father’s laughable disgust (“Shakespeare?!?”). Any mother in the audience will recognize Anne’s panic as Ms. McKenna brings a sleep-deprived first-time mother to life, and many wives may relate to Anne’s own unease in her home life – the tale of a marriage with an absentee spouse is no rarer today than it was 400 years ago. Ms. McKenna brings out of this imagined Anne her humour, her sensuality, and her pain. As the play nears an end, the fateful will is read, and although it reveals a husband more bitter than she would ever have imagined, Ms. McKenna’s final pose – as a ship’s figurehead – shows that Anne will be as ‘safe as sailing’; when the wind is up, she will move on.

It is a rare and wonderful thing to be able to see a play one has loved a second time, four years after seeing it for the first time, and see it improved. Not just a different production of the same play, but the same play, in the same theatre, with the same director, and the same actress bringing it to life. One might be tempted to think, “oh, how boring!” but this kind of statement would only demonstrate one’s ignorance. Because in the past four years, this same play has been refined by the same director, creative team and actress to within an inch of perfection, and one would be a fool of the first order to miss this production of Shakespeare’s Will. It continues in repertory at the Studio Theatre until September 2, 2011.

Review: Vimy - mired in a no-man’s land of amiguity

2011-07-11T09:00:00.006-02:00

Vimy

By Vern Thiessen

Directed by Eric Coates

Featuring Mark Crawford, Sebastien David, Meegwun Fairbrother, Greg Gale, Gil Garratt and Tova Smith

The story: In a field hospital in France four soldiers wounded at Vimy Ridge recount to their nurse how they came to be part of one of the most famous battles in Canadian WWI history, and reveal how the experience will forever change their futures.

With two family members serving in Canada’s Armed Forces and a strong respect for our military history, I expected to feel nostalgic, or patriotic at the play’s end. It is doubtful that on seeing this production anyone unfamiliar with Vimy’s role in Canadian history will attach any more significance to it. But, it turns out, patriotism and Canada’s history are not really the point of Vimy.

The play is about the individuals – Vimy Ridge is just their setting. The four soldiers and their nurse all come from different parts of Canada, and have different backgrounds, educations, religions, ethnicities and sexual orientations. Each one joins “the cause” of the war for different reasons: For country. To become a warrior. For a different life. To escape. To follow. They are a cross-section of Canadian people that in joining a bigger cause get thrown together where they might otherwise never have met - they are concentrated at one particular battle, a battle that comes to define their nation for a time – not that they will realize that for some time. But as individuals, each character remains as isolated as before, maybe more so, by the circumstances that each faces as they ready for the battle of Vimy Ridge, and from its results. As one character puts it – Vimy will forever be the “mess… stuck inside”. Each character remembers this mess both collectively and differently; this is what the playwright examines.

Memory is often slippery, and Thiessen plays with memory in a circular way. Each character is brought to the fore, slips into his past before the war, comes back to the present, and eventually each character’s story becomes bound to the others. Perhaps this is why the play felt more theatrical, and less gritty than one might expect.

Sebastien David and Meegwun Fairbrother are in particular memorable as Jean Paul Metivier and Mike Goodstriker. And as usual Blyth manages to convey a great deal of landscape with a set of simplicity and imagination. The direction does get confused between the individual and an anti-war message from time to time though, and some of the performances are slightly ambiguous. The second half of the play – particularly those parts where the soldiers are remembering the planning stages for Vimy – are more real, more visceral and therefore more moving than the more poetical first half. One just wishes the same passion could have been carried throughout the rest of the play.

There is no doubt that our veterans and military families will find much to relate to and identify with in this production of Vim, I am just not sure how much a wider audience can take away from it. Just as Thiessen demonstrates how memory is slippery, there is an undefinable something that is missing in this production of Vimy; be it the fault of the playwright or director, it is hard to tell.

Vimy continues at the Blyth Festival until August 6, 2011.

Spoke too soon?

2011-07-09T18:53:00.000-02:00

The Beacon Herald is now reporting that rumours of Cynthia Dale's return to Stratford's stages may be greatly exaggerated...

[exerpt] "Dale's manager and the Festival's Des McAnuff and Antoni Cimolino all say any announcement is a bit premature.

Her manager told The Beacon Herald there have been conversations but there is not a "done deal" as of yet."

"I can't say enough about the talents of Cynthia," said McAnuff, the Festival's artistic director.

"But we haven't signed a single contract for 2012." That was a position echoed by Cimolinio. "We will be announcing casting in the months ahead," said Cimolino, adding, "Cynthia has been a very important part of the Stratford Festival and I would love to see her back very soon."

Dale -- a "triple threat" who sings, dances and acts -- was the marquee actress for the Festival for almost a decade, but hasn't been at the Festival since 2007." - John Kastner, Managing Editor, Stratford Beacon Herald

Brian Bedford withdraws from Misanthrope for medical reasons

2011-07-05T12:35:00.003-02:00

Brian Bedford

PRESS RELEASE

July 4, 2011… The Stratford Shakespeare Festival regrets to announce that Brian Bedford has been forced to withdraw from the 2011 season for medical reasons. Mr. Bedford was to have played Oronte in The Misanthrope.

“Brian’s condition is treatable, and it is expected that he will make a full recovery,” said Artistic Director Des McAnuff. “However, it does require immediate medical attention, which means he will not be able to take part in The Misanthrope.

“I know this is a huge disappointment to Brian, as it is to all of us here, but we look forward to his return to our stages in future seasons. In the meantime, we send him our very best wishes for a speedy recovery.”

“We’re very sorry to hear of this health challenge for Brian, who is not only an immensely gifted colleague but also a dear friend,” said General Director Antoni Cimolino. “As much as we will all miss him this season, it is vitally important that he address this issue immediately, so we can go on enjoying his work and his company for many years to come.”

Mr. Bedford has just completed an enormously successful Broadway run of The Importance of Being Earnest, which he originally directed for the Festival’s 2009 season. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his portrayal of Lady Bracknell in the production.

Peter Hutt will assume the role of Oronte. He is also playing Muley Graves and the Contractor in The Grapes of Wrath. In 12 seasons at Stratford, Mr. Hutt has played a number of leading roles, including Alonso in last season’s acclaimed production of The Tempest, with Christopher Plummer. In addition to 20 seasons at the Shaw Festival, Mr. Hutt has performed across Canada and has done extensive work in film and television.

“Peter and I both went to Ryerson and he was always my favourite actor in the class. It is gratifying that we have an actor with such pedigree and of such stature ready to step into the role. I think it speaks volumes about the strength of our current acting company,” says Mr. McAnuff.

The Misanthrope, directed by David Grindley, begins previews on July 31. It opens officially on August 12 and runs to October 29, featuring Ben Carlson as Alceste, Juan Chioran as Philinte and Sara Topham as Célimène.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s 2011 season runs until October 30, featuring The Merry Wives of Windsor, Camelot, Twelfth Night, The Misanthrope, The Grapes of Wrath, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Homecoming, Richard III, Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare’s Will, The Little Years and Hosanna.

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