Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, November 1, 2011…Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell proudly announced the casting and creative teams for the three plays featured next season on The Shaw’s Festival Theatre stage. In making the announcement, Ms Maxwell noted: “I am so inspired by the range of talent we’ve assembled to make up our 2012 Ensemble. This extraordinary group of artists will bring to life the vivid contemporary ideas of each and every playwright whose work we are proudly presenting.”
Thom Allison & Kate Hennig return to lead strong cast in Ragtime
After a successful run on Broadway in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Thom Allison returns to The Shaw to play Coalhouse Walker Jr. in the Terrence McNally/Lynn Ahrens/Stephen Flaherty musical epic Ragtime. He last appeared at The Shaw in the 2008 production of A Little Night Music. Kate Hennig, who wowed Broadway and Toronto audiences in Billy Elliott, returns to The Shaw after a seven year (2005, Gypsy) absence to appear as Emma Goldman. They are joined by Patty Jamieson as Mother, Jay Turvey as Tateh, Benedict Campbell as Father, Alana Hibbert as Sarah, Julie Martell as Evelyn Nesbitt and Evan Alexander Smith as Younger Brother.
Ragtime
Previews – April 10 Opens – May 26 Closes – October 14
Book by Terrence McNally, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty
Sponsored by TD Bank Group
Directed by Jackie Maxwell, musical direction by Paul Sportelli, choreography by Valerie Moore, designed by Sue LePage, lighting design by Alan Brodie, sound design by John Lott and projection design by Sean Nieuwenhuis.
Nicole Underhay flanked by impressive ensemble in His Girl Friday
Returning for her sixth season at The Shaw, Nicole Underhay portrays ace reporter Hildebrand ‘Hildy” Johnson. Benedict Campbell is the irascible editor Walter Burns, with Neil Barclay, Kevin Bundy, Kevin Hanchard, Peter Krantz, Ric Reid and Jeff Meadows filling up the newsroom as fellow hack reporters and visitors.
His Girl Friday
Previews – June 10 Opens – July 7 Closes – October 5
Adapted by John Guare, from The Front Page by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur and the Columbia Pictures film His Girl Friday
Directed by Jim Mezon, designed by Peter Hartwell, lighting design by Kevin Lamotte and original music and sound design by John Gzowski.
Present Laughter brings O’Connell and Sutcliffe back together again
They first appeared as adversaries in the 2010 production of An Ideal Husband, then in the 2011 season they were stranded on an island together in The Admirable Crichton. In 2012, Moya O’Connell and Steven Sutcliffe will delight audiences again when they appear together in Noël Coward’s classic comedy, Present Laughter. Steven Sutcliffe will add the celebrated role of Garry Essendine to his long list of credits and will also be joined on stage by Claire Jullien and Mary Haney along with Patrick McManus, Gray Powell, Julia Course, Jonathan Tan and Jennifer Phipps.
Present Laughter
Previews – May 3 Opens – May 23 Closes – October 28
by Noël Coward
Directed by David Schurmann, designed by William Schmuck and lighting design by Kevin Lamotte.
Casting for the Court House Theatre, Royal George Theatre and Studio Theatre will be announced at a later date.
The Shaw Festival welcomes and acknowledges the generous support of the following sponsors for the 2012 Season:
Major Sponsor
Official Payment Card - Visa Infinite
Major Supporter
The Slaight Family Academy - The Slaight Family Foundation
Production Sponsors
Ragtime – TD Bank Group
Misalliance – Scotiabank Group
The Millionairess – PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Trouble in Tahiti – Vintage Hotels
Helen’s Necklace – Paradigm Capital Inc.
Project Sponsors
Arts Accessibility Program – Sun Life Financial
Education Partner – Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life
Apprenticeship Program – RBC
Product Sponsors
Inniskillin Winery
Jackson Triggs Niagara Estate Winery
Peller Estates
Tickets for the Shaw Festival’s 51st season will go on sale to Shaw Festival Members on November 5. Visa Infinite cardholders can purchase tickets before the general public by phone and online beginning December 3. Tickets to the general public go on sale January 9 and can be ordered by mail, fax or online at www.shawfest.com. Tickets orders by phone or in person will be accepted beginning January 14. Ticket prices range from $24 to $30 for youth, $41 to $45 for seniors and $32 to $110 for regular priced tickets. To become a Member and order tickets now, call 1-800-511-7429.
*Information accurate as of November 1, 2011
In the spirit of Bernard Shaw, the Shaw Festival provokes the mind and stirs the soul through a theatre experience so compelling that, year after year, ever-broadening groups of artists, audiences and supporters are drawn to our work in Niagara-on-the-Lake and beyond.
2011-11-01
Niagara-on-the-Lake: Shaw Festival casts principal roles for 2012 Festival Theatre productions