Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto, ON–A case of mistaken identity ends in hilarity. A case of mistaken intent results in war. Canadian Stage’s Shakespeare in High Park returns this summer for its 33rd season with two of Shakespeare’s great "Roman" plays on alternating nights throughout the summer: the fast-moving, delightful The Comedy of Errors, and the classic tragedy, Julius Caesar. Outdoors and under the stars, the plays run on alternate nights from July 2 to Sept. 6, Tuesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. Each performance is pay-what-you-can, with a suggested minimum donation of $20. The productions are presented by Canadian Stage in collaboration with the Department of Theatre in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, York University.
“Shakespeare in High Park continues to be one of the definitive experiences of a Toronto summer,” said Matthew Jocelyn, artistic and general director, Canadian Stage. “Since we launched the repertory format, the program has continued to hit milestones in audience and critical response. This year Toronto theatre audiences can continue their love affair with the enchanting experience of live theatre under the stars with this distinctive pairing of ‘Roman’ plays – The Comedy of Errors and Julius Caesar. We are also very excited to introduce our audiences to the amazing talent of the artists set to graduate this year from York University’s MFA Program in Stage Direction in Collaboration with Canadian Stage: Matjash Mrozewski (an internationally recognized choreographer who trained at the National Ballet School) and Estelle Shook (former artistic director of the Caravan Farm Theatre and 2011 director of The Winter’s Tale at Shakespeare in High Park for Canadian Stage). It’s going to be a captivating summer of theatre.”
One of several plays written by Shakespeare based on true events from Roman history, Julius Caesar is the classic tragedy and cautionary tale of the rise and fall of Julius Caesar (Allan Louis), the betrayal of Brutus (Sean Baek), and the political machinations of Mark Antony (Dylan Trowbridge). Opposing dictatorship and republicanism, private virtue and group violence, Shakespeare’s tense drama reveals the emotional currents that flow between men in power with themes that still resonate today. As Canada gears up for a Federal election of its own, director Estelle Shook’s production will be a dialogue with the audience about authority, citizenship, and responsibility in which the formality of the Roman period will collide with a contemporary sensibility.
The perfect counterbalance to the intensity of Caesar, The Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeare’s most uproarious plays. Take one pair of estranged twin brothers - both called Antipholus (Kyle Golemba and Dylan Trowbridge) - and one pair of estranged twin servants - both called Dromio (Jessica Greenberg and Naomi Wright) - keep them in ignorance of each other and throw them into a city with a reputation for sorcery, and you have all the ingredients for a theatrical maelstrom. Director Matjash Mrozewski sets his sparkling production in 19th century Venice, offering a comedy that is both wonderfully hilarious and charmingly romantic.
Performed in repertory and sharing the same 12-person cast, actors transition from comedy to tragedy night after night. Members of the company include: Christopher Allen*, Dalal Badr, Sean Baek, Allegra Fulton, Soo Garay*, Kyle Golemba, Jessica Greenberg, Randi Helmers, Allan Louis, Michael McManus, Dylan Trowbridge, and Naomi Wright. (*Current students in York University’s undergraduate and graduate acting program, respectively).
Building on the Shakespeare in High Park collaboration established in previous seasons, the creative team includes talent from York’s theatre department. This year directing students Mrozewski and Shook take the helm under the mentorship of Peter Hinton, who acts as lead Canadian Stage mentor for the MFA program, and to close the 15.16 season they will direct the double bill Botticelli in the Fire & Sunday in Sodom by Jordan Tannahill, two works commissioned by Canadian Stage. Lighting design for the Shakespeare in High park shows is by Brad Trenaman, a current MFA candidate in York’s Graduate Program in Theatre Design.
Continuing a series of new initiatives implemented last season, Canadian Stage offers a limited number of advance premium seat reservations online and the option to pay with debit or credit at the entrance. Backstage tours, youth nights and pre-show workshops for groups are also available. Details are available at canadianstage.com. Pack a picnic and enjoy a night in the park!
Julius Caesar runs from July 2 to Sept. 5 with performances on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8 p.m. Opening night will be July 16 with previews July 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, and 14. The Comedy of Errors runs from July 3 to Sept. 6 with performances on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 8 p.m. Opening night will be July 17 with previews July 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 15. Both performances run approximately 90 minutes without intermission at the High Park Amphitheatre.
Facebook: Canadian Stage
Twitter: @CanadianStage
Twitter Hashtag: #SiHP; #csCaesar; #csComedy
About Julius Caesar: Opening night July 16 to Sept. 5
Creative Team
Director -Estelle Shook
Assistant Director - Clive Mathibe*
About The Comedy of Errors: Opening night July 17 to Sept. 6
Creative Team
Director - Matjash Mrozewski
Assistant Director - Neil Silcox
Shows and Tickets:
15.16 subscriptions and single tickets are currently on sale with 6-show packages starting from $180 and full season 13-show packages starting from $360. Single tickets start at $30. Subscriptions and tickets may be purchased by phone at 416.368.3110 or in-person at the Canadian Stage Box Office: Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley St.). Full details on the production, casting and ticket sales are available online at canadianstage.com
2015-06-02
Toronto: Canadian Stage presents "Julius Caesar" and "The Comedy of Errors" in High Park