Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Things are really starting to hum at the Stratford Festival as our many talented artisans return to create the theatrical magic that will light up our stages come spring.
“This is one of the most exciting times of the year,” says Executive Director Anita Gaffney. “Our design office and workshops are filling up as our masterful artists begin to make the dreams of the coming season a reality. I just took a walk through props and wardrobe and came away with a huge grin on my face. The creativity on display is truly off the charts! Tickets are still available at a 25% discount, but only through next Monday, so now is the time to contact the box office for a great deal on some wonderful shows. ”
Donna Feore’s production of Guys and Dolls has its first rehearsal on Monday, in preparation for previews beginning on April 15. There are sequins and ruffles on the wardrobe work tables as the cutters and sewers launch into making costume designer Dana Osborne’s fun, colourful costumes for the Hot Box Girls, Miss Adelaide’s back-up singers down at the club. Over in the prop and scene shops, artisans are busy bringing set designer Michael Gianfrancesco’s vision to life, creating all the spectacular pieces needed for the glorious production numbers, including a giant egg that holds a very special surprise!
The season’s fabulous family show, Treasure Island, directed by Mitchell Cushman, is second to hit the stage, with previews beginning on April 22. A fantastical tropical world of pirates and treasure chests is in the making, featuring evocative sets by designer Douglas Paraschuk – including an enormous tree from which incredible acrobatic feats will be presented. Costume designer Charlotte Dean’s creations include a number of costumes for the world-famous pirate Long John Silver. And his squawking parrot will be a surefire hit with the kids: our prop masters are busy creating a fully mechanized bird that will speak, move and even fly through the auditorium!
The workshops will soon be buzzing with even more productions, including Shakespeare’s tragic love story, Romeo and Juliet, Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular musical, HMS Pinafore, and 10 more productions that will make for an incredible season.
Now is the time to book your trip to Stratford! This is the last week to take advantage of Early Bird Pricing, which allows you to save as much as 25% on tickets for the 2017 season. The discount ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, February 6. Visit www.stratfordfestival.ca or call 1.800.567.1600 to book your tickets. Make sure a visit to the Stratford Festival is part of your plan to celebrate Canada 150.
The Stratford Festival’s 2017 season runs from April 15 to October 29, featuring Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, Timon of Athens, Guys and Dolls, HMS Pinafore, Treasure Island, The School for Scandal, The Changeling, Bakkhai, Tartuffe, The Madwoman of Chaillot, The Komagata Maru Incident, The Virgin Trial and The Breathing Hole.
Illustration: Costume sketch for Guys and Dolls. ©2017 Dana Osborne.
2017-01-31
Stratford: Artisans hard at work on 2017 season - early bird pricing ends on February 6