Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The delightful musical-comedy Me and My Girl launches Tim Carroll’s first season as the Shaw Festival’s artistic director. Ashlie Corcoran, former Shaw Festival intern director and Dora-nominated artistic director of Thousand Islands Playhouse, directs this award-winning musical. Brilliantly updated by Stephen Fry and chock-full of infectious songs like The Lambeth Walk and Leaning on a Lamp Post, along with toe-tapping dance numbers, Me and My Girl takes on the class system with charm, cheekiness and a dash of Cockney sass.
The Shaw’s production of Me and My Girl is a mash-up of design and musical styles. Set design by Drew Facey and costume design by Sue LePage, along with lighting design by Kevin Lamotte, evoke a contemporary feel, while paying homage to Me and My Girl’s 1930s British origins. Music director Paul Sportelli and sound designer John Lott rouse the authentic sound of the Thirties, while choreographer Parker Esse’s entertaining and engaging routines feature the era’s dance form of choice — tap.
The fun and witty musical follows Bill Snibson (Michael Therriault), a proud Cockney and newly discovered fourteenth Earl of Hareford, who’s torn between duty and love. He faces a heart wrenching decision – change and fit in with his new aristocratic family or say good-bye forever to his sweetheart Sally Smith (Kristi Frank), the fishmonger's assistant.
Me and My Girl is on stage at the Festival Theatre (10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake) from April 5 to October 15 (opening May 27).
This production is proudly sponsored by TD Bank Group and the William and Nona Macdonald Heaslip Foundation.
Cast (in alphabetical order):
Neil Barclay, Charles Hethersett
Donna Belleville, Lady Clara Battersby
Kyle Blair, The Honourable Gerald Bolingbroke
Julia Course, The Honourable Mary Miles
Starr Domingue, Mrs Celia Worthington-Worthington
Sharry Flett, Maria, Duchess of Dene
Kristi Frank, Sally Smith
Élodie Gillett, Lady Jacqueline Carstone
Jeff Irving, Constable
Patty Jamieson, Mrs Anastasia Brown
Jonah McIntosh,
Ric Reid, Sir John Tremayne
Kiera Sangster, Sophia Stainsley-Asherton
Jeremiah Sparks, Sir Jasper Tring
Jacqueline Thair
Michael Therriault, Bill Snibson
Jay Turvey, Parchester
Jenny L. Wright, Lady Brighton
Shawn Wright, Lord Frederic Battersby
Creative & Production:
Ashlie Corcoran, Director
Paul Sportelli, Music Director
Parker Esse, Choreographer
Drew Facey, Set Designer
Sue LePage, Costume Designer
Kevin Lamotte, Lighting Designer
John Lott, Sound Designer
Dora Tomassi, Stage Manager
About Me and My Girl
Book and Lyrics by L. Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber
Book revised by Stephen Fry, with contributions by Mike Ockrent
Music by Noel Gay
The Shaw Festival’s 2017 season is on stage April 5 through October 15. The playbill features Me and My Girl, Saint Joan, Dracula, 1837: The Farmers’ Revolt, Androcles and the Lion, Wilde Tales, The Madness of George III, Dancing at Lughnasa, An Octoroon, Middletown, 1979 and Secret Theatre.
Direct bus service from Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake on the Shaw Express begins April 5. Patrons can choose to come for one day or stay for the weekend with a round trip costing $25. A ticket to a 2017 Shaw Festival performance is required to access this service.
Tickets for the 2017 Festival season and Shaw Express are available through the Box Office at 1-800-511-SHAW and online at www.shawfest.com.
2017-04-04
Niagara-on-the-Lake: Previews begin for the musical "Me and My Girl" at the Shaw Festival