Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The Shaw Festival’s Artistic Director Tim Carroll announces the 2019 ensemble.
“I could afford to be bold in my play choices in 2019 because of the incredible Ensemble here: I have worked all over the world, but I have never been blessed with such a strong group of actors. They can dance; they can sing; they are great comedians; they can break your heart. Most of all, they are masters of language,” says Tim Carroll. “We hope you’ll join us next season to revel at the brilliance of these talented artists.”
FESTIVAL THEATRE
THE HORSE AND HIS BOY
By C.S. Lewis
Adapted for the stage by Anna Chatterton
Directed by Christine Brubaker
Designed by Jennifer Goodman
Lighting designed by Siobhán Sleath
Projections designed by Cameron Davis
Original music and sound designed by Deanna Choi
Movement and puppetry direction by Alexis Milligan
Previews April 6 ◆ Closes July 21
After travelling between the worlds in this season’s The Magician’s Nephew, the Shaw Festival returns to Narnia during the reign of the Pevensie children. Set entirely in the magical realm of Narnia, The Horse and His Boy follows the adventures of Shasta (Matt Nethersole) and his talking horse Bree (Jay Turvey) as they flee a life of servitude. They soon find themselves paired with another duo including a second verbally gifted horse Hwin (Kristi Frank) in a fight to save Narnia. And no trip to the magical realm is complete without Aslan the Lion (Jenny L. Wright).
The Horse and His Boy also features David Ball, Jane Johanson, Krystal Kiran, Madelyn Kriese, George Krissa, Julie Lumsden, Stewart Adam McKensy, Drew Plummer, Genny Sermonia and Jacqueline Thair.
Age Recommendation: Grade 1+
The Horse and His Boy is sponsored by Hummel Properties Inc. with additional support provided by Children and Family Program Supporter Christopher & Jeanne Jennings.
Lerner and Loewe’s
BRIGADOON
Book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, music by Frederick Loewe
Original dances created by Agnes DeMille
Revised book by Brian Hill
Directed by Glynis Leyshon
Music direction by Paul Sportelli
Choreography by Linda Garneau
Set designed by Pam Johnson
Costumes designed by Sue LePage
Lighting designed by Kevin Lamotte
Projections designed by
Corwin Ferguson
Sound designed by John Lott
Previews May 5 ◆ Closes October 13
Travelers Tommy Albright (George Krissa) and Jeff Douglas (Mike Nadajewski) stumble into Brigadoon, a Scottish town that only appears one day, once a century. The town is bustling with Charlie Dalrymple’s (Matt Nethersole) upcoming nuptials which cause headaches for Archie Beaton (Michael Therriault) whose son is in love with the bride. The local lasses Fiona MacLaren (Alexis Gordon) and Meg Brockie (Kristi Frank) make merry with the visitors who soon find themselves smitten with the town and the women.
Brigadoon also features David Ball, Peter Fernandes, Kyle Golemba, Patty Jamieson, Jane Johanson, Krystal Kiran, Madelyn Kriese, Julie Lumsden, Marie Mahabal, Stewart Adam McKensy, Peter Millard, Drew Plummer, Travis Seetoo, Genny Sermonia, Gabriella Sundar Singh, Jacqueline Thair, Jay Turvey, Kelly Wong and Jenny L. Wright.
Age Recommendation: Grade 4+
THE LADYKILLERS
By Graham Linehan
From the motion picture screenplay by William Rose
By special arrangement with Studiocanal
In association with Fiery Angel, London
Directed by Tim Carroll
Designed by Judith Bowden
Lighting designed by Kevin Lamotte
Original music by Paul Sportelli
Previews June 11 ◆ Closes October 12
Based on one of the best-loved British films of all time, the North American premiere of this comedy tour-de-force about a group of would-be murderers trying to kill one little old lady stars Damien Atkins as Professor Marcus and Chick Reid as Mrs. Wilberforce.
The Ladykillers also features Kristopher Bowman, Fiona Byrne, Martin Happer, Andrew Lawrie, Steven Sutcliffe, Ric Reid and Tara Rosling.
Age Recommendation: Grade 7+
The Ladykillers is sponsored by the William & Nona Macdonald Heaslip Foundation.
MAN AND SUPERMAN with DON JUAN IN HELL
By Bernard Shaw
Special Event
Directed by Kimberley Rampersad
Designed by Camellia Koo
Lighting designed by Kevin Lamotte
Previews August 17 ◆ Closes October 5
John Tanner (Gray Powell) doesn’t want to get married, least of all to Ann Whitefield (Sara Topham). And yet something seems to be making it inevitable. Bernard Shaw’s joyous, life-affirming comedy includes Kyle Blair as the smitten Octavius, Martha Burns as anarchist Mendoza and The Devil, and Tom McCamus as the self-made man Malone.
Man and Superman with Don Juan in Hell also features David Adams, Sharry Flett, Jeff Irving, Claire Jullien, Sanjay Talwar and Shauna Thompson.
With only 17 performances, Man and Superman with Don Juan in Hell is a limited engagement special event with a luncheon interlude featuring farm-to-table menus from Niagara’s finest chefs, paired with regional wines.
Age Recommendation: Grade 9+
Man and Superman with Don Juan in Hell is sponsored by Tim & Frances Price and Corinne & Victor Rice with additional support from the Andy Pringle Creative Reserve.
ROYAL GEORGE THEATRE
The Royal George Theatre is sponsored by CIBC.
ROPE
By Patrick Hamilton
Directed by Jani Lauzon
Designed by Joanna Yu
Lighting designed by Louise Guinand
Original music and sound designed by
John Gzowski
Previews April 12 ◆ Closes October 12
Two college students – Wyndham Brandon (Kelly Wong) and Charles Granillo (Travis Seetoo) – in 1920s London commit murder and host a party for the victim’s friends including their former prep school headmaster (Michael Therriault) with the hidden body as the centerpiece… just to see if they can pull it off.
Rope also features Kyle Golemba, Alexis Gordon, Patty Jamieson and Peter Millard.
Age Recommendation: Grade 9+
Rope is sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
GETTING MARRIED
By Bernard Shaw
Directed by Tanja Jacobs
Designed by Shannon Lea Doyle
Lighting designed by André du Toit
Original music and sound designed by
James Bunton
Previews May 10 ◆ Closes October 13
They were supposed to tie the knot. But a pamphlet has arrived warning them of the dangers of getting married. So now they’ve called it off, sending the entire family into a frenzied, fireworks-filled debate about marriage, society’s best-loved institution. Showcasing Bernard Shaw’s signature wit are Martin Happer as General Bridgenorth, Marla McLean as Mrs. George Collins, Tara Rosling as Lesbia Grantham, Ben Sanders as St. John Hotchkiss, Graeme Somerville as Bishop Chelsea and Steven Sutcliffe as Reginald Bridgenorth.
Getting Married also features Damien Atkins, Katherine Gauthier, Cameron Grant, Andrew Lawrie, Monice Peter and Chick Reid.
Age Recommendation: Grade 9+
THE RUSSIAN PLAY
By Hannah Moscovitch
Lunchtime One-Act
Directed by Diana Donnelly
Designed by Gillian Gallow
Lighting designed by Michelle Ramsay
Music direction by Ryan deSouza
Movement direction by Esie Mensah
Previews June 8 ◆ Closes October 12
This story of a small-town flower girl’s ill-fated love with a gravedigger features Gabriella Sundar Singh as Sonya and Peter Fernandes as Piotr, along with Marie Mahabal and Mike Nadajewski.
Mature Content
Age Recommendation: Grade 9+
CYRANO DE BERGERAC
By Edmond Rostand
Translated and adapted for the stage by Kate Hennig
Directed by Chris Abraham
Designed by Julie Fox
Lighting designed by Kimberly Purtell
Original music and sound designed by
Thomas Ryder Payne
Previews July 27 ◆ Closes October 20
Cyrano de Bergerac (Tom Rooney) is a swashbuckling 17th century swordsman who can do anything … except tell Roxane (Deborah Hay), the woman he loves, how he feels. He’s just too self-conscious about his unusually large nose. Roxane is in love with words, so when Cyrano is offered the chance to ghost-write love letters to her from Christian (Jeff Irving) an inarticulate, love-struck cadet, he takes it.
Cyrano de Bergerac also features David Adams, Kyle Blair, Sharry Flett, Patrick Galligan, Claire Jullien, Emily Lukasik, Michael Man, Marla McLean and Kiera Sangster.
Age Recommendation: Grade 9+
Cyrano de Bergerac is sponsored by James & Diane King.
JACKIE MAXWELL STUDIO THEATRE
The Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre is sponsored by Paradigm Capital Inc.
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
By Tennessee Williams
Directed by László Bérczes
Set designed by Bálazs Cziegler
Costumes designed by Hanne Loosen
Lighting designed by Mikael Kangas
Previews May 22 ◆ Closes October 12
In his autobiographical masterpiece, Tennessee Williams – Tom (André Sills) – recalls growing up in the Depression-era Midwest with his shy sister (Julia Course) and their overbearing mother (Pamela Sinha). A gentleman caller (Jonathan Tan) seems to offer the chance of a new life – perhaps for all of them.
Age Recommendation: Grade 9+
The Glass Menagerie is sponsored by James F. Brown.
SEX
By Mae West
Directed by Peter Hinton
Designed by Eo Sharp
Lighting designed by Bonnie Beecher
Music direction by Ryan deSouza
Movement direction by Alexis Milligan
Previews June 21 ◆ Closes October 13
Margy LaMont (Diana Donnelly), a quick-witted, sharp-tongued prostitute in Roaring Twenties Montreal who is looking for a better life. When she meets Jimmy Stanton (Julia Course), a rich and ardent young lover, she seems to have hit the jackpot. The trouble is he doesn’t know the truth about her, but his mother (Fiona Byrne) is well aware of his new girlfriend’s business.
Sex also features Kristopher Bowman, Katherine Gauthier, Cameron Grant, Monice Peter, Ben Sanders, André Sills, Pamela Sinha, Graeme Somerville, Ric Reid and Jonathan Tan.
Age Recommendation: Grade 9+
VICTORY
By Howard Barker
Directed by Tim Carroll
Designed by Rachel Forbes
Lighting designed by Kevin Lamotte
Original music and sound designed by
Claudio Vena
Movement direction by Esie Mensah
Previews July 14 ◆ Closes October 12
Brutal and brilliant, this controversial play by Howard Barker is set in the aftermath of Charles II’s Restoration on the throne of England. Mrs. Bradshaw (Martha Burns), a 17th century widow, is fighting to give her puritan husband a proper burial — but to achieve this, she must take on a world where base instincts are rampant and language is wielded as a weapon. This powerhouse cast features Sara Topham as Devonshire, Patrick Galligan as Scrope, Gray Powell as Ponting, Tom Rooney as Ball and Tom McCamus as Charles Stuart.
Victory also features Deborah Hay, Emily Lukasik, Michael Man, Kiera Sangster, Sanjay Talwar and Shauna Thompson.
Warning: Victory is deliberately offensive. The playwright brilliantly explores the use of language as a weapon. It is not for the squeamish and contains very strong language.
Age Recommendation: Grade 12+
Casting for Holiday Inn and A Christmas Carol will be announced in 2019. Tickets for the 2019 season, including the holiday productions, will be available through the Box Office at 1-800-511-SHAW (7429) and online at www.shawfest.com. The Shaw Festival’s 2019 season goes on sale to Friends of The Shaw beginning November 3 and to the public on December 8. Patrons wishing to get front-of-the-line access to tickets can visit www.shawfest.com or call 1-800-657-1106;2556 to become Friends of The Shaw.
About the Shaw Festival
Inspired by the spirit of Bernard Shaw, the Shaw Festival creates unforgettable theatrical encounters in any way we want. The Shaw Festival is a place where people who are curious about the world gather to share the unique experience of live theatre and real human encounters. For more information, please visit www.shawfest.com.
2018-11-01
Niagara-on-the-Lake: Shaw Festival reveals 2019 casting