Just in time to kick-off the festive season, Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn begins previews November 16 on The Shaw’s Festival Theatre stage. Directed by Associate Artistic Director Kate Hennig, this fresh take on the 1942 award-winning film features some of Irving Berlin’s best-loved songs under the music direction of Paul Sportelli and with choreography by Allison Plamondon. Holiday Inn, along with The Shaw’s evergreen sell-out A Christmas Carol, are just two of the highlights celebrating the spirit of the season in picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Jim Hardy (Kyle Blair) leaves behind the bright lights of New York City showbiz and his song-and-dance partners Ted Hanover (Kyle Golemba) and Lila Dixon (Kimberley Rampersad) for a quiet Connecticut farmhouse. There he meets Linda (Kristi Frank), a tap-dancing schoolteacher who has never forgotten her stage dreams, and together they turn the rundown farmhouse into an inn like no other – open only to celebrate the special days of the calendar year. But their budding romance and the future of the inn are soon threatened by Ted and Lila’s arrival in the small town.

Judith Bowden’s set and costume designs are influenced by a nostalgic mix of Norman Rockwell and vintage greeting cards. Kevin Lamotte’s lighting and John Lott’s sound design enhance this production’s various settings and holiday homages. The Shaw’s Holiday Inn also features fight direction by Kevin Kruchkywich.

In keeping with the spirit of the season, food and money donations will be collected for Project SHARE at all Holiday Inn performances.

Holiday Inn is on stage at the Festival Theatre (10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake) from November 16 to December 22. This Shaw Festival production is proudly sponsored by Mary E. Hill, with additional support provided by its official hotel partner Vintage Hotels. 

Recommended for ages 10+. Approximate running time is 2 hours and 20 minutes, including one intermission.

For tickets, visit www.shawfest.com.