Matt Alfano

Review: FUNNY GIRL at Shaw Festival
by Michael Rabice - Jun 1, 2026

When FUNNY GIRL opened on Broadway it was a smash hit in 1964 and would jettison the career of Barbra Streisand. It became a staple on repertory companies, regional and community theatres and summer stock. But the looming memory of Streisand's iconic performance  on stage and then on screen seemed to have destined the show to be unproduceable without a genuine triple threat actress who could sing, act, AND be a comedian par excellence. It took almost 60 years for a Broadway revival to occur, and poor Beanie Feldstein was not up to the leading lady task, being replaced with the much more appropriate star Lea Michele. Once again, the tale of  Fanny Brice had resurfaced and the often comedic, often dark musical comedy has been re-introduced to audiences who can look at the piece without Streisand's interpretation burned into our memory.

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS to Make World Premiere at Shaw Festival
by A.A. Cristi - May 21, 2026

A new adaptation of THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, directed by Fiona Sauder and based on the A.A. Milne play Toad of Toad Hall, makes its world premiere at the Shaw Festival's Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre.

Canadian Premiere of JEEVES & WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE Will Come to the Shaw Festival
by Stephi Wild - May 8, 2026

The Shaw Festival's Canadian premiere of JEEVES & WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE, directed by Brendan McMurtry-Howlett, stars Damien Atkins and Jeff Irving in the Olivier award-winning P.G. Wodehouse adaptation at the Court House Theatre.

FUNNY GIRL to Open at Shaw Festival Starring Sara Farb as Fanny Brice
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 24, 2026

The Shaw Festival's production of Funny Girl, starring Sara Farb as Fanny Brice, is running at the Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON this spring.

Shaw Festival Reveals 2026 Casts And Creative Teams For FUNNY GIRL and More
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 12, 2025

The Shaw Festival has released casting and creative teams for its 2026 season, which runs April 2 through December 23 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Productions include new stagings of Amadeus, Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, and additional works across three venues.

Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS Comes to the The Shaw Festival
by Stephi Wild - Nov 7, 2025

After enchanting audiences of all ages during its 2022 Shaw Festival debut, the beloved musical invites theatregoers to once again revel in its dazzling dance numbers and festive score – featuring the timeless hit, “White Christmas”.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL and WHITE CHRISTMAS Begin at The Shaw Festival This Winter
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 16, 2025

The Shaw Festival is preparing to deck the halls once again with a pair of holiday favorites, as A Christmas Carol and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas returning this winter

Review: ANYTHING GOES at Shaw Festival
by Michael Rabice - Jul 15, 2025

Some classic musicals will live on forever thanks to that perfect blend of book, musical score,and dance. Cole Porter's ANYTHING GOES continues to enchant audiences 90 years after it's Broadway debut. Multiple versions have taken to the stage and silver screen, cementing such classics as 'You're The Top,' 'Anything Goes, ' Friendship,' and 'It's De-Lovely.'

The Shaw's Spiegeltent Returns for One Last Summer
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 20, 2025

The Spiegeltent will return to the Shaw Festival grounds for one last summer. Brought over from Belgium by The Shaw in 2023, the Spiegeltent has since become the Festival’s home for distinctive and one-of-a-kind entertainment. Learn more!

ANYTHING GOES Comes to Shaw Festival
by Stephi Wild - May 2, 2025

Cole Porter's Anything Goes, the long-running musical comedy from Broadway's Golden Age, brings its infectious melodies, bubbly charm and a dazzling display of tap dancing to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Review: ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS at Shaw Festival
by Michael Rabice - Aug 6, 2024

Who doesn't love a good belly laugh, a groan and a perpetual smile on their face for 2-1/2 hours. That's exactly what you'll be in store for when attending the joyously silly production of ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS at the Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake.

ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS To Have Shaw Festival Premiere
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 5, 2024

The Shaw Festival will present ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS, a comedy filled with mistaken identities and hilarious antics.

MY FAIR LADY to Return to The Shaw Festival This Summer
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 2, 2024

Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady, one of the most beloved musicals of all time, will return to the Shaw Festival stage. Learn how to purchase tickets!

The Shaw's 2024 Casts and Creative Teams Revealed
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 9, 2023

The cast and creative teams have been revealed for the Shaw Festival’s 62nd season.

Shaw Festival to Present Charles Dickens's A CHRISTMAS CAROL & More This Holiday Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 2, 2023

The Shaw Festival's holiday shows, including Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, are set to light up the season starting on November 5. Don't miss out on the festive playbill!

Shaw Festival Announces Casts And Creative Teams For BRIGADOON and A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 8, 2023

Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, the Shaw Festival's perennial production (and audience favourite), kicks off the holiday theatre season on November 5 at the Royal George Theatre. The seasonal celebrations continue when Lerner and Loewe's timeless musical Brigadoon conjures more magic and enchantment at the Festival Theatre on November 15.

MOTHER, DAUGHTER Kicks Off The Shaw Festival's Outdoors @ The Shaw Lineup
by Stephi Wild - Jun 7, 2023

The Shaw Festival’s Outdoors @ The Shaw returns for another year of theatre, concerts and curated experiences alfresco from June 3 to October 7 on the grounds of the Shaw Festival.  

Cast Set for GYPSY at The Shaw's Festival Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 9, 2023

It’s not a tease. Gypsy, the greatest American musical, is finally embarking on its highly anticipated run at The Shaw’s Festival Theatre beginning May 10.

Cast & Creative Teams Confirmed for Shaw Festival 2023 Season, Featuring PRINCE CASPIAN World Premiere & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 30, 2023

Artistic Director Tim Carroll has unveiled the Shaw Festival's 2023 casting and creative teams for the Festival Theatre, Royal George Theatre, Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre, BMO Stage, as well as the newly added Spiegeltent.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL and WHITE CHRISTMAS Announced For The Shaw's Holiday Season Begins
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 8, 2022

Two timeless holiday tales, guaranteed to make spirits bright in young and old alike, begin previews at The Shaw. The Festival's holiday spirits, um spirit, will take over the Royal George Theatre on November 9 with the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Irving Berlin's White Christmas, his adored musical homage to romance and snow, follows merrily along on November 18 at the Festival Theatre.