Canada's Stratford Festival is Now Underway in 55th Season

The Stratford Festival of Canada has opened its 55th season.  As is the tradition at Stratford, eight shows opened over the past week and will continue to play in repertory throughout the summer and fall.

The season began with King Lear, featuring Brian Bedford, and Othello, with Philip Akin and Jonathan Goad. Also opening is a new production of The Merchant of Venice, with Graham Greene as Shylock. Greene, nominated for an Oscar for the role of Kicking Bird in Dances with Wolves, was seen more recently in the hit indie film Transamerica, with Felicity Huffman.

The Shakespearean element of the Festival's Family Experience is present in The Comedy of Errors, directed by Richard Monette in his final year as artistic director.  Also for theater-goers of all ages, the Festival offers a new version of To Kill a Mockingbird, with veteran actor Peter Donaldson as Atticus Finch.

Stratford is also presenting the musicals Oklahoma! and My One and Only, Festival's biggest tap musical ever.  Also being presented is Australian Lucy Peacock's one-woman show The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead. 

The Stratford Festival opens the Steinbeck classic Of Mice and Men, with Graham Greene as Lennie, on June 21. Shakespeare's Will, a one-woman show featuring Seana McKenna as Anne Hathaway opens July 7.

The season continues to unfold with another series of openings from Aug. 8-11: The Odyssey, a Caribbean retelling of Homer's epic tale; A Delicate Balance by Edward Albee; the Eastern European drama Pentecost; and Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband.

Shows play in repertory until Nov. 4.

Visit www.stratfordfestival.ca for more information.