Shaw Festival's MISALLIANCE Previews Tonight at the Royal George Theatre

Misalliance, Bernard Shaw's cheeky social examination of Darwin's idea of Natural Selection and familial affiliations, previews today at the Royal George Theatre.

Director Eda Holmes, whose Cat on a Hot Tin Roof captivated audiences last season, transports Shaw's country weekend from the Edwardian period to 1962 - the dawn of that revolutionary decade and the year the Shaw Festival was established. Her approach draws on social parallels between the Edwardian era and last century's decade of social shifts - new and radical societal aftershocks which are still felt to the present day. The Shaw Festival's production of Misalliance features Thom Marriott as John Tarleton, Catherine McGregor as Mrs. Tarleton, Krista Colosimo as Hypatia, Wade Bogert-O'Brien as Joey Percival and Peter Krantz as Lord Summerhays, with Jeff Meadows, Craig Pike, Tara Rosling and Ben Sanders.

Hypatia is a bored heiress trapped in an unhappy engagement who longs to be "an active verb". To her delight, a plane crashes into the conservatory, bringing a handsome man, a female daredevil and all kinds of new ideas that shake up a quiet weekend in the country. A glowing example of Shaw's unique examination of marriage, the emerging New Woman and, ultimately, the ups and downs of just being human.

Production credits for Misalliance include set and costume design by Judith Bowden, lighting design by Bonnie Beecher and original music by John Gzowski. The stage management team includes Stage Manager Meredith Macdonald and Assistant Stage Manager Barry Burns.

This season marks the play's sixth appearance at the Shaw Festival, following productions in 1966, 1972, 1980, 1990 and 2003.

Misalliance begins preview performances Thursday, April 19, opens Friday, May 25 and plays in repertory until Saturday, October 27. Misalliance is sponsored by Scotiabank®.

The Shaw Festival's 2012 season began April 10, 2012, runs until October 28, 2012 and proudly features 11 productions presented on the Festival's four Niagara-on-the-Lake stages. For more information on our 2012 season, performance schedule and ticket information, please visit www.shawfest.com.