THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD Comes to the Shaw Festival
Jackie Maxwell returns to the Shaw Festival to direct The Playboy of the Western World – the play that stoked the fires of Irish nationalism and sparked the infamous Dublin “Playboy Riots” of 1907. Previews of J.M. Synge's funny and enthralling masterwork of the Irish Literary Renaissance begins May 25 in the theatre named after The Shaw's former A.D. – the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL and WHITE CHRISTMAS Announced For The Shaw's Holiday Season Begins
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.
DAMN YANKEES, GASLIGHT & TOO TRUE TO BE GOOD Coming to The Shaw Festival
The Shaw Festival’s 60th season will continue with performances of the romantic musical comedy Damn Yankees, psychological thriller Gaslight and surreal tour de force Too True to Be Good. All three shows will begin welcoming audiences to preview performances in the coming days and weeks.
Celebrate The Most Wonderful Times Of The Year With Irving Berlin's HOLIDAY INN
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.
THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Comes to the Shaw Festival
Craig Hall directs the Canadian premiere of R. Hamilton Wright and David Pichette's new adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic Victorian whodunit The Hound of the Baskervilles. Twist after suspenseful twist will keep audiences on the edge of their seats until the final curtain. Tinged with the familiar Sherlockian wit, this deliciously dark thriller begins previews on August 1 at the Festival Theatre.
LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN Begins Performances at Shaw Festival
Wilde's early play has the wit of his later comedies, but also probes the complexities and darker desires of the human heart. Lady Windermere (Marla McLean), a young woman recently married into the aristocracy, is preparing for her birthday party. Although deeply in love with her husband Lord Windermere (Martin Happer), she is troubled by his relationship with the mysterious Mrs. Erlynne (Tara Rosling) and vulnerable to the advances of the charismatic Lord Darlington (Gray Powell). Society's high veneer of elegance and propriety threatens to crack as secrets from the past are revealed - only to be quickly suppressed.
HELEN'S NECKLACE Begins Previews at the Studio Theatre
Award-winning Canadian playwright Carole Frechette's eloquently impressionistic drama Helen's Necklace began previews Sunday at the Shaw Festival's Studio Theatre. Translated from French by celebrated playwright John Murrell and directed by Micheline Chevrier, it is the first Canadian play to be produced as part of The Shaw's Studio Theatre contemporary Shavian series.
COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA Begins Shaw Festival Previews
Come Back, Little Sheba, the heartfelt drama that launched William Inge's career and became a Broadway hit, begins previews today at the Shaw Festival's Royal George Theatre. Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell directs this powerful portrayal of flawed humanity and the enduring power of love. With this production, she adds a third work (Picnic (2001), Bus Stop (2005)) by the writer known as the "Playwright of the Midwest" to her directorial repertoire at The Shaw.