A collection of eccentrics sashay through the revolving doors of the Grand Hotel as the Golden Twenties in Weimar Berlin comes alluringly to life in the Shaw Festival's main stage musical Grand Hotel. Directed by Eda Holmes, with music direction by Paul Sportelli and choreography by Parker Esse, Grand Hotel soars with song and dance encapsulating the era's zest for life. Grand Hotel begins previews May 3 at the Festival Theatre.
It's 1928 Berlin. Optimism and champagne flow. The lives of the Grand Hotel's guests - the aging prima ballerina (
Deborah Hay), penniless Baron (
James Daly), dying bookkeeper (
Michael Therriault), Colonel-Doctor (
Steven Sutcliffe), businessman (
Jay Turvey) and ambitious typist (
Vanessa Sears) - collide over one unforgettable night.
Judith Bowden's set and costume designs harken back to the opulence and extravagance of 1928 Berlin. Costume designs echo the styles of the era's fashionistas creating the glamorous playground of the privileged. Kevin Fraser's lighting design and
John Lott's sound design complete the transformation of the Festival Theatre's stage to a lavish Berlin hotel.
Grand Hotel is on stage at the
Festival Theatre (
10 Queen's Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake) from May 3 to October 14 (Media Premiere May 23). It is proudly sponsored by TD Bank Group.
Book by Luther Davis, music and lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest, based on Vicki Baum's Grand Hotel. By arrangement with Turner Broadcasting Co., owner of the motion picture Grand Hotel. Additional music and lyrics by Maury Yeston.
The Shaw Festival's 2018 season is on stage April 4 with a playbill that features
The Magician's Nephew,
Grand Hotel,
Mythos: A Trilogy - Gods. Heroes. Men.,
The Hound of the Baskervilles,
Stage Kiss,
Of Marriage and Men: A Comedy Double-Bill,
O'Flaherty V.C.,
Oh What a Lovely War,
The Orchard (After Chekhov),
The Baroness and the Pig,
Henry V,
Secret Theatre and
A Christmas Carol (on stage November 14 - December 23).
Direct bus service from Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake on the
Shaw Express begins April 4. Patrons can choose to come for a day or stay for the weekend with a round trip costing $25. New this season: the Shaw Express will stay for two performances on some Saturdays - departing Toronto at 10 a.m. and leaving The Shaw at 11 p.m. Schedule is subject to change. Please confirm dates and times with the Shaw Festival Box Office. A ticket to a 2018 Shaw Festival performance is required to access this service.
To purchase tickets for the 2018 Festival season and Shaw Express, please contact the Shaw Festival Box Office at 1-800-511-SHAW and online at
www.shawfest.com.
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