Musical Comedy ME AND MY GIRL to Launch Tim Carroll's First Shaw Festival Season

The delightful musical-comedy Me and My Girl launches Tim Carroll's first season as the Shaw Festival's artistic director.

Ashlie Corcoran, former Shaw Festival intern director and Dora-nominated artistic director of Thousand Islands Playhouse, directs this award-winning musical. Brilliantly updated by Stephen Fry and chock-full of infectious songs like The Lambeth Walk and Leaning on a Lamp Post, along with toe-tapping dance numbers, Me and My Girl takes on the class system with charm, cheekiness and a dash of Cockney sass.

The Shaw's production of Me and My Girl is a mash-up of design and musical styles. Set design by Drew Facey and costume design by Sue LePage, along with lighting design by Kevin Lamotte, evoke a contemporary feel, while paying homage to Me and My Girl's 1930s British origins. Music director Paul Sportelli and sound designer John Lott rouse the authentic sound of the Thirties, while choreographer Parker Esse's entertaining and engaging routines feature the era's dance form of choice - tap.

The fun and witty musical follows Bill Snibson (Michael Therriault), a proud Cockney and newly discovered fourteenth Earl of Hareford, who's torn between duty and love. He faces a heart wrenching decision - change and fit in with his new aristocratic family or say good-bye forever to his sweetheart Sally Smith (Kristi Frank), the fishmonger's assistant.

Me and My Girl is on stage at the Festival Theatre (10 Queen's Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake) from April 5 to October 15 (opening May 27).

Cast (in alphabetical order):

David Ball
Neil Barclay
Donna Belleville
Kyle Blair
Julia Course
Starr Domingue
Sharry Flett
Kristi Frank
Élodie Gillett
Jeff Irving
Patty Jamieson
Jonah McIntosh
Ric Reid
Kiera Sangster
Vanessa Sears
Travis Seetoo
Jeremiah Sparks
Jacqueline Thair
Michael Therriault
Jay Turvey
Samantha Walkes
Jenny L. Wright
Shawn Wright Ensemble
Charles Hethersett
Lady Clara Battersby/Ensemble
The Honourable Gerald Bolingbroke
The Honourable Mary Miles/Ensemble
Mrs Celia Worthington-Worthington/Ensemble
Maria, Duchess of Dene
Sally Smith
Lady Jacqueline Carstone
Constable/Ensemble
Mrs Anastasia Brown/Ensemble
Ensemble
Sir John Tremayne
Sophia Stainsley-Asherton/Ensemble
Ensemble
Ensemble
Sir Jasper Tring/Ensemble
Ensemble
Bill Snibson
Parchester/Ensemble
Ensemble
Lady Brighton/Ensemble
Lord Frederic Battersby/Ensemble

Creative & Production Team:

Ashlie Corcoran
Paul Sportelli
Parker Esse
Drew Facey
Sue LePage
Kevin Lamotte
John Lott
Ryan deSouza
Dora Tomassi
Amy Jewell
Annie McWhinnie Director
Music Director
Choreographer
Set Designer
Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
Associate Conductor/Pianist
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager

About Me and My Girl:

Book and Lyrics by L. Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber
Book revised by Stephen Fry, with contributions by Mike Ockrent
Music by Noel Gay

The Shaw Festival's 2017 season is on stage April 5 through October 15. The playbill features Me and My Girl, Saint Joan, Dracula, 1837: The Farmers' Revolt, Androcles and the Lion, Wilde Tales, The Madness of George III, Dancing at Lughnasa, An Octoroon, Middletown, 1979 and Secret Theatre.

Direct bus service from Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake on the Shaw Express begins April 5. Patrons can choose to come for one day or stay for the weekend with a round trip costing $25. A ticket to a 2017 Shaw Festival performance is required to access this service.

Tickets for the 2017 Festival season and Shaw Express are available through the Box Office at 1-800-511-SHAW and online at www.shawfest.com.

The Shaw Festival celebrates the life and spirit of Bernard Shaw by creating theatre that is as entertaining and provocative as Shaw himself.

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