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Saturday, April 16, 2011

Lerner and Loewe’s classic musical Camelot begins previews at Stratford Shakespeare Festival

Festival Theatre opens its doors for the 2011 season
April 15, 2011…The legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table comes alive on the Festival Theatre stage in the Lerner and Loewe classic Camelot. This timeless story of a noble king, a beautiful queen, a valiant knight and the cherished kingdom in which they live begins previews on Saturday, April 16, marking the first performance of the 2011 season.

Gary Griffin, the creative force behind 2009’s West Side Story and last season’s Evita, returns to direct this legendary tale.

 

“Gary Griffin has become one of our principal directors in a very short time not only because he is so enormously talented but also because he has a terrific feel for this institution and understands exactly how to take us to the limit,” says Artistic Director Des McAnuff. “And I’ve always loved Camelot: the romance, the heroism, the noble ideals of the kingdom and, of course, the music. With Gary at the helm, this show will utterly enchant our audiences with its mythical world of magic and wonder.”
“The story of King Arthur and Camelot is one of literature’s most compelling legends, dealing with such classic themes as love, passion and betrayal,” says General Director Antoni Cimolino. “We have an extraordinary cast and artistic team who have brought this piece to life in a truly thrilling production. It is an enriching and entertaining experience for all ages, and I encourage patrons to order tickets early for what is certain to be one of the hits of the season.”
With Geraint Wyn Davies as King Arthur, Brent Carver as Merlyn and Pellinore, Stratford newcomer Kaylee Harwood as Queen Guenevere and Jonathan Winsby as Sir Lancelot du Lac, this production features a classic medieval design with a Celtic-inspired set creating the mythical kingdom of Camelot.

The uplifting and charming score, with some of musical theatre’s most endearing songs, such as the beautiful ballad “If Ever I Would Leave You,” the sprightly “Lusty Month of May,” and the energetic “Fie on Goodness,” will be brought to life by a full 26-piece orchestra.

Based on the novel The Once and Future King, written by T.H. White, Camelot tells the story of Arthur, the young squire who becomes King after extracting the sword Excalibur from its legendary rock. The musical follows him as he embarks on his dream of creating a just society in which civil law overpowers the brute force that ruled kingdoms past. Encouraged by his wife, the beautiful Queen Guenevere, Arthur forms the Knights of the Round Table. But just as King Arthur’s utopian vision starts to become reality, everything begins to unravel.

“The musical has classic human conflict in it and also has an extraordinary score; it’s the kind of show that Stratford does better than anyone else,” says Gary Griffin. “The story is a classic and the fact that it is being presented by a classical company – and an outstanding one at that – brings out its best qualities.”

The artistic team features Warren Carlyle, a British choreographer making his Stratford debut, and Musical Director Rick Fox.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s 2011 season runs until October 30, featuring The Merry Wives of Windsor; Camelot; Twelfth Night; The Misanthrope; Jesus Christ Superstar; The Grapes of Wrath; The Homecoming; Richard III; Titus Andronicus; Shakespeare’s Will; The Little Years; and Hosanna.

Cast
Ensemble........................................     Matt Alfano
Lady Sybil, Ensemble.....................     Mary Antonini
Ensemble........................................     Jacqueline Burtney
Merlyn, King Pellinore....................     Brent Carver
Sir Dinadan.....................................     Dan Chameroy
Squire Dap......................................     Bruce Dow
Understudy.....................................     Martha Farrell
Ensemble........................................     Ryan Gifford
Guenevere......................................     Kaylee Harwood
Ensemble........................................     Krista Leis
Nimue, Lady Anne.........................     Monique Lund
Tom of Warwick.............................     Jimmy Mallett
Understudy.....................................     Sam McEwan
Mordred..........................................     Mike Nadajewski
Ensemble........................................     Marcus Nance
Ensemble........................................     Melissa O’Neil
Swing..............................................     Laurin Padolina
Page................................................     Stephen Patterson
Morgan le Fey.................................     Lucy Peacock
Ensemble........................................     Katrina Reynolds
Clarius, Ensemble...........................     Matthew Rossoff
Ensemble........................................     Dominique Roy
Swing..............................................     Jason Sermonia
Ensemble........................................     Julius Sermonia
Ensemble........................................     Lee Siegel
Understudy.....................................     Brian Tree
Sir Lionel........................................     Aaron Walpole
Lancelot..........................................     Jonathan Winsby
Sir Sagramore..................................     Sandy Winsby
King Arthur.....................................     Geraint Wyn Davies
Horrid the Dog................................     Ruffie 

Artistic Team
Director.............................................   Gary Griffin
Choreographer.................................... Warren Carlyle
Musical Director................................. Rick Fox
Set Designer........................................ Debra Hanson
Costume Designer............................... Mara Blumenfeld
Lighting Designer................................ Alan Brodie
Sound Designer.................................. Peter McBoyle
Associate Musical Director................. Michael Barber  
Fight Director...................................... Todd Campbell
Aerial Stunt Coordinator..................... Simon Fon
Assistant Director............................... Rachel Peake
Assistant Choreographer..................... Kerry Gage
Assistant Set Designer......................... Scott Penner
Assistant Costume Designer................ Kimberly Catton
Assistant Lighting Designers............... Chris McEwan, Siobhán Sleath
Assistant Sound Designer................... Verne Good
Assistant Fight Director....................... Kevin Robinson
Dance Captain.................................... Julius Sermonia
Fight Captain...................................... Dan Chameroy
Assistant Fight Captain....................... Matt Alfano
Stage Manager.................................... Cynthia Toushan
Assistant Stage Managers.................... Angela Marshall, Zeph Williams
Production Assistant........................... Stephanie Meine
Production Stage Manager.................. Margaret Palmer

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Stratford Shakespeare Festival
55 Queen Street | PO Box 520 | Stratford ON | N5A 6V2
Toll Free 1.800.561.1233 | Local 519.271.4040 x 2297
Cell Phone: 519.301.3569
Box Office: Toll Free 1.800.567.1600 | Local 519.273.1600

(News Release)

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