October 31, 2016… The Stratford Festival is delighted to announce casting for the 2017 season, which will explore the
theme of Identity as Canada marks its 150th anniversary as a nation. The vast majority of leading players are in place, ranging from
Brent Carver, who will return to the Festival after five seasons away, to
Kiran Ahluwalia, who is joining the company for the first time.
“The
broad spectrum of plays we’re presenting next season will be brought to
life by a company with extraordinary skills and accomplishments,” says
Artistic Director
Antoni Cimolino. “The diversity of the playbill calls for many
different types of performance – we have classics from four centuries, a
Greek tragedy, a family show, a Golden Age musical, an operetta and new
work that incorporates indigenous ritual,
puppetry and traditional Punjabi song.
These productions call for
actors with vastly different skillsets and points of view, who will work
together organically in the company. There is an exciting rehearsal
period ahead as we prepare for what I hope will be
an entertaining and compelling season.”
Returning to the company are
Graham Abbey, Eric Abel, Marion Adler, Sarah Afful,
Gabriel Antonacci, Sean Arbuckle, Matthew Armet, Thomas Mitchell Barnet,
Rod Beattie, Maev Beaty, Rodrigo Beilfuss, Nigel Bennett,
Wayne Best, Alex Black, Michael Blake, Evan Buliung,
Tim Campbell, Ben Carlson, Brent Carver, Juan Chioran,
David Collins, Laura Condlln, Stephen Cota, Colton Curtis,
Mikaela Davies, Sarah Dodd, Rosemary Dunsmore, Ijeoma Emesowum,
Sara Farb, Jacklyn Francis, Mac Fyfe, Deidre Gillard-Rowlings,
Alexis Gordon, Sébastien Heins, Alexandra Herzog, Jessica B. Hill,
Brad Hodder, Lisa Horner, Kim Horsman, Randy Hughson,
Josh Johnston, Bonnie Jordan, Robert King, John Kirkpatrick,
Bethany Kovarik, Josue Laboucane, Cyrus Lane, Krista Leis,
Jamie Mac, Jordan Mah, Chad McFadden, Yanna McIntosh,
Seana McKenna, Gordon S. Miller, André Morin, Mike Nadajewski,
Marcus Nance, Nicholas Nesbitt, Trevor Patt, Lucy Peacock,
Monice Peter, Gareth Potter, Glynis Ranney, Jennifer Rider-Shaw,
Tom Rooney, Steve Ross, Anusree Roy, Brad Rudy, Stephen Russell,
Tyrone Savage, E.B. Smith, Cynthia Smithers, Johnathan Sousa,
Michael Spencer-Davis, Shannon Taylor, Tahirih Vejdani, Emilio Vieira,
Bahia Watson, Scott Wentworth, Rylan Wilkie, Blythe Wilson,
Brigit Wilson, Geraint Wyn Davies, Antoine Yared and Joseph Ziegler.
Actors joining the Festival company for the first time include
Kiran Ahluwalia, Yolanda Bonnell, Devon Michael Brown, Miali Buscemi,
Jasmine Chen, Beau Dixon, Farhang Ghajar, Bruce Hunter,
Zara Jestadt, Qasim Kahn, Heather Kosik, Jani Lauzon,
Katelyn McCulloch, Lily McEvenue, Zlatomir Moldovanski, Mercedes Morris,
Laurie Murdoch, Nicholas Nahwegahbow, Sayer Roberts, Quelemia Sparrow,
Natasha Strilchuk, Diana Tso, Mark Uhre, Gordon Patrick White and
Tim Ziegler.
FESTIVAL THEATRE
SUPPORT FOR THE 2017 SEASON OF THE FESTIVAL THEATRE
IS GENEROUSLY PROVIDED BY DANIEL BERNSTEIN & CLAIRE FOERSTER
Glittering cast set for Shakespeare’s rollicking
Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night ǀ By William Shakespeare ǀ Directed by
Martha Henry ǀ Opens May 29
Production support is generously provided by Jane Petersen Burfield & family,
by Dr. Desta Leavine in memory of Pauline Leavine and by Jack Whiteside
Shakespeare’s comedy features
Sarah Afful and Michael Blake as the shipwrecked twins, Viola and Sebastian,
Rod Beattie as Malvolio, Brent Carver as Feste, Lucy Peacock as Maria,
Geraint Wyn Davies as Sir Toby Belch and Tom Rooney as Sir Andrew Aguecheek.
E.B. Smith will opine, “If music be the food of love, play on” as his Orsino contemplates the reclusive Olivia, played by
Shannon Taylor.
Also in the cast are
Maev Beaty, Mac Fyfe, Gordon S. Miller, Mercedes Morris,
Monice Peter, Anusree Roy, Stephen Russell, Johnathan Sousa,
Emilio Vieira and Brigit Wilson.
Alexis Gordon and Blythe Wilson play a couple of dolls;
Their guys are Evan Buliung and Sean Arbuckle
Guys and Dolls: A musical fable of Broadway, based on a story and characters
of Damon Runyon ǀ Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser ǀ Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows ǀ
Directed and Choreographed by
Donna Feore ǀ Musical Director Laura Burton ǀ Opens May 30
Production support is generously provided by Mary Ann & Robert Gorlin, by Riki Turofsky & Charles Petersen
and by Catherine & David Wilkes
This production is co-sponsored by RBC and Union Gas
Hailed as the perfect show,
Guys and Dolls features four of musical theatre’s most coveted roles. Good old reliable Nathan (Detroit) will be played by
Sean Arbuckle, and Miss Adelaide, the “average unmarried female,” by Blythe Wilson.
Evan Buliung, as Sky Masterson, will be winging it to Havana with Alexis Gordon’s Sarah Brown, hoping to make her go “ding, dong, ding, dong, ding.”
They’ll be joined by
Lisa Horner as General Matilda B. Cartwright, Laurie Murdoch as Arvide Abernathy, and
Steve Ross as Nicely-Nicely Johnson.
Also in the cast are
Eric Abel, Gabriel Antonacci, Matthew Armet, Alex Black,
Devon Michael Brown, Stephen Cota, Colton Curtis, Beau Dixon,
Alexandra Herzog, Bonnie Jordan, John Kirkpatrick, Heather Kosik,
Bethany Kovarik, Krista Leis, Jordan Mah, Lily McEvenue,
Chad McFadden, Marcus Nance, Nicholas Nesbitt, Trevor Patt,
Glynis Ranney, Sayer Roberts, Brad Rudy, Cynthia Smithers,
Natasha Strilchuk and Mark Uhre.
Shakespeare’s woeful love story features
Sara Farb as Juliet and Antoine Yared as her Romeo
Romeo and Juliet ǀ By William Shakespeare ǀ Directed by
Scott Wentworth ǀ Opens June 1
Production support is generously provided by Barbara & John Schubert
Two teenagers –
Antoine Yared’s Romeo and Sara Farb’s Juliet – fall
headlong in love, defying the long-standing hatred between their
families. Shakespeare’s beloved tale of star-crossed lovers also
features
Seana McKenna as the Nurse, with Marion Adler as Lady Capulet, Wayne Best as Friar Laurence,
Evan Buliung as Mercutio and Randy Hughson as Capulet.
Also in the cast are
Eric Abel, Thomas Mitchell Barnet, Alex Black, Miali Buscemi,
Juan Chioran, Sarah Dodd, Deidre Gillard-Rowlings, Kim Horsman,
John Kirkpatrick, Krista Leis, Jamie Mac, Katelyn McCulloch,
Chad McFadden, Natasha Strilchuk and Gordon Patrick White.
Tom Rooney to play Tartuffe in Molière’s stinging comedy
Tartuffe ǀ By Molière ǀ Translated by Ranjit Bolt ǀ Directed by
Chris Abraham ǀ Opens August 17
Production support is generously provided by Dr. Dennis & Dorothea Hacker,
by the Harkins/Manning families in memory of Jim & Susan Harkins, by Bob & Martie Sachs
and by Dr. Louis & Mrs. Mary Jane Zako in celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary
After this season’s hilarious run of
The Hypochondriac, Molière’s smackdown of medical charlatans, the Festival will present his famous satire of religious hypocrisy,
Tartuffe. Donning the hair shirt to play the title role is Tom Rooney.
The cast also features
Graham Abbey as Orgon, Maev Beaty as Elmire, Michael Blake as Cleante,
Rosemary Dunsmore as Mme Pernelle and Anusree Roy as Dorine.
Also in the cast are
Sarah Afful, Sean Arbuckle, Rod Beattie, Stephen Cota,
Alexis Gordon, Gordon S. Miller, Mercedes Morris, Monice Peter,
Stephen Russell, E.B. Smith, Johnathan Sousa, Shannon Taylor,
Emilio Vieira, Blythe Wilson and Brigit Wilson.
AVON THEATRE
SUPPORT FOR THE 2017 SEASON OF THE AVON THEATRE IS GENEROUSLY PROVIDED BY
THE BIRMINGHAM FAMILY
Thomas Mitchell Barnet and Juan Chioran lead the cast
of the classic pirate adventure
Treasure Island
Schulich Children’s Plays presents Treasure Island ǀ By Robert Louis Stevenson ǀ
A World Première of a new adaptation by Nicolas Billon
Directed by
Mitchell Cushman ǀ Opens June 3
Thomas Mitchell Barnet plays Jim Hawkins, a young teen who embarks on a high-seas adventure with fiction’s most memorable
pirate, Long John Silver, played with peg-legged swagger by Juan Chioran.
Also in the cast are
Yolanda Bonnell, Miali Buscemi, Sarah Dodd, Deidre Gillard-Rowlings,
Randy Hughson, Bruce Hunter, Jamie Mac, Katelyn McCulloch,
Jennifer Rider-Shaw, Tahirih Vejdani and Gordon Patrick White.
The
Festival has commissioned Nicolas Billon to create this new adaptation
of the thrilling classic that has inspired every pirate story since.
Gilbert and Sullivan’s original shipboard romance features
Jennifer Rider-Shaw and Mark Uhre
HMS Pinafore ǀ Book and Lyrics by W.S. Gilbert ǀ Music by Arthur Sullivan ǀ
Directed by
Lezlie Wade ǀ Choreographed by Kerry Gage ǀ
Musical Director
Franklin Brasz ǀ Opens May 31
Production support is generously provided by Nona Macdonald Heaslip
Josephine, “the lass that loved a sailor” in the wildly popular Gilbert and Sullivan operetta
HMS Pinafore, will be played by Jennifer Rider-Shaw, and making his Stratford debut as her beloved Ralph Rackstraw is
Mark Uhre.
They will be joined in this riotous comedy by
Lisa Horner as Little Buttercup, Laurie Murdoch as Sir Joseph Porter and
Steve Ross as Captain Corcoran.
Also in the cast are
Gabriel Antonacci, Matthew Armet, Devon Michael Brown, Colton Curtis,
Beau Dixon, Alexandra Herzog, Bonnie Jordan, Heather Kosik,
Bethany Kovarik, Jordan Mah, Lily McEvenue, Marcus Nance,
Nicholas Nesbitt, Trevor Patt, Glynis Ranney, Sayer Roberts,
Brad Rudy, Cynthia Smithers and Tahirih Vejdani.
Scandal spins around Geraint Wyn Davies and Joseph Ziegler
The School for Scandal ǀ By Richard Brinsley Sheridan ǀ
Directed by
Antoni Cimolino ǀ Opens June 3
Production support is generously provided by M. Fainer,
by Drs. M.L. Myers & the late W.P. Hayman and by the Tremain family
Geraint Wyn Davies and
Joseph Ziegler lead an impressive cast in the hilarious comedy of manners
The School for Scandal. Mr. Wyn Davies plays Sir Peter Teazle, a wealthy gentleman with a beautiful young wife, Lady Teazle, played by
Shannon Taylor, and a much-desired ward, Maria, played by Monice Peter.
Led by the chatter of Lady Sneerwell, played by
Maev Beaty, and Mrs. Candour, played by Brigit Wilson, tongues wag over both women and their involvement with Charles Surface, played by
Sébastien Heins, and Joseph Surface, played by Tyrone Savage, brothers who are not what they seem, as their uncle Sir Oliver Surface – Mr. Ziegler – and his friend Rowley –
Brent Carver – learn in the nick of time.
Also in the cast are
Rod Beattie, Michael Blake, Zara Jestadt, Mercedes Morris,
Tom Rooney, Anusree Roy, Stephen Russell, Johnathan Sousa and
Emilio Vieira.
TOM PATTERSON THEATRE
SUPPORT FOR THE 2017 SEASON OF THE TOM PATTERSON THEATRE
IS GENEROUSLY PROVIDED BY RICHARD ROONEY & LAURA DINNER
CORPORATE SPONSOR OF THE 2017 SEASON OF THE TOM PATTERSON THEATRE IS
BMO FINANCIAL GROUP
Joseph Ziegler takes the title role in
Timon of Athens
Timon of Athens ǀ By William Shakespeare ǀ Directed by
Stephen Ouimette ǀ Opens June 2
Production support is generously provided by Cec & Linda Rorabeck
Joseph Ziegler and
Tim Campbell reunite at the Tom Patterson after their triumphant performances in
All My Sons. In 2017, Mr. Ziegler will play Timon and Mr.
Campbell will play Alcibiades in Shakespeare’s tale of philanthropy and
misanthropy. They are joined by
Ben Carlson, as Apemantus, and Michael Spencer Davis, as Flavius.
Also in the cast are
Rodrigo Beilfuss, David Collins, Mikaela Davies, Ijeoma Emesowum,
Jacklyn Francis, Sébastien Heins, Jessica B. Hill, Josh Johnston,
Qasim Kahn, Robert King, Josue Laboucane, Cyrus Lane,
Mike Nadajewski, Gareth Potter, Tyrone Savage and Rylan Wilkie.
Ben Carlson and Mikaela Davies join forces in
The Changeling
The Changeling ǀ By Thomas Middleton and William Rowley ǀ
Directed by
Jackie Maxwell ǀ Opens June 15
Production support is generously provided by Max & Helen Jacobs
It
was the perfect crime – until she got away with it. This
suspense-filled tragedy about a woman who seeks to have her fiancé
murdered
features Mikaela Davies as Beatrice-Joanna and Ben Carlson
as her accomplice – and ultimate nemesis – De Flores. Written by
contemporaries of Shakespeare, this gripping thriller also features
Cyrus Lane as Alsemero, Beatrice-Joanna’s beloved.
Also in the cast are
Rodrigo Beilfuss, Tim Campbell, David Collins, Ijeoma Emesowum,
Jacklyn Francis, Jessica B. Hill, Zara Jestadt, Josh Johnston,
Qasim Kahn, Robert King, Josue Laboucane, Mike Nadajewski,
Gareth Potter, Michael Spencer-Davis and Rylan Wilkie.
Lucy Peacock stars in newly imagined
Bakkhai
Bakkhai ǀ By Euripides ǀ A new version by Anne Carson ǀ
Directed by
Jillian Keiley ǀ Opens June 16
Production support is generously provided by M.E.H. Foundation
Awakening
savage frenzy in the women of Thebes, the god of wine, ecstasy and
fertility lays bare the duality of our natures: that each of us, no
matter how civilized, has a wild beast
within. This contemporary version of Euripides’ famous tragedy features
Lucy Peacock as Agave and
Mac Fyfe as Dionysos, with Graham Abbey as Teiresias and Gordon S. Miller as Pentheus.
Also in the cast are
Sarah Afful, Nigel Bennett, Jasmine Chen, Laura Condlln,
Rosemary Dunsmore, Brad Hodder, André Morin, E.B. Smith,
Quelemia Sparrow, Diana Tso and Bahia Watson.
Seana McKenna is the Madwoman of Chaillot
The Madwoman of Chaillot ǀ By Jean Giraudoux ǀ
A World Première of a new translation by David Edney commissioned by the Stratford Festival
Directed by
Donna Feore ǀ Opens August 18
Production support is generously provided by Bob & Martie Sachs and by Alice & Tim Thorton
If
oil were found beneath the streets of Paris, how would the spirit of
civilization fare against the demands of corporate greed?
Seana McKenna stars as Aurélie, The Madwoman of Chaillot, in this classic 20th-century comedy in which culture battles capitalism. It features
Wayne Best as The Prospector, Ben Carlson as The President, Yanna McIntosh as Josephine, The Madwoman of Concorde and
Scott Wentworth as The Ragman.
Also in the cast are
Marion Adler, Rodrigo Beilfuss, Tim Campbell, David Collins,
Mikaela Davies, Ijeoma Emesowum, Jacklyn Francis, Jessica B. Hill,
Kim Horsman, Zara Jestadt, Josh Johnston, Qasim Kahn,
Robert King, Josue Laboucane, Cyrus Lane, Mike Nadajewski,
Gareth Potter, Michael Spencer-Davis, Rylan Wilkie and Antoine Yared.
STUDIO THEATRE
SUPPORT FOR THE 2017 SEASON OF THE STUDIO THEATRE
IS GENEROUSLY PROVIDED BY SANDRA & JIM PITBLADO
The Last Wife’s Bahia Watson returns as Bess in
The Virgin Trial
The Virgin Trial ǀ By Kate Hennig ǀ World Première
Directed by
Alan Dilworth ǀ Opens June 27
Production support is generously provided by Karon C. Bales & Charles E. Beall,
by Sylvia D. Chrominska and by Dr. Robert & Roberta Sokol
The
much-anticipated second installment of Kate Hennig’s exploration of
Elizabeth I has its world première next summer, featuring
Bahia Watson in the lead role of Bess. The story follows the
young princess as she navigates a labyrinth of political and sexual
intrigue on her journey to assume the crown. The production features
Nigel Bennett as Ted, Laura Condlln as Ashley, Sara Farb returning to the role of Mary,
Brad Hodder as Thom, Yanna McIntosh as Eleanor and André Morin as Parry.
The Virgin Trial was commissioned from playwright
Kate Hennig through the Stratford Festival’s Laboratory, as was The Last Wife.
The Last Wife has since been produced in Victoria and Chicago, and will soon be onstage in Toronto, Regina and Ottawa.
Jani Lauzon makes her Stratford debut in
The Breathing Hole
The Breathing Hole ǀ By Colleen Murphy ǀ World Première ǀ
Directed by
Reneltta Arluk ǀ Opens August 18
Production support is generously provided by Esther & Sam Sarick
Jani Lauzon will make her Stratford debut as Aga in
The Breathing Hole, featuring Randy Hughson as Sir John
Franklin. This epic new play was commissioned by the Festival for Canada
150 from playwright Colleen Murphy, who last week won her second
Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama. It follows
the adventures of a polar bear and the humans he encounters in a
500-year saga that begins at the time of First Contact and concludes in a
future ravaged by climate change.
Also in the cast are
Thomas Mitchell Barnet, Yolanda Bonnell, Miali Buscemi, Juan Chioran,
Sarah Dodd, Deidre Gillard-Rowlings, Bruce Hunter, Jamie Mac,
Katelyn McCulloch and Gordon Patrick White.
In preparation for the production, director
Reneltta Arluk, playwright Colleen Murphy and dramaturge Bob White
will be travelling to Iqaluit to work with Qaggiavuut, an Inuit arts
organization that will consult on cultural practices, offer advice about
some of the ritual material
in the play and provide actors and readers for script consultation.
This
research trip is being organized as part of the Festival’s Laboratory,
the research and development department started by Mr. Cimolino at the
outset of his tenure as Artistic Director.
The Breathing Hole serves as an example of the breadth of work
happening within the Lab. The script was commissioned through the Lab
from playwright Colleen Murphy. Director Reneltta Arluk was one of eight
residents at the Lab’s Playwrights Retreat in
2015 and was a participant in workshops through the Lab’s indigenous
initiative. A Lab-sponsored workshop of the play was held at the
University of Alberta, where Colleen Murphy is playwright in residence,
and a design exploration workshop will be held this
winter.
“One
of the key reasons for establishing the Laboratory was to allow for
greater cultural exchange,” says Mr. Cimolino. “We are facilitating this
through an array of programs, including
the indigenous initiative, which in addition to bringing Reneltta and
other wonderfully talented artists to Stratford, has already allowed us
to exchange ideas with indigenous theatre groups from Canada, New
Zealand and Bolivia – while also providing these
groups with access to the resources of the Stratford Festival. Not only
is this work extremely stimulating, but I believe it will also lead to
innovative and rich work in the years to come.”
Singer Kiran Ahluwalia makes her theatrical debut
in
The Komagata Maru Incident
The Komagata Maru Incident ǀ By Sharon Pollock ǀ
Directed by
Keira Loughran ǀ Opens August 19
Quelemia Sparrow
will play T.S. in this newly reimagined version of
The Komagata Maru Incident, which will feature Punjabi-inspired vocals by singer
Kiran Ahluwalia. Set in 1914 Vancouver, in a Chinese brothel, the
production explores the costs of Canada’s early exclusionary
immigration policies on the lives of ethnically diverse Canadians
struggling to assert their place in the Canadian mosaic.
Also in the cast are
Jasmine Chen, Tyrone Savage and Diana Tso.
Tickets
for the 2017 season will go on sale to Members of the Stratford
Festival beginning November 28 and to the public on January 6.
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Stratford Festival
55 Queen Street | PO Box 520 | Stratford ON | N5A 6V2
55 Queen Street | PO Box 520 | Stratford ON | N5A 6V2
Box Office: Toll Free 1.800.567.1600 | Local 519.273.1600
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