Friday, November 11, 2016

The 2017 Stratford Festival season explores Identity with a diverse and multitalented company

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 
Box Office: Toll Free 1.800.567.1600 Local 519.273.1600


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