Paul Sportelli News

Calling all "de-lovely" dogs! Aspiring pup-thespians could be the next Toto, Sandy or Bruiser when Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater holds a Canine Casting Call on Saturday, September 22, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Mead Center (1101 Sixth St., SW). Two dogs will be selected to alternate the role of Cheeky in the upcoming production of the Cole Porter classic, Anything Goes, running November 2 - December 23, 2018 in the iconic in-the-round Fichandler Stage.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces single tickets on sale July 31, 2018 for the full 2018/19 season.

Niagara-on-the-Lake's World War I connections - from residents who enlisted to the garrisoned troops being entertained in the Royal George Theatre - are highlighted in director Peter Hinton's re-improvised Oh What a Lovely War. With music direction by Paul Sportelli and movement direction by Alexis Milligan, this provocative production about the theatre of war begins previews at the Royal George Theatre on July 14.

Audiences at the Shaw Festival are in for a treat (or three) for the next month, as Stephen Fry regales them with tales of Greek myth. He has constructed three one man shows, directed by Tim Carroll and based on his book MYTHOS which explores these myths as he has heard them and read about them over the years. His stage trilogy at the Festival Theatre is split into GODS, HEROES, and MEN. Theatregoers can choose to see some or all of these productions. The Shaw Festival indicates that it does not matter if you see the shows in order, but after watching all three, I will say that there is most definitely an established order, and I would argue that audiences who are seeing all three would get the most enjoyment out of the experience if they did watch them in such order (GODS, then HEROES, then MEN). That said, I agree that this is certainly not necessary to appreciate the grand storytelling ability of Mr. Fry.

'People come, people go,' 'some have, some have not.' Simple lyrics that can expose a myriad of stories and wounds. Just what one would expect in a busy hotel. No one is ever quite sure what happens behind the closed doors of a grand hotel, but outward appearances are often just that, appearances that don't always belie the truth. Given those opportunities for musical intrigue, The Shaw Festival is producing an elegant production of GRAND HOTEL at their Festival Theatre for their 2018 Season.

Actor, comedian, writer and storyteller Stephen Fry takes to the Festival Theatre stage with Mythos: A Trilogy - Gods. Heroes. Men. During his limited engagement at the Shaw Festival, Stephen will perform each of his three shows 13 times - giving audiences 39 chances to catch this world premiere event. Helmed by the Shaw Festival's Artistic Director Tim Carroll, Mythos is on stage May 24 to July 15.

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.

Michael Rubinoff, Producing Artistic Director of Sheridan College's Canadian Music Theatre Project (CMTP), is proud to announce the lineup of new musicals that will be workshopped in September by Sheridan's Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance Class of 2019.

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Director Edgar Dobie announce the 2018/19 season lineup for the company's 69th season. The season reflects Arena Stage's commitment to championing diverse voices and producing work that is politically and socially relevant.

Artistic Director Tim Carroll announces the Shaw Festival's 2018 ensemble. This season's 56 actors will take to the stage in 14 productions, plus numerous Secret Theatre experiences.

The Grand Theatre announces that due to high demand its production of ONCE has been extended.

Christmas arrives in Niagara-on-the-Lake on November 15 with the first preview of Charles Dickens's classic A Christmas Carol at the Royal George Theatre.

Under the direction of Artistic Director Tim Carroll, Bernard Shaw's charming retelling of the beloved Aesop fable Androcles and the Lion is an interactive spur-of-the-moment theatre experience. The fusing of audience engagement with music and song, along with Shaw's delightful text, creates a distinctly different performance every time. Previews of Androcles and the Lion begin June 6 at the Court House Theatre.

A 'ME AND MY GIRL' Not To Be Missed It is infrequent for the theatre god of comedy to shine bright enough to induce glee, but that is what occurred on opening night of the Shaw Festival's utterly charming production of ME AND MY GIRL. An alchemy of sorts has melded a super talented cast with the thoughtfully insightful director. The Shaw Festival has not always had a strong track record of completely successful musicals, but under new Artistic Director Tim Carroll's leadership, it seems as if the tide has turned. Of course, the selection of a musical with British heritage ( a rarity of sorts), fits in perfectly with the Shaw Festival's mandate.

BroadwayWorld has a full list of the Helen Hayes Awards winners updating LIVE below! Named for actor Helen Hayes - a Washington native and legendary First Lady of the American Theatre - the Helen Hayes Awards celebrates excellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington region and has become a hallmark recognized by theatre makers and theatre lovers far beyond Washington D.C.

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

The Shaw Festival introduces a new annual holiday tradition to Niagara-on-the-Lake: Artistic Director Tim Carroll's fanciful production of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol previews November 15, opens November 25 and runs through December 23 at the Royal George Theatre.

The 2017 Helen Hayes Award nominations were announced tonight. A line-up of leading theatre artists announced nominations in 47 categories of artistic excellence. Award recipients will be announced at the Helen Hayes Awards gala event to be held at the Lincoln Theatre on Monday, May 15 with an after-party hosted at Washington's legendary 9:30 Club.

CAROUSEL features a superb cast, taut direction, and amazing dancing that packs a wallop..

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater presents Carousel, directed by Artistic Director Molly Smith, with music by Richard Rodgers and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Featuring Musical Direction by Paul Sportelli and Choreography by Parker Esse, Carousel runs October 28-December 24 in the iconic in-the-round Fichandler Stage. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the opening night pics below!