Scott Wentworth News

THE BEAUX' STRATAGEM, directed by Stratford Festival Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino opened to raucous laughter and thunderous applause Friday night at the Stratford Festival. With a cast like this, I would not expect anything less. This fun and thoughtful restoration comedy by George Farquhar, presents audiences with many players, harboring many talents... leading to many laughs. Needless to say, I suspect MANY tickets will be sold.

Love between parents and their offspring should be unconditional. As soon as King Lear puts conditions on the love of his daughters, his life unravels: he goes mad. But what really drives him crazy? Is it remorse resulting from his bad decisions? Is it stress, worrying about his daughters? Or is simply old age - dementia or perhaps Alzheimer's? Colm Feore has blended all three, in a gritty portrayal of Lear. One of Shakespeare's tragedies, this play opens the 2014 season at Stratford Festival. Feore is impressive as Lear with an equally good cast in this superior production.

On the heels of its critically acclaimed 2013 Season, for which The Washington Post applauded The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey as one of the few "companies with classical traditions that are not towing a conventional line," the Theatre has announced its remarkable 2014 Season. The ambitious lineup demonstrates the Theatre's unwavering dedication to all classic literature, from the familiar to the forgotten, the recognizable to the rediscovered, with works by Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, Ben Jonson, Moliere, and contemporary playwright David Davalos. The Shakespeare Theatre's varied and inspired selections demonstrate once again that "presenting great art isn't about safety-it's about commitment," as The Princeton Packet described the Theatre's dedication to both popular and lesser-known classics.

Voting is now underway for Toronto! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

2013 is quickly coming to close, which means it's time for the ever popular year end lists that feature the cream of the crop of the year that was. 2013 was an incredible year for Toronto theatre, with many organizations posting record numbers for attendance and lots of productions quickly becoming critical darlings.

Voting is now underway for Toronto! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Toronto! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Toronto! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Stratford Festival Announced it's key casting for their 2014 Season, starting with King Lear, featuring Stephen Ouimette as the Fool and Colm Feore as King Lear.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE-arguably William Shakespeare's most controversial play, is being tackled this season at the Stratford Festival for the first time since 2007. Under the direction of (Artistic Director) ANTONI CIMOLINO, this production does not shy away from the controversial nature of many characters' anti-Semitic views, and in fact, highlights the danger of such views by placing this production in a timeline leading up to the Holocaust. The constant reminder of what is to come provides a dark and almost eerie backdrop to this production, creating a thought-provoking dark 'comedy' for the ages.

Stratford Festival's production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF leaves very few human emotions un-experienced by its characters and the audience alike. It explores: human values, happiness in everyday life, newfound love, fear of changes-big and small, the agony and frustration that comes from ignorance and discrimination, and the internal conflict of trying to rectify what you believe with what that means for those you love. This musical is about tradition, joy, heartache, change, faith, family, and most of all…LIFE. FIDDLER is a beloved classic, and to say Director/Choreographer, Donna Feore's production does it justice, is an understatement. First class acting, singing, and dancing; beautiful music; clever set design, and…did I say DANCING? This timeless musical is sure to dazzle audiences of all ages.

One of Britain's leading directors, Tim Carroll, returns to the Stratford Festival to present the most famous love story ever told. Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's timeless tragedy of star-crossed lovers who risk everything to be together, began previews on Wednesday, May 1, at the Festival Theatre. Click below to watch a promo for the show!

The Stratford Festival regrets to announce that Brian Bedford has withdrawn from this season's production of The Merchant of Venice, in which he was to play Shylock. Mr. Bedford is suffering from a medical condition, which, though treatable, requires immediate attention.

Watch a short preview of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival perform FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.

One of Britain's leading directors, Tim Carroll, returns to the Stratford Festival to present the most famous love story ever told. Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's timeless tragedy of star-crossed lovers who risk everything to be together, begins previews on Wednesday, May 1, at the Festival Theatre.

The Festival Theatre stage will transform into a small Jewish village through the heartwarming tale of hope, faith and tradition that is Fiddler on the Roof. One of Broadway's longest-running and most celebrated musicals begins previews in Stratford on Tuesday, April 23, marking the first performance of the 2013 season.

The actors comfortable interpretation of this verse, along with fantastic staging and great sword play made this show truly exceptional evening of theater.

The Stratford Festival's box office opens to the public this Saturday, January 5, at 9 a.m., with an online advance sale beginning at noon on Friday. Facebook fans, who want to use the Festival's new social ticketing app will be able to purchase tickets as of 9 a.m. today. Tickets are being offered at up to 25% off until January 31, with an opportunity to exchange dates with no added expense.

BroadwayWorld brings you the Best of Houston in the year 2012. Check out the Top Theatre Stories from each month during in the year 2012. We look forward to another exciting year of theatre in 2013!