Paul Sportelli

Review: FUNNY GIRL at Shaw Festival
by Michael Rabice - Jun 1, 2026

When FUNNY GIRL opened on Broadway it was a smash hit in 1964 and would jettison the career of Barbra Streisand. It became a staple on repertory companies, regional and community theatres and summer stock. But the looming memory of Streisand's iconic performance  on stage and then on screen seemed to have destined the show to be unproduceable without a genuine triple threat actress who could sing, act, AND be a comedian par excellence. It took almost 60 years for a Broadway revival to occur, and poor Beanie Feldstein was not up to the leading lady task, being replaced with the much more appropriate star Lea Michele. Once again, the tale of  Fanny Brice had resurfaced and the often comedic, often dark musical comedy has been re-introduced to audiences who can look at the piece without Streisand's interpretation burned into our memory.

FUNNY GIRL, SLEUTH & JEEVES AND WOOSTER to Open Shaw Festival's 2026 Season
by A.A. Cristi - May 22, 2026

The Shaw Festival announced its 64th season in Niagara-on-the-Lake, featuring productions of FUNNY GIRL, SLEUTH, and JEEVES & WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE, alongside more than 5,000 Beyond the Stage events.

FUNNY GIRL, SLEUTH & JEEVES and More Set for Shaw Festival 64th Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 12, 2026

The Shaw Festival will open its 64th season in Niagara-on-the-Lake with three productions: Sleuth, Funny Girl Starring Sara Farb, and the Canadian Debut of Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense.

FUNNY GIRL to Open at Shaw Festival Starring Sara Farb as Fanny Brice
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 24, 2026

The Shaw Festival's production of Funny Girl, starring Sara Farb as Fanny Brice, is running at the Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON this spring.

Shaw Festival Reveals 2026 Casts And Creative Teams For FUNNY GIRL and More
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 12, 2025

The Shaw Festival has released casting and creative teams for its 2026 season, which runs April 2 through December 23 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Productions include new stagings of Amadeus, Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, and additional works across three venues.

Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS Comes to the The Shaw Festival
by Stephi Wild - Nov 7, 2025

After enchanting audiences of all ages during its 2022 Shaw Festival debut, the beloved musical invites theatregoers to once again revel in its dazzling dance numbers and festive score – featuring the timeless hit, “White Christmas”.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL To Take Its Final Bow At The Royal George Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 30, 2025

A timeless tale that became a Niagara-on-the-Lake holiday staple begins previews November 1. Christmas spirits of the Dickensian kind will inhabit the current incarnation of the Royal George Theatre one last time when holiday mainstay A Christmas Carol takes the stage until December 21.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL and WHITE CHRISTMAS Begin at The Shaw Festival This Winter
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 16, 2025

The Shaw Festival is preparing to deck the halls once again with a pair of holiday favorites, as A Christmas Carol and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas returning this winter

Review: ANYTHING GOES at Shaw Festival
by Michael Rabice - Jul 15, 2025

Some classic musicals will live on forever thanks to that perfect blend of book, musical score,and dance. Cole Porter's ANYTHING GOES continues to enchant audiences 90 years after it's Broadway debut. Multiple versions have taken to the stage and silver screen, cementing such classics as 'You're The Top,' 'Anything Goes, ' Friendship,' and 'It's De-Lovely.'

The Shaw's Spiegeltent Returns for One Last Summer
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 20, 2025

The Spiegeltent will return to the Shaw Festival grounds for one last summer. Brought over from Belgium by The Shaw in 2023, the Spiegeltent has since become the Festival’s home for distinctive and one-of-a-kind entertainment. Learn more!

ANYTHING GOES Comes to Shaw Festival
by Stephi Wild - May 2, 2025

Cole Porter's Anything Goes, the long-running musical comedy from Broadway's Golden Age, brings its infectious melodies, bubbly charm and a dazzling display of tap dancing to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The Royal Conservatory Goes INTO THE WOODS This Holiday Season
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 19, 2024

The Royal Conservatory announced a holiday production of INTO THE WOODS, offering audiences a chance to experience the classic musical during the festive season.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL To Be Presented At Shaw Festival
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 7, 2024

The SHAW FESTIVAL has announced the return of A CHRISTMAS CAROL to the Royal George Theatre. The production runs from November 15 to December 23, 2024.

THE SECRET GARDEN Begins Tomorrow at the Shaw Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 30, 2024

A new adaptation of THE SECRET GARDEN is set to begin performances at the Shaw Festival. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.

The Shaw's Spiegeltent Returns This Summer
by Stephi Wild - May 17, 2024

The Spiegeltent returns to the Shaw Festivalgrounds for another summer of experiences. Learn more about the lineup here!

MY FAIR LADY to Return to The Shaw Festival This Summer
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 2, 2024

Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady, one of the most beloved musicals of all time, will return to the Shaw Festival stage. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Cast Set For Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS Concert At The Royal Conservatory
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 8, 2024

​The Royal Conservatory of Music has revealed the cast for the 2024 holiday season production of Into the Woods in concert.

Review: BRIGADOON at Shaw Festival
by Michael Rabice - Nov 27, 2023

The golden age of Broadway found lilting infectious melodies melding with captivating, if often whimsical stories. Lerner and Loewe's 1947 BRIGADOON ticked all the boxes in a world fresh off of World War II. The Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake has revived it's 2019 production and this version shines even brighter than it's first outing.

The Shaw's 2024 Casts and Creative Teams Revealed
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 9, 2023

The cast and creative teams have been revealed for the Shaw Festival’s 62nd season.

Shaw Festival to Present Charles Dickens's A CHRISTMAS CAROL & More This Holiday Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 2, 2023

The Shaw Festival's holiday shows, including Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, are set to light up the season starting on November 5. Don't miss out on the festive playbill!