Ben Carlson News

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces casting for the 2012 Fall Season. The Tony Award® and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, Sunday in the Park with George by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine will be staged by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin, September 26-November 4, 2012 in CST's Courtyard Theater. The season continues with The School for Lies by David Ives, adapted from Moliere's The Misanthrope and staged by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines, December 4, 2012-January 20, 2013 in CST's Courtyard Theater.

On the August 9th episode of ABC's drama ROOKIE BLUE titled 'Out of Time', the officers of 15 Division are forced to release a suspected predator for lack of evidence. But when Dov and Chris make a grim discovery - a missing girl's body, hidden in a deserted ravine - all bets are off. Get a sneak peek below!

Thanks to popular demand Lucy Peacock's Late Night with Lucy cabaret series is moving from her cozy "living room" at the Annex performance space to a bigger house at the Studio Theatre for its last two dates in August.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival this year features something for everyone. For history lovers, there's Henry V, The War of 1812 and Wanderlust, a new musical set during the gold rush of the Great North. Lovers of romance will enjoy The Matchmaker, as well as the classic Shakespeare plays Cymbeline and Much Ado About Nothing. Another classic, the Greek tragedy Elektra, comes from the hand of one of Greece's most avant-garde directors. Lovers of literature will want to see Christopher Plummer's A Word or Two. For families, there's You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, MacHomer and The Pirates of Penzance. A season rich in musicals also features the Broadway favourite 42nd Street. The season runs now thru October 28. Hear MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING's Ben Carlson and Deborah Hay talk about wit, love and their characters' transformations in the video below!

Much Ado About Nothing kicked off the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's 60th Season Monday night, and is pleasantly about a lot more than the name might suggest. With stunning performances from Ben Carlson and Deborah Hay as well as a solid supporting cast, gorgeous set and beautiful music the show was a delight for all ages. A great introductory Shakespeare piece, Much Ado is one of those rare pieces that should please Shakespeare buffs and first-timers alike.

The 60th Season of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival opened last night with Much Ado About Nothing, but there was definitely something special happening in this gorgeous town. BWW was on hand for all the festivities, and we are thrilled to bring our readers photos from opening night.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival launches its 60th season on Monday, May 28, with a gala performance of Much Ado About Nothing. This is the final season under the artistic directorship of Des McAnuff, and one that promises an array of wonderful theatre for every taste and age group.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival launches its 60th season on Monday, May 28, with a gala performance of Much Ado About Nothing. This is the final season under the artistic directorship of Des McAnuff, and one that promises an array of wonderful theatre for every taste and age group.

In the clips below, watch director Julian Marsh (Sean Arbuckle), actor Billy Lawlor (Kyle Blair) and the company of Pretty Lady convince Peggy Sawyer (Jennifer Rider-Shaw) to take over the lead in the show in 42nd Street, just one of 14 productions that make up the 60th season of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Plus, watch a scene from Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing in which Benedick (Ben Carlson) meets his 'dear Lady Disdain,' Beatrice (Deborah Hay), after returning to Messina from military service. Check out the videos below!

Beatrice and Benedick's merry war of wit and wordplay is fought on the Festival stage with the comedy Much Ado About Nothing. The production, directed by Christopher Newton, starts previews tonight at the Festival Theatre.

Dr. Lee Myers and members of the Board of Governors announced that Antoni Cimolino will be the next Artistic Director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, following on the tenure of Des McAnuff.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival has just announced the filming of the 2011 production of Twelfth Night, directed by Artistic Director Des McAnuff. The production will be screened exclusively at Cineplex and participating theatres across Canada in 2012.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is pleased to announce that David Grindley will direct the 2011 production of The Misanthrope.

Stratford, Ontario's Stratford Shakespeare Festival has announced the lineup for the 2011 Festival.

CLOUD 9 by Caryl Churchill (Top Girls) is an audacious, award-winning play that wraps gender-bending characters and outrageous portrayals of sexuality in thought-provoking satire. Political and sexual oppression are explored in a time-twisted structure: 100 years pass between acts set in British colonial Africa and modern London, with recurring characters aging a mere 25 years. The exhilarating world of CLOUD 9, where age, gender, race and sexuality are defined and re-defined features Ann-Marie MacDonald, Ben Carlson, Megan Follows, Yanna MacIntosh, Evan Buliung, David Jansen and Blair Williams and is directed by Alisa Palmer (Dora Mavor Moore Award for Top Girls).

Toronto's The Stratford Shakespeare Festival has revealed revealed additional casting for its 2010 season. The stars include Christopher Plummer, Chilina Kennedy, Juan Chioran, Michael Therriault and Geraint Wyn Davies for the Festival's productions of The Tempest, Evita, Kiss Me Kate, Peter Pan and Do Not Go Gentle. Nikki M. James, who was previously set to star alongside Plummer has withdrawn from the festival due to 'personal reasons.'

Chicago Shakespeare opens three shows in the month of January reflecting the Theater's diverse programming. Artistic Director Barbara Gaines stages Macbeth in the Courtyard Theater, January 2-March 8, 2009; CST's World's Stage international program initiative, presents a company from Rwanda performing The Investigation in the Theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, January 21-31, 2009; and CST welcomes families to the theater with an abridged production of one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies, Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream, January 24-March 7, 2009, on Saturdays in the Courtyard Theater.

Chicago Shakespeare opens three shows in the month of January reflecting the Theater's diverse programming. Artistic Director Barbara Gaines stages Macbeth in the Courtyard Theater, January 2-March 8, 2009; CST's World's Stage international program initiative, presents a company from Rwanda performing The Investigation in the Theater Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, January 21-31, 2009; and CST welcomes families to the theater with an abridged production of one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies, Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream, January 24-March 7, 2009, on Saturdays in the Courtyard Theater.

George Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan, currently playing at Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theatre, is a piece more about religion and politics than about a courageous woman burned at the stake and sainted almost five-hundred years later.

Simon Callow is the latest international star to be added to the Stratford Festival's ranks. Mr. Callow will be presenting a new work of his own composition, based on Shakespeare's sonnets.