The Stratford Festival officially opened its 64th Season with a frighteningly great (and greatly frightening) production of the Scottish Play. Director Antoni Cimolino brings us what is likely the darkest and grittiest play to grace the Festival Theatre stage in some time. This may be the eleventh time that Macbeth has graced the Stratford Festival stage, but this daring production feels fresh and new.
Stratford Festival's Production of POSSIBLE WORLDS, directed by Mitchell Cushman, opened at the Studio Theatre this week. I had the opportunity to see this play one day early, during its very last preview performance. I can assure you that this play is unlike anything else you will at the Stratford Festival this season. Thought-provoking, imaginative, and at times bizarre, this play may not be everyone's cup of tea, but anyone who sees it will certainly exit the theatre with an appreciation for the talented cast and crew who brought it to life. They will also likely find themselves thinking about it for the duration of the evening.
Shakespeare fans will be flocking to an exciting production of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW that is featured on the Festival Theatre stage at the Stratford Festival this season. Director Chris Abraham's recent contributions to the festival (particularly last season's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM) left patrons wondering what surprises he had up his sleeve for this production. Although SHREW was not altered nearly as much as MIDSUMMER was, Mr. Abraham certainly had fun with the first few scenes and also skillfully managed to find the right tone for what is one of Shakespeare's more unsettling comedies.
Swift advance sales have prompted the Stratford Festival to extend the runs of four productions, just as the box office has opened to the public. Performances of Carousel, The Alchemist, The Physicists and The Last Wife have been added to the schedule.
Last night, Theatre Passe Muraille (TPM) opened their production of The De Chardin Project, by Adam Seybold, a Dora Award winner for Outstanding New Play in the Independent Theatre category. A multi-award-winning team is involved in this production - featuring Maev Beaty and Cyrus Lane, directed by Alan Dilworth, with designers Lorenzo Savoini and Thomas Ryder Payne. The De Chardin Project is in the TPM Mainspace from November 20 to December 14, 2014.
Canada's 23rd annual SummerWorks Performance Festival wrapped up another successful year with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding artistic achievements at the Closing Night Party, held at The Theatre Centre (1115 Queen Street West). This year the festival celebrates strong audience presence and increased support to artists with a total of 572 artists who put on 366 performances of 61 productions.
The celebrated 1957 film 12 Angry Men is a drama that began its life on television as part of a CBS series, Studio One, where it premiered in 1954. The work, penned by ex-serviceman Reginald Rose and inspired by his direct experience as a juror, went on to win an Emmy, and in its later form, an Academy Award nomination. It tells the story of twelve jurors who debate the fate of a sixteen year-old Latino boy on trial for murdering his father. The work starts out with one Not-Guilty vote, and explores the various prejudices of each juror (none of whom are given names) while simutaneously examining the nature of justice on both epic and intimate levels.
Young People's Theatre will present the co-world premiere with Polka Theatre (England) and Clwyd Theatr Cymru Theatre for Young People (Wales) of Kevin Dyer's latest childhood adventure Minotaur. This modern spin on an ancient myth will be presented on the Mainstage now through April 13, opening tomorrow, March 27. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
Young People's Theatre will present the co-world premiere with Polka Theatre (England) and Clwyd Theatr Cymru Theatre for Young People (Wales) of Kevin Dyer's latest childhood adventure Minotaur. This modern spin on an ancient myth will be presented on the Mainstage from March 24 to April 13, opening on March 27.
In his fairy-tale romance Cymbeline, Shakespeare pits the strength of true love against false accusation and familial discord. Directed by the Festival's General Director, Antoni Cimolino, this hauntingly beautiful play begins previews at the Tom Patterson Theatre on May 10.
