Paul Sportelli News

The Shaw Festival today announced principal casting and creative team details for its 54th season.

As part of the opening night celebration for Fiddler on the Roof, the iconic musical that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide for the past 50 years, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater will present the American Artist Award to lyricist Sheldon Harnick and the American Voice Award to Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) on Wednesday, November 12, 2014.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Broadway production this fall, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater mounts a new staging of Fiddler on the Roof, the iconic musical that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Featuring a book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and based on Sholem Aleichem stories, Fiddler on the Roof runs October 31, 2014-January 4, 2015 in the Fichandler Stage. The company just met the press and BroadwayWorld has photos below!

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Broadway production this fall, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater mounts a new staging of Fiddler on the Roof, the iconic musical that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Helmed by Artistic Director Molly Smith, the production features choreography by Arena favorite Parker Esse, who adapts the original Jerome Robbins choreography for an in-the-round staging, and a 10-piece orchestra led by Musical Director Paul Sportelli (Arena's My Fair Lady, Light in the Piazza).

Tarragon Theatre, under the artistic direction of Richard Rose, proudly presents Marry Me A Little with music and lyrics by the undisputed master of the contemporary musical, Stephen Sondheim. Directed by Adam Brazier with musical direction by Paul Sportelli, this charming and bittersweet tale about love, loneliness and commitment stars Elodie Gillett and Adrian Marchuk. Marry Me A Little opens tomorrow, Wednesday, March 5 and runs to April 6 in Tarragon's Mainspace. Tickets range from $21-$53 (inclusive of HST) and are available by calling Patron Services at 416-531-1827 or by visiting www.tarragontheatre.com.

Tarragon Theatre, under the artistic direction of Richard Rose, proudly presents Marry Me A Little with music and lyrics by the undisputed master of the contemporary musical, Stephen Sondheim. Directed by Adam Brazier with musical direction by Paul Sportelli, this charming and bittersweet tale about love, loneliness and commitment stars Elodie Gillett and Adrian Marchuk. Marry Me A Little opens Wednesday, March 5 and runs to April 6 (with previews from February 26) in Tarragon's Mainspace. Tickets range from $21-$53 (inclusive of HST) and are available by calling Patron Services at 416-531-1827 or by visiting www.tarragontheatre.com .

For one-night only, Angelwalk Theatre will be presenting Ashley's Gibson's inspirational one-woman show, The Life is Sweet Project on Monday, February 10, 2014 at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.

For one-night only, Angelwalk Theatre will be presenting Ashley's Gibson's inspirational one-woman show, The Life is Sweet Project on Monday, February 10, 2014 at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.

Kyle Golemba and Adam White have reason to celebrate: the debut of the recording of their all-Canadian musical theatre revue, Making Love in a Canoe. A 'sonnet to Canadian culture', Making Love in a Canoe features the work of 15 Canadian writers including Nancy White, Leslie Arden, and Jonathan Monro. With four never-before-recorded songs, the album promises to introduce even the most avid theatre-goer to the riches Canadian musicals have to offer.

GUYS AND DOLLS, the mainstage musical at the Shaw Festival this summer offers an enjoyable, tightly paced staging that gives audiences a chance to revisit one of Frank Loesser's most sparking scores. Of the four leading players, two give well-developed performances but are unbalanced by the other coupel who lack the necessary 'chemistry.' * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)

A new production of the Tony Award-winning musical Guys and Dolls begins previews April 12 at the Shaw's Festival Theatre. Like its musical predecessors My Fair Lady and Ragtime, the Shaw's production of Guys and Dolls celebrates glorious storytelling, unforgettable characters and memorable music. Directed by Tadeusz Bradecki and brought to life by The Shaw's renowned acting Ensemble, the 'greatest of all American musicals' pulsates with the neon-lit rhythm, energy and grittiness of New York City nightlife

My Fair Lady, featuring Manna Nichols and Nicholas Rodriguez, is currently curring at Arena Stage through January 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld brings you backstage photos below!

My Fair Lady, featuring Manna Nichols and Nicholas Rodriguez, is currently curring at Arena Stage through January 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the curtain call below!

My Fair Lady, featuring Manna Nichols and Nicholas Rodriguez, is currently curring at Arena Stage through January 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights from the show below.

My Fair Lady, featuring Manna Nichols and Nicholas Rodriguez, is currently curring at Arena Stage through January 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below.

Take a first look at the talented cast of My Fair Lady, featuring Manna Nichols and Nicholas Rodriguez, in rehearsal at Arena Stage below!

Based on George Bernard Shaw's classic play Pygmalion, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's musical My Fair Lady follows the transformation of Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle into an aristocratic lady through lessons in manners, language and dress. After directing the production at the 2011 Shaw Festival, Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith reunites with members of her original design team, along with noted Canadian actor Benedict Campbell who reprises his role as Henry Higgins, to bring a completely fresh interpretation to audiences in D.C. As previously announced, Manna Nichols makes her Arena debut as Eliza Doolittle, and Nicholas Rodriguez returns as Freddy Eynsford-Hill, leading a cast that features many D.C.-area actors. My Fair Lady became the best-selling production in the Shaw Festival's 50-year history and runs at Arena Stage November 2, 2012-January 6, 2013 in the Fichandler Stage.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for My Fair Lady, directed by Artistic Director Molly Smith.

A lush musical portrait of a seemingly blissful marriage in 1950s suburbia takes centre stage in Leonard Bernstein's Trouble in Tahiti. Directed by Jay Turvey, this season's lyrical lunchtime is a stylish, jazzy mid-day treat. Trouble in Tahiti began previews on June 1, at the Court House Theatre as part of the Shaw Festival and opens tonight, July 7.

The Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake offers a dazzling new production of the 1996 musical RAGTIME that makes a case for the show as a great American musical. A terrific cast wins standing ovations nightly at the Festival Theater where the show plays until October 14.