Seana McKenna News

The Stratford Festival will present its 2014 Legacy Award to Martha Henry. Her extraordinary contributions to the Festival and to the performing arts in Canada will be celebrated at a gala at Toronto's Four Seasons Hotel on Monday, September 29.

Part Waiting For Godot, part Title of Show, with a splash of Twelve Angry Men, WATCHING SEANA McKENNA WATCH PAINT DRY asks the big dramatic questions: what is art? What is life? What is the nexus between them? And what's that woman on stage doing, anyway? Starring eleven real lawyers (and a faux Seana McKenna**), it's a hilarious slice of comedic metatheatre. WATCHING SEANA McKENNA WATCH PAINT DRY plays at the George Ignatieff Theatre as part of the 2014 Toronto Fringe Festival. Tickets are available via www.fringetoronto.com, by phone at 416-966-1062 ext. 1, or at the door.

MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN, Directed by MARTHA HENRY, and set in the 30 years war that ravaged 17th century Europe, is as moving, upsetting, and as politically relevant as ever…which is likely exactly what playwright Bertolt Brecht intended when he initially wrote it as a response to the Second World War.

The Stratford Festival is celebrating the 450th anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare all season long, with five Shakespeare productions on its stages and a series of more than 20 special events at the Forum.

A.C.T. kicks off its 2014-15 season with the West Coast premiere of the Signature Theatre production of Old Hats (September 10-October 5, 2014), starring Tony Award winners Bill Irwin and David Shiner. Using music, technology, and movement - plus a few other tricks up their sleeves - Old Hats combines the inimitable magic, slapstick and hilarity of Irwin and Shiner into a wild and remarkable outing of theater for generations old and new. Directed by Tina Landau, Old Hats was the recipient of the 2013 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Alternative Theatrical Experience and the 2013 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revue. Old Hats marks the first collaboration for Irwin and Shiner since the smash Broadway hit Fool Moon, which set A.C.T. box office records during its sold-out 1998 run and their return engagement in 2001. Press night for Old Hats will be on Wednesday, September 17, 2014.

The Nominating Committee of the Independent Reviewers of New England has just announced nominees for the 2014 IRNE Awards. The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards, founded by Beverly Creasey of the Journal Newspapers and Larry Stark of TheaterMirror in 1997, recognize the extraordinary wealth of talent in the Boston theatre community.

To celebrate their current Neapolitan comedy Napoli!, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) announced today a partnership with Union Square's Kuleto's Restaurant and Nespresso Boutique & Bar.

16 years after they swept San Francisco Bay Area audiences off their feet with the Tony Award-winning production Fool Moon, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) welcomes back Tony Award winners Bill Irwin and David Shiner in the West Coast premiere of the Signature Theatre production of Old Hats. Using music, technology and movement - plus a few other tricks up their sleeves - Old Hats combines the inimitable magic, slapstick and hilarity of Irwin and Shiner into a wild and remarkable outing of theatre for generations old and new. Directed by Tina Landau, Old Hats was the recipient of the 2013 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Alternative Theatrical Experience and the 2013 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revue. Old Hats marks the first collaboration for Irwin and Shiner since the smash Broadway hit Fool Moon, which set A.C.T. box office records during its sold-out 1998 run and their return engagement in 2001. At this time, tickets to Old Hats are available only to subscribers of A.C.T.'s 2014-15 season.

Continuing its 2013-14 season, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) travels to 1940s Italy with A.C.T. favorite Marco Barricelli (former Artistic Director of Shakespeare Santa Cruz; Vigil at A.C.T.) and Canada's Stratford Festival star Seana McKenna (Phedre at A.C.T.), who return to lead the cast of Napoli!, Beatrice Basso and Linda Alper's vivid new translation of Eduardo De Filippo's poignant Italian comedy. During the chaotic days of World War II in Naples, an enterprising woman sets up a small-time black market business in the middle of her home to keep her family afloat. She prospers, but maybe a bit too much-compelling her husband to ask hard questions about morality, civility, and the state of their society. In a war-torn culture in which coffee is like liquid gold, De Filippo's masterful blend of humor and pathos tells the story of an unforgettable and wildly entertaining family determined to make a living even if it means profiteering. Directed by A.C.T. Associate Artistic Director Mark Rucker, this production culminates the Year of Italian Culture in the United States.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Artistic Director Carey Perloff announced today four of the seven productions that will comprise the lineup of the company's 48th subscription season, including two of the most acclaimed new works of the last year, a remounting of one of A.C.T.'s biggest hits in an all-new production, as well as a sumptuous production of one of Stephen Sondheim's most rapturous and seductive musicals. In addition, the 2014-15 season will include the inaugural production at the brand-new, state-of-the-art Strand Theater, located in the revitalized Central Market Street Corridor. The additional three productions for the 2014-15 season, as well as the complete show order and performance schedule, will be announced at a later date.

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.

Continuing its 2013-14 season, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) travels to 1940s Italy with A.C.T. favorite Marco Barricelli (former Artistic Director of Shakespeare Santa Cruz; Vigil at A.C.T.) and Canada's Stratford Festival star Seana McKenna (Phedre at A.C.T.), who return to lead the cast of Napoli!, Beatrice Basso and Linda Alper's vivid new translation of Eduardo De Filippo's poignant Italian comedy. During the chaotic days of World War II in Naples, an enterprising woman sets up a small-time black market business in the middle of her home to keep her family afloat. She prospers, but maybe a bit too much-compelling her husband to ask hard questions about morality, civility, and the state of their society. In a war-torn culture in which coffee is like liquid gold, De Filippo's masterful blend of humor and pathos tells the story of an unforgettable and wildly entertaining family determined to make a living even if it means profiteering. Directed by A.C.T. Associate Artistic Director Mark Rucker, this production culminates the Year of Italian Culture in the United States. Napoli! runs February 12-March 9, 2014 at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Press night is Wednesday, February 19, 2014. Tickets ($20 -$120) are on sale now and may be purchased online at act-sf.org or by calling 415.749.2228.

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.

MARY STUART, directed by Stratford Festival Artistic Director, Antoni Cimolino; explores the complex relationship between Queen Elizabeth I of England and her cousin Mary Stuart, the former queen of Scotland-and, and in the eyes of some, a more rightful heir to the English throne. The play was originally written by Friedrich Schiller. This production is based on the adaptation written by Peter Oswald. This production is gripping from start to finish. LUCY PEACOCK and SEANA MCKENNA shine as the feuding cousins. Audiences will not want to miss this fabulous production.

A hilarious battle of wits plays out in one of Noel Coward's most celebrated comedies, Blithe Spirit. Directed by long-time Stratford Festival favourite Brian Bedford, the gorgeously designed production officially opens tonight, June 1, and runs until October 20 at the Avon Theatre. Watch two scenes from the production below!

Examining the power struggle between two legendary monarchs, Mary Stuart offers a timely exploration of the often dangerous relationship between religion and politics. Directed by the Festival's Artistic Director, Antoni Cimolino, Friedrich Schiller's gripping historical drama, in a new version by Peter Oswald, begins previews on Friday, May 3, at the Tom Patterson Theatre. Check out highlights below!

A hilarious battle of wits plays out in one of Noel Coward's most celebrated comedies, Blithe Spirit. Directed by long-time Stratford Festival favourite Brian Bedford, the gorgeously designed production started previews on Thursday, May 16, at the Avon Theatre.