Steven Sutcliffe News

Artistic Director Tim Carroll announces the Shaw Festival's 2018 ensemble. This season's 56 actors will take to the stage in 14 productions, plus numerous Secret Theatre experiences.

STRONG ACTING IN DRACULA DESPITE TEDIOUS SCRIPT The story of Bram Stoker's DRACULA has been told long enough since the novel's release in 1897 that most everyone is familiar with the famous Prince of Darkness. Numerous films have been made, as early as the silent version NOSFERATU, and a stage version with Frank Langella was lauded nearly 30 years ago on Broadway. The Shaw Festival is presenting a stage version by Poet Laureate of Glasgow, Liz Lochhead. First given in 1985 in Scotland, this overly long stage adaptation is too bogged down in literary detail, and judicious trimming of the Victorian epic seemed necessary to make it palatable for modern day audiences.

The Shaw Festival's production of Liz Lochhead's sultry adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula - a feminine-focused take on the iconic vampire story - begins previews July 8 at the Festival Theatre.

The Shaw Festival's production of Liz Lochhead's sultry adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula - a feminine-focused take on the iconic vampire story - begins previews July 8 at the Festival Theatre.

The Shaw Festival's production of Liz Lochhead's sultry adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula - a feminine-focused take on the iconic vampire story - begins previews July 8 at the Festival Theatre.

When the Shaw Festival's 2017 production of Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan begins previews on May 3 at the Festival Theatre, it marks two milestones for Artistic Director Tim Carroll - a Shaw Festival directorial debut and his first undertaking of a work by the Festival's namesake. His production joins the tradition of earlier presentations of Saint Joan by former artistic directors Christopher Newton and Jackie Maxwell in 1981 and 2007, respectively.

The Shaw Festival proudly announces casting for Artistic Director Tim Carroll's first season. The Shaw's 2017 ensemble is a mix of new faces and Festival favourites - each actor ready to entertain and excite audiences in this season's 11 productions.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) culminates Artistic Director Barbara Gaines' Tug of War with Civil Strife, where family divisions launch a country into civil war through Shakespeare's Henry VI, Parts 2 and 3 and into his notorious tragedy Richard III.

On the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare's legacy in 2016, Chicago Shakespeare Theater embarks on an epic theatrical endeavor-Artistic Director Barbara Gaines' TUG OF WAR, which distills six Shakespeare histories into two action-packed dramas. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

On the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare's legacy in 2016, Chicago Shakespeare Theater  (CST) prepares to begin an epic theatrical endeavor-Artistic Director Barbara Gaines' Tug of War, which distills six Shakespeare histories into two action-packed dramas. Adapted and directed by Gaines as the Theater's centerpiece of the yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival, the Tug of War saga traces the injustice and intrigues of war from the perspectives of both kings and common soldiers through two, six-hour marathon productions-Foreign Fire (Edward III, Henry V and Henry VI, Part 1) in the spring and Civil Strife (Henry VI, Parts 2 and 3 and Richard III) in the fall. Featuring some of Chicago's most celebrated actors, the dynamic ensemble cast of 19 performs over 100 characters throughout the electrifying drama. The musicality of Shakespeare's text is complemented with live music performances ranging from Bach and the blues, to contemporary pop and folk anthems. Songs from P!nk, Pete Townshend and Tim Buckley are accompanied onstage by a band of ensemble members on electric guitar, cello, keyboard, ukulele and percussion. Tug of War: Foreign Fire debuts on the Courtyard Theater stage for a limited run of only 18 performances, May 12-June 12, 2016.

On the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare's legacy in 2016, Chicago Shakespeare Theater  (CST) prepares to begin an epic theatrical endeavor-Artistic Director Barbara Gaines' Tug of War, which distills six Shakespeare histories into two action-packed dramas. Adapted and directed by Gaines as the Theater's centerpiece of the yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival, the Tug of War saga traces the injustice and intrigues of war from the perspectives of both kings and common soldiers through two, six-hour marathon productions-Foreign Fire (Edward III, Henry V and Henry VI, Part 1) in the spring and Civil Strife (Henry VI, Parts 2 and 3 and Richard III) in the fall. Featuring some of Chicago's most celebrated actors, the dynamic ensemble cast of 19 performs over 100 characters throughout the electrifying drama. The musicality of Shakespeare's text is complemented with live music performances ranging from Bach and the blues, to contemporary pop and folk anthems. Songs from P!nk, Pete Townshend and Tim Buckley are accompanied onstage by a band of ensemble members on electric guitar, cello, keyboard, ukulele and percussion. Tug of War: Foreign Fire debuts on the Courtyard Theater stage for a limited run of only 18 performances, May 12-June 12, 2016.

The Bard is back! Shakespeare 400 Chicago today announced the festival line-up for 2016, featuring 850 events on stages and in museums, restaurants, parks, schools and neighborhoods across Chicago.

The Shaw Festival is known for dusting off old chestnuts and breathing new life into them. Unfortunately, its new production of Moss Hart's LIGHT UP THE SKY is  a chestnut better left in the attic to continue gathering dust.  Compared to his successful plays, like THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER  (with 739 Broadway performances) and YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU (838 performances), LIGHT UP THE SKY is a second string comedy that seems stale and dated. It's initial run on Broadway was only a modest success, running 200 performances, and revivals have not fared much better.

Christopher Durang's Tony Award winning play, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, opened last night at the Panasonic Theatre. The play's premise is reminiscent of a sitcom: Masha, a famous actress past her prime (and the most successful sibling) returns home for a weekend to visit her siblings Sonia and Vanya. Sonia and Vanya have spent the last 15 years caring for their aging parents who have since passed away. Sonia is especially jealous of the success Masha has had.

Toronto's best holiday family show is actually in Hamilton at Theatre Aquarius. It's Disney/Cameron Mackintosh's "Mary Poppins," featuring a stellar cast of Shaw, Stratford and Charlottetown Festival vets. It also stars Broadway vets award-winning Steven Sutcliffe and Chilina Kennedy as the beloved, magical nanny. This fabulous, fun-filled production runs until Dec. 28th.

I am pleased to announce the nominees for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Toronto Regional Awards. The response this year from Toronto's theatre community and fans has been incredible. The BroadwayWorld Awards are an award decided by the fans - from nominations all the way to selecting the final winner.

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

David Mirvish has finalized all the details and shows for his 2014-15 line-up of shows. There will be seven shows in the Mainstage Subscription Series, three in the Off-Mirvish Subscription Series and nine bonus shows not on subscription. That brings the total to a record 19 shows for the 2014-15 season.

Theatre 20's highly-anticipated production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Company will play the Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs from tonight, June 21 to July 13, 2014. This show has not been seen in Toronto in almost 30 years.

Theatre 20's highly-anticipated production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Company will play the Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs from June 21 to July 13, 2014. This show has not been seen in Toronto in almost 30 years.