The Stratford Shakespeare Festival News

Golden Globe And Tony Award winner Brian Dennehy is set to make his film-directing debut. Dennehy will helm 'Redemption,' a fact-based drama, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival announces that Seán Cullen will be stepping in to assume the role of Pseudolus in the current production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Bruce Dow, who was originally cast in the role and has had audiences rolling in the aisles since previews began, has had to withdraw from the 2009 season because of an injury that has caused him to miss some recent performances. In order to fully heal, he needs an extended period of recovery.

Janet Madelle Feindel, tenured faculty in acting voice and the Alexander Technique at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, announces the release of her book THOUGHT PROPELS THE SOUND, a guide to voice and speech for theatre directors and other professionals interested in voice. THOUGHT PROPELS THE SOUND, published by Plural Publishing, is now available at various international bookstores.

It was announced today that Billy Crystal will bring 700 SUNDAYS, his Tony Award-winning Broadway blockbuster, to six cities for limited engagements this fall, launching at Washington, D.C.'s National Theatre September 8 - 17. The tour will also play Philadelphia, Dallas, Palm Beach, Miami and Atlanta. 700 SUNDAYS, a play performed and written by Mr. Crystal with additional content by Alan Zweibel is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the full cast for the New York premiere of the new musical The Tin Pan Alley Rag, written by Mark Saltzman, with Music & Lyrics by Irving Berlin & Scott Joplin, directed by Stafford Arima.

The Canadian Stage Company wraps its 2008.2009 season with Doubt, a parable, the award-winning play that's taken North America by storm. The production stars Canadian theatre icons Seana McKenna (Canadian Stage's The Clean House, Wit) and David Storch (Canadian Stage's Frost/Nixon and director of Palace of the End), and is helmed by renowned director Marti Maraden (Canadian Stage's Trying).

The Canadian Stage Company wraps its 2008.2009 season with Doubt, a parable, the award-winning play that's taken North America by storm. The production stars Canadian theatre icons Seana McKenna (Canadian Stage's The Clean House, Wit) and David Storch (Canadian Stage's Frost/Nixon and director of Palace of the End), and is helmed by renowned director Marti Maraden (Canadian Stage's Trying). The production runs from through May 30, 2009 (media night: May 7) at the Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front Street East. For tickets and information, contact 416-368-3110 or canstage.com.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the full cast for the New York premiere of the new musical The Tin Pan Alley Rag, written by Mark Saltzman, with Music & Lyrics by Irving Berlin & Scott Joplin, directed by Stafford Arima.

The Canadian Stage Company wraps its 2008.2009 season with Doubt, a parable, the award-winning play that's taken North America by storm. The production stars Canadian theatre icons Seana McKenna (Canadian Stage's The Clean House, Wit) and David Storch (Canadian Stage's Frost/Nixon and director of Palace of the End), and is helmed by renowned director Marti Maraden (Canadian Stage's Trying).

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Artistic Director Carey Perloff announced the lineup of the company's 43rd subscription season today. Running from September 2009 to June 2010, the season welcomes some of the best American and international artists to San Francisco and celebrates the 100th anniversary of A.C.T.'s historic theater.

The producers of ROCK OF AGES announced the complete, awesome cast for Broadway's new, smash hit musical today. Constantine Maroulis, ('American Idol' Season 4, Broadway's The Wedding Singer, RENT) reprising his critically acclaimed role as 'Drew', is now joined by Broadway's best 1970's & 1980's period actors Amy Spanger (The Wedding Singer, Kiss Me Kate) as 'Sherrie' and James Carpinello (Saturday Night Fever, VH1's 'So NoTORIous') as 'Stacee Jaxx'.

Robert Falls proudly names his longtime artistic collaborator Brian Dennehy-two-time Tony and Golden Globe Award winner and six-time Emmy Award nominee-the newest member of Goodman Theatre's Artistic Collective, a diverse group of outstanding American theater artists who make the Goodman their artistic home.

TAKE WING AND SOAR PRODUCTIONS proudly presents Shakespeare's KING LEAR, at the National Black Theatre, from February 20th - March 1st. Directed by Shakespearean actor & director TIMOTHY D. STICKNEY, KING LEAR stars Tony Award winning actress TREZANA BEVERLEY. KING LEAR tells a poignant tale of tragedy, murder, greed, power, madness & ungrateful children! Can a man of power, give away that which makes him powerful & still rule? Join the TWAS Classical Actors of Color as they share the stage with Tony Award winning actress Trezana Beverley* as she takes on the role of a King gone mad, in one of the greatest plays in world drama. Joining Ms. Beverley in starring roles are Leon Addison Brown*, Jim DeMonic* & Bryan Webster*.

The producers of ROCK OF AGES announced the complete, awesome cast for Broadway's new, smash hit musical today. Constantine Maroulis, ('American Idol' Season 4, Broadway's The Wedding Singer, RENT) reprising his critically acclaimed role as 'Drew', is now joined by Broadway's best 1970's & 1980's period actors Amy Spanger (The Wedding Singer, Kiss Me Kate) as 'Sherrie' and James Carpinello (Saturday Night Fever, VH1's 'So NoTORIous') as 'Stacee Jaxx'.

Variety is reporting that Canada's Cineplex has joined forces with CTV and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival to present the festivals 2008 hit production of 'Caesar and Cleopatra,' starring Christopher Plummer, on 80 screens across Canada. Scheduled to be shown just one time only, on Saturday January 31st, 'Caesar' was shot in front of an audience over three days during the George Bernard Shaw play's Stratford run last fall, using nine high-definition cameras and Dolby surround sound reports Variety. The advanced demand is strong, with several theaters sold out.

Variety is reporting that Canada's Cineplex has joined forces with CTV and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival to present the festivals 2008 hit production of 'Caesar and Cleopatra,' starring Christopher Plummer, on 80 screens across Canada. Scheduled to be shown just one time only, on Saturday January 31st, 'Caesar' was shot in front of an audience over three days during the George Bernard Shaw play's Stratford run last fall, using nine high-definition cameras and Dolby surround sound reports Variety. The advanced demand is strong, with several theaters sold out.

TAKE WING AND SOAR PRODUCTIONS proudly presents Shakespeare's KING LEAR, at the National Black Theatre, from February 20th - March 1st. Directed by Shakespearean actor & director TIMOTHY D. STICKNEY, KING LEAR stars Tony Award winning actress TREZANA BEVERLEY. KING LEAR tells a poignant tale of tragedy, murder, greed, power, madness & ungrateful children! Can a man of power, give away that which makes him powerful & still rule? Join the TWAS Classical Actors of Color as they share the stage with Tony Award winning actress Trezana Beverley* as she takes on the role of a King gone mad, in one of the greatest plays in world drama. Joining Ms. Beverley in starring roles are Leon Addison Brown*, Jim DeMonic* & Bryan Webster*.

Seana McKenna and Scott Wentworth star in Euripides' immortal drama of obsession and revenge.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival 2009 season ? a playbill reflecting the Festival's commitment to producing the works of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries, along with other classical theatre repertoire and the work of living playwrights is now offering tickets to the public.

Seana McKenna and Scott Wentworth star in Euripides' immortal drama of obsession and revenge.