Dayna Tietzen & Juan Chioran to Lead Stratford's Revamped A CHORUS LINE; Full Cast Set!

Dayna Tietzen and Juan Chioran will be at the forefront of next season's not-to-be-missed theatrical event: a dazzling new production of A Chorus Line at the Festival Theatre. Canada's leading director-choreographer, Donna Feore, will make theatrical magic, reimagining this legendary musical for its first major production on a thrust stage.

"I'm thrilled that the Stratford Festival and Donna Feore are bringing a new production of A Chorus Line to Canada," says John Breglio, the producer and lawyer who controls the rights to the musical. "Along with a stellar cast, Donna will bring her own perspective and artistry to this landmark musical. I think Stratford audiences will be treated to a unique and truly extraordinary experience."

Ms Feore has scoured the country to put together a cast brimming with talent. "These performers are the ultimate triple threats," she says.

Making her Stratford debut as Cassie - the dancer desperate for a spot in the line after a failed Hollywood venture - is Dayna Tietzen. Ms Tietzen spent the last several years in War Horse, bringing the groundbreaking production to the Toronto stage with Mirvish Productions and then across North America and Japan with the U.S. National Tour. Most recently, she played Morticia Addams in The Addams Family at Neptune Theatre in Halifax. Her previous credits include Lady Anne in the U.S. Tour of Camelot, as well as roles in Spamalot and The Rocky Horror Show at Citadel Theatre, and West Side Story, The Producers and Beauty and the Beast at Neptune Theatre.

Juan Chioran will play Zach, Cassie's former flame, and the director of the new Broadway musical for which she and the other dancers are auditioning. Mr. Chioran, who this season played Don Armado in Love's Labour's Lost and the Player King in Hamlet, has a string of Stratford musical successes to his name, including Juan Peron in Evita, Fred Graham in Kiss Me Kate, Cervantes in Man of La Mancha and the title role in Dracula.

The Festival's chorus line will feature the following remarkable performers:

Eric Abel, who will make his Stratford debut next season. He recently appeared in Funny Girl at the Segal Centre, and Alice Through the Looking-Glass and Anne of Green Gables at the Charlottetown Festival.

Matt Alfano as Mike, a tough Italian kid who got his start in tap dancing by tagging along to his sister's dance lessons and thinking "I can do that!" Throughout his six seasons, Mr. Alfano has been featured in such musicals as Carousel, Tommy, Fiddler on the Roof and last season's Crazy for You, in which he performed an unforgettable tap solo.

Gabriel Antonacci as Al, a Bronx-based dancer married to fellow dancer Kristine. Mr. Antonacci was featured this season as Rolf Gruber in The Sound of Music. His previous credits include Tommy and Fiddler on the Roof.

Matthew Armet as Greg, a veteran dancer who has done it all. Mr. Armet has spent four seasons at Stratford, appearing in such musicals as Crazy for You, Man of La Mancha andTommy.

Ashley Arnett as Bebe, a young dancer who opens up about her physical insecurities. Ms Arnett, making her Stratford debut, was recently seen in The Pirates of Penzance at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, as well as Drayton's production of Snow White.

Alex Black, who will return for his second season. He made his debut this season as the Carnival Boy in Carousel.

Stephen Cota as Larry, Zach's assistant. Mr. Cota served as Assistant Choreographer of this season's The Sound of Music. He has been featured in many musicals throughout his 10 seasons, including Crazy for You, Tommy, Fiddler on the Roof and 42nd Street.

Colton Curtis as Mark, one of the youngest dancers at the audition. Mr. Curtis will make his Stratford debut next season. He spent this past year in his first season at the Shaw Festival, featured in Sweet Charity and Light Up the Sky.

JJ Gerber, who will also make his Stratford debut. He can currently be seen as Willy Boulter in Anne of Green Gables at Dunfield Theatre Cambridge.

Alexandra Herzog as Kristine, an exceptional dancer, but tone-deaf singer. Ms Herzog starred as Liesl von Trapp in The Sound of Music this season. She made her debut in 2014 as Patsy in Crazy for You.

Galen Johnson, returning for his fourth season. His Stratford credits include Man of La Mancha, Fiddler on the Roof, 42nd Street and The Pirates of Penzance.

Bonnie Jordan as Judy, a tall, quirky dancer who reflects on her troubled childhood. Ms Jordan, returning for her third season, has appeared in such musicals as The Sound of Music,Carousel and Crazy for You.

Bethany Kovarik, returning for her second season. She made her debut in 2014 as a swing in Crazy for You. She recently played Mona in Drayton Entertainment's Chicago.

Ayrin Mackie as Sheila, a streetwise dancer who found solace from her unhappy home life in the world of ballet. Ms Mackie has appeared in such musicals as The Sound of Music, Crazy for You, Man of La Mancha and The Pirates of Penzance.

Chad McFadden as Don, an All-American ladies' man. Throughout his six seasons, his credits include Carousel, Crazy for You, The King and I and Guys and Dolls.

Melanie McInenly as Tricia, a promising young dancer. Ms McInenly made her Stratford debut this season, appearing in Carousel and as a swing in The Sound of Music.

Julia McLellan as Val, a sassy, sexy dancer who is constantly showing off her newly enhanced shape. Ms McLellan, who will make her Stratford debut next season, is currently performing in the Mirvish production of Kinky Boots.

Nicholas Nesbitt as Bobby, a flamboyant dancer who uses humour to hide his inner struggles. Mr. Nesbitt made his Stratford debut in 2013, appearing in Tommy and as a swing inFiddler on the Roof.

Matt Nethersole as Richie, a strong, enthusiastic dancer who once planned to be a kindergarten teacher. Mr. Nethersole, making his debut next season, appeared in his first season at the Shaw Festival this year, performing in Sweet Charity and Pygmalion.

Cory O'Brien as Roy, who lacks ballet training and can't quite get the hang of it. Mr. O'Brien played Baron Elberfeld in this season's The Sound of Music. His previous credits include Pedro in Man of La Mancha and Custus in Crazy for You.

Jennifer Rider-Shaw as Maggie, a shy, sweet dreamer who turned to dance to escape her troubled life at home. Ms Rider-Shaw, returning for her fifth season, recently starred as Sally Simpson in Tommy and Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street.

Conor Scully as Paul, an introverted dancer who emotionally relives his childhood and opens up about his homosexuality. Mr. Scully will make his Stratford debut next season. He recently appeared in Footloose, Anne of Green Gables and Damn Yankees at Drayton Entertainment.

Genny Sermonia as Connie, an experienced dancer who laments the struggles of being short. Ms Sermonia was last seen at Stratford in 2009 in West Side Story. She spent this past year performing in Sweet Charity at the Shaw Festival.

Jason Sermonia, who will mark his fifth season next year. In 2015, he appeared in The Sound of Music and Carousel, and was previously seen in such musicals as Crazy for You, Man of La Mancha and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Cynthia Smithers as Diana, an eternal optimist who touchingly sings of her love of dance. Ms Smithers made her Stratford debut this season, appearing in The Sound of Music and as a swing in Carousel.

Kimberly-Ann Truong, who will make her Stratford debut. She was recently seen in West Side Story at Rainbow Stage and LES MISERABLES at Drayton.

Casting continues for the Festival's 2016 season, which also features Macbeth; As You Like It; Breath of Kings; A Chorus Line; A Little Night Music; The Hypochondriac; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; All My Sons; John Gabriel Borkman; Bunny; and The Aeneid. For more information, visit www.stratfordfestival.ca or call the box office at 1,800.567.1600.

Tickets for the 2016 season will go on sale to Members of the Stratford Festival on Sunday, November 15, 2015, and to the general public on Friday, January 8, 2016.

Photo by Don Dixon