From Richard Ouzounian at the Toronto Star:
"The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is appointing Elizabeth Bradley as its senior artistic associate.
"Bradley, who was born in Toronto, has served in the past as the director of communications at Stratford, as CEO of the then-Hummingbird Centre and as head of the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University. She is currently in her first year as the head of drama at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.
"Stratford describes her newly created position as one that will 'focus on international creative development, assist the festival in establishing relationships that will enable it to export productions, provide details of opportunities for collaborations and suggest new markets of interest.'
"Bradley, who is accepting the position for the first year as an unpaid volunteer, told the Toronto Star from her New York office that, 'This relationship re-establishes a professional dialogue with an organization that influenced my career profoundly. I look on this as the best possible way to make a positive offering of my skills and knowledge to the distinctive Canadian artistic excellence that the Stratford Shakespeare Festival represents.'
"Festival artistic director Des McAnuff said in a phone interview, 'I've always been impressed by Liz and her remarkable mind. I think she's one of the most articulate people I've ever met in any field. I think she'll do good diplomatic work for us out there in the field.'
"McAnuff and Bradley first worked together in 1974 when she was a high school intern working on his play Silent Edward at what was then known as Young People's Theatre. They have stayed in close contact over the years, with McAnuff serving on committees for her during her years at Carnegie Mellon.
"'I trust her and we have similar tastes,' McAnuff said.
"'We literally grew up together in the halls of the alternative Toronto theatre scene. I thinks she cares really deeply about Stratford. That, above all else, makes her a good candidate.'"
Read the official press release.
Showing posts with label In the News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label In the News. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Caesar Coming to Big Screen
"Stratford Shakespeare Festival's production of Caesar and Cleopatra, starring Christopher Plummer, will be hitting the big and small screens.
"A film version of the stage production will premiere as one-night gala screenings at up to 80 Cineplex theatres across Canada, according to a report by the Globe and Mail on Saturday.
"The partnership with CTV-Bravo also means the production will eventually air on television.
"'It's lucid, it is very very funny [and] it's got a real sense of interplay between the audience and the players,' the festival's general director Antoni Cimolino told the Globe.
"The Stratford adaptation of the George Bernard Shaw play involves sumptuous costumes and a highly visual staging which should lend itself to a screening, according to Cimolino.
"Funding for the project has come from CTV and a private donor.
"The venture follows in the footsteps of New York's Metropolitan Opera, which has been broadcasting its productions, in real time, to cinemas across the world. The only difference is that the Stratford model isn't a live experience.
"'It's partly brand extension. It's putting bums in seats. It's making people embrace Stratford as a national institution,' said entertainment lawyer Michael Levine, who helped broker the deal.'"
"A film version of the stage production will premiere as one-night gala screenings at up to 80 Cineplex theatres across Canada, according to a report by the Globe and Mail on Saturday.
"The partnership with CTV-Bravo also means the production will eventually air on television.
"'It's lucid, it is very very funny [and] it's got a real sense of interplay between the audience and the players,' the festival's general director Antoni Cimolino told the Globe.
"The Stratford adaptation of the George Bernard Shaw play involves sumptuous costumes and a highly visual staging which should lend itself to a screening, according to Cimolino.
"Funding for the project has come from CTV and a private donor.
"The venture follows in the footsteps of New York's Metropolitan Opera, which has been broadcasting its productions, in real time, to cinemas across the world. The only difference is that the Stratford model isn't a live experience.
"'It's partly brand extension. It's putting bums in seats. It's making people embrace Stratford as a national institution,' said entertainment lawyer Michael Levine, who helped broker the deal.'"
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Changes to the Festival Stage?
From Laura Cudworth at the Beacon-Herald.
"A scenic carpenter at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival is speaking out against any plans that may alter the famous Tanya Moiseiwitsch thrust stage.
"Walter Sugden is concerned the stage will be changed or 'destroyed' if it's modernized to increase the space underneath it. The stage would have to be pulled up for the excavation underneath to allow for larger trap doors and machinery below the stage, he said.
"'My basic feeling is I've worked there for 36 years, I can't consciously feel good with myself if I don't speak out,' he said. 'All I hope to do is make people aware. If they feel like I do, I hope they'll express to the Festival their feelings.'
"He admits he may be 'romantic about it' but he sees the stage as a critical piece of heritage for both the Festival and Canadian Theatre. In his earlier years he worked with Ms. Moiseiwitsch.
"'I love the nicks in the stage that have happened in past productions,' he said noting the likes of Maggie Smith, William Hutt, Nicholas Pennell and Jessica Tandy have all walked across the oak stage.
"The stage is nearly 50 years old, he said.
"General director Antoni Cimolino downplayed the possibility the famous thrust stage would be altered. He acknowledged though an assessment of the Festival auditorium is underway but expects it will take about two years to complete.
"The assessment includes lights, acoustics and the backstage area.
"'Over time stages evolve,' Mr. Cimolino said. 'Pillars, locations of doors change over time but it's not our intention to change the stage.'
"However, he acknowledged the trap in the stage is 'too small to bury Ophelia' and ways to increase the space below may be looked at. Should the space underneath be increased attempts will be made to preserve the stage and keep the lumber intact, he said.
"'The fact is over the years a lot of that stage has changed. It's a living, working stage. I assure you, we'll hold onto all the pieces and keep them and use them when we can.'
"He suggested the emphasis of the study focuses on aging wiring and lighting systems rather than the stage.
"In order to do the work the Festival would have to undertake a fundraising campaign and get government grants. Whatever work is decided on will likely be done over the course of a couple of winters, Mr. Cimolino said.
"'We're in the process of a long-term analysis study -- there's lots of time for consideration before anything is done.'
"Mr. Sugden praised the new artistic team for the 'spectacular season' but also stressed 'there's a certain amount of stewardship they have to take on.'
"'In the business world now the popular talk is about the brand. I think that stage is an important part of the Festival's brand.'"
"A scenic carpenter at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival is speaking out against any plans that may alter the famous Tanya Moiseiwitsch thrust stage.
"Walter Sugden is concerned the stage will be changed or 'destroyed' if it's modernized to increase the space underneath it. The stage would have to be pulled up for the excavation underneath to allow for larger trap doors and machinery below the stage, he said.
"'My basic feeling is I've worked there for 36 years, I can't consciously feel good with myself if I don't speak out,' he said. 'All I hope to do is make people aware. If they feel like I do, I hope they'll express to the Festival their feelings.'
"He admits he may be 'romantic about it' but he sees the stage as a critical piece of heritage for both the Festival and Canadian Theatre. In his earlier years he worked with Ms. Moiseiwitsch.
"'I love the nicks in the stage that have happened in past productions,' he said noting the likes of Maggie Smith, William Hutt, Nicholas Pennell and Jessica Tandy have all walked across the oak stage.
"The stage is nearly 50 years old, he said.
"General director Antoni Cimolino downplayed the possibility the famous thrust stage would be altered. He acknowledged though an assessment of the Festival auditorium is underway but expects it will take about two years to complete.
"The assessment includes lights, acoustics and the backstage area.
"'Over time stages evolve,' Mr. Cimolino said. 'Pillars, locations of doors change over time but it's not our intention to change the stage.'
"However, he acknowledged the trap in the stage is 'too small to bury Ophelia' and ways to increase the space below may be looked at. Should the space underneath be increased attempts will be made to preserve the stage and keep the lumber intact, he said.
"'The fact is over the years a lot of that stage has changed. It's a living, working stage. I assure you, we'll hold onto all the pieces and keep them and use them when we can.'
"He suggested the emphasis of the study focuses on aging wiring and lighting systems rather than the stage.
"In order to do the work the Festival would have to undertake a fundraising campaign and get government grants. Whatever work is decided on will likely be done over the course of a couple of winters, Mr. Cimolino said.
"'We're in the process of a long-term analysis study -- there's lots of time for consideration before anything is done.'
"Mr. Sugden praised the new artistic team for the 'spectacular season' but also stressed 'there's a certain amount of stewardship they have to take on.'
"'In the business world now the popular talk is about the brand. I think that stage is an important part of the Festival's brand.'"
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Share the Stage
There's controversy over at the Shaw Festival:
"Toronto's Andrew Moodie, 40, electrified the country's theatrical community last week when he announced that he was starting an online initiative he calls Share the Stage to lever the festival, started 46 years ago at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., to embrace such practices as colour-blind casting. In the announcement, Moodie asks: 'Does the festival actually have a policy to exclude people based on race?'"
"Moodie thinks that the Shaw should emulate the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. "They've got it right. ... They're working with members of colour to commission new plays and commission plays that are black-themed." This year's Stratford cast an African Canadian, Nikki James, as the lead in Romeo and Juliet and hired an African American, Ron OJ Parsons, to direct Joanna Glass's Palmer Park: A Visit to Post-Riot Detroit."
You can read all the quotes and reactions in the Globe and Mail article.
J. Kelly Nestruck, in his blog for the same paper, expands on the comparison to Stratford:
"The contrast with Canada's other big repertory company is striking. Over at the Stratford Festival, there are actors of colour playing Juliet, Helen of Troy, Christopher Sly, Cleopatra (in a play by Bernard Shaw, no less) and rebellious Fuente Ovejunians, to name just a few. There isn't a big fuss made about it, either. Maybe it's because Shakespeare's characters were originally all played by male actors, but non-traditional casting is just the way Stratford roles. (Apologies.)"
Nestruck also points us to two Shaw actors, Ali Momen and Thom Allison, who have responded to the issue in their own blogs.
So . . .
What do you think?
"Toronto's Andrew Moodie, 40, electrified the country's theatrical community last week when he announced that he was starting an online initiative he calls Share the Stage to lever the festival, started 46 years ago at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., to embrace such practices as colour-blind casting. In the announcement, Moodie asks: 'Does the festival actually have a policy to exclude people based on race?'"
"Moodie thinks that the Shaw should emulate the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. "They've got it right. ... They're working with members of colour to commission new plays and commission plays that are black-themed." This year's Stratford cast an African Canadian, Nikki James, as the lead in Romeo and Juliet and hired an African American, Ron OJ Parsons, to direct Joanna Glass's Palmer Park: A Visit to Post-Riot Detroit."
You can read all the quotes and reactions in the Globe and Mail article.
J. Kelly Nestruck, in his blog for the same paper, expands on the comparison to Stratford:
"The contrast with Canada's other big repertory company is striking. Over at the Stratford Festival, there are actors of colour playing Juliet, Helen of Troy, Christopher Sly, Cleopatra (in a play by Bernard Shaw, no less) and rebellious Fuente Ovejunians, to name just a few. There isn't a big fuss made about it, either. Maybe it's because Shakespeare's characters were originally all played by male actors, but non-traditional casting is just the way Stratford roles. (Apologies.)"
Nestruck also points us to two Shaw actors, Ali Momen and Thom Allison, who have responded to the issue in their own blogs.
So . . .
What do you think?
As Previously Announced . . .
West Side Story and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will be the two musicals mounted in the 2009 season.
A Funny Thing . . . will be at the Avon Theatre, where the musicals are this season.
West Side Story, which appeared ten years ago at the Avon Theatre, will be in the Festival Theatre this time. General Manager Antoni Cimolino explains the choice to the Beacon Herald:
"Since West Side Story was earlier produced at the Avon, 'artistically, it seemed to provide new abilities to experiment and grow by putting that one on the main stage,' he said.
"As well, there are other shows the Festival wants to stage at the Avon next year.
"People may be wondering if the Festival is selling fewer tickets this year because the musicals are at the Avon, said Mr. Cimolino, but in 1999 with the musicals at the Avon, sales went up. Seating capacity is the same or increased with more shows staged there, so that's not the issue.
"'We want to make it (the show) different and new,' he said."
Casting has not been announced yet, but for all the details that have been, you can read the reports from CBC News (basic), the Canadian Press (basic), the Globe and Mail (basic), or Playbill (extensive).
A Funny Thing . . . will be at the Avon Theatre, where the musicals are this season.
West Side Story, which appeared ten years ago at the Avon Theatre, will be in the Festival Theatre this time. General Manager Antoni Cimolino explains the choice to the Beacon Herald:
"Since West Side Story was earlier produced at the Avon, 'artistically, it seemed to provide new abilities to experiment and grow by putting that one on the main stage,' he said.
"As well, there are other shows the Festival wants to stage at the Avon next year.
"People may be wondering if the Festival is selling fewer tickets this year because the musicals are at the Avon, said Mr. Cimolino, but in 1999 with the musicals at the Avon, sales went up. Seating capacity is the same or increased with more shows staged there, so that's not the issue.
"'We want to make it (the show) different and new,' he said."
Casting has not been announced yet, but for all the details that have been, you can read the reports from CBC News (basic), the Canadian Press (basic), the Globe and Mail (basic), or Playbill (extensive).
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
2009 Musicals Confirmed
From the Canadian Press:
"West Side Story and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum are slated to be staged at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival next year.
"Des McAnuff, the festival's artistic director, notes that both musicals have ties to the Bard.
"West Side Story, he says, was based on Romeo and Juliet, while Forum was heavily influenced by A Comedy of Errors.
"McAnuff, who directed the Tony Award-winning Jersey Boys, will take the helm of Forum with choreographer Wayne Cilento.
"The pair have previously worked together on Broadway productions of The Who's Tommy as well as How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
"West Side Story will be directed by Gary Griffin, who will make his Stratford debut. His credits include the Broadway production of Oprah Winfrey's The Color Purple.
"West Side Story has been produced at the festival once before, in 1999.
"This is the first time Forum will be staged at Stratford."
Read the official press release.
"West Side Story and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum are slated to be staged at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival next year.
"Des McAnuff, the festival's artistic director, notes that both musicals have ties to the Bard.
"West Side Story, he says, was based on Romeo and Juliet, while Forum was heavily influenced by A Comedy of Errors.
"McAnuff, who directed the Tony Award-winning Jersey Boys, will take the helm of Forum with choreographer Wayne Cilento.
"The pair have previously worked together on Broadway productions of The Who's Tommy as well as How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
"West Side Story will be directed by Gary Griffin, who will make his Stratford debut. His credits include the Broadway production of Oprah Winfrey's The Color Purple.
"West Side Story has been produced at the festival once before, in 1999.
"This is the first time Forum will be staged at Stratford."
Read the official press release.
2009 Musicals Announced!
There's a press release, but this Playbill article provides a lot more background:
"West Side Story and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, with Broadway directors, have been announced as two musicals planned for the 2009 season at Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario.
"Des McAnuff, the Tony Award-winning director of The Who's Tommy and Jersey Boys, and artistic director of Stratford, will stage Stephen Sondheim, Larry Gelbart and Burt Shevelove's Forum, inspired by ancient Roman funnyman Plautus (whose works also inspired Shakespeare). Wayne Cilento (Wicked, The Who's Tommy, How to Succeed…) will choreograph.
"Gary Griffin, the always-busy Chicago director whose Broadway credits include The Apple Tree and The Color Purple, will stage West Side Story, with choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys). West Side Story also has roots in a classic: The musical drama by Leonard Bernstein, Sondheim and Arthur Laurents was inspired by Romeo and Juliet. (Laurents is directing a new Broadway production for 2008-09.)
"McAnuff stated, 'There is no question that these two musicals play legitimate roles in the classical theatre repertoire and I am very proud that we are producing them side by side.'
"McAnuff, a two-time Tony winner, also directed the hit Broadway musical Big River, which won seven Tonys, including Best Director. McAnuff's production of Jersey Boys won four Tonys, including Best Musical of 2006.
"Never before presented by the Festival, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (to play the Avon Theatre) 'is a wonderfully irreverent musical that combines aspects of the 2,000-year-old comedies of the Roman playwright Plautus with classic vaudeville humor,' according to Stratford. 'Forum, which features the hit song 'Comedy Tonight,' is the story of Pseudolus, a slave in ancient Rome who will do anything to win his freedom. With book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, it is the first Broadway musical for which Stephen Sondheim wrote both music and lyrics.'
"Director Griffin will make his Stratford debut with West Side Story. He made his Broadway debut directing Oprah Winfrey's production of The Color Purple. His London production of Pacific Overtures received the Olivier Award for outstanding musical production. Griffin has received eight Joseph Jefferson Awards for his work in Chicago, where he is associate artistic director of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
"Produced once before at the Festival, in 1999, West Side Story 'is set in New York, where two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, wage a war fuelled by racial intolerance.'
"Choreographer Trujillo also choreographed the 1999 production at the Festival's Avon Theatre. This time, however, Trujillo "will have the opportunity to produce on the thrust stage as West Side Story will be mounted at the Festival Theatre."
"Trujillo will be collaborating with McAnuff on a new production of Guys and Dolls set to open on Broadway in spring 2009. His other credits include the European debut of Disney's Tarzan and the London production of Peggy Sue Got Married.
"Rick Fox, the Festival's director of music, will serve as musical director of West Side Story.
"Production dates and casting have not been announced."
"West Side Story and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, with Broadway directors, have been announced as two musicals planned for the 2009 season at Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario.
"Des McAnuff, the Tony Award-winning director of The Who's Tommy and Jersey Boys, and artistic director of Stratford, will stage Stephen Sondheim, Larry Gelbart and Burt Shevelove's Forum, inspired by ancient Roman funnyman Plautus (whose works also inspired Shakespeare). Wayne Cilento (Wicked, The Who's Tommy, How to Succeed…) will choreograph.
"Gary Griffin, the always-busy Chicago director whose Broadway credits include The Apple Tree and The Color Purple, will stage West Side Story, with choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys). West Side Story also has roots in a classic: The musical drama by Leonard Bernstein, Sondheim and Arthur Laurents was inspired by Romeo and Juliet. (Laurents is directing a new Broadway production for 2008-09.)
"McAnuff stated, 'There is no question that these two musicals play legitimate roles in the classical theatre repertoire and I am very proud that we are producing them side by side.'
"McAnuff, a two-time Tony winner, also directed the hit Broadway musical Big River, which won seven Tonys, including Best Director. McAnuff's production of Jersey Boys won four Tonys, including Best Musical of 2006.
"Never before presented by the Festival, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (to play the Avon Theatre) 'is a wonderfully irreverent musical that combines aspects of the 2,000-year-old comedies of the Roman playwright Plautus with classic vaudeville humor,' according to Stratford. 'Forum, which features the hit song 'Comedy Tonight,' is the story of Pseudolus, a slave in ancient Rome who will do anything to win his freedom. With book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, it is the first Broadway musical for which Stephen Sondheim wrote both music and lyrics.'
"Director Griffin will make his Stratford debut with West Side Story. He made his Broadway debut directing Oprah Winfrey's production of The Color Purple. His London production of Pacific Overtures received the Olivier Award for outstanding musical production. Griffin has received eight Joseph Jefferson Awards for his work in Chicago, where he is associate artistic director of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
"Produced once before at the Festival, in 1999, West Side Story 'is set in New York, where two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, wage a war fuelled by racial intolerance.'
"Choreographer Trujillo also choreographed the 1999 production at the Festival's Avon Theatre. This time, however, Trujillo "will have the opportunity to produce on the thrust stage as West Side Story will be mounted at the Festival Theatre."
"Trujillo will be collaborating with McAnuff on a new production of Guys and Dolls set to open on Broadway in spring 2009. His other credits include the European debut of Disney's Tarzan and the London production of Peggy Sue Got Married.
"Rick Fox, the Festival's director of music, will serve as musical director of West Side Story.
"Production dates and casting have not been announced."
Friday, August 8, 2008
Not Enough Summer to Save Season
As reported by Laura Cudworth for the Beacon Herald:
"The box office is buzzing, but it won’t be enough to break even.
"The Stratford Shakespeare Festival based its budget on 550,000 seat sales to stay out of the red this season. General director Antoni Cimolino said the Festival is about eight per cent lower than that now.
"Despite an improvement at the box office and an 'acceleration' in sales in recent weeks it’s not feasible the Festival will be able to make up the deficit.
"'I think we can make up some of it, but it will be very difficult to make up all of it. We’re running out of summer,' Mr. Cimolino said yesterday. 'We would need a lot of acceleration in sales in the next three months and you run out of shows.'
"To compare ticket sales in recent years, the Festival sold 557,000 last season and ended the year with a net revenue of $221,000. The Festival had anticipated 528,000 patrons would visit the theatre last year. That projection was likely based on ticket sales from the year before.
"In 2006 the Festival sold 528,373 seats to 16 productions. Had it not been for record donations totalling $7.6 million, government grants and other sources the Festival would not have seen a $20,000 net revenue that year.
"The improvement over the past few weeks in the sale of tickets, some of which are discounted, can be attributed to Canadian patrons.
"'Things in the United States are not picking up. It’s worse than we were a month ago,' Mr. Cimolino said.
"Mr. Cimolino suspects word of mouth is part of the reason sales have improved two per cent in Canada — the Festival’s biggest market.
"The season has had good reviews both in Canada and in the U.S., but the American audience has been harder to entice.
"The high Canadian dollar, the sluggish American economy, gas prices and border hassles have been too significant to overcome, he suggested.
"The question on Mr. Cimolino’s mind is how to compensate for American ticket sales which have fallen 16 per cent. He noted next year there will be one more hurdle added when Americans will require a passport to get home.
"The question at the Festival is whether to work harder at attracting Americans, maintain the same level of advertising or shift the focus to Ontario for the next couple of years. Whatever the answer, it will have a long-term impact on the Festival, Mr. Cimolino said.
"'We can’t expect to bounce back (immediately) but we can’t afford to walk away,' from the American market, Mr. Cimolino said. 'These things go in cycles, and we’ve got to maintain connections.'
"The Festival employs between 900 and 1,000 people and those numbers tend to expand and contract, Mr. Cimolino said. He acknowledged there will be a 'slightly leaner complement' of staff next season. Some of the tightening could be in talent and administration, but Mr. Cimolino couldn’t provide a definitive answer.
"As for talk of a scaled back season next summer, Mr. Cimolino said it won’t be much smaller than previous seasons.
"Additional shows like Shakespeare’s Universe, performed outside, were possible because of a one-time grant and won’t be repeated next year.
"He was tight-lipped about what the Festival will produce next season except to say 'old favourites' would be back along with 'great comedies.'
"'We’re up for an exciting year. (Artistic director) Des (McAnuff) has done a terrific job.'"
"The box office is buzzing, but it won’t be enough to break even.
"The Stratford Shakespeare Festival based its budget on 550,000 seat sales to stay out of the red this season. General director Antoni Cimolino said the Festival is about eight per cent lower than that now.
"Despite an improvement at the box office and an 'acceleration' in sales in recent weeks it’s not feasible the Festival will be able to make up the deficit.
"'I think we can make up some of it, but it will be very difficult to make up all of it. We’re running out of summer,' Mr. Cimolino said yesterday. 'We would need a lot of acceleration in sales in the next three months and you run out of shows.'
"To compare ticket sales in recent years, the Festival sold 557,000 last season and ended the year with a net revenue of $221,000. The Festival had anticipated 528,000 patrons would visit the theatre last year. That projection was likely based on ticket sales from the year before.
"In 2006 the Festival sold 528,373 seats to 16 productions. Had it not been for record donations totalling $7.6 million, government grants and other sources the Festival would not have seen a $20,000 net revenue that year.
"The improvement over the past few weeks in the sale of tickets, some of which are discounted, can be attributed to Canadian patrons.
"'Things in the United States are not picking up. It’s worse than we were a month ago,' Mr. Cimolino said.
"Mr. Cimolino suspects word of mouth is part of the reason sales have improved two per cent in Canada — the Festival’s biggest market.
"The season has had good reviews both in Canada and in the U.S., but the American audience has been harder to entice.
"The high Canadian dollar, the sluggish American economy, gas prices and border hassles have been too significant to overcome, he suggested.
"The question on Mr. Cimolino’s mind is how to compensate for American ticket sales which have fallen 16 per cent. He noted next year there will be one more hurdle added when Americans will require a passport to get home.
"The question at the Festival is whether to work harder at attracting Americans, maintain the same level of advertising or shift the focus to Ontario for the next couple of years. Whatever the answer, it will have a long-term impact on the Festival, Mr. Cimolino said.
"'We can’t expect to bounce back (immediately) but we can’t afford to walk away,' from the American market, Mr. Cimolino said. 'These things go in cycles, and we’ve got to maintain connections.'
"The Festival employs between 900 and 1,000 people and those numbers tend to expand and contract, Mr. Cimolino said. He acknowledged there will be a 'slightly leaner complement' of staff next season. Some of the tightening could be in talent and administration, but Mr. Cimolino couldn’t provide a definitive answer.
"As for talk of a scaled back season next summer, Mr. Cimolino said it won’t be much smaller than previous seasons.
"Additional shows like Shakespeare’s Universe, performed outside, were possible because of a one-time grant and won’t be repeated next year.
"He was tight-lipped about what the Festival will produce next season except to say 'old favourites' would be back along with 'great comedies.'
"'We’re up for an exciting year. (Artistic director) Des (McAnuff) has done a terrific job.'"
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Audience to the Rescue
Richard Ouzounian (the Toronto Star) reports that things have improved for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival since an internal memo revealed the need for cutbacks next season, and the best is yet to come:
"The sun was shining on the Stratford festival Sunday, in every sense of the word.
"Besides the glorious weather, the city was filled with happy people there to see the plays and most of the venues I stuck my head into were playing to near capacity.
"No wonder artistic director Des McAnuff was beaming as he sat down to enjoy a cappuccino before running off to an eight-hour rehearsal for Caesar and Cleopatra.
"'It's all started turning around in the last two weeks,' sighed an almost paternally proud McAnuff. '"I can't tell you how relieved we all are.'
"Just around mid-July, there was a flurry of unwelcome media attention after an internal memo was leaked which urged the staff to tighten their belts in the face of a 10 per cent downturn in sales. Some people (but not this reporter) were even talking about a $5 million deficit.
"But almost magically, the staff woke up the following Monday morning to find the box office busier than it had been all season and it's stayed that way ever since.
"'You don't knock away a slump like we had overnight,' admits the experienced McAnuff, 'but if things keep going like they've been recently, we may wind up out of the woods after all.'
"Why the sudden change? Economists might point to people who've finally reconciled themselves to a 'staycation' deciding that Stratford would make a fine destination, or Toronto residents who suddenly realized a round trip to Stratford wouldn't require enough gas to bankrupt them.
"McAnuff has another theory, also worth giving credence to. 'I think it's word of mouth,' he says. 'We've got a wide variety of really good shows here this season and I think people realized that, came to see them and are now telling their friends about them.'
"And in some ways, the best is yet to come on the Aug. 16-17 weekend, when three high-profile productions open, all with the potential for greatness.
"Joanna McClelland Glass opens her politically explosive drama about the aftermath of the 1967 Detroit riots, Palmer Park.
"I ran into a joyous Nigel Shawn Williams, who's playing one of the leads and he couldn't be more excited about the show's prospects.
"Then there's Morris Panych's revolutionary new movement piece inspired by Moby Dick, which is getting extraordinarily positive buzz during previews. Finally, there's McAnuff directing Christopher Plummer in Caesar and Cleopatra, the kind of playgoing treat that should start any theatre-lover salivating in advance. "
"The sun was shining on the Stratford festival Sunday, in every sense of the word.
"Besides the glorious weather, the city was filled with happy people there to see the plays and most of the venues I stuck my head into were playing to near capacity.
"No wonder artistic director Des McAnuff was beaming as he sat down to enjoy a cappuccino before running off to an eight-hour rehearsal for Caesar and Cleopatra.
"'It's all started turning around in the last two weeks,' sighed an almost paternally proud McAnuff. '"I can't tell you how relieved we all are.'
"Just around mid-July, there was a flurry of unwelcome media attention after an internal memo was leaked which urged the staff to tighten their belts in the face of a 10 per cent downturn in sales. Some people (but not this reporter) were even talking about a $5 million deficit.
"But almost magically, the staff woke up the following Monday morning to find the box office busier than it had been all season and it's stayed that way ever since.
"'You don't knock away a slump like we had overnight,' admits the experienced McAnuff, 'but if things keep going like they've been recently, we may wind up out of the woods after all.'
"Why the sudden change? Economists might point to people who've finally reconciled themselves to a 'staycation' deciding that Stratford would make a fine destination, or Toronto residents who suddenly realized a round trip to Stratford wouldn't require enough gas to bankrupt them.
"McAnuff has another theory, also worth giving credence to. 'I think it's word of mouth,' he says. 'We've got a wide variety of really good shows here this season and I think people realized that, came to see them and are now telling their friends about them.'
"And in some ways, the best is yet to come on the Aug. 16-17 weekend, when three high-profile productions open, all with the potential for greatness.
"Joanna McClelland Glass opens her politically explosive drama about the aftermath of the 1967 Detroit riots, Palmer Park.
"I ran into a joyous Nigel Shawn Williams, who's playing one of the leads and he couldn't be more excited about the show's prospects.
"Then there's Morris Panych's revolutionary new movement piece inspired by Moby Dick, which is getting extraordinarily positive buzz during previews. Finally, there's McAnuff directing Christopher Plummer in Caesar and Cleopatra, the kind of playgoing treat that should start any theatre-lover salivating in advance. "
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Provincial Funding for Shakespeare's Universe
From CBC News:
"The Ontario Ministry of Culture has announced $80,000 in new funding for Shakespeare's Universe: Her Infinite Variety, a new outdoor production at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
"John Wilkinson, MPP Perth-Wellington, made the announcement Friday following the show's premiere and the opening of the Festival Pavilion on parkland adjacent to the Festival Theatre in Stratford, Ont.
"Written and directed by Peter Hinton, Shakespeare's Universe explores the often paradoxical role of women in late 16th and early 17th century England, where women did not appear on stage even though Shakespeare's plays contain some of the greatest female roles ever written.
"The 75-minute production was commissioned to complement the 2008 Stratford program, which includes Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, and All's Well That Ends Well.
"Shakespeare's Universe runs until Sept. 28, with eight performances a week in the new pavilion on parkland adjacent to the Festival Theatre. Admission is $10.
"Wilkinson said the new funding is intended for marketing the show."
"The Ontario Ministry of Culture has announced $80,000 in new funding for Shakespeare's Universe: Her Infinite Variety, a new outdoor production at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
"John Wilkinson, MPP Perth-Wellington, made the announcement Friday following the show's premiere and the opening of the Festival Pavilion on parkland adjacent to the Festival Theatre in Stratford, Ont.
"Written and directed by Peter Hinton, Shakespeare's Universe explores the often paradoxical role of women in late 16th and early 17th century England, where women did not appear on stage even though Shakespeare's plays contain some of the greatest female roles ever written.
"The 75-minute production was commissioned to complement the 2008 Stratford program, which includes Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, and All's Well That Ends Well.
"Shakespeare's Universe runs until Sept. 28, with eight performances a week in the new pavilion on parkland adjacent to the Festival Theatre. Admission is $10.
"Wilkinson said the new funding is intended for marketing the show."
Thursday, July 17, 2008
More Speculation on Losses
From Richard Ouzounian at the Toronto Star:
"Shakespeare's Malvolio put it best in Twelfth Night: 'And thus the whirligig of time brings in its revenges.'
"For the first time in recent memory, the Shaw Festival is doing far better at the box office than its colleagues at Stratford.
"In fact, the chances are very good that, come year-end, there will be black ink at Shaw and red ink at Stratford: a definite reversal of the colour scheme in recent years.
"And whereas both festivals are feeling the pinch from rising gas prices and declining tourism, it seems to be hurting one far more than the other.
"The good news first. As of now, the Shaw Festival is 8 per cent ahead in revenue from where it was last year at this time.
"They never like to discuss how individual shows are performing, but sources within the company tell me that, plain and simple, the musical this year, Wonderful Town, is selling much better than Mack and Mabel did last year.
"And though I'm delighted that Shaw is doing well this year, it's still only regained about half the ground it lost in 2007 when sales dropped 15 per cent and is still roughly 7 per cent behind 2006.
"Will this year wind up in the profit column? There's a definite chance it could happen, but let's wait till the season is over to celebrate.
"I'm afraid that in Stratford, celebration isn't on anyone's mind. An internal memo last week told the staff to prepare for belt-tightening and revealed that sales were running 10 per cent behind last year's.
"On its own, that's a frightening figure and some sources have been trying to attach an exaggerated $5 million deficit to it, but there are some things worth pointing out to ease the mind slightly.
"The 2007 Stratford sales were 8 per cent ahead of 2006, which means that even if things continue on the unsatisfying trajectory they're now on, it will only represent a 2 per cent decline from 2006.
"It's interesting to note that there is actually a 14 per cent decline from U.S. customers and only 7 per cent in Ontario.
"Why has it happened? The season (with some telling exceptions) has received a generous critical response, and names like Brian Dennehy and Christopher Plummer can be counted on to sell some tickets.
"But the new administration at Stratford tried something daring this year and it proved to be a losing gamble.
"They moved the major cash cow musical out of the larger Festival Theatre and into the smaller Avon. As has been often pointed out, it's in your largest theatre (whether you're Stratford or Shaw) where you make or break your budget.
"To date, there are four Shakespeare plays on the Festival stage and only one of them, Hamlet, has received major praise and attracted corresponding box office attention.
"With the name change to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, it's embarrassing that Shakespeare is where this regime has fallen down. Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, Love's Labour's Lost and All's Well That Ends Well have not received consistent acclaim from critics or audiences, either.
"You can find lots of people to cheer The Trojan Women, Krapp's Last Tape, Fuente Ovejuna and The Music Man, but none of them are playing in large-capacity houses.
"Stratford will survive the rough financial weather this season. Fourteen years deficit-free and a successful endowment campaign have seen to that.
"But there have to be changes in the future.
"I'm sure they're not looking for advice, but here it is: put at least one big musical back into the Festival Theatre and make sure anything else on that giant stage is done extremely well.
"And if there's only going to be one true comedy in your major theatre, then do us all a favour and make sure that it's really funny."
"Shakespeare's Malvolio put it best in Twelfth Night: 'And thus the whirligig of time brings in its revenges.'
"For the first time in recent memory, the Shaw Festival is doing far better at the box office than its colleagues at Stratford.
"In fact, the chances are very good that, come year-end, there will be black ink at Shaw and red ink at Stratford: a definite reversal of the colour scheme in recent years.
"And whereas both festivals are feeling the pinch from rising gas prices and declining tourism, it seems to be hurting one far more than the other.
"The good news first. As of now, the Shaw Festival is 8 per cent ahead in revenue from where it was last year at this time.
"They never like to discuss how individual shows are performing, but sources within the company tell me that, plain and simple, the musical this year, Wonderful Town, is selling much better than Mack and Mabel did last year.
"And though I'm delighted that Shaw is doing well this year, it's still only regained about half the ground it lost in 2007 when sales dropped 15 per cent and is still roughly 7 per cent behind 2006.
"Will this year wind up in the profit column? There's a definite chance it could happen, but let's wait till the season is over to celebrate.
"I'm afraid that in Stratford, celebration isn't on anyone's mind. An internal memo last week told the staff to prepare for belt-tightening and revealed that sales were running 10 per cent behind last year's.
"On its own, that's a frightening figure and some sources have been trying to attach an exaggerated $5 million deficit to it, but there are some things worth pointing out to ease the mind slightly.
"The 2007 Stratford sales were 8 per cent ahead of 2006, which means that even if things continue on the unsatisfying trajectory they're now on, it will only represent a 2 per cent decline from 2006.
"It's interesting to note that there is actually a 14 per cent decline from U.S. customers and only 7 per cent in Ontario.
"Why has it happened? The season (with some telling exceptions) has received a generous critical response, and names like Brian Dennehy and Christopher Plummer can be counted on to sell some tickets.
"But the new administration at Stratford tried something daring this year and it proved to be a losing gamble.
"They moved the major cash cow musical out of the larger Festival Theatre and into the smaller Avon. As has been often pointed out, it's in your largest theatre (whether you're Stratford or Shaw) where you make or break your budget.
"To date, there are four Shakespeare plays on the Festival stage and only one of them, Hamlet, has received major praise and attracted corresponding box office attention.
"With the name change to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, it's embarrassing that Shakespeare is where this regime has fallen down. Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, Love's Labour's Lost and All's Well That Ends Well have not received consistent acclaim from critics or audiences, either.
"You can find lots of people to cheer The Trojan Women, Krapp's Last Tape, Fuente Ovejuna and The Music Man, but none of them are playing in large-capacity houses.
"Stratford will survive the rough financial weather this season. Fourteen years deficit-free and a successful endowment campaign have seen to that.
"But there have to be changes in the future.
"I'm sure they're not looking for advice, but here it is: put at least one big musical back into the Festival Theatre and make sure anything else on that giant stage is done extremely well.
"And if there's only going to be one true comedy in your major theatre, then do us all a favour and make sure that it's really funny."
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Financial Losses Will Harm 2009 Season
Compiled by Michael Posner and James Bradshaw for the Globe and Mail:
"The theatre community is abuzz with rumours about who might be appearing at Ontario's Stratford Shakespeare Festival next season, but that subject is now being overtaken by concerns about the overall state of the enterprise after an internal memo informed staff of a drop in this season's ticket sales.
"In a recent letter to festival personnel, general director Antoni Cimolino and artistic director Des McAnuff blame gas prices, currency-exchange issues and border-crossing delays for causing a 10 per cent decline in 2008 ticket sales. Insiders have estimated that the festival could lose as much as $5-million this year."
"Already, the festival has begun to cut the 2009 budget. According to the letter, there will be fewer plays produced than in 2008 and fewer performances of those that are mounted. Stratford has also decided to abandon publication of the souvenir book and other selected publications, and it is investigating a format for house programs that could reduce the current page count. The lobby live-music schedule is likely to be trimmed, and book and gift-store hours cut back.
"More economies may be in the offing. The Cimolino/McAnuff letter says that 'a further comprehensive list of possible savings and revenue opportunities' is now being evaluated and weighed against 'artistic quality, patron service and employee impact.' The letter invites festival staff to suggest other ideas, either directly or anonymously. 'We welcome and encourage your best ideas, no matter how unorthodox you think they may seem at first.'
"Though economic factors have clearly taken a toll on the festival's bottom line, this year's playbill shows a shift in direction that, while critically lauded, assumes some financial risk."
"The projected loss also shows the apparent magnification of a recent trend of declining gate revenue at Stratford. In 2007, three quarters of the festival's $53.9-million budget came from earned revenue, and the festival subsidized 4 per cent of its budget – about $2-million – with cash from its endowment fund to avoid running a deficit. In 2006, the company financed 2 per cent of its budget using the endowment fund.
"In Niagara-on-the Lake, Shaw Festival executive director Colleen Blake said the economic downturn has had an undeniable impact on ticket revenues for Ontario's theatres, but that Shaw 'sort of saw that coming and we shifted our marketing plans a bit to try and focus on the Canadian audience.' The result, combined with a solid season, has been an 8-per-cent increase in ticket sales thus far and has given Blake the confidence to assert that Shaw 'will definitely have a stronger financial year this year [than last (an almost $1 million deficit)].'
"Shaw sells about 40 to 42 per cent of its tickets to American visitors, while Stratford has traditionally sold between 35 and 40 per cent to the same group. This year, Shaw's figure has dropped to 38 per cent, a less significant decline than Blake had expected.
"But Blake said that both festivals face uncertainty regardless based on 'what's on the stages and what people are interested in seeing. There's always going to be some impact from your playbill as well.'"
Read the entire article.
"The theatre community is abuzz with rumours about who might be appearing at Ontario's Stratford Shakespeare Festival next season, but that subject is now being overtaken by concerns about the overall state of the enterprise after an internal memo informed staff of a drop in this season's ticket sales.
"In a recent letter to festival personnel, general director Antoni Cimolino and artistic director Des McAnuff blame gas prices, currency-exchange issues and border-crossing delays for causing a 10 per cent decline in 2008 ticket sales. Insiders have estimated that the festival could lose as much as $5-million this year."
"Already, the festival has begun to cut the 2009 budget. According to the letter, there will be fewer plays produced than in 2008 and fewer performances of those that are mounted. Stratford has also decided to abandon publication of the souvenir book and other selected publications, and it is investigating a format for house programs that could reduce the current page count. The lobby live-music schedule is likely to be trimmed, and book and gift-store hours cut back.
"More economies may be in the offing. The Cimolino/McAnuff letter says that 'a further comprehensive list of possible savings and revenue opportunities' is now being evaluated and weighed against 'artistic quality, patron service and employee impact.' The letter invites festival staff to suggest other ideas, either directly or anonymously. 'We welcome and encourage your best ideas, no matter how unorthodox you think they may seem at first.'
"Though economic factors have clearly taken a toll on the festival's bottom line, this year's playbill shows a shift in direction that, while critically lauded, assumes some financial risk."
"The projected loss also shows the apparent magnification of a recent trend of declining gate revenue at Stratford. In 2007, three quarters of the festival's $53.9-million budget came from earned revenue, and the festival subsidized 4 per cent of its budget – about $2-million – with cash from its endowment fund to avoid running a deficit. In 2006, the company financed 2 per cent of its budget using the endowment fund.
"In Niagara-on-the Lake, Shaw Festival executive director Colleen Blake said the economic downturn has had an undeniable impact on ticket revenues for Ontario's theatres, but that Shaw 'sort of saw that coming and we shifted our marketing plans a bit to try and focus on the Canadian audience.' The result, combined with a solid season, has been an 8-per-cent increase in ticket sales thus far and has given Blake the confidence to assert that Shaw 'will definitely have a stronger financial year this year [than last (an almost $1 million deficit)].'
"Shaw sells about 40 to 42 per cent of its tickets to American visitors, while Stratford has traditionally sold between 35 and 40 per cent to the same group. This year, Shaw's figure has dropped to 38 per cent, a less significant decline than Blake had expected.
"But Blake said that both festivals face uncertainty regardless based on 'what's on the stages and what people are interested in seeing. There's always going to be some impact from your playbill as well.'"
Read the entire article.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Assistant Artistic Director Appointed
J. Kelly Nestruck reports for the Globe and Mail:
"The Stratford Shakespeare Festival seems to be stabilizing after its shake-up this spring, when two of the three artistic directors resigned, leaving Des McAnuff the last man standing.
"To fill the hole, Dean Gabourie has been appointed as assistant artistic director to McAnuff. Gabourie is in his fifth season at Stratford.
"Meanwhile, the 2009 season is shaping up, though the festival is remaining tight-lipped.
"Brian Bedford looks set to return to Stratford to direct Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest - taking the role of Lady Bracknell for himself. A Midsummer Night's Dream is planned with British director David Grindley at the reins. Other plays rumoured to be on the schedule are West Side Story and Ben Jonson's Bartholomew Fair."
"The Stratford Shakespeare Festival seems to be stabilizing after its shake-up this spring, when two of the three artistic directors resigned, leaving Des McAnuff the last man standing.
"To fill the hole, Dean Gabourie has been appointed as assistant artistic director to McAnuff. Gabourie is in his fifth season at Stratford.
"Meanwhile, the 2009 season is shaping up, though the festival is remaining tight-lipped.
"Brian Bedford looks set to return to Stratford to direct Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest - taking the role of Lady Bracknell for himself. A Midsummer Night's Dream is planned with British director David Grindley at the reins. Other plays rumoured to be on the schedule are West Side Story and Ben Jonson's Bartholomew Fair."
Monday, July 14, 2008
2009 Season Gossip
From Richard Ouzounian at the Toronto Star:
"It's Colm Feore by a nose.
"Now that it's getting close to the time when final plans for next season have to be made at Stratford, Deep Swan (the name for my collective Perth County informants) has brought me a wealth of news.
"A few weeks ago, I reported that Donna Feore would be directing her husband Colm in a musical version of Cyrano de Bergerac and I was promptly informed that I was wrong.
"Okay, but not totally wrong.
"The Feores are indeed going to be working together on Cyrano de Bergerac next season at Stratford, but it's on the original Edmond Rostand version, not a song-and-dance adaptation. Feore, by the way, previously played the role at Stratford in 1994.
"Feore is also expected to be playing the murderous Scotsman in Macbeth and, knowing what a workaholic Feore is, I'm sure there's another major role he'll be jumping into as well. I would not, however, give any credence to the rumours that Mrs. Feore will be playing Lady Macbeth. Some people are just plain catty.
"In other news, I hear that there will only be three Shakespearean titles on next year's playbill, with A Midsummer Night's Dream and Julius Caesar joining the Scottish play.
"And, in another change, I'm informed that one of the musicals will be returning to the Festival Theatre stage only a year after we were told the Avon Theatre is where all such shows would play in the future.
"As previously suggested, West Side Story is the show moving onto the Festival stage, directed by prominent Chicago and Broadway (The Color Purple) stager Gary Griffin and choreographed by Tony nominee and Toronto guy, Sergio Trujillo, who also arranged the dances for Stratford's last production of the show in 1999.
"At the Avon stage, look for Stephen Sondheim's ancient Roman romp A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum to be taking up residence. If you'd like to see the obvious choice for the leading role of Pseudolus (made famous by Zero Mostel and Nathan Lane), then head over to this year's production of Cabaret and watch the cast closely. Hint: it's not Nora McLellan.
"Also coming to the Avon will be Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, to be directed by Brian Bedford. As has been reported elsewhere, Bedford will also be playing the role of Lady Bracknell, a piece of transvestite trickery first undertaken at Stratford by the late William Hutt in the 1970s.
"Among the tantalizing shows that were initially planned but have now fallen off the schedule include Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard and Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Kim Cattrall, it seems, will be otherwise occupied, filming the sequel to Sex and the City.
"Some more titles and people still have to click into place, but you will probably also find one of the festival's best-loved actresses returning mid-season in a play where she portrays a woman with a thing for a younger man.
"And no, the show in question is not The Kim Cattrall Story. There are others, you know."
"It's Colm Feore by a nose.
"Now that it's getting close to the time when final plans for next season have to be made at Stratford, Deep Swan (the name for my collective Perth County informants) has brought me a wealth of news.
"A few weeks ago, I reported that Donna Feore would be directing her husband Colm in a musical version of Cyrano de Bergerac and I was promptly informed that I was wrong.
"Okay, but not totally wrong.
"The Feores are indeed going to be working together on Cyrano de Bergerac next season at Stratford, but it's on the original Edmond Rostand version, not a song-and-dance adaptation. Feore, by the way, previously played the role at Stratford in 1994.
"Feore is also expected to be playing the murderous Scotsman in Macbeth and, knowing what a workaholic Feore is, I'm sure there's another major role he'll be jumping into as well. I would not, however, give any credence to the rumours that Mrs. Feore will be playing Lady Macbeth. Some people are just plain catty.
"In other news, I hear that there will only be three Shakespearean titles on next year's playbill, with A Midsummer Night's Dream and Julius Caesar joining the Scottish play.
"And, in another change, I'm informed that one of the musicals will be returning to the Festival Theatre stage only a year after we were told the Avon Theatre is where all such shows would play in the future.
"As previously suggested, West Side Story is the show moving onto the Festival stage, directed by prominent Chicago and Broadway (The Color Purple) stager Gary Griffin and choreographed by Tony nominee and Toronto guy, Sergio Trujillo, who also arranged the dances for Stratford's last production of the show in 1999.
"At the Avon stage, look for Stephen Sondheim's ancient Roman romp A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum to be taking up residence. If you'd like to see the obvious choice for the leading role of Pseudolus (made famous by Zero Mostel and Nathan Lane), then head over to this year's production of Cabaret and watch the cast closely. Hint: it's not Nora McLellan.
"Also coming to the Avon will be Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, to be directed by Brian Bedford. As has been reported elsewhere, Bedford will also be playing the role of Lady Bracknell, a piece of transvestite trickery first undertaken at Stratford by the late William Hutt in the 1970s.
"Among the tantalizing shows that were initially planned but have now fallen off the schedule include Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard and Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Kim Cattrall, it seems, will be otherwise occupied, filming the sequel to Sex and the City.
"Some more titles and people still have to click into place, but you will probably also find one of the festival's best-loved actresses returning mid-season in a play where she portrays a woman with a thing for a younger man.
"And no, the show in question is not The Kim Cattrall Story. There are others, you know."
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Stratford Credits in 2008-9 CanStage Season
Compiled by CBC:
"Donna Feore, the director who brought critically acclaimed shows such as Oklahoma! and Oliver! to the stage in Stratford, will helm the Canadian Stage production of It's a Wonderful Life next November.
"Feore, a 16-year veteran of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, will be making her CanStage debut with It's a Wonderful Life, a stage adaptation of Frank Capra's popular film.
"CanStage announced Feore as director of the play, part of the 2008-2009 season, on Tuesday.
"It also announced Seana McKenna will star in Doubt, the New York hit and Pulitzer Prize winner that is one of the high points of CanStage's next season.
"Marti Maraden, former co-artistic director at Stratford, has previously been announced as director of Doubt, which is about suspected sexual abuse at a Catholic school.
"McKenna played in the Canadian Stage production The Clean House this spring and has been seen in Toronto in Lucy, Boy Gets Girl and Wit.
"She won Dora Awards for Orpheus Descending and Saint Joan, and a Genie for film The Hanging Garden.
"She is currently appearing in the Stratford Festival productions The Trojan Women and Fuente Ovejuna."
"Donna Feore, the director who brought critically acclaimed shows such as Oklahoma! and Oliver! to the stage in Stratford, will helm the Canadian Stage production of It's a Wonderful Life next November.
"Feore, a 16-year veteran of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, will be making her CanStage debut with It's a Wonderful Life, a stage adaptation of Frank Capra's popular film.
"CanStage announced Feore as director of the play, part of the 2008-2009 season, on Tuesday.
"It also announced Seana McKenna will star in Doubt, the New York hit and Pulitzer Prize winner that is one of the high points of CanStage's next season.
"Marti Maraden, former co-artistic director at Stratford, has previously been announced as director of Doubt, which is about suspected sexual abuse at a Catholic school.
"McKenna played in the Canadian Stage production The Clean House this spring and has been seen in Toronto in Lucy, Boy Gets Girl and Wit.
"She won Dora Awards for Orpheus Descending and Saint Joan, and a Genie for film The Hanging Garden.
"She is currently appearing in the Stratford Festival productions The Trojan Women and Fuente Ovejuna."
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Donnelly Dramatist Dead at 81
Marti Maraden, Martha Henry, and David Ferry mourn the loss of playwright James Reaney, 81, Thursday in the Stratford Beacon Herald:
"James Reaney, a national literary icon who stayed close to his southwestern Ontario roots during a celebrated 50-year career as a playwright, poet and professor, has died.
"The former South Easthope resident and longtime Londoner died last night in London, Ont., following a long illness. He was 81.
"'It’s a very sad loss for Canadian poetry and theatre,' said Ron Dodson, Stratford resident and former drama teacher at Stratford Central Secondary School.
"Mr. Dodson knew Mr. Reaney over a period of 40 years and was a student of Mr. Reaney’s when he was at university.
"'My major impression was of his incredible creativity and how he was able to translate that into a product that was very, very accessible and yet made people think.'
"The retired teacher especially recalled Mr. Reaney’s play King Whistle! which was commissioned for the centennial of Central secondary and performed at the Avon Theatre in 1979.
"It was referred to as 'a love letter to Stratford,' said Mr. Dodson.
"'Jamie was one of two mentors I had who made it possible for me to have a career in teaching,' he added. 'I’m really sad to see him pass away.'
"Marti Maraden, a frequent director at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival who directed Mr. Reaney’s play Alice Through The Looking Glass in 1994, said one of her treasured recollections is of the playwright taking her on a tour of his childhood residence near Stratford.
"'He had an amazingly varied and extraordinary career,' she said. 'He was one of the most significant voices in the real beginning of Canadian theatre.'
"Mr. Reaney had a wonderful sense of visual theatre, she added, and 'words were living creatures to him.'
"Festival actor David Ferry acted in Mr. Reaney’s Donnelly trilogy and has written a thesis on the playwright. He cited the poet’s incredible range of interests and achievements.
"'His mind was gigantic in terms of its piercing insights into so many areas,' he said, noting that Mr. Reaney wrote about geography and philosophy and history, created a theatre company, and had his own press and publication that carried stories from some of Canada’s leading writers.
"'It was a peaceful end to a great life,' his son, journalist James Reaney of London, Ont., said. 'We know that he will be remembered and his contributions to Canadian culture will be valued.'
"Born and raised on a farm in South Easthope in 1926, Mr. Reaney was an acclaimed poet, playwright, author, opera librettist and University of Western Ontario English professor.
He won three Governor General’s Awards for poetry and drama, and a 1974 Chalmers Award for best Canadian play.
"'He was so great,' said Nancy Poole, a former Museum London director who met Mr. Reaney at UWO.
"'He was a gentleman, an intellectual, an artistic giant in the Canadian scene.'
"Mr. Reaney won his first Governor General’s Award in 1949 at age 23 for a collection of poetry, The Red Heart.
"In 1960, he began teaching at UWO and started publishing Alphabet, a semi-annual periodical devoted 'to the iconography of the imagination.'
"In 1966 he founded the Listener’s Workshop and began working with child and adult actors in choral ensemble works. Mr. Reaney, whose play Colours in the Dark premiered in Stratford in 1967, received the Order of Canada in 1975.
"His best known dramatic work may be a trilogy of plays about the 1880 massacre of the Donnelly family in Lucan.
"He was 10 when his stepfather told him the stirring story, stoking an interest that would lead him to write the three plays that not only dramatized the legend, but arguably also brought it into focus historically.
"The [Donnelly] trilogy is among a handful of Canadian works listed among the 1,000 most significant plays of all time by the Oxford Dictionary of Plays.
"He was also an amateur painter and pianist whose works were exhibited in London and Toronto.
"Mr. Reaney enjoyed such respect that even small details of his life inspired artisans, said Martha Henry, Stratford Shakespeare Festival actor and director.
"Ms. Henry, who acted in two Reaney plays, recalled a tour last summer of his childhood home near Stratford
"'It was amazing,' she said. 'We went up into the attic where he used to write. He’s an icon. A complete original.'
"The playwright and poet is survived by his wife, poet Colleen Thibaudeau, two children, including a daughter in Vancouver, two grand-daughters and two siblings, one of them a sister Wilma McCaig, 70, who still lives in the family farmhouse."
"Ms. McCaig said the family is planning a memorial service for early next month."
"James Reaney, a national literary icon who stayed close to his southwestern Ontario roots during a celebrated 50-year career as a playwright, poet and professor, has died.
"The former South Easthope resident and longtime Londoner died last night in London, Ont., following a long illness. He was 81.
"'It’s a very sad loss for Canadian poetry and theatre,' said Ron Dodson, Stratford resident and former drama teacher at Stratford Central Secondary School.
"Mr. Dodson knew Mr. Reaney over a period of 40 years and was a student of Mr. Reaney’s when he was at university.
"'My major impression was of his incredible creativity and how he was able to translate that into a product that was very, very accessible and yet made people think.'
"The retired teacher especially recalled Mr. Reaney’s play King Whistle! which was commissioned for the centennial of Central secondary and performed at the Avon Theatre in 1979.
"It was referred to as 'a love letter to Stratford,' said Mr. Dodson.
"'Jamie was one of two mentors I had who made it possible for me to have a career in teaching,' he added. 'I’m really sad to see him pass away.'
"Marti Maraden, a frequent director at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival who directed Mr. Reaney’s play Alice Through The Looking Glass in 1994, said one of her treasured recollections is of the playwright taking her on a tour of his childhood residence near Stratford.
"'He had an amazingly varied and extraordinary career,' she said. 'He was one of the most significant voices in the real beginning of Canadian theatre.'
"Mr. Reaney had a wonderful sense of visual theatre, she added, and 'words were living creatures to him.'
"Festival actor David Ferry acted in Mr. Reaney’s Donnelly trilogy and has written a thesis on the playwright. He cited the poet’s incredible range of interests and achievements.
"'His mind was gigantic in terms of its piercing insights into so many areas,' he said, noting that Mr. Reaney wrote about geography and philosophy and history, created a theatre company, and had his own press and publication that carried stories from some of Canada’s leading writers.
"'It was a peaceful end to a great life,' his son, journalist James Reaney of London, Ont., said. 'We know that he will be remembered and his contributions to Canadian culture will be valued.'
"Born and raised on a farm in South Easthope in 1926, Mr. Reaney was an acclaimed poet, playwright, author, opera librettist and University of Western Ontario English professor.
He won three Governor General’s Awards for poetry and drama, and a 1974 Chalmers Award for best Canadian play.
"'He was so great,' said Nancy Poole, a former Museum London director who met Mr. Reaney at UWO.
"'He was a gentleman, an intellectual, an artistic giant in the Canadian scene.'
"Mr. Reaney won his first Governor General’s Award in 1949 at age 23 for a collection of poetry, The Red Heart.
"In 1960, he began teaching at UWO and started publishing Alphabet, a semi-annual periodical devoted 'to the iconography of the imagination.'
"In 1966 he founded the Listener’s Workshop and began working with child and adult actors in choral ensemble works. Mr. Reaney, whose play Colours in the Dark premiered in Stratford in 1967, received the Order of Canada in 1975.
"His best known dramatic work may be a trilogy of plays about the 1880 massacre of the Donnelly family in Lucan.
"He was 10 when his stepfather told him the stirring story, stoking an interest that would lead him to write the three plays that not only dramatized the legend, but arguably also brought it into focus historically.
"The [Donnelly] trilogy is among a handful of Canadian works listed among the 1,000 most significant plays of all time by the Oxford Dictionary of Plays.
"He was also an amateur painter and pianist whose works were exhibited in London and Toronto.
"Mr. Reaney enjoyed such respect that even small details of his life inspired artisans, said Martha Henry, Stratford Shakespeare Festival actor and director.
"Ms. Henry, who acted in two Reaney plays, recalled a tour last summer of his childhood home near Stratford
"'It was amazing,' she said. 'We went up into the attic where he used to write. He’s an icon. A complete original.'
"The playwright and poet is survived by his wife, poet Colleen Thibaudeau, two children, including a daughter in Vancouver, two grand-daughters and two siblings, one of them a sister Wilma McCaig, 70, who still lives in the family farmhouse."
"Ms. McCaig said the family is planning a memorial service for early next month."
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Stratford Looks Better Than Shaw
From Richard Ouzounian at the Toronto Star:
"Each of our two major theatre festivals – Stratford and Shaw – has by now launched 50 per cent of their seasonal programming, making it a good time to take stock of things.
"The bottom line? This year, Stratford is offering its most exciting season in recent history, while over at Niagara-on-the-Lake it's just more of the same old – maybe even a little more so than usual.
"The simple fact is that, in this era of high fuel prices, lengthy border crossings and shrinking vacation budgets, you've got to do something spectacular to draw tourists to these theatrical destinations.
"Stratford seems to have found the right stuff to do it, but things in Niagara are looking increasingly problematic.
"Last season was Jackie Maxwell's fifth at the Shaw, replacing Christopher Newton after the latter had provided 23 years of prosperity and quality programming.
"Maxwell immediately ran into trouble. Although she could try to point to the SARS crisis as the major reason for declining audiences, that's not enough to explain the multi-million-dollar deficits she incurred in her first two seasons.
"No, the trouble was – and still is – her programming of the flagship Festival Theatre, which is the money engine driving the company.
"It doesn't matter that shows on the smaller stages like Rutherford and Son and Floyd Collins were huge critical hits.
"What's more to the point is that audiences stayed away in droves from Canadian plays like The Coronation Voyage and Nothing Sacred.
"In fact, the sole year in the past five during which Maxwell achieved a modest five-figure surplus from audience attendance (rather than fundraising) was when she introduced a mainstage musical in 2005 with Gypsy.
"But the following season, even though High Society was a huge audience favourite (despite universally appalling notices) the major reason for the festival's only near-million-dollar surplus in Maxwell's tenure was a 15 per cent increase in fundraising activity.
"Last year, the musical was Mack and Mabel, which failed to draw a crowd, and the deficit was close to $1 million again.
"This year? Maxwell opened with a drably cast, poorly staged, strangely directed version of An Inspector Calls that is not going to generate any excitement at the box office.
"The musical Wonderful Town got amiable reviews from most critics, but it, too, won't light any revenue fires. And the final show of the mainstage trifecta won't bow until July 18 when Maxwell's production of Mrs. Warren's Profession has its debut.
"It could be brilliant, but without any box office stars in the cast, I'm willing to predict it will face an uphill audience climb as well.
"Any trace of real invention seems to have vanished from the current programming. Remember those years when Shaw provided us with must-see shows like Cavalcade, Cyrano de Bergerac or The Women?
"Also, some of Maxwell's best actors (Ben Carlson, Evan Buliung, Trish Lindstrom, Mike Shara, Nicole Underhay) have defected to Stratford, television or other theatres.
"Well, as the beleaguered parson shouts out to the heavens in John Ford's Drums Along the Mohawk, 'Ammunition's getting mighty low, Lord!'
"Up in Perth County, there is considerably more buzz going on. Despite the nightmare events of mid-March when two-thirds of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's artistic directorate resigned, things have been chugging along nicely.
"Even when the shows haven't completely succeeded (like Romeo and Juliet or Cabaret), the productions have displayed the kind of enthusiasm and new ideas that are the lifeblood of theatre. And any week that can boast three triumphs like Hamlet, The Music Man and The Trojan Women has certainly earned my admiration.
"Even though Michael Langham's Love's Labour's Lost was a boringly mistaken proof that what might have worked in 1961 was not so hot in 2008 and Peter Hinton's The Taming of the Shrew looked more like a graduate student's thesis than an actual production, the overall feeling was still high.
"So far this season, Stratford has contented itself with showcasing Canadian stars and I doubt anyone, anywhere, will get better reviews this summer than Ben Carlson, Jonathan Goad and Seana McKenna have earned so far in Hamlet, The Music Man and The Trojan Women.
"To stir up audience interest further, Brian Dennehy opens three shows in late June, while August brings Christopher Plummer back to home ice. There's also an exciting work by Lope de Vega, two new Canadian plays and Simon Callow in his one-man show about Shakespeare's sonnets.
"Think star power like that doesn't matter? The owner of one of Stratford's most prestigious restaurants told me that from the first preview of Plummer's Caesar and Cleopatra to the end of the season, he's almost fully booked.
"Let's make it clear. I'm not saying that every show being done at Shaw is bad and every one being staged at Stratford is good.
"But the new regime of Antoni Cimolino and Des McAnuff at Stratford is already looking like the start of a very promising theatre company.
"While over at Maxwell's House, the only thing stronger than the scent emanating from Niagara-on-the-Lake's fudge shoppes is the Eau de Masterpiece Theatre floating off its stages."
"Each of our two major theatre festivals – Stratford and Shaw – has by now launched 50 per cent of their seasonal programming, making it a good time to take stock of things.
"The bottom line? This year, Stratford is offering its most exciting season in recent history, while over at Niagara-on-the-Lake it's just more of the same old – maybe even a little more so than usual.
"The simple fact is that, in this era of high fuel prices, lengthy border crossings and shrinking vacation budgets, you've got to do something spectacular to draw tourists to these theatrical destinations.
"Stratford seems to have found the right stuff to do it, but things in Niagara are looking increasingly problematic.
"Last season was Jackie Maxwell's fifth at the Shaw, replacing Christopher Newton after the latter had provided 23 years of prosperity and quality programming.
"Maxwell immediately ran into trouble. Although she could try to point to the SARS crisis as the major reason for declining audiences, that's not enough to explain the multi-million-dollar deficits she incurred in her first two seasons.
"No, the trouble was – and still is – her programming of the flagship Festival Theatre, which is the money engine driving the company.
"It doesn't matter that shows on the smaller stages like Rutherford and Son and Floyd Collins were huge critical hits.
"What's more to the point is that audiences stayed away in droves from Canadian plays like The Coronation Voyage and Nothing Sacred.
"In fact, the sole year in the past five during which Maxwell achieved a modest five-figure surplus from audience attendance (rather than fundraising) was when she introduced a mainstage musical in 2005 with Gypsy.
"But the following season, even though High Society was a huge audience favourite (despite universally appalling notices) the major reason for the festival's only near-million-dollar surplus in Maxwell's tenure was a 15 per cent increase in fundraising activity.
"Last year, the musical was Mack and Mabel, which failed to draw a crowd, and the deficit was close to $1 million again.
"This year? Maxwell opened with a drably cast, poorly staged, strangely directed version of An Inspector Calls that is not going to generate any excitement at the box office.
"The musical Wonderful Town got amiable reviews from most critics, but it, too, won't light any revenue fires. And the final show of the mainstage trifecta won't bow until July 18 when Maxwell's production of Mrs. Warren's Profession has its debut.
"It could be brilliant, but without any box office stars in the cast, I'm willing to predict it will face an uphill audience climb as well.
"Any trace of real invention seems to have vanished from the current programming. Remember those years when Shaw provided us with must-see shows like Cavalcade, Cyrano de Bergerac or The Women?
"Also, some of Maxwell's best actors (Ben Carlson, Evan Buliung, Trish Lindstrom, Mike Shara, Nicole Underhay) have defected to Stratford, television or other theatres.
"Well, as the beleaguered parson shouts out to the heavens in John Ford's Drums Along the Mohawk, 'Ammunition's getting mighty low, Lord!'
"Up in Perth County, there is considerably more buzz going on. Despite the nightmare events of mid-March when two-thirds of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's artistic directorate resigned, things have been chugging along nicely.
"Even when the shows haven't completely succeeded (like Romeo and Juliet or Cabaret), the productions have displayed the kind of enthusiasm and new ideas that are the lifeblood of theatre. And any week that can boast three triumphs like Hamlet, The Music Man and The Trojan Women has certainly earned my admiration.
"Even though Michael Langham's Love's Labour's Lost was a boringly mistaken proof that what might have worked in 1961 was not so hot in 2008 and Peter Hinton's The Taming of the Shrew looked more like a graduate student's thesis than an actual production, the overall feeling was still high.
"So far this season, Stratford has contented itself with showcasing Canadian stars and I doubt anyone, anywhere, will get better reviews this summer than Ben Carlson, Jonathan Goad and Seana McKenna have earned so far in Hamlet, The Music Man and The Trojan Women.
"To stir up audience interest further, Brian Dennehy opens three shows in late June, while August brings Christopher Plummer back to home ice. There's also an exciting work by Lope de Vega, two new Canadian plays and Simon Callow in his one-man show about Shakespeare's sonnets.
"Think star power like that doesn't matter? The owner of one of Stratford's most prestigious restaurants told me that from the first preview of Plummer's Caesar and Cleopatra to the end of the season, he's almost fully booked.
"Let's make it clear. I'm not saying that every show being done at Shaw is bad and every one being staged at Stratford is good.
"But the new regime of Antoni Cimolino and Des McAnuff at Stratford is already looking like the start of a very promising theatre company.
"While over at Maxwell's House, the only thing stronger than the scent emanating from Niagara-on-the-Lake's fudge shoppes is the Eau de Masterpiece Theatre floating off its stages."
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Stratford Still Shaken as Festival Opens
An editorial from the Stratford Beacon-Herald:
"To coin a phrase — the play’s the thing.
"And now, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival can get on with the plays and put its winter of discontent, shamelessly to steal yet another phrase, behind them.
"As it has done 56 times, the Festival rolled out the red carpet on Monday night to kick off a new season of Shakespeare. Getting to this point wasn’t easy as back in March some real drama took place in the offices and board rooms of the fixture of Canadian theatre.
"A triumvirate had been put in place to steer the Festival through the post-Richard Monette era, but two of the three, Marti Maraden and Don Shipley, exited stage left (sorry) just as rehearsals were about to start.
"That left globetrotting Des McAnuff as the lone artistic director. And there were a couple of other bumps along the way.
"A director’s arrival was delayed when he broke his leg (literally, hence avoiding a fourth tired theatre cliche).
"The lengthy and successful relationship between Cynthia Dale and the Stratford Festival was also in the news, but for the wrong reasons, as the actress who was synonymous with the Festival for the last few years was left without a part in 2008.
"Much has been written and said about the off-season challenges, but on several occasions it was put into perspective Monday night. The crowds still turned out, the weather was great, the bagpipes skirled and patrons filed into the theatre as they have for over half a century.
"Does that make everything all right? Of course not. Tourism in general is under fire in Ontario. Rising gas prices are keeping people at home, whether they be from London or Lansing, Toronto or Toledo.
"There is still a perception held by many Americans that crossing the border into Canada is much tougher than it used to be. Although that is not really the case, one thing that is reality is that many Americans have less disposable income now than they did a few years ago.
"These are indeed challenging times for tourism in general in Canada and, in particular, theatre in Stratford.
"But, as Stratford resident and Festival alum Sheila McCarthy said Monday night, 'this place is invincible.'
"Well, we’re not sure it’s invincible but it has certainly faced far greater challenges than this and lived to fight another day.
"There have been tumultuous annual meetings that bordered on civil unrest and there have been times that the staid institution has teetered on the brink of anarchy. It was not all that long ago that there was a controversy that makes this past winter’s drama seem like a footnote.
"For those who don’t remember, in 1980 Robin Phillips ended his tenure as artistic director and the Festival board hired Martha Henry, Urjo Kareda, Pam Brighton and Peter Moss . This group of directors was dismissed just two months later. The board decided Briton John Dexter would be a good replacement, but he was refused a work permit. Along came John Hirsch to take the helm and calm the waters. And all that took place in the midst of the worst Canadian economic downturn since the 1930s.
"But it survived — and it will survive its current challenges as well.
"The fact is, Stratford puts on fine theatre. Despite challenges, economic or otherwise, fine theatre is timeless.
"Our saving grace here is that — and it’s not just a well worn phrase — the play is the thing, and when it comes to plays, we do it here as well or better than anyone, and for that reason, this season and many more seasons will do just fine."
"To coin a phrase — the play’s the thing.
"And now, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival can get on with the plays and put its winter of discontent, shamelessly to steal yet another phrase, behind them.
"As it has done 56 times, the Festival rolled out the red carpet on Monday night to kick off a new season of Shakespeare. Getting to this point wasn’t easy as back in March some real drama took place in the offices and board rooms of the fixture of Canadian theatre.
"A triumvirate had been put in place to steer the Festival through the post-Richard Monette era, but two of the three, Marti Maraden and Don Shipley, exited stage left (sorry) just as rehearsals were about to start.
"That left globetrotting Des McAnuff as the lone artistic director. And there were a couple of other bumps along the way.
"A director’s arrival was delayed when he broke his leg (literally, hence avoiding a fourth tired theatre cliche).
"The lengthy and successful relationship between Cynthia Dale and the Stratford Festival was also in the news, but for the wrong reasons, as the actress who was synonymous with the Festival for the last few years was left without a part in 2008.
"Much has been written and said about the off-season challenges, but on several occasions it was put into perspective Monday night. The crowds still turned out, the weather was great, the bagpipes skirled and patrons filed into the theatre as they have for over half a century.
"Does that make everything all right? Of course not. Tourism in general is under fire in Ontario. Rising gas prices are keeping people at home, whether they be from London or Lansing, Toronto or Toledo.
"There is still a perception held by many Americans that crossing the border into Canada is much tougher than it used to be. Although that is not really the case, one thing that is reality is that many Americans have less disposable income now than they did a few years ago.
"These are indeed challenging times for tourism in general in Canada and, in particular, theatre in Stratford.
"But, as Stratford resident and Festival alum Sheila McCarthy said Monday night, 'this place is invincible.'
"Well, we’re not sure it’s invincible but it has certainly faced far greater challenges than this and lived to fight another day.
"There have been tumultuous annual meetings that bordered on civil unrest and there have been times that the staid institution has teetered on the brink of anarchy. It was not all that long ago that there was a controversy that makes this past winter’s drama seem like a footnote.
"For those who don’t remember, in 1980 Robin Phillips ended his tenure as artistic director and the Festival board hired Martha Henry, Urjo Kareda, Pam Brighton and Peter Moss . This group of directors was dismissed just two months later. The board decided Briton John Dexter would be a good replacement, but he was refused a work permit. Along came John Hirsch to take the helm and calm the waters. And all that took place in the midst of the worst Canadian economic downturn since the 1930s.
"But it survived — and it will survive its current challenges as well.
"The fact is, Stratford puts on fine theatre. Despite challenges, economic or otherwise, fine theatre is timeless.
"Our saving grace here is that — and it’s not just a well worn phrase — the play is the thing, and when it comes to plays, we do it here as well or better than anyone, and for that reason, this season and many more seasons will do just fine."
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
"Curtain Rises on a New Festival Era"
From Laura Cudworth at the Stratford Beacon Herald:
"The forecast called for thunderstorms during the Stratford Shakespeare Festival opening but they never materialized. Perhaps that’s a sign.
"There were a few bumps during the Festival’s 56th preseason and much has been written about all that’s gone wrong. Most notably were the resignations of two of the three artistic directors, Marti Maraden and Don Shipley, as rehearsals were about to start.
"There have been smaller hiccups as well. Director Michael Langham broke his leg and was delayed getting to Stratford for rehearsals.
"Anika Noni Rose, cast as Cleopatra opposite Christopher Plummer’s Caesar, had scheduling conflicts and dropped out.
"But last night the Stratford Police Pipes and Drums played, crowds came out to see the spectacle and celebrities walked a new red carpet to see the opening production of Romeo and Juliet.
"This is the start a new era at the Festival under the leadership of remaining artistic director Des McAnuff and general director Antoni Cimolino.
"'This place is invincible,' said actor Sheila McCarthy. 'I think change is good, it’s positive. It’s sad what happened, but time heals everything.'
"She noted the theatre has survived many things and said it will also survive a rising dollar and rising gas prices.
"'It’s going to be a wonderful season,' she said.
"The Beacon Herald Citizen of the Year and former Festival board chair Tom Orr said he’s worried about the border being a turnoff to American visitors but he’s confident in the quality of the productions.
"Like every other year, actors and patrons were full of optimism and expectation last night.
"'I feel this is the strongest week we’ve seen in years,' Mr. Cimolino, himself a past Romeo at the Festival, said on his way into the theatre. 'It’s a phenomenal year and we’re in for some extraordinary results.'
"Mr. McAnuff stressed this season was planned by Ms. Maraden and Mr. Shipley as well. He acknowledged the administrative changes could have been a distraction for the artists, but they remained focused.
"'I’ve noticed the difference but not in bad ways,' said actor Abigail Winter-Culliford, 11.
"Regardless of the drama during the preseason, it’s the performances on stage that will inevitably make or break the season.
"For Mr. McAnuff, last night represented the opening of the first season he collaborated on and the first play he directed at Stratford.
"'I feel great. I feel really great. It’s too late to worry now,' he said.
"As for regular patrons devoted to the Festival, none of the hubbub early on has been a deterrent.
"'I’m really looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to all the Shakespeare,' said Susan Davidson.
"She hasn’t missed a production of Hamlet in 30 years, she said. 'Growing up this was my community theatre. How lucky.'
"American actor Brian Dennehy called Stratford 'actors camp' as he walked the red carpet.
"'For someone like me it’s a privilege to be here.'
"He observed, 'it’s been raining and cold, all of a sudden it’s hot and sunny.'"
"The forecast called for thunderstorms during the Stratford Shakespeare Festival opening but they never materialized. Perhaps that’s a sign.
"There were a few bumps during the Festival’s 56th preseason and much has been written about all that’s gone wrong. Most notably were the resignations of two of the three artistic directors, Marti Maraden and Don Shipley, as rehearsals were about to start.
"There have been smaller hiccups as well. Director Michael Langham broke his leg and was delayed getting to Stratford for rehearsals.
"Anika Noni Rose, cast as Cleopatra opposite Christopher Plummer’s Caesar, had scheduling conflicts and dropped out.
"But last night the Stratford Police Pipes and Drums played, crowds came out to see the spectacle and celebrities walked a new red carpet to see the opening production of Romeo and Juliet.
"This is the start a new era at the Festival under the leadership of remaining artistic director Des McAnuff and general director Antoni Cimolino.
"'This place is invincible,' said actor Sheila McCarthy. 'I think change is good, it’s positive. It’s sad what happened, but time heals everything.'
"She noted the theatre has survived many things and said it will also survive a rising dollar and rising gas prices.
"'It’s going to be a wonderful season,' she said.
"The Beacon Herald Citizen of the Year and former Festival board chair Tom Orr said he’s worried about the border being a turnoff to American visitors but he’s confident in the quality of the productions.
"Like every other year, actors and patrons were full of optimism and expectation last night.
"'I feel this is the strongest week we’ve seen in years,' Mr. Cimolino, himself a past Romeo at the Festival, said on his way into the theatre. 'It’s a phenomenal year and we’re in for some extraordinary results.'
"Mr. McAnuff stressed this season was planned by Ms. Maraden and Mr. Shipley as well. He acknowledged the administrative changes could have been a distraction for the artists, but they remained focused.
"'I’ve noticed the difference but not in bad ways,' said actor Abigail Winter-Culliford, 11.
"Regardless of the drama during the preseason, it’s the performances on stage that will inevitably make or break the season.
"For Mr. McAnuff, last night represented the opening of the first season he collaborated on and the first play he directed at Stratford.
"'I feel great. I feel really great. It’s too late to worry now,' he said.
"As for regular patrons devoted to the Festival, none of the hubbub early on has been a deterrent.
"'I’m really looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to all the Shakespeare,' said Susan Davidson.
"She hasn’t missed a production of Hamlet in 30 years, she said. 'Growing up this was my community theatre. How lucky.'
"American actor Brian Dennehy called Stratford 'actors camp' as he walked the red carpet.
"'For someone like me it’s a privilege to be here.'
"He observed, 'it’s been raining and cold, all of a sudden it’s hot and sunny.'"
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A New Musical Next Season
Plus the return of an old favourite. Richard Ouzounian reports:
"Making its return for the first time since 1999 will be West Side Story, the Jerome Robbins/Arthur Laurents/Stephen Sondheim street-gang retelling of Romeo and Juliet. (A Broadway revival, by the way, is expected to open in January 2009).
"Talented Chicago stager Gary Griffin (The Color Purple) is being talked about as the Stratford director and, in a nice piece of symmetry, Sergio Trujillo is reportedly returning to choreograph.
"It was Trujillo's work on the 1999 Stratford production that led him down the path that brought him to his close association with McAnuff and his current worldwide success with Jersey Boys, opening [in Toronto] on Aug. 21.
"The other musical we hear being set for next year is reasonably new and it involves a little bit of crow-eating on my part.
"I wrote several months ago that as soon as McAnuff was announced as a member of the Stratford team, people started falsely predicting he would bring commercial projects he had been working on to Stratford.
"Well, he didn't. Not the first year.
"However, it now seems likely that a show he has been working on for some time will hit the Stratford stage next year.
"It's called Zhivago and it's based on the Boris Pasternak novel, Doctor Zhivago, later turned into a famed 1965 David Lean movie.
"The music is by Lucy Simon (sister of Carly), best known for The Secret Garden, the book by Michael Weller (Moonchildren), with lyrics by Michael Korrie and Amy Powers.
"It was workshopped extensively in La Jolla before finally opening on May 24, 2006, to mixed reviews that called it everything from 'sprawling, ambitious and occasionally stirring' to 'dizzying, but never tedious. Still it rarely, if ever, packs an emotional wallop.'
"McAnuff and Trujillo shared the staging duties in La Jolla.
"It's expected they will do the same at Stratford.
"And sorry to disappoint you, but 'Somewhere, My Love' is not in the score."
"Making its return for the first time since 1999 will be West Side Story, the Jerome Robbins/Arthur Laurents/Stephen Sondheim street-gang retelling of Romeo and Juliet. (A Broadway revival, by the way, is expected to open in January 2009).
"Talented Chicago stager Gary Griffin (The Color Purple) is being talked about as the Stratford director and, in a nice piece of symmetry, Sergio Trujillo is reportedly returning to choreograph.
"It was Trujillo's work on the 1999 Stratford production that led him down the path that brought him to his close association with McAnuff and his current worldwide success with Jersey Boys, opening [in Toronto] on Aug. 21.
"The other musical we hear being set for next year is reasonably new and it involves a little bit of crow-eating on my part.
"I wrote several months ago that as soon as McAnuff was announced as a member of the Stratford team, people started falsely predicting he would bring commercial projects he had been working on to Stratford.
"Well, he didn't. Not the first year.
"However, it now seems likely that a show he has been working on for some time will hit the Stratford stage next year.
"It's called Zhivago and it's based on the Boris Pasternak novel, Doctor Zhivago, later turned into a famed 1965 David Lean movie.
"The music is by Lucy Simon (sister of Carly), best known for The Secret Garden, the book by Michael Weller (Moonchildren), with lyrics by Michael Korrie and Amy Powers.
"It was workshopped extensively in La Jolla before finally opening on May 24, 2006, to mixed reviews that called it everything from 'sprawling, ambitious and occasionally stirring' to 'dizzying, but never tedious. Still it rarely, if ever, packs an emotional wallop.'
"McAnuff and Trujillo shared the staging duties in La Jolla.
"It's expected they will do the same at Stratford.
"And sorry to disappoint you, but 'Somewhere, My Love' is not in the score."
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