Because the Stratford Pageant season wraps up, we’ve completely loved this 12 months’s productions of La Cage aux Folles, Cymbeline, TwelfthNight time, and One thing Rotten! LCAF and One thing Rotten! have been prolonged to November 16 and seventeenth. In case you can, I extremely advocate One thing Rotten! It was the perfect manufacturing that we noticed this 12 months.
If you’re questioning nonetheless enjoying at The Stratford Pageant and whether or not there are nonetheless good tickets to get, you possibly can take a look finally fall’s abstract of What’s on at Stratford in 2024. Concluding on the finish of November and there are a number of of promotions to encourage you to see the perfect stay theatre expertise within the nation.
Taking part in at The Stratford Pageant in 2025
The Stratford Pageant introduced the casting for the 2025 season, and I’m comfortable to offer you a sneak peek on the playbill proposed by Creative Director, Antoni Cimolino. Stratford Pageant’s 2025 season is a group of 11 productions. The Stratford Pageant’s 2025 season begins on April 19 and runs till November 2. Tickets for can be on sale subsequent month for members. As at all times, I encourage you to make the most of the Pay-What-You-Want (PWW) promotions in early March.
“The Stratford Pageant 2025 season encompasses a scrumptious banquet of feasts. How may we presumably discover the variability and depth of abilities wanted to make sure its success? Nicely, with this extraordinary firm of gamers that query has been answered with gusto,” Cimolino says. “Listed here are good abilities, among the most promising and achieved actors of our time, who look ahead to sharing their work with you subsequent season on the Stratford Pageant.”
Antoni Cimolino. Photograph by Ted Belton through Stratford Pageant
Antoni Cimolino, Creative Director, The Stratford Pageant
Themed round Apollo, Venus, Mars: Reflections on Concord, Love, and Struggle, the 2025 Stratford Pageant season contains Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Macbethand The Winter’s Story; the musicals Annieand Soiled Rotten Scoundrels; the classics Sense and Sensibility and Harmful Liaisons; the modern Canadian performs Forgiveness and The Artwork of Struggle; and two Stratford Pageant commissions, Anne of Inexperienced Gablesand Ransacking Troy, each of which can have their premières in 2025.
The Playbill Stratford Pageant Photograph Credit score: DownshiftingPRO
I look ahead to the return of Robert Lepage, Creative Director of Ex Machina. His landmark manufacturing of Shakespeare’s little-known play Coriolanustook Stratford audiences by storm in 2018 (one among my favorite productions).
FESTIVAL THEATRE
Pageant Theatre Photograph Credit score: Richard Bain through Stratford Pageant
As You Like It
By William Shakespeare Director: Chris Abraham Composer: Ron Sexsmith
Director Chris Abraham’s manufacturing of Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy As You Like It will function Christopher Allen as Orlando, Sara Farb as Rosalind, and Aaron Krohn as Jaques, with Sean Arbuckle as Duke Frederick, Seana McKenna as Duchess Senior, and Steve Ross as Touchstone.
Rediscover Shakespeare’s story of transformation and resilience in a manufacturing directed by Chris Abraham, whose A lot Ado About Nothing was a important and field workplace hit final season.
In a world rocked by political upheaval, a Duchess’ daughter, Rosalind, faces exile from town to the countryside. She flees along with her cousin Celia, and the pair uncover new identities and the prospect of latest love, whilst they confront their deepest fears.
Annie
Ebook By Thomas Meehan Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Martin Charnin Unique Broadway Manufacturing Directed by Martin Charnin Based mostly on “Little Orphan Annie”® by permission of Tribune Content material Company, LLC Director & Choreographer: Donna Feore Music Director: Laura Burton
This iconic family-friendly musical will hit the Stratford stage in a manufacturing directed and choreographed by Donna Feore, that includes Harper Rae Asch within the title function, Dan Chameroy as Oliver Warbucks, and Laura Condlln as Miss Hannigan, with Amanda Lundgren as Lily St. Regis, Jennifer Rider-Shaw as Grace Farrell, and Mark Uhre as Rooster.
Annie, winner of seven Tony Awards, is without doubt one of the hottest musicals ever written. It’s full of memorable and oh-so-hummable songs, together with “Tomorrow,” “Laborious Knock Life,” and “You’re By no means Totally Dressed With no Smile.” It tells the story of a loveable orphan, Annie, who’s caught in an orphanage run by the dreadful Miss Hannigan. The kid goals of being reunited along with her dad and mom however as a substitute finds happiness with the rich Daddy Warbucks, who turns into not solely her protector but additionally her hero, discovering rich properties for all her associates on the orphanage.
Sense and Sensibility
By Kate Hamill Based mostly on the novel by Jane Austen Director: Daryl Cloran
Director Daryl Cloran’s manufacturing of Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved traditional Sense and Sensibility will function Jessica B. Hill as Elinor Dashwood and Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane as Marianne Dashwood, with Andrew Chown as John Willoughby and Seana McKenna as Mrs. Jennings.
The play follows the Dashwood sisters, who’ve been left destitute after their father’s sudden loss of life. The ladies discover romance—and endure heartbreak—as they attempt to regain social stability for his or her household in gossipy 18th-century England.
Harmful Liaisons
By Christopher Hampton From the novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Choderlos de Laclos Director: Esther Jun
Directed by Esther Jun, the romantic drama Harmful Liaisons will function Celia Aloma as La Presidente de Tourvel, Jesse Gervais as Le Vicomte de Valmont, Jessica B. Hill as La Marquise de Merteuil, with Ashley Dingwell as Cecile Volanges, Seana McKenna as Madame de Rosemonde and Nadine Villasin as Madame de Volanges.
Christopher Hampton wrote the play in 1985, tailored from Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s 1782 novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Hampton additionally wrote the screenplay for the vastly profitable 1988 movie starring Glenn Shut and John Malkovich. This would be the second manufacturing of this play on the Stratford Pageant. It was first produced to nice acclaim in 2010.
In pre-Revolutionary France, the Marquise de Merteuil and her someday lover, the Vicomte de Valmont, amuse themselves by plotting the seduction of two ladies of advantage: the virginal Cecile Volanges and the respectably married Madame de Tourvel. However as their cynical sport proceeds, the gamers’ motives develop deeper – and extra lethal.
AVON THEATRE
AvonTheatre Photograph Credit score: Erin Samuell through Stratford Pageant
Macbeth
By William Shakespeare Created in collaboration with Ex Machina Director: Robert Lepage Set Designer: Ariane Sauvé
In Shakespeare’s tragedy of unchecked corruption and heinous self-interest, Macbeth, directed by Robert Lepage, will function Tom McCamus as Macbeth, Lucy Peacock as Girl Macbeth, Graham Abbey as Banquo, and Tom Rooney as Macduff.
Along with Robert Lepage, the inventive staff contains Set Designer Ariane Sauvé, Costume Designer Michael Gianfrancesco, Lighting Designer Kimberly Purtell, and Composer and Sound Designer John Gzowski.
Set within the milieu of Quebec’s biker gangs, the manufacturing will replicate on violence and the allegiances that drive it, revealing the horrors that develop unhindered as soon as the seeds of evil are planted within the soul.
Obsessed by omens and urged on by his spouse’s ambition, a heroic determine takes his future into his personal fingers. He murders his strategy to the highest, solely to search out himself plunged ever deeper into tyranny as he battles vainly towards enemies, actual and imagined, from either side of the grave.
Soiled Rotten Scoundrels
Ebook by Jeffrey Lane Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek Based mostly on the movie “Soiled Rotten Scoundrels” written by Dale Launer and Stanley Shapiro & Paul Henning Unique Broadway manufacturing directed by Jack O’Brien Director: Bobby Garcia Choreographer: Stephanie Graham Music Director: Franklin Brasz
Director Bobby Garcia will direct the musical comedy Soiled Rotten Scoundrels in his Stratford debut, that includes Shakura Dickson as Christine Colgate, Jonathan Goad as Lawrence, and Liam Tobin as Freddy Benson, with Sara-Jeanne Hosie as Muriel, Derek Kwan as Andre Thibault, and Michele Shuster as Jolene.
This razzle-dazzle present, set on the French Riviera, encompasses a conman who woos rich ladies and pockets their cash to fund a glamorous way of life. When a competitor involves city, they staff as much as elevate the stakes however quickly discover themselves in unhealthy, although hilarious, competitors. A closing con – to show who’s the higher hustler – sees each males get their simply reward.
Anne of Inexperienced Gables
SCHULICH CHILDREN’S PLAYS – A STRATFORD FESTIVAL COMMISSION
A brand new adaptation by Kat Sandler Based mostly on the novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery Director: Kat Sandler
A Stratford Pageant commissioned and world première of Kat Sandler’s daring adaptation of the timeless story Anne of Inexperienced Gables, directed by Sandler, will function Caroline Toal as Anne Shirley with Tim Campbell as Matthew Cuthbert and Sarah Dodd as Marilla Cuthbert.
With over 56 million copies offered, Anne of Inexperienced Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery’s timeless story of creativeness, resilience, and the transformative energy of affection is boldly tailored by Kat Sandler. Set within the picturesque village of Avonlea, it follows the adventures of Anne Shirley, an irrepressible orphan with a vivid creativeness and an unyielding spirit.
TOM PATTERSON THEATRE
The Tom Patterson Theatre of The Stratford Pageant @DownshiftingPRO
The Winter’s Story
By William Shakespeare Director: Antoni Cimolino
Directed by Creative Director Antoni Cimolino, this manufacturing of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Story will function Graham Abbey as Leontes, Yanna McIntosh as Paulina and Sara Topham as Hermione, with Austin Eckert as Florizel, Tom McCamus as Previous Shepherd, Marissa Orjalo as Perdita, Tom Rooney as Camillo, André Sills as Polixenes and Geraint Wyn Davies as Autolycus.
King Leontes, obsessive about suspicions of infidelity, places his pregnant spouse, Hermione, on trial for her life. He involves his senses solely when his actions value him his spouse and kids. However real love can work miracles, and even the bitterest winter incorporates the seeds of spring.
Forgiveness
By Hiro Kanagawa Tailored from the guide “Forgiveness: A Present From My Grandparents” by Mark Sakamoto Director: Stafford Arima Composer: Allison Lynch
Director Stafford Arima’s manufacturing of Forgiveness will function Yoshie Bancroft as Mitsue and Jeff Lillico as Ralph.
Tailored from Mark Sakamoto’s acclaimed 2018 Canada Reads-winning memoir, this transferring and heartfelt play by Hiro Kanagawa tells the story of Sakamoto’s grandparents and their harrowing experiences throughout the Second World Struggle. Within the face of large adversity and horrific transgressions, they selected to not stay a lifetime of anger however reasonably to embrace and educate forgiveness.
Ransacking Troy
A STRATFORD FESTIVAL COMMISSION
By Erin Shields Director: Jackie Maxwell Choreographer: Esie Mensah Set and Costume Designer: Judith Bowden Composer: Deanna Choi
A Stratford Pageant commissioned and world première of Erin Shields’ Ransacking Troy, directed by Jackie Maxwell, will function Maev Beaty as Penelope and Odysseus and Irene Poole as Clytemnestra, Iphigenia and Agamemnon with Yanna McIntosh as Hecuba and Sara Topham as Aegiale and Helen.
Ransacking Troy is a humorous, compelling, and thought-provoking adaptation of the Trojan Struggle narrative by the lens of its feminine gamers. After 9 and a half years of conflict, Penelope is uninterested in ready for Odysseus to return dwelling, so she gathers a band of Greek ladies to set sail for Troy. An epic journey ensues as the ladies battle to deliver a few peaceable finish to the conflict and picture the long run they need to create when it’s by.
STUDIO THEATRE
Studio Theatre 2014 Photograph Credit score Erin Samuell through Stratford Pageant
The Artwork of Struggle
By Yvette Nolan Director: Keith Barker Set Designer: Teresa Przybylski
Keith Barker’s manufacturing of The Artwork Of Struggle options Josue Laboucane as Nick with Jordin Corridor as Newman, Jenna-Lee Hyde as Madga, Julie Lumsden as Heather and Eva, and Rylan Wilkie as Dennis and Matthaeus.
The Artwork of Struggle by Yvette Nolan is a dramatic examination of the function of artists in conflict and in peace. Through the Second World Struggle, Nick is distributed to the entrance traces as an embedded painter. What he witnesses, what he paints, will remodel not solely him however Canada’s thought of itself.
The Stratford Pageant’s 2025 season gives a improbable mixture of performs and musicals which might be certain to impress. There’s nonetheless time to catch a few of this fall’s performances, and I extremely advocate One thing Rotten!—it was my favourite manufacturing from the 2024 season!
Because of the Stratford Pageant for offering the press launch for this publish. All pictures and textual content are credited to The Stratford Pageant.
Margarita Ibbott is a journey and way of life blogger. She blogs about journey in Canada, america and Europe giving sensible recommendation by restaurant, lodge and attraction opinions. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and different on-line media shops.
