Media Release #23

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, November 19, 2007 … Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell today announced the principal casting and creative teams for the Shaw Festival’s 2008 season. The 2008 playbill includes ten productions, as well as four concert performances of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Follies, in a season that runs from April 1 to November 2 on the Festival’s three Niagara-on-the-Lake stages.

In making the announcement, Jackie Maxwell noted: “The Shaw Festival is home to one of the most celebrated acting Ensembles in the world. Its collaborative spirit and generosity characterizes how we work, allowing for an environment where new and returning members continually learn from and support each other. I am thrilled with the group of actors, designers and directors that has come together for 2008 and look forward to what they will bring to the season’s diverse playbill.”

Creative teams and primary and secondary castings include the following:

FESTIVAL THEATRE

An Inspector Calls
by J.B. Priestley
Previews – April 17 Opens – May 21 Closes – November 2
Sponsored by: CIBC World Markets

Directed by Neil Munro, designed by Peter Hartwell, lighting designed by Kevin Lamotte, original music composed by Paul Sportelli

Featuring Benedict Campbell as Inspector Goole, Peter Hutt as Arthur Birling and Mary Haney as Sybil Birling, with Andrew Bunker, Moya O’Connell and Graeme Somerville.

Wonderful Town
book by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Previews – April 1 Opens – May 24 Closes – October 5
Sponsored by: Lombard Insurance

Directed by Roger Hodgman, musical direction by Paul Sportelli, choreography by Jane Johanson, set designed by William Schmuck, costumes designed by Judith Bowden, lighting designed by Louise Guinand, sound designed by John Lott

Featuring Lisa Horner as Ruth Sherwood, Chilina Kennedy as Eileen Sherwood, Jay Turvey as Robert Baker and Thom Marriott as Wreck with Thom Allison, Neil Barclay, Gabrielle Jones, Lorne Kennedy, Jeff Madden, Glynis Ranney and William Vickers.

Mrs. Warren's Profession
by Bernard Shaw
Previews – July 6 Opens – July 18 Closes – November 1

Directed by Jackie Maxwell, designed by Sue LePage, lighting designed by Kevin Lamotte

Featuring Mary Haney as Kitty Warren and Moya O’Connell as Vivie Warren, with Andrew Bunker, Benedict Campbell, David Jansen and Ric Reid.

Follies: In Concert
book by James Goldman, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
August 29, September 12, September 27, October 4
Sponsored by: Paradigm Capital Inc.

Directed by Valerie Moore, musical direction by Paul Sportelli


COURT HOUSE THEATRE

The Stepmother
by Githa Sowerby
Previews – April 29 Opens – May 23 Closes – October 4
Sponsored by: The Producers Circle

Directed by Jackie Maxwell, set designed by Camellia Koo, costumes designed by William Schmuck, lighting designed by Louise Guinand

Featuring Claire Jullien as Lois and Blair Williams as Eustace, with Guy Bannerman, Patrick Galligan, Marla McLean and Jennifer Phipps.

A Little Night Music
book by Hugh Wheeler, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Previews – June 1 Opens – July 4 Closes – October 4
Sponsored by: TD Canada Trust Music

Directed by Morris Panych, musical direction by Paul Sportelli, choreography by Valerie Moore, set designed by Ken MacDonald, costumes designed by Charlotte Dean, lighting designed by Alan Brodie

Featuring Goldie Semple as Desirée Armfeldt, George Masswohl as Fredrik Egerman and Thom Allison as Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm, with Donna Belleville, Patty Jamieson, Julie Martell and Justin Stadnyk.

Belle Moral
by Ann-Marie MacDonald
Previews – July 12 Opens – July 19 Closes – October 5
Sponsored by: Scotiabank Group

Directed by Alisa Palmer, designed by Judith Bowden, lighting designed by Kevin Lamotte, original music composed by Paul Sportelli

Featuring Fiona Byrne as Pearl, Jeff Meadows as Victor, Donna Belleville as Flora and Peter Hutt as Dr. Reid, with Bernard Behrens, Martin Happer, Julie Martell and Graeme Somerville.


ROYAL GEORGE THEATRE

Getting Married
by Bernard Shaw
Previews – April 11 Opens – May 22 Closes – November 1
Sponsored by: Sun Life Financial

Directed by Joseph Ziegler, designed by Sue LePage, lighting designed by Louise Guinand

Featuring Peter Krantz as General “Boxer” Bridgenorth, Fiona Byrne as Lesbia Grantham, Laurie Paton as Mrs. George Collins, Martin Happer as St. John Hotchkiss and David Schurmann as Bishop of Chelsea, with Michael Ball, Norman Browning, Nicolá Correia-Damude, Sharry Flett and Peter Millard.

The Little Foxes
by Lillian Hellman
Previews – May 3 Opens – May 24 Closes – November 1

Directed by Eda Holmes, designed by Cameron Porteous, lighting designed by Kevin Lamotte

Featuring Laurie Paton as Regina Giddens, Ric Reid as Ben Hubbard, Peter Krantz as Oscar Hubbard and Sharry Flett as Birdie Hubbard, with Krista Colosimo, David Jansen and Gray Powell.

After the Dance
by Terence Rattigan
Previews – June 25 Opens – July 5 Closes – October 5

Directed by Neil Munro, designed by William Schmuck, lighting designed by Alan Brodie

Featuring Patrick Galligan as David Scott-Fowler, Deborah Hay as Joan Scott-Fowler and Marla McLean as Helen Banner, with Neil Barclay and Ken James Stewart.

Lunchtime: The President
by Ferenc Molnár, adapted by Morwyn Brebner
Previews – June 7 Opens – July 5 Closes – October 4
Sponsored by: Lombard Insurance

Directed by Blair Williams, designed by Cameron Porteous, lighting designed by Jennifer Jimenez

Featuring Lorne Kennedy as The President with Bernard Behrens, Chilina Kennedy, Al Kozlik and Jeff Meadows.


Tickets for the 2008 season went on sale to Shaw Festival Members on November 10 and sales to the general public begin January 2 by mail, fax or online and on January 12 by phone or in person.

The 2008 season is proudly presented by HSBC Bank Canada/HSBC Bank USA, N.A.

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Please visit our website at www.shawfest.com for other Shaw Festival media releases.

For more information, or to download images from our image bank to accompany this release, members of the media may contact:

Odette Yazbeck
Public Relations Director
905-468-2153 or
1-800-657-1106 ext. 222
odette@shawfest.com

Patti Broughton
Public Relations Co-ordinator
905-468-2153 or
1-800-657-1106 ext. 224
pbroughton@shawfest.com

Press Contact Information

Shaw Festival
odette@shawfest.com
1-800-657-1106 or 905-468-2153 ext 222
Shaw Festival Box 774 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0

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