Shaw Festival at NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE Announces 2005 Principal Casting

Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell today announced the principal casting and creative teams for the Shaw Festival’s 2005 season. Jackie Maxwell’s third season as Artistic Director will include 10 productions plus the popular Reading Series and Musical Reading Series. The season will begin April 1 and productions will run in repertory to November 27 at The Shaw’s three theatres in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Shaw Festival Ensemble members returning in principal roles for the 2005 season include Michael Ball, Guy Bannerman, Neil Barclay, Donna Belleville, Simon Bradbury, Norman Browning, Evan Buliung, Kevin Bundy, Fiona Byrne, Benedict Campbell, Ben Carlson, Diana Donnelly, Sharry Flett, Patrick Galligan, Patricia Hamilton, Mary Haney, Martin Happer, Lisa Horner, Peter Hutt, Patty Jamieson, Peter Krantz, David Leyshon, Jeff Lillico, Trish Lindström, Jeff Madden, Nora McLellan, Jeff Meadows, Catherine McGregor, Jim Mezon, Peter Millard, Laurie Paton, Glynis Ranney, David Schurmann, Goldie Semple, Mike Shara, Wendy Thatcher, Jay Turvey, Nicole Underhay and William Vickers.

Returning after brief absences are Ensemble members Ric Reid and Blair Williams, and The Shaw welcomes newcomers Charlotte Gowdy, Kate Hennig, Harry Judge and Julie Martell, who debut at the Shaw Festival in leading roles this season.

Creative teams and principal actors include the following:

Festival Theatre

You Never Can Tell
by Bernard Shaw
Previews – April 24 Opens – May 5 Closes – November 26
Directed by Morris Panych, set designed by Ken MacDonald, costumes designed by Nancy Bryant, lighting designed by Paul Mathiesen

A magical comedy of unexpected meetings, reunions and reconciliations, and one of Shaw’s most beloved plays. Featuring Goldie Semple as Mrs. Clandon, Mike Shara as Valentine, Fiona Byrne as Gloria and Norman Browning as Crampton, as well as Guy Bannerman, Harry Judge, David Schurmann, Graeme Somerville and Nicole Underhay.

Gypsy
music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Arthur Laurents
Previews – April 12 Opens – May 7 Closes – October 30
Directed by Jackie Maxwell, musical direction by Paul Sportelli, choreography by Valerie Moore, set designed by Peter Hartwell, costumes designed by Judith Bowden, lighting designed by Kevin Lamotte

A landmark Broadway musical featuring unforgettable characters and one great song after another.

Featuring Nora McLellan as Momma Rose and Julie Martell as Louise, as well as Kate Hennig, Jeff Lillico, Trish Lindström and Ric Reid.

Major Barbara
by Bernard Shaw
Previews – June 10 Opens – June 24 Closes – October 29
Directed by Joseph Ziegler, designed by Christina Poddubiuk, lighting designed by Kevin Lamotte

A fascinating comedy of ideas in which a munitions manufacturer vies for the soul of his Salvationist daughter.
Featuring Diana Donnelly as Barbara, Benedict Campbell as Undershaft, Ben Carlson as Adolphus Cusins and Mary Haney as Lady Britomart, as well as Evan Buliung, Sharry Flett, Patrick Galligan, David Leyshon and Peter Millard.

Acura Season at the Court House Theatre

Journey’s End
by R.C. Sherriff
Previews – May 13 Opens – May 27 Closes – October 8
Directed by Christopher Newton, designed by Cameron Porteous, lighting designed by Louise Guinand

A gripping drama in which heroism clashes with lost illusions in the trenches of the First World War. Featuring Evan Buliung as Stanhope, Patrick Galligan as Osborne and Jeff Lillico as Raleigh, as well as Simon Bradbury, Peter Krantz, Jeff Meadows and William Vickers.

The Autumn Garden
by Lillian Hellman
Previews – June 11 Opens – June 25 Closes – October 8
Directed by Martha Henry, designed by William Schmuck, lighting designed by Louise Guinand

Old friends gather in a summer boarding house on the Louisiana coast to recapture their past hopes and dreams. Featuring Sharry Flett as Constance, Peter Hutt as Nick, Jim Mezon as Ned, Goldie Semple as Carrie and Patricia Hamilton as Mrs. Ellis, as well as Charlotte Gowdy, Laurie Paton, David Schurmann, Mike Shara and Wendy Thatcher.

Belle Moral: A Natural History
by Ann-Marie MacDonald
Previews – July 7 Opens – July 16 Closes – October 7
Directed by Alisa Palmer, designed by Judith Bowden, lighting designed by Kevin Lamotte

A young Scottish scientist seeks to uncover her family’s secrets in this offbeat Gothic comedy. This new version of The Arab’s Mouth was commissioned by The Shaw and has its premiere this season. Featuring Fiona Byrne as Pearl, Jeff Meadows as Victor, Peter Hutt as Dr. Reid and Donna Belleville as Flora.

Royal George Theatre

The Constant Wife
by Somerset Maugham
Previews – April 1 Opens – May 6 Closes – October 9
Directed by Neil Munro, designed by William Schmuck, lighting designed by Andrea Lundy

An intelligent woman’s guide to married life – in a sophisticated comedy of the 1920s. Featuring Laurie Paton as Constance, Blair Williams as John and Peter Krantz as Bernard, as well as Michael Ball, Patricia Hamilton, Catherine McGregor, Glynis Ranney and Wendy Thatcher.

Happy End
Music by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Bertolt Brecht
Previews – May 15 Opens – May 28 Closes – October 28
Directed by Tadeusz Bradecki, musical direction by Paul Sportelli, choreography by Jane Johanson, set designed by Peter Hartwell, costumes designed by Teresa Przybylski, lighting designed by Jeff Logue

The return of The Shaw’s sold-out hit from 2003, an edgy, in-your-face musical romp. Featuring Glynis Ranney as Lillian Holiday, Benedict Campbell as Bill Cracker and Jay Turvey as Dr. Nakamura, as well as Neil Barclay, Donna Belleville, Ben Carlson, Patty Jamieson, Jeff Madden and Peter Millard.

Bus Stop
by William Inge
Previews – June 28 Opens – July 15 Closes – November 27
Directed by Jackie Maxwell, designed by Sue LePage, lighting designed by Andrea Lundy

The shimmering tale of an unlikely group stranded in an all-night diner during a Kansas snowstorm. Featuring Nicole Underhay as Cherie, Martin Happer as Bo, Norman Browning as Dr. Lyman, Kevin Bundy as Virgil and Mary Haney as Grace, as well as Michael Ball, Guy Bannerman and Diana Donnelly.

Lunchtime One-Act: Something on the Side
by Georges Feydeau and Maurice Desvallières
Previews – June 10 Opens – June 25 Closes – September 25
Translated by Maureen LaBonté, adapted and directed by Neil Munro

A new version of Georges Feydeau’s C’est une femme du monde, a farcical confection of sexual shenanigans. Featuring Simon Bradbury, Kevin Bundy, Kate Hennig, Lisa Horner, Harry Judge, Trish Lindström and Ric Reid.

Tickets for The Shaw’s 2005 season go on sale to the general public January 10 by mail, fax or online, and on January 15 by phone or in person.

The 2005 Season is presented by HSBC Bank Canada/HSBC Bank USA, and generously supported by Court House Season Partner Acura.

November 30, 2004   Posted in: Canada