Shaw Festival Announces 2008 Season

(Enjoying a coffee break in the Shaw Festival patio, above)

The Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada has announced the 2008 season, featuring richly diverse, provocative dramas, exquisite musicals, glittering ensemble pieces and newly minted theatrical gems.

The 2008 playbill includes ten productions, on the Festival’s three Niagara-on-the-Lake stages: the Festival Theatre, the Court House Theatre and the Royal George Theatre, as well as four concert performances of Stephen Sondheim’s legendary musical Follies in the Festival Theatre.

The season opens with J.B. Priestley’s chilling mystery An Inspector Calls, directed by The Shaw’s Associate Director Neil Munro, known for his complex and often radical approach to theatre classics.

Mrs. Warren's Profession & Getting Married

Two plays by the Festival’s namesake are presented this season. Festival Director Jackie Maxwell directs Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Shaw’s still-controversial story of love, sex, money and morality, in the Festival Theatre. At the Royal George Joseph Ziegler directs Getting Married, a witty and provocative look at the institution of marriage.

Sharing the Festival Theatre stage with Shaw is the celebrated Leonard Bernstein musical Wonderful Town, directed by Roger Hodgman, director of The Shaw’s hit production She Loves Me (2000). Based on the movie and novel My Sister Eileen, this musical adventure about being young and full of dreams in New York City won six Tony Awards on Broadway.

The Court House season opens with the Canadian premiere of Githa Sowerby’s newly discovered 1924 play The Stepmother, directed by Ms. Maxwell. Also in the Court House, Morris Panych will direct Stephen Sondheim’s classic A Little Night Music, which features some of musical theatre’s most spectacular songs, including the beloved “Send in the Clowns”.

A remount of the 2005 hit production of Ann-Marie MacDonald’s gothic comedy Belle Moral, directed by Alisa Palmer, closes the Court House season.

The Little Foxes

Also on the Royal George stage are Lillian Hellman’s ultimate family feud The Little Foxes, directed by Eda Holmes; Terence Rattigan’s tale of a lost generation, After the Dance, directed by Mr. Munro; and the lunchtime production, Ferenc Molnár’s one-act whirlwind The President, newly adapted for The Shaw by Morwyn Brebner and directed by Ensemble member Blair Williams.

The season also includes many opportunities to learn more about playwrights, productions and the world of theatre through readings, seminars and workshops that feature actors, directors, designers and renowned scholars.

Regular ticket prices for the 2008 season range from $45 to $105 including GST. For Special Matinees, student tickets are $25 and senior tickets are $40. Lunchtime ticket prices are $27. Sunday night performances are available all season from $45 to $60 and, for patrons aged 19-29, $30 tickets are available for most performances. Preview prices are $45 to $70. Family tickets are available in each theatre: for each regularly-priced ticket purchased, one or two youth tickets (18 years or under) may be purchased for half price.

Tickets for the 2008 season go on sale to Shaw Festival Members according to Membership level starting November 10. Tickets go on sale to groups on January 3. For the general public tickets go on sale January 2 by mail, fax or online and on January 12 by phone or in person.

For more information, visit www.shawfest.com.