Franklin Brasz News

Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS PINAFORE is gracing the Stratford Festival stage for the first time in 25 years and only the fourth time in the history of the festival. Mounted at the Avon Theatre, directed by Lezlie Wade, and choreographed by Kerry Gage, this production possesses the perfect balance of fun, ridiculousness and sentiment. The music is gorgeous, the company is brilliant and as a whole, it is simply delightful.

The Stratford Festival's first ever staging of Stephen Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is happening this season at the Avon Theatre. Directed by Gary Griffin, It is clever, it is delightful, it is funny, it is sad, and it is beautifully performed by everyone involved. Everyone I have spoken with who has seen this production has a different favourite scene or performer. There is so much to take in that it is just as fun to see it a second time!

Listening to Franklin Brasz lead the orchestra, hearing the incredible voices in the Quintet of Sean Arbuckle, Jen Rider-Shaw, Barbara Fulton, Stephen Patterson and Ayrin Mackie start off the show, I was especially aware of the joy in my tears.

We stood in a rehearsal room with our hearts beating full and hard, and sang with the orchestra for the first time. We listened to the extraordinary beauty of Stephen Sondheim's music played by some of the best musicians around. We heard the arrangements that Jonathan Tunick so masterfully created. We let the glorious music wash over us and inform our interpretations. We are all keenly aware of how unbelievably lucky we are that we get to play in this special sandbox this year - 'A Little Night Music' - here at the Stratford Festival.

I fell into an orchestra pit. Just like the Coyote being chased by the Road Runner and ending up in a puff of smoke at the bottom of an endless canyon, I plunged into an empty black crevasse that was just as unforgiving. It was in the Avon Theatre, the year was 1983 and the show was The Gondoliers.

Following last year's recording of CRAZY FOR YOU, this year - the Stratford Festival company of CAROUSEL recorded the festival's second original cast recording. The recording is now available for order and digital download on CDBaby. Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, named the best musical of the 20th century by Time magazine, returns to the Festival for the first time in over twenty years in a vibrant production directed by Susan H. Schulman. Previews began Tuesday, May 5, at the Avon Theatre.

THE ADVENTURES OF PERICLES by William Shakespeare, and directed by Scott Wentworth, opened at Stratford Festival's Tom Patterson Theatre on Saturday night. Starring Evan Buliung as the title character, this production was moving and fun from beginning to end.

No, the Stratford Festival isn't doing another production of West Side Story. Chilina Kennedy already played that Maria at the Stratford Festival a few years back. The festival will produce the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical - The Sound of Music for their upcoming season.

The magic of the Stratford Festival's hit musical Crazy for You has been immortalized in the first full-length cast recording in the Festival's history. The album is filled with beloved Gershwin tunes and a sensational cast bursting with talent: who could ask for anything more?

Chilina Kennedy has had to withdraw from the 2014 season for the happiest of reasons: she and her partner, Jacob James, are expecting a baby. She was to play Polly Baker in Crazy for You and Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, but she is now unable to undertake two such physically challenging roles. Ms Kennedy remains a valued member of the Festival family, and plans are underway to include her new concert as part of the 2014 Forum.

The 60th Season of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival opened last night with Much Ado About Nothing, but there was definitely something special happening in this gorgeous town. BWW was on hand for all the festivities, and we are thrilled to bring our readers photos from opening night.

The Festival renews its long-standing Gilbert and Sullivan tradition this season with The Pirates of Penzance. Directed by Ethan McSweeny, this new production begins previews at the Avon Theatre on May 3.

On Sunday night the stars of Toronto's musical theatre scene came out to pay tribute to Des McAnuff as he received an honourary doctorate from Ryerson University for his contribution to the arts over the last few decades. Including cast members from the original Toronto production of Jersey Boys and the current Stratford Festival production of Jesus Christ Superstar, the evening was filled with good music and fantastic tales from Des' extraordinary life. BWW was on hand to bring its readers exclusive photos from the performances and the after party.

Toronto's The Stratford Shakespeare Festival has revealed revealed additional casting for its 2010 season. The stars include Christopher Plummer, Chilina Kennedy, Juan Chioran, Michael Therriault and Geraint Wyn Davies for the Festival's productions of The Tempest, Evita, Kiss Me Kate, Peter Pan and Do Not Go Gentle. Nikki M. James, who was previously set to star alongside Plummer has withdrawn from the festival due to 'personal reasons.'

Irving Berlin's White Christmas, the holiday musical featuring the classic songs of Irving Berlin, is playing the Sony Centre in Toronto through January 5, 2008. It opened on November 30.