Benedict Campbell News

Fans of The Crown on Netflix will love The Audience. In fact, they share the same writer (Peter Morgan wrote the Netflix series and is the playwright) though the projects are separated by a few years of development. In fact, some of the dialogue from the Netflix show is clearly lifted from the play.

The Shaw Festival proudly announces casting for Artistic Director Tim Carroll's first season. The Shaw's 2017 ensemble is a mix of new faces and Festival favourites - each actor ready to entertain and excite audiences in this season's 11 productions.

From it's ominous sounding opening organ chords, Stephen Sondheim makes it clear that you are in for a macabre evening of theatre as his masterpiece SWEENEY TODD begins. What sounds almost too gruesome to be appropriate for a musical has over the years had audiences and critics alike arguing whether this is a musical comedy or opera. Since it's 1979 premiere it has been staged world wide by some of the most notable Opera companies in the world, from English National Opera to the Paris Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago. An updated staging is happening this summer at the Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, New York with noted Wagnerian bass Greer Grimsley playing the title character.

Jackie Maxwell concludes her 14-year tenure as the Shaw Festival's Artistic Director with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – A Musical Thriller, by legendary Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim. Previews of her production of this compelling musical thriller, with its unusual take on the notion of “eat or be eaten”, began its limited run July 17 – with additional matinees already added for October 18 and 19.

The Shaw Festival tackles Thornton Wilder's masterpiece OUR TOWN, directed by Molly Smith. The quiet tale is presented in three acts, following the story of a small town at the turn of the century. A number of years pass between each act, allowing for audiences to delve deeper in the lives - hopeful and tragic of its townspeople. Starring Charlie Gallant, Kate Besworth and Benedict Campbell, this moving production also features Patrick Galligan, Catherine McGregor, Patrick McManus and Jenny L. Wright.

The Shaw Festival's 55th season begins Saturday at 2 p.m. with the first preview of Thornton Wilder's beloved play Our Town. Molly Smith, artistic director of Washington, D.C's Tony award-winning Arena Stage, returns to The Shaw to breathe vivid, new life into this classic piece of theatre - a talent she displayed so brilliantly in her production of My Fair Lady in 2011.

Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell and the Shaw Festival announce principal casting and the creative teams for the 2016 playbill. The 2016 season features new and core ensemble members and beloved returning artists celebrating Ms. Maxwell's final season and 14-year tenure at The Shaw.

Casting is announced and rehearsals are underway for the world premiere of Wormwood by actor and acclaimed playwright Andrew Kushnir (Small Axe, The Middle Place, The Gay Heritage Project) in his first play for Tarragon Theatre.

Deborah Hay as Sally Bowles is a brilliant light shining in this otherwise very dark production of Cabaret, on stage this season at the Shaw Festival. Hayes has captured Sally completely, and in doing so, captivated the audience. Her rendition of "Maybe This Time" is so convincing that you believe she really wants the relationship to work. But then, as soon as Cliff starts packing for Pennsylvania, you can see the interest drain away from Hay's Sally.

A new production of Major Barbara, one of Bernard Shaw's most celebrated and provocative works, began previews May 2 in the intimate space of the Shaw Festival's Royal George Theatre.

BroadwayWorld's Senior Photographer Walter McBride has picked his favorite onstage photos from the year and you can check out his full collection below! CLICK HERE to check out Part 2.

My Fair Lady, featuring Manna Nichols and Nicholas Rodriguez, is currently curring at Arena Stage through January 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld brings you backstage photos below!

My Fair Lady, featuring Manna Nichols and Nicholas Rodriguez, is currently curring at Arena Stage through January 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the curtain call below!

This fairly innocuous take on a classic tale is likely to be a hit with audiences seeking a fun night out.

My Fair Lady, featuring Manna Nichols and Nicholas Rodriguez, is currently curring at Arena Stage through January 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights from the show below.

My Fair Lady, featuring Manna Nichols and Nicholas Rodriguez, is currently curring at Arena Stage through January 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below.

An exceptional collection of talent has been assembled to bring the Shaw Festival's 52nd season to life - a unique and entertaining playbill rich with new and provocative conversations, culture clashes, magical transformations and dazzling ideas. The Salvation Army marches in this season with freshly re-envisioned productions of Guys and Dolls, one of musical theatres most celebrated pieces, and Shaw's Major Barbara - an ever relevant and potent play.

Take a first look at the talented cast of My Fair Lady, featuring Manna Nichols and Nicholas Rodriguez, in rehearsal at Arena Stage below!

Based on George Bernard Shaw's classic play Pygmalion, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's musical My Fair Lady follows the transformation of Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle into an aristocratic lady through lessons in manners, language and dress. After directing the production at the 2011 Shaw Festival, Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith reunites with members of her original design team, along with noted Canadian actor Benedict Campbell who reprises his role as Henry Higgins, to bring a completely fresh interpretation to audiences in D.C. As previously announced, Manna Nichols makes her Arena debut as Eliza Doolittle, and Nicholas Rodriguez returns as Freddy Eynsford-Hill, leading a cast that features many D.C.-area actors. My Fair Lady became the best-selling production in the Shaw Festival's 50-year history and runs at Arena Stage November 2, 2012-January 6, 2013 in the Fichandler Stage.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for My Fair Lady, directed by Artistic Director Molly Smith.