Stratford sent out information about "key casting" for the 2010 season today. We have some of the news in the paper, but I thought I'd post the whole press release here on the blog for those who want the full scoop.
Of particular interest - to me, anyway:
- Nikki M. James is back with a vengeance. You'll recall this Des McAnuff protegee played Juliet to bad reviews and Cleopatra (in Bernard Shaw's Caesar and Cleopatra) to okay reviews in 2008. This time around she'll be Ariel opposite Christopher Plummer's Prospero in The Tempest and Julia in The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Artistic director Des McAnuff is really showing a stubborn streak. The critics aren't fond of his Shakespeare direction, so he decides to direct two Shakespeare plays in 2010. The critics don't find James has the chops for Shakespeare, so he casts her in two lead Shakespearean roles. He wants to prove that he and James have what the Bard takes. I hope they both prove the critics wrong and wow us.
- I hadn't realised that new George F. Walker show is a musical. It is. And, good news, Evan Buliung is back to play at Stratford to play the lead. Boing-Boing Buliung, that's my new nickname for this charismatic Shaw/Stratford human ping-pong ball.
- Chilina Kennedy nabbed the role of Evita in, well, you know. She's also playing Lois Lane in Kiss Me Kate.
- Lucy Peacock and Tom Rooney will play Nana and the Narrator in Michel Tremblay's For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again. That sounds like perfect casting.
- Another promising bit of casting: Tom McCamus and Seana McKenna plotting to undo a virginal Sara Topham in Dangerous Liaisons. This cast also includes Martha Henry, Yanna McIntosh and popular Toronto actor Bethany Jillard.
- Ben Carlson, the fine Hamlet of '08, will be playing Touchstone in As You Like and Leontes in The Winter's Tale.
- And... finally, Peter Pan is suddenly looking like a must-see for all, not just the kiddies. Michael Therriault, one of the country's most sought-after actors, will play the boy who never grew up to Tom McCamus's Captain Hook. Topham will be Wendy and Paul Dunn will be John.
Below, everything else you wanted to know, straight from the swan's mouth:
Stratford Shakespeare Festival announces key casting for 2010 season
Christopher Plummer, Nikki M. James reunite in The Tempest
October 14, 2009… When last they met it was under the desert moon in Caesar and Cleopatra - now Christopher Plummer and Nikki M. James will be reunited on a distant island, as Prospero and Ariel in Shakespeare's moving drama The Tempest.
For the production, Artistic Director Des McAnuff has pulled together the artistic team behind the wildly successful Caesar and Cleopatra: Mr. McAnuff will direct on the Festival stage, with set design by Robert Brill, costume design by Paul Tazewell and lighting design by Michael Walton.
Also cast in The Tempest: James Blendick as Gonzalo, Bruce Dow as Trinculo, Peter Hutt as Alonso, Dion Johnstone as Caliban, Trish Lindström as Miranda, Gareth Potter as Ferdinand, Timothy D. Stickney as Sebastian, John Vickery as Antonio and Geraint Wyn Davies as Stephano.
"We have put together the most amazingly gifted company of actors for next season, steadily building on what we started in 2008," said Mr. McAnuff in announcing key casting for 2010.
"It is a great privilege to work with such a gifted, skillful and inspiring group. The true depth of our troupe is shown by the number of wonderful actors who will be playing supporting roles in addition to their principal parts. This richness of talent across the board underscores a commitment from everyone that the company comes first. If we were a baseball team, I'd be able to say we have tremendous bench strength!"
General Director Antoni Cimolino added: "We look forward to welcoming old friends and new as they join us to create a sensational season of theatre. I know all of our audience members who have followed the careers of our actors will be delighted with the challenges and opportunities that this season's casting provides. As well, our audiences can look forward to meeting new personalities that will grow in importance to the Festival and to them in the years ahead."
FESTIVAL THEATRE (continued)
Ben Carlson, Brent Carver, Andrea Runge featured in As You Like It
Tom McCamus, Seana McKenna plot against Sara Topham in Dangerous Liaisons
Juan Chioran and Monique Lund battle in Kiss Me, Kate
Mr. McAnuff is also directing As You Like It at the Festival Theatre, with Brent Carver playing Jaques, as previously announced. Joining him will be Ben Carlson as Touchstone and Andrea Runge as Rosalind. Lucy Peacock will play Audrey, with Cara Ricketts as Celia, and Tom Rooney as Duke Frederick and Duke Senior. Debra Hanson will return to the Festival to do the set design. Dana Osborne will be the costume designer. Michael Walton will be the lighting designer.
John Doyle's main-stage production of Kiss Me, Kate will feature Juan Chioran as Fred Graham and Monique Lund as Lilli Vanessi. Chilina Kennedy will play Lois Lane. Musical director for the production is Franklin Brasz and choreographer is Tracey Flye. It will be designed by David Farley.
Ethan McSweeny, making his debut at the Festival Theatre with Dangerous Liaisons, will work with designer Santo Loquasto, lighting designer Robert Thomson and a stellar cast. Tom McCamus will play Le Vicomte de Valmont opposite Seana McKenna as La Marquise de Merteuil. Sara Topham will play La Présidente de Tourvel. Martha Henry has been cast as Mme de Rosemonde, Bethany Jillard as Cécile Volanges, and Yanna McIntosh as Mme de Volanges.
AVON THEATRE
Chilina Kennedy and Juan Chioran play Eva and Juan Perón
Michael Therriault plays Peter Pan to Tom McCamus's Captain Hook
Chilina Kennedy, returning from her triumphant turn as Maria in West Side Story, will play the title role in Evita opposite Juan Chioran's Juan Perón. Vince Staltari will play Magaldi. Ms Kennedy will once again be working with director Gary Griffin, who received great acclaim for his direction of West Side Story in 2009. This time he will be directing at the Avon Theatre, with musical director Rick Fox, choreographer Tracey Flye, set designer Douglas Paraschuk, costume designer Mara Blumenfeld, and lighting designer Kevin Fraser.
Michael Therriault will return from his successful New York run as Irving Berlin in Tin Pan Alley Rag to play the title role in Peter Pan, opposite Tom McCamus's Captain Hook. Paul Dunn will play John and Sara Topham will play Wendy. The production will be directed by Tim Carroll with designer Carolyn M. Smith and lighting designer Kevin Fraser.
TOM PATTERSON THEATRE
The Winter's Tale features Ben Carlson, Yanna McIntosh, Seana McKenna
Mike Nadajewski joins Brent Carver in Jacques Brel
Lucy Peacock and Tom Rooney reminisce in Tremblay piece
Marti Marden's production of The Winter's Tale at the Tom Patterson Theatre will feature Ben Carlson as Leontes opposite Yanna McIntosh's Hermione. Seana McKenna will play Paulina. The production will also feature Cara Ricketts as Perdita and Tom Rooney as Autolycus. It will be designed by John Pennoyer with lighting design by Louise Guinand.
Brent Carver will be featured in Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, along with Mike Nadajewski. The production will be directed by Stafford Arima with musical director Laura Burton, costume design by Jessica Poirier-Chang and lighting design by Steven Hawkins. Additional casting has not yet been confirmed.
Lucy Peacock and Tom Rooney will come together to play Nana and the Narrator in Michel Tremblay's For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again. The production will be directed by Chris Abraham with design by Julie Fox and lighting design by Leigh Ann Vardy.
STUDIO THEATRE
Geraint Wyn Davies presents one-man show on Dylan Thomas
Dion Johnstone and Gareth Potter get two ladies: Nikki M. James and Claire Lautier
Evan Buliung is Mac in King of Thieves
Geraint Wyn Davies will present the one-man show Do Not Go Gentle, under the direction of Dean Gabourie, as previously announced.
The two gentlemen of Verona, Valentine and Proteus, will be played by Dion Johnstone and Gareth Potter. Directed by Dean Gabourie, the production will also feature Nikki M. James as Julia and Claire Lautier as Silvia. Bruce Dow will return to the company to play Speed and Robert Persichini will play Launce. The set designer will be Lorenzo Savoini, who will also design the lighting. Tamara Marie Kucheran will be the costume designer.
Evan Buliung will return to the Festival company to play Mac King of Thieves, a new play by George F. Walker. Songs and music by John Roby with lyrics by George F. Walker. Laura Condlln will play Polly. The production will be directed by Jennifer Tarver with musical direction by John Roby, design by Peter Hartwell and lighting design by Michael Walton.
Tickets for the 2010 season go on sale to Members of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival beginning November 16. Tickets through Front Of The Line by American Express go on sale December 12. Ticket sales to the general public begin January 9.
The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's 2009 season continues until November 8, featuring Macbeth; West Side Story; Cyrano de Bergerac; A Midsummer Night's Dream; The Importance of Being Earnest; Julius Caesar; and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
J. Kelly Nestruck