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News Releases

2013

• 2013-06-13Samuel Beckett's comedic masterpiece Waiting for Godot starts previews

• 2013-06-11Season extended at the Tom Patterson Theatre: Shakespeare, Schiller and Beckett see surge in ticket sales

• 2013-06-11The Festival's first "Forum Foray" begins tomorrow

• 2013-05-30Cynthia Dale's much anticipated concert begins

• 2013-05-24Stratford Festival officially opens 2013 season

• 2013-05-23Shakespeare's dark comedy Measure for Measure starts previews

• 2013-05-23The swashbuckling adventure The Three Musketeers starts previews

• 2013-05-16Stratford Festival achieves a new Guinness World Records goal at Pinballapalooza

• 2013-05-16Noël Coward's classic comedy Blithe Spirit starts previews

• 2013-05-03Des McAnuff invested into Order of Canada

• 2013-05-03Electrifiying rock musical Tommy starts previews: Original Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff returns

• 2013-05-03Friedrich Schiller's political thriller Mary Stuart starts previews

• 2013-05-02Stratford Festival set for a Guinness World Records achievement at Pinballapalooza

• 2013-05-01Two performances of Taking Shakespeare added to meet demand

• 2013-05-01Shakespeare as Shakespeare would have done it: Romeo and Juliet starts previews

• 2013-04-23Stratford Festival kicks off its 61st season with first preview of Fiddler on the Roof

• 2013-04-06Festival receives more than $1 million from Celebrate Ontario

• 2013-04-03New Forum continues to grow with the addition of more workshops, comedy, panels, debates

• 2013-03-26Two performances of Mary Stuart added to 2013 schedule

• 2013-03-21Federal government extends matching funds program

• 2013-03-09Festival celebrates highlights of 60th season at annual general meeting

• 2013-02-25Stratford Festival launches its new Forum with a Shakespeare Slam in Toronto

2012

• 2012-11-01Antoni Cimolino officially takes over as artistic director,unveils new logo, returns to name ‘Stratford Festival’

• 2012-12-06New app presents rare insider’s view of the Festival

• 2012-11-28Festival announces Langham Workshop directors

• 2012-11-13New Forum is taking shape with a fascinating 2013 lineup

• 2012-10-31Tyrone Guthrie Awards celebrate Festival artists and staff

• 2012-10-29Festival to launch twice-daily direct bus service between Toronto and Stratford

• 2012-10-23Stratford Shakespeare Festival actors visit Michigan to work with students and teachers

• 2012-10-16Festival announces key casting for 2013

• 2012-09-27Festival welcomes new talent to Birmingham Conservatory

• 2012-08-29Cymbeline to be extended to October 6

• 2012-08-14Anita Gaffney named Executive Director

• 2012-07-27Sophokles’ Elektra starts previews

• 2012-07-25Christopher Plummer’s A Word or Two starts previews

• 2012-07-19Christopher Plummer and Des McAnuff offer special opportunity for Stratford residents to see A Word or Two 

• 2012-07-19Late Night with Lucy moves to larger venue

• 2012-07-17Antoni Cimolino unveils first season as Artistic Director

• 2012-06-27Memorial for John Neville to be held July 15

• 2012-07-09Festival marks anniversary with opening of Henry V

• 2012-07-06Lucy Peacock’s cabaret series sold out

• 2012-06-29 Des McAnuff appointed to Order of Canada

• 2012-06-26New Canadian play Best Brothers starts previews

• 2012-06-26VideoCabaret’s The War of 1812 starts previews

• 2012-06-22Des McAnuff’s Henry V starts previews

• 2012-06-20Hirsch starts previews ahead of July 12 première

• 2012-06-20New Canadian musical Wanderlust begins previews

• 2012-06-13Festival adds two new Cymbeline performances

• 2012-06-08Festival hosts dramatic reading of Edward Bond play Bingo 

• 2012-06-01Maggie Smith to receive Legacy Award

• 2012-05-30Governor General’s Awards Gala Performance to air on Bravo!

• 2012-05-25Festival officially launches 60th season on Monday 

• 2012-05-23Festival to host Shakespeare symposium June 2

• 2012-05-22The Tempest with Christopher Plummer Brings its Magic to Cinemas 

• 2012-05-15You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown starts previews

• 2012-05-11Brilliant comedy The Matchmaker starts previews

• 2012-05-10Romantic fantasy Cymbeline starts previews: Graham Abbey returns to the Festival to play Posthumus   

• 2012-05-04Des McAnuff receives Governor General's Performing Arts Award tonight

• 2012-05-03Gilbert and Sullivan return to Stratford as The Pirates of Penzance starts previews 

• 2012-05-02Rick Miller’s MacHomer starts previews 

• 2012-05-01Jesus Christ Superstar receives Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations 

• 2012-04-26Enchanting comedy Much Ado About Nothing starts previews: Ben Carlson and Deborah Hay to play Benedick and Beatrice

• 2012-04-23Stratford marks its 60th season with opening of new Festival Exhibition on Shakespeare’s birthday 

• 2012-04-12Paul Nolan to sing at Yankees home opener 

• 2012-04-12Energizing tap musical 42nd Street starts previews: Cynthia Dale returns to the Festival with a sizzling performance 

• 2012-03-27World Theatre Day, March 27, 2012: Message from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival

• 2012-03-14Government of Canada Supports Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s Digital Book:Designed to celebrate sixty years of the Festival in Stratford 

• 2012-03-10Festival posts surplus for 2011 season

• 2012-03-10Antoni Cimolino named Festival’s next Artistic Director: Des McAnuff recognized for enormous contributions to the Festival  

• 2012-03-06Des McAnuff to be honoured with a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award 

• 2012-02-08Festival welcomes new participants into the Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction 

• 2012-01-30Film of Des McAnuff’s Twelfth Night to première at Cineplex theatres on March 10 

• 2012-01-23C. David Johnson returns for major roles in Pirates, 42nd Street: Jennifer Rider-Shaw to play Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street  

• 2012-01-06Tickets go on sale to the public for Stratford’s 60th season

2011

• 2011-12-06Graham Abbey returns to join cast of Cymbeline

• 2011-11-21Stratford mourns the loss of John Neville 

• 2011-11-14Casting confirmed for Jesus Christ Superstar at La Jolla Playhouse

• 2011-11-10Festival announces three new commissions 

• 2011-11-04Film of The Tempest gets U.S. première 

• 2011-11-01Festival actors visit Michigan cities to work with students and teachers 

• 2011-10-31Spotlight on Goderich: Theatre community unites to raise funds for Tornado-stricken Goderich 

• 2011-10-31Annual Tyrone Guthrie Awards celebrate Festival artists and staff 

• 2011-10-25Twelfth Night going from stage to screen 

• 2011-10-18Festival casts title roles for Henry V, Cymbeline, Elektra, The Best Brothers, Charlie Brown

• 2011-10-13Fourth annual Playwrights Retreat underway in Stratford

• 2011-10-12Festival launches second annual Stratford Challenge 

• 2011-10-05Seymour Schulich donates $1 million to support children’s plays 

• 2011-10-04Broadway beckons: Jesus Christ Superstar to open at the Neil Simon Theater on March 22, 2012 

• 2011-10-04Festival adds performance of Twelfth Night

• 2011-09-26Dozens of free activities planned for second annual Culture Days celebration in Stratford and Perth County

• 2011-09-14Casting begins for Festival’s 60th season

• 2011-09-06Festival welcomes new talent into Birmingham Conservatory

• 2011-08-26Festival adds three more performances of Jesus Christ Superstar  

• 2011-08-17 Festival adds The War of 1812 to 60th season playbill: Play marks anniversary of key moment in Canadian history  

• 2011-08-02Twelfth Night will play on in new CD release

• 2011-07-29The Misanthrope starts previews 

• 2011-07-26Michel Tremblay’s Hosanna starts previews 

• 2011-07-26Harold Pinter’s The Homecoming starts previews: Jennifer Tarver directs Brian Dennehy in Festival’s first Pinter play 

• 2011-07-21Stratford Shakespeare Festival presents free summer concert series 

• 2011-07-21Jesus Christ Superstar extended by one week 

• 2011-07-19Doctor Zhivago nominated for seven Helpmann Awards 

• 2011-07-18Jesus Christ Superstar to move to La Jolla Playhouse 

• 2011-07-14Festival to present Christopher Plummer with Lifetime Achievement Award at gala celebration

• 2011-07-04Brian Bedford withdraws from Misanthrope for medical reasons 

• 2011-06-30Shakespeare’s Will starts previews: Popular show has Seana McKenna revisit the role of Anne Hathaway  

• 2011-06-29The Little Years starts previews: Studio Theatre opens with commission from John Mighton  

• 2011-06-27Electrifying production of Twelfth Night starts previews: Stellar cast features Brian Dennehy as Sir Toby Belch  

• 2011-06-23Shakespeare’s revenge tragedy Titus Andronicus starts previews  

• 2011-06-04Artistic Director Des McAnuff extended through 2013 season: Festival announces 2012 playbill 

• 2011-05-18Groundbreaking production of Richard III starts previews with Seana McKenna in title role 

• 2011-05-13Jesus Christ Superstar starts previews: Electrifying new production directed by Des McAnuff 

• 2011-05-09 Stratford Joins National Culture Days Campaign 

• 2011-05-09Tony-winning director Frank Galati makes Stratford debut as The Merry Wives of Windsor starts previews 

• 2011-05-02Stratford Challenge finalists for Shakespeare performance selected 

• 2011-04-25 Tony-winning classic The Grapes of Wrath starts previews  

• 2011-04-15Lerner and Loewe’s classic musical Camelot begins previews   

• 2011-04-14Festival kicks off season with performance of original hip hop song 

• 2011-04-06A Bravo! Original Production: Christopher Plummer Shines in Stratford’s Hit Play THE TEMPEST, April 11  

• 2011-04-05Festival mourns the loss of actor Wayne Robson 

• 2011-03-31Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction welcomes new participants to 2011 session 

• 2011-03-31Stratford Shakespeare Festival to observe Earth Hour 

• 2011-03-28Des McAnuff: World Theatre Day statement  

• 2011-03-17Government of Canada supports arts training at Stratford Shakespeare Festival of Canada 

• 2011-03-16Des McAnuff to receive honorary doctorate from Ryerson 

• 2011-03-05Stratford Shakespeare Festival posts surplus for 2010 

• 2011-02-17Des McAnuff to direct Faust for the Met: Doctor Zhivago opening in Australia 

• 2011-02-03Festival wins big in Broadway World’s Fans’ Choice Awards 

• 2011-01-31David Grindley to direct The Misanthrope

• 2011-01-26Brian Bedford’s Earnest extended on Broadway

• 2011-01-24Brian Dennehy entering Theatre Hall of Fame 

• 2011-01-17Festival mourns the loss of Michael Langham 

• 2011-01-09 Festival mourns the loss of actor Peter Donaldson

2010

• 2010-12-18Stratford Shakespeare Festival mourns the loss of actress Domini Blythe

• 2010-12-15Wilkinson announces $200,000 Trillium Grant for Culture Days in Ontario: Funding will assist with coordination and promotion 

• 2010-12-03Wilkinson announces major investment for Stratford Festival: Arts Investment Fund helps Stratford Shakespeare Festival grow

• 2010-11-252010 season ends with increase in ticket sales: Advance sales for 2011 top $4 million in first week 

• 2010-11-15Roberta Maxwell rejoins company in two Shakespeares; Leads named for Camelot

• 2010-11-10pak siew b’y presents A Small Miracle

• 2010-11-01Festival actors and coaches visit Michigan cities to work with students, teachers and professionals 

• 2010-10-08Annual Tyrone Guthrie Awards celebrate Festival artists and staff 

• 2010-10-08Dance cabaret honours memory of actress Lindsay Thomas

• 2010-10-07The Tempest by William Shakespeare a Des McAnuff film, Starring Christopher Plummer.

• 2010-10-07Key casting complete for Jesus Christ Superstar, Hosanna, Grapes of Wrath, The Misanthrope, The Little Years Leads cast for Titus Andronicus

• 2010-10-04Festival launches Stratford Challenge for Ontario students: Grand prize of $10,000 for performance competition: Total purse of $17,500  

• 2010-10-04Playwrights arrive in Stratford for Festival’s third annual Playwrights’ Retreat 

• 2010-09-30Rush and Hugh Hefner among headlining docs at third annual docfest Stratford: Screenings Move to Tom Patterson Theatre with Support of Stratford Shakespeare Festival 

• 2010-09-21Festival welcomes new talent into Birmingham Conservatory

• 2010-09-14Join us as Canadians celebrate Culture Days: Peter Pan Picnic one of dozens of Stratford activities

• 2010-09-07Festival to celebrate the life of David William 

• 2010-09-02Cineplex Entertainment Presents the Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s The Tempest: Advance tickets go on sale tomorrow at www.cineplex.com 

• 2010-08-26Three more shows extended at Stratford: Tom Patterson Theatre remains open for an additional week 

• 2010-08-19Encore performance of Tempest scheduled for Sept. 13: Proceeds will support new play development at the Festival 

• 2010-08-11Festival to celebrate life of Bruce Birmingham 

• 2010-08-04Stratford Shakespeare Festival Selects Metranome To Develop: First Festival Mobile App For 2010 Season 

• 2010-08-04Dangerous Liaisons, a tale of deceit and seduction, begins previews: Director Ethan McSweeny makes Stratford debut 

• 2010-07-30Stratford Festival mourns the loss of David William 

• 2010-07-29The Two Gentlemen of Verona starts previews: Dean Gabourie directs Studio Theatre’s first Shakespeare

• 2010-07-28The Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s Caesar and Cleopatra returns to the Big Screen at Cineplex Entertainment Theatres 

• 2010-07-26Tremblay’s For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again starts previews: Lucy Peacock, Tom Rooney take on brilliant two-hander 

• 2010-07-23Brent Carver, Martha Henry, Lucy Peacock to return for 2011: Darko Tresnjak to direct Titus Andronicus 

• 2010-07-19Festival announces additional play for 2011: Seana McKenna in Shakespeare's Will

• 2010-07-16George F. Walker's new play King of Thieves starts previews

• 2010-07-16Stratford Shakespeare Festival presents free summer concert series

• 2010-07-12Festival extends two more show: King of Thieves, The Two Gentlemen of Verona add new dates      

• 2010-06-30Geraint Wyn Davies's one-man show starts previews 

• 2010-06-28Stratford Shakespeare Festival announces 2011 playbill: Brian Dennehy returns to play Sir Toby Belch       

• 2010-06-28Festival extends runs of Evita and Kiss Me, Kate

• 2010-06-10Christopher Plummer takes the stage as Prospero: Des McAnuff's production of The Tempest starts previews

• 2010-06-07Des McAnuff’s As You Like It kicks off 2010 season 

• 2010-06-07Unprecedented Partnerships Bring Drama to Life at AGO

• 2010-05-28Stratford artists receive accolades for accomplishments 

• 2010-05-28Evita set to rock Festival’s Avon Theatre

• 2010-05-27Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale starts previews

• 2010-05-13Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris starts previews at Tom Patterson Theatre

• 2010-05-11Celebrated Writers Series to feature Germaine Greer, Elizabeth Strout

• 2010-05-07Federal government grants $3 million to Festival for 2010

• 2010-04-29As You Like It, directed by Des McAnuff, starts previews

• 2010-04-16Documentary on Des McAnuff to screen at Avon Theatre

• 2010-04-16New federal funding benefits classical theatre training 11 young directors join inaugural directing workshop

• 2010-04-16J.M. Barrie’s timeless play Peter Pan starts previews 

• 2010-04-09Cole Porter’s musical comedy Kiss Me, Kate starts previews

• 2010-03-26Sharing a Dream project launches in El Salvador

• 2010-03-26World Theatre Day statement from Des McAnuff

• 2010-03-22Lee Myers assumes Chair of Festival’s Board of Governors

• 2010-03-19Tom Patterson Day

• 2010-03-18Des McAnuff wins best director award in Australia

• 2010-03-17Wilkinson announces $300,000 for Stratford Shakespeare Festival

• 2010-03-10New performances added for Do Not Go Gentle.

• 2010-03-06Stratford Shakespeare Festival posts surplus for ’09 citing spectacular turnaround in ticket sales

• 2010-02-04Festival mourns the loss of Lindsay Thomas

• 2010-02-02Oscar nomination for Christopher Plummer Star of stage and screen will play Prospero in 2010 

• 2010-01-22Actors vs Admin and Production at the Allman Arena Festival gears up for Hockey Day in Canada

• 2010-01-19Festival prepares to make first shipment to Suchitoto theatre project

• 2010-01-18Lazaridis family make $5-million commitment to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival

• 2010-01-11Des McAnuff documentary airs on Bravo! February 7 at 8 p.m. ET and February 12 at 7 p.m.

• 2010-01-06Tickets go on sale Saturday for Stratford's glorious 2010 season

2009

• 2009-12-14A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is heading to Toronto in 2010

• 2009-11-10Festival sees dramatic turnaround at box office.

• 2009-11-09Seán Cullen returns to Stratford to play Smee in Peter Pan.

• 2009-10-28Actors and coaches visit Michigan to work with schools, universities, community members

• 2009-10-14Stratford Shakespeare Festival announces key casting for 2010 season

• 2009-10-13Playwrights arrive in Stratford for Festival's second annual Playwright's Retreat

• 2009-10-13Shakespeare couture hits the catwalk

• 2009-10-07Stratford Shakespeare Festival mourns the loss of theatre pioneer Douglas Campbell

• 2009-09-29Distinguished young actors join Birmingham Conservatory

• 2009-09-17Festival establishes new director training program

• 2009-09-08Seán Cullen begins Stratford run as Pseudolus

• 2009-08-26Caesar and Cleopatra nabs two Gemini nominations

• 2009-08-26Christopher Plummer to play Prospero in 2010. Brent Carver returns with Jacques Brel

• 2009-08-25EXTENDED! West Side Story and Forum to run for an extra week

• 2009-08-17Sean Cullen steps in to replace Bruce Dow as Pseudolus. Injury forces Festival favourite out of role 

• 2009-08-11Canadian classic Zastrozzi starts previews at Studio Theatre Rick Roberts makes Stratford debut in title role

• 2009-08-11Sunil Kuruvilla’s Rice Boy starts previews Three Canadian plays are poised to open at Festival’s Studio Theatre

• 2009-08-07A Midsummer Night’s Dream starts previews Director David Grindley makes his Stratford debut

• 2009-08-07Phèdre starts previews with Seana McKenna in title role.

• 2009-07-30Final block of TiXX seats about to go on sale Great opportunity to see shows for just $29

• 2009-07-27Box office turnaround prompts reinstatement of performances

• 2009-07-24Audiences get first look at The Trespassers as previews begin Morris Panych’s newest play has its world première.

• 2009-07-22Stratford Shakespeare Festival presents free summer concert series

• 2009-07-21Big Box Story comes to the Avon stage Tickets on sale now for Britta Johnson’s hit student musical

• 2009-07-07Stratford Shakespeare Festival mourns the loss of Chris Shaw

• 2009-07-03Stratford Shakespeare Festival mourns the loss of Jan Rubes

• 2009-07-02Des McAnuff wins Dora for Jersey Boys

• 2009-06-18Brian Bedford’s one-man show starts previews

• 2009-06-10A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum starts previews. Bruce Dow leads stellar cast in hilarious musical.

• 2009-06-03Stage combat workshop part of multi-city spotlight Festival 

• 2009-05-30Des McAnuff Opening Night Dinner Speech 

• 2009-05-30Des McAnuff Board Senate Dinner Speech

• 2009-05-29Donna Feore's production of Cyrano de Bergerac starts previews at Stratford, featuring Colm Feore in the title role

• 2009-05-29Stratford season gets underway officially this Monday

• 2009-05-27Second block of TiXX $29 tickets go on sale June 1  

• 2009-05-27Bartholomew Fair starts previews Wednesday

• 2009-05-25Stratford Shakespeare Festival offers 2-for-1 deals

• 2009-05-22Previews of Julius Caesar start as Stratford’s successful pre-season continues

• 2009-05-21Colm Feore returns to Stratford stage - Previews of Macbeth start May 22

• 2009-05-21Ticket sales on the upswing at Stratford Shakespeare Festival

• 2009-05-09Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest starts previews

• 2009-05-08Tom Patterson Theatre opens with first preview of Three Sisters

• 2009-05-08Ontario grants more than $550,000 to Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

• 2009-04-27Federal government grants $3 million to Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

• 2009-04-09Stratford season kicks off with first preview of West Side Story

• 2009-04-08Festival adds 6 performances of Ever Yours, Oscar

• 2009-03-23Stratford Shakespeare Festival webcast series starts Wednesday

• 2009-02-23TiXX $29 tickets go on sale March 1

• 2009-02-10Cineplex Entertainment Announces Encore Presentation of Caesar and Cleopatra

• 2009-02-09Stratford Shakespeare Festival mourns the loss of Jane Edmonds

• 2009-02-03Des McAnuff nominated for Olivier Award - Jersey Boys garners five nominations.

• 2009-01-06Stratford Festival ticket sales start Saturday - Early-order discount available until January 31