by William ShakespeareDirector Scott Wentworth
LOVE IS NEVER FAIR
Falling headlong in love, two teenagers defy the long-simmering hatred between their families. But daring to love one’s enemy comes with a terrible cost, as the needless sacrifice of young lives brings this heartbreaking story to its tragic conclusion.
Production support is generously provided by Barbara & John Schubert.
Support for the 2017 season of the Festival Theatre is generously provided by Daniel Bernstein & Claire Foerster.
2017: Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Mary in The Virgin Trial. Fifth season. Stratford: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Lucy), A Little Night Music (Petra), The Diary of Anne Frank (Anne), She Stoops to Conquer (Constance), The Last Wife (Mary), King Lear (Cordelia), The Beaux' Stratagem (Cherry), The Merchant of Venice (Jessica), A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, The Three Musketeers. Elsewhere (selected): Mary, The Last Wife (Soulpepper); Anne Frank, The Secret Annex (Segal Centre); writer/star of R-E-B-E-C-C-A (Passe Muraille); Natalie, Next to Normal (Citadel/Theatre Calgary co-production; Tarragon); Edges, Uncovered series (Acting Up Stage); The Wizard of Oz (YPT). Awards: Two Guthrie Awards; Calgary Theatre Critics Award; Dora Award nominee, best new musical (co-writer). Training: Birmingham Conservatory. Et cetera: Sara is co-writer in residence for The Musical Stage Company.
2017: Romeo in Romeo and Juliet and Pierre in The Madwoman of Chaillot. Fifth season. Stratford: Malcolm (Macbeth), William (As You Like It), Erhart Borkman (John Gabriel Borkman), Lysimachus (Pericles), Dapper (The Alchemist), Guhl (The Physicists), Lewis, the Dauphin (King John), Swiss Cheese (Mother Courage), Mardian (Antony and Cleopatra), Prince of Aragon (The Merchant of Venice), Planchet (The Three Musketeers), Paris (Romeo and Juliet). Elsewhere: Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet), Touchstone (As You Like It), Stefano (The Tempest) (Repercussion Theatre); Fox (Pinocchio), Goat (Alice Through the Looking-Glass) (Geordie Productions). Film/TV: Boucherie Halal (Babek Aliassa). Voice: Kojiro Sasaki, Samurai Warriors 2 (KOEI). Training: Birmingham Conservatory, Concordia University, Dawson College. Awards: 2014 Michael Mawson Award; 2013 Peter Donaldson Award; 2010 Elsa Bolam Award. Et cetera: Thank you to my family and friends for your continued support and to all the mentors, teachers and coaches who have helped me along the way.
2017: Nurse in Romeo and Juliet and Aurélie, The Madwoman of Chaillot, in The Madwoman of Chaillot. 26th season. Ms McKenna most recently played Queen Elizabeth II in Theatre Calgary's The Audience, directed by Miles Potter. Before that, she taught at the Birmingham Conservatory and at San Francisco's American Conservatory Theatre, where she has also performed in Testament, Napoli and Phèdre. At Stratford, her roles have ranged from Gertrude to Juliet, from Mother Courage to Dotty Otley, from Amanda Wingfield to Medea and from Queen Elizabeth I to Richard III. She has received multiple awards, including three Dora Mavor Moore Awards (acting: Saint Joan, Orpheus Descending; directing: Valley Song), a Jessie Award (Wit), a Genie Award (The Hanging Garden), an Honorary MFA in Acting from ACT, a Doctor of Sacred Letters (Trinity College, U of T) and a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
2017: Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet and The Prospector in The Madwoman of Chaillot. 22nd season. Stratford: Duke of Gloucester, Worcester (Breath of Kings: Rebellion), Archbishop of Canterbury, King Charles (Breath of Kings: Redemption), Antiochus, Simonides (The Adventures of Pericles), Surly (The Alchemist), Capulet (Romeo and Juliet), Axel Oxenstierna (Christina, The Girl King), Hubert (King John), Caliban (The Tempest), Don John (Much Ado About Nothing), Buckingham (Richard III), Macduff (Macbeth), Fluellen (Henry V), Gratiano (The Merchant of Venice), Cornwall (King Lear), Leontes (The Winter's Tale), Grumio (The Taming of the Shrew), Agamemnon (Troilus and Cressida) and Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet). Elsewhere: Brutus (Julius Caesar), Antonio (The Tempest), Captain Keller (The Miracle Worker), Karl (Heaven), Abbott (Inexpressible Island), Anderson (Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Toward the Somme), Quinn (The Affections of May), Johnny (Balconville), Jacob Mercer (Salt-Water Moon), Taylor (K2) and Billy (The Collected Works of Billy the Kid).
2017: Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Squire Trelawney in Treasure Island and Sir John Franklin, Mr. Griffith-Thomson in The Breathing Hole. 10th season. Stratford (selected roles): Lucky (Waiting for Godot), Pompey (Measure for Measure), Uncle John (The Grapes of Wrath), Antigonus (The Winter's Tale), Senex (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Richard Voss (The Physicists), Hortensio (The Taming of the Shrew). Elsewhere: Leading roles at the Belfry Theatre, Vancouver Playhouse, Citadel Theatre, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Canadian Stage, Segal Centre, Neptune Theatre, Soulpepper, Tarragon, Factory Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille, Alberta Theatre Projects, Centaur Theatre, Blyth Festival, National Arts Centre and many others. Film/TV: Randy has worked extensively in television, film and radio. Awards: Nominated for eight Dora Mavor Moore Awards, three Edmonton Sterlings, one Calgary Betty Mitchell, three Vancouver Jessies and one Gemini. Randy has won one of each award. Et cetera: "Gratitude and love to Melissa, Georgina and Harvey."
2017: Appears in Guys and Dolls and Romeo and Juliet. Second season. Stratford: A Chorus Line, The Hypochondriac. Elsewhere: Funny Girl - META-nominated (Segal Centre); Anne of Green Gables, Alice Through the Looking-Glass, Canada Rocks (Charlottetown Festival); Cats - Dora nomination (Mirvish - Panasonic). Film/TV: Full Out (2015), Big Fun Weeknights (YTV), Get Up 'N Move (Revolver Films). Awards: Guthrie Award (Stratford Festival), Amy Wallis Scholarship (Charlottetown Festival), gold and silver medals (International Tap Dance Championships). Online: Instagram/Twitter: @EricMackAbel. Et cetera: "Much love to Mom and Dad, Devon, TH gang and all my friends whose love and support means the world."
2017: Balthasar in Romeo and Juliet, James/Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island and Bean, Steward in The Breathing Hole. Second season. Stratford: Sam in Shakespeare in Love, Kingfisher, Ensemble in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Elsewhere: Lelio in The Liar, Nihad in Scorched, Leontes in The Winter's Tale (National Theatre School); Royce in True Love Lies (Citadel Theatre); writer and star of one-man show The Colour of Life. Film/TV: Principal in It's Not You… (short film by Don McKellar); guest star on Saving Hope (CTV). Awards: Freestanding Room Award at the Montreal Fringe for The Colour of Life; nominated for a Sterling Award for True Love Lies. Et cetera: This season is for Mom, Dad, Frankie and Halley.
2017: Appears in Guys and Dolls and Romeo and Juliet. Third season. Stratford: A Chorus Line, As You Like It, Carousel, The Adventures of Pericles. Elsewhere: North American Broadway tour: Movin' Out; Drayton Entertainment: Twist and Shout, Damn Yankees and Dance Legends; Canadian Opera Company: Don Quichotte. Film/TV: American Girl: Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight; Rise, Shaftesbury Films. Training: Alex grew up dancing at his family-owned dance studio, Dean/Black School of Performing Arts. Et cetera: Alex would like to thank his wife, Rochelle, family and friends for their love and support.
2017: Prince Escalus in Romeo and Juliet, Father/Long John Silver in Treasure Island and Rivera, Officer Oliver Morshead in The Breathing Hole. 15th season. Stratford: A Chorus Line, A Little Night Music, Henry V, Much Ado, The Misanthrope, Twelfth Night, Kiss Me, Kate, Evita, Bartholomew Fair, Three Sisters, All's Well, Shrew, As You Like It, Hamlet, Dracula, Dream, Man of La Mancha. Elsewhere: The Motherf**ker with the Hat (Bob Kills Theatre); Cabaret, Philadelphia Story, Light in the Piazza (Shaw); Madonna Painter (Factory); New Brain, Piazza (Acting Up Stage); It's a Wonderful Life, Goodnight Desdemona, Much Ado (Canadian Stage); Cymbeline, The Three Musketeers, Hecuba (Chicago Shakespeare); Blithe Spirit, An Ideal Husband (Citadel); Love's Labour's Lost (NAC); The Producers (Mirvish); Present Laughter (Soulpepper); Anything That Moves (Tarragon); Kiss of the Spider Woman (Livent). Film/TV: Reign, Finn on the Fly, Republic of Love, What's Up Warthogs, The Border, Roxy Hunter. Training: BFA, U of A. Awards: Dora, Gemini, Jeff, Ovation, Carbonell.
2017: Pew, Arrow in Treasure Island, Larkin, Mrs. Griffith-Thomson in The Breathing Hole and understudy in Romeo and Juliet. Fourth season. Stratford: Second Witch (Macbeth), Audrey (As You Like It), Chorus Leader (Oedipus Rex), Chorus (The Diary of Anne Frank), Yvette (Mother Courage). Elsewhere: Myra Bennett (Tempting Providence, international tour 2002-2012, TNL); Francis (Fly Me to the Moon, Grand); Gnat (Alice Through the Looking-Glass, NAC); Katherine (The Taming of the Shrew, New Curtain); Nancy (Pillow Trade, Rising Tide); Minnie (Salvage, Artistic Fraud); Beatrice (The Servant of Two Masters, Wonderbolt); Christine (How It Works, PTE); Holly (Kiss the Sun, Kiss the Moon, WCTC); Agnes (Marion Bridge, Bare Boards). Film/TV: Heyday!, Republic of Doyle, Last of the Snow, Four Sisters. Recordings: The Grey Islands, Hard Light (Rattling Books). Training: BFA, Memorial University, Newfoundland. Et cetera: Deidre is a member of Bare Boards Theatre, based in Newfoundland, whose mandate is to create contemporary theatre with Spartan and inventive methods.
2017: Lt. Brannigan, Joey Biltmore in Guys and Dolls and Apothecary in Romeo and Juliet. Fourth season. Stratford: Doctor, Macbeth; Oliver, As You Like It; Deuxfois, The Hypochondriac; Marcellus, Fortinbras, Hamlet; Philip, Pedant, The Taming of the Shrew; Boyet, Love's Labour's Lost; René Descartes, Christina, The Girl King; Red Knight/Walrus, Alice Through the Looking-Glass. Elsewhere: Jaques in As You Like It, Cassius in Julius Caesar, Lucio in Measure for Measure, Jake in Stones in His Pockets (Citadel); Slim in Of Mice and Men (Canadian Stage/Theatre Calgary); Tybalt/Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet (Theatre Calgary); Everard in Age of Arousal, Ned in The Gift of the Coat (ATP); Milan in Rock 'n' Roll (Canadian Stage/Citadel); Kent in King Lear, Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night (Freewill Shakespeare Festival). Film/TV: Blackstone, Mixed Blessings. Training: BFA, Acting, University of Alberta. Awards: Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award, Measure for Measure, Citadel. Et cetera: Love to Breanna.
2017: Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, Allardyce in Treasure Island and Young Angu'juaq, Wickers, Roy in The Breathing Hole. Fourth season. Stratford: Lennox (Macbeth), Silvius (As You Like It), First Doctor/Monsieur Fleurant's Assistant (The Hypochondriac), Kastril (The Alchemist), Fisherman (Pericles), Danny McArthur (The Physicists), Young Soldier (Mother Courage), Towrus (Antony and Cleopatra). Birmingham Conservatory: Berowne (Love's Labour's Lost), Polixenes (The Winter's Tale). Elsewhere: Jacob Mercer, Salt-Water Moon (NAC); Laurie, Vimy (GCTC); Clown, The 39 Steps (Stage West); David Jung, Rockbound (Two Planks and a Passion); Michael, The Elephant Song (Beothuk Street Players); Dromio, Ephesus, The Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare by the Sea); Jerry, Zoo Story (Reid Theatre). Film/TV: Beauty and the Beast, Republic of Doyle, Covert Affairs, Life With Derek. Training: Birmingham Conservatory; Ryerson University, BFA Acting. Awards: The Elephant Song: Walter C. Chambers Memorial Scholarship, D.A. Matthews Memorial Scholarship, Honorary Chairman's Award for Best Actor. Et cetera: Jamie is from St. John's, NL.
2017: Appears in Guys and Dolls and Romeo and Juliet. Eighth season. Stratford: Don in A Chorus Line, As You Like It, The Sound of Music, Carousel, Crazy for You, Man of La Mancha, The King and I, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, Hello, Dolly!, Into the Woods, Oklahoma!, My One and Only. Elsewhere: Siegfried (COC); Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (North American tour); The Little Mermaid, White Christmas, Mary Poppins (Valentine), Big Band Legends, Annie, 9 to 5 (Bob Enright), Dance Legends, Brigadoon (Harry Beaton), Evita, Peter Pan, Robin Hood, Me and My Girl (Drayton); Joseph…, Sweet Charity (Stage West Calgary); Beauty and the Beast, Legends (Grand); Guys and Dolls (Citadel, Theatre Calgary, MTC); Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown); Broadway Encore! (Tokyo Disneyland); Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker (Ballet Jörgen). Film/TV: Hairspray, Bollywood/Hollywood, The Other Me, Charms for the Easy Life, Earth: Final Conflict, Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
2017: Swing in and associate choreographer of Guys and Dolls and choreographer of Romeo and Juliet and The Madwoman of Chaillot. 12th season. Stratford: Larry/assistant choreographer, A Chorus Line; King's Attendant/La Troupe de Molière/choreographer, The Hypochondriac; assistant choreographer, The Sound of Music; Crazy for You, Man of La Mancha, Tommy, Fiddler on the Roof (2013, 2000), 42nd Street, The Pirates of Penzance, Kiss Me, Kate, Evita, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, West Side Story, The Music Man, Moby Dick, Oklahoma!, My One and Only, Oliver!, South Pacific; choreographer: Cynthia Dale in Concert: Outside Looking In. Elsewhere: Assistant choreographer, West Side Story (Vancouver Opera); White Christmas, Annie (Drayton Entertainment); Mel Brooks's The Producers (Canon Theatre); Gangster #2 in The Drowsy Chaperone, Evita (Theatre Calgary and MTC); Forever Swing (Winter Garden Theatre); Cinderella (Grand Theatre). Et cetera: Stephen would like to thank his family for their constant support, especially his wife, Rachel.
FESTIVAL THEATRE To find out more about all our theatres, please visit the Theatre Maps & Guides page.
Need Help?
Box Office hours
Ticketing FAQs Visit FAQs Membership FAQsCare Commitment