Mary’s Musings

10 Canadian shows, five world premieres, three musicals, and more! Rob Kempson, Artistic Director of The Capitol Theatre Port Hope, has announced the company’s 2026 season, Where Our Stories Begin. Four ensemble productions grace the Mainstage next summer: ● Broadway smash-hit musical Come From Away by Irene Sankoff and David Hein; ● Tony Award-winning musical […]

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON — The Shaw Festival is proud to announce its highly anticipated 64th season today, set to begin in April 2026. Continuing the Festival’s tradition of excellence and innovation, Artistic Director Tim Carroll introduced a vibrant lineup featuring a provocative Shavian drama, a haunting portrait of jealousy and genius, a mindbending mystery, beloved musicals,

The Stratford Festival announces Antoni Cimolino’s final season as Artistic Director    – A legacy season celebrating “This Rough Magic”  The Stratford Festival today unveils its 2026 season, which will be the final year under the inspired leadership of Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino. The culmination of a 40-year career with the Festival, including 14 seasons as Artistic Director, Cimolino’s farewell

Spread Holiday Magic at The Shaw Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (October 16, 2025) – The Shaw Festival warmly greets the holiday season with two audience favourites: A Christmas Carol, adapted and directedby Artistic Director Tim Carroll, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas helmed by Kate Hennig. The seasonal celebrations begin at the Royal George Theatre on November 1 with the Charles Dickens perennial classic tale. “The magic

Annie By Mary Alderson “This is not your Granny’s Annie.” So says 11-year-old Harper Rae Asch, who has the role of Annie at Stratford’s Festival Theatre. By that, she means It isn’t like productions you may have seen in the past, nor is it like the movie versions. Harper knows; she has watched the various

Macbeth By Mary Alderson Shakespeare’s Macbeth takes us back to 11th century Scotland for a bloody battle when an ambitious General, abetted by his cruel wife, decides he wants to be King and kills all those who might stand in his way. But the Macbeth on stage this season at the Stratford Festival is a

Anne of Green Gables  By Mary Alderson When Caroline Toal was told, over a Zoom call, that she was going to be Canada’s newest Anne of Green Gables, she cried tears of joy. She had been dreaming of the iconic role, and when some time had passed without hearing any news, she had given up

By Mary Alderson The experience of being in a play together performing as sisters has turned two young women into the closest of friends. Jessica B. Hill and Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane have the roles of Elinor Dashwood and Marianne Dashwood respectively. They obviously love each other like sisters and love the show that brought them together.

The Art of War  By Mary Alderson In 2000, playwright Yvette Nolan visited the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, and happened to notice a display of art which depicted Canadian soldiers in World Wars I and II. “What? We sent painters to war?” Nolan asked. Who knew? Well, apparently talented young artists knew they

Ransacking Troy By Mary Alderson It’s evident that Maev Beaty and Irene Poole appreciate the concept behind Ransacking Troy. The two women, both brilliant, long-time actors at the Stratford Festival, are obviously enthused about their roles in Erin Shields’ play, premiering this year. Shields has a talent for re-writing the classics, giving them a refreshing,