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, ludicrous farces, family classics and the workshop presentation of a daring new play. In 2026, audiences will experience a compelling diversity of shows honouring the Festival’s rich tradition, bold creativity and inspired inventiveness. “This season celebrates theatre itself – illusion, disguise, performance – and all the ways that we delight, mislead, amaze and seduce each other. Life is a theatre, and theatre is life.” said Tim Carroll. “We can’t wait to share the unique thrill of live performance with our amazing audience.” Kicking off next season is Anthony Shaffer’s acclaimed thriller Sleuth, drawing audiences into a world of deception and mind games. Next, the legendary Broadway musical Funny Girl takes the stage, followed by the sidesplitting Whitehall farce One for the Pot – both at the Festival Theatre. “With the closure of our beloved Royal George Theatre at the end of December, The Shaw will return to where it all began in 1962 – the Niagara District Court House – affectionately known as the Court House Theatre,” stated Tim Jennings, The Shaw’s executive director. “Sleuth will be the first show in the newly reconstructed Court House Theatre, which, in addition to the delightful comedy Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, will also feature A New Work in Progress – A Special Workshop Presentation of a new play by contemporary American theatre’s critically acclaimed playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.” The Shaw Festival’s 2026 season begins April 2 and runs until December 23.
FESTIVAL THEATRE
FUNNY GIRL
Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Bob Merrill Book by Isobel Lennart from an original story by Miss Lennart Produced for the Broadway stage by Ray Stark New York production supervised by Jerome Robbins Original production directed by Garson Kanin Directed by Eda Holmes Previews: April 24 Available for review begins: May 21 Closes: October 3
This touching musical comedy explores Broadway star Fanny Brice’s unlikely rise to stardom and her turbulent love life with gambler and entrepreneur Nicky Arnstein. Featuring one of the most powerful musical scores of all time, Funny Girl showcases unforgettable songs like “Don’t Rain on My Parade”, “I’m the Greatest Star” and “People”. A celebration of a woman who dared to defy norms and succeed on her own terms. FUNNY GIRL is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. concordtheatricals.com
ONE FOR THE POT
By Ray Cooney and Tony Hilton Directed by Chris Abraham Previews: May 27 Available for review begins: July 9 Closes: October 11
Billy Hickory Wood is set to inherit a proper pot of cash. A wealthy businessman has decided to give £10,000 to the family of his former partner and young Billy is the sole living relation. Chaos ensues with the arrival of several previously unknown Hickory Woods relations looking to stake their claim. The team that brought 2024’s One Man, Two Guvnors to the Festival stage reunites to tackle this quintessential over-the-top British farce. ONE FOR THE POT is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. concordtheatricals.com
AMADEUS
By Peter Shaffer Directed by Tim Carroll Previews: July 8 Available for review begins: August 8 Closes: October 4
Antonio Salieri is a pious, conscientious man – and the greatest composer in the court of the Austrian Emperor Joseph II. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a young, foul-mouthed show-off eager to make a name for himself. Salieri can hear what no one else can: that this ridiculous oaf is perhaps the greatest musical genius ever to have lived. Consumed with jealousy and envy, he sets out to destroy Amadeus and exact vengeance on God. A dark and dramatic exploration of talent, obsession and legacy. AMADEUS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. concordtheatricals.com
COURT HOUSE THEATRE
SLEUTH
By Anthony Shaffer Directed by Peter Fernandes Previews: April 2 Available for review begins: May 2 Closes: October 11
When celebrated mystery writer Andrew Wyke invites his wife’s lover to his home in the English countryside, all is not as it seems. What unfolds is a fiendishly high stakes game of revenge and power. Widely regarded as one of the most ingenious and entertaining psychological thrillers in modern theatre, this production is guaranteed to be an edge-of-your-seat experience right to its heart-stopping conclusion. SLEUTH is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. concordtheatricals.com
JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE
A play from the works of P.G. Wodehouse By Robert Goodale and David Goodale Directed by Brendan McMurtry-Howlett Previews: May 7 Available for review begins: May 21 Closes: October 11
Bertie Wooster is a young aristocrat who is forever getting himself into frightful scrapes. Thank goodness he has a butler – the legendarily unruffled Jeeves – to come to his rescue, usually without his even noticing. A celebration of theatrical virtuosity and pure silliness based on The Code of the Woosters, the 1938 novel by P.G. Wodehouse. JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE has been licensed by arrangement with The Agency (London) Ltd, and Independent Talent Group Limited.
A NEW WORK IN PROGRESS
A Special Workshop Presentation of a new play Created and Directed by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Presentations Start: August 1 Closes: September 5 Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning playwright (Purpose), Branden Jacobs-Jenkins will debut a world premiere workshop presentation at the Shaw Festival. Next season, Jacobs-Jenkins will be embedded at the Festival, creating a new play inspired by Eugene O’Neill’s The Emperor Jones, in collaboration with members of the Ensemble. The Shaw Festival has previously staged two of his acclaimed works: An Octoroon (2017) and Everybody (2022).
JACKIE MAXWELL STUDIO THEATRE
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
Based on the play Toad of Toad Hall by A.A. Milne Adapted and Directed by Fiona Sauder Previews: May 22 Available for review begins: June 21 Closes: September 27
Young, impressionable Mole heads to the riverbank and meets the resourceful Rat, the grumpy Badger and the irrepressible Mr. Toad. When Toad’s passion for fast cars gets him in trouble, the other three must save him. A tale about friendship, loyalty and the joy of getting into trouble based on the adored 1908 children’s novel.
HEARTBREAK HOUSE
By Bernard Shaw Directed by Tim Carroll Previews: June 20 Available for review begins: July 9 Closes: October 3
The shadows of war may be gathering, but for most of the weekend guests at Heartbreak House the big questions are about love and marriage. As couples waltz in a dance of everchanging partners, only the enigmatic old sea dog Captain Shotover seems to see what is coming towards them. One of the greatest plays of all time, this brilliantly layered drama is Shaw at his most entertaining and enigmatic.
OHIO STATE MURDERS
By Adrienne Kennedy Directed by Philip Akin Previews: July 19 Available for review begins: August 7 Closes: October 3
Suzanne, an acclaimed Black author, returns to her alma mater, Ohio State University, to give a speech on the violent nature of her writing. Confronted with dark memories of her past, she unravels the painful truth of what happened in 1949 during her time as a student. Written by prolific playwright Adrienne Kennedy, this hauntingly powerful one-act play is a poignant exploration of race, identity and grief. Mature content. OHIO STATE MURDERS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. concordtheatricals.com
HOLIDAY SEASON 2026
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA
Music by Richard Rodgers Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II New Book by Douglas Carter Beane Original Book by Oscar Hammerstein II Orchestrations by Danny Troob Music Adaptation and Arrangements by David Chase Directed and Choreographed by Kimberley Rampersad Festival Theatre Previews: November 8 Available for review begins: November 20 Closes: December 23
An enchanting and cheeky stage adaptation of the timeless fairy tale and holiday treat for the whole family. The story of a girl forced to live among the ashes, whose gentle spirit and unwavering kindness lead her, nonetheless, to a life of joy and happiness. Featuring some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner”, “Impossible”, “Ten Minutes Ago” and “Stepsisters’ Lament”. RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. concordtheatricals.com
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD
Music by ROBERT REALE Book and Lyrics by WILLIE REALE Based on the books by Arnold Lobel
Originally presented on Broadway by Bob Boyett, Adrianne Lobel, Michael Gardner Lawrence Horowitz and Roy Furman World Premiere at The Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota Directed by Jonathan Tan Court House Theatre Previews: November 5 Available for review begins: November 13 Closes: December 23 Join two charming amphibious friends on a journey through the seasons in this whimsical musical inspired by Arnold Lobel’s beloved books. Frog is happy-go-lucky and Toad is an endearing grump, but they get along famously, navigating the ups and downs of friendship with warmth, laughter and song. An enchantingly whimsical production for both the young – and the young-at-heart. A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. mtishows.com