[NEohioPAL]Berk preview: SHAW FESTIVAL 2007

[Roy Berko]

SHAW FESTIVAL’S  2007 SEASON PREVIEWED!

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	

Every trip to the Shaw Festival, located in
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, convinces me
more and more that it is the premiere repertory
theatre venue in North America.  The plays are
generally excellent, the acting company superb, the
show variety provides something for everyone, and the
settings  and costumes are creatively and lavishly
conceived.

The Shaw Festival is conducted in three theatres. 
This season starts on April 4 and runs through October
28, Tuesday through Sunday.  Each day has matinee,
evening and even some lunch time productions.  For
real theatre buffs that means a three night/four-day 
stay can result in experiencing seven shows.  The
festival is an easy four-hour trip from Cleveland on
roads which pass through the wine countries of Ohio,
New York and Canada.  Niagara-on-the-Lake is a lovely
city brimming with flowers, classical architecture and
inviting shops.  This is like going to theatre heaven.

Jackie Maxwell, Shaw’s Artistic Director, each year
chooses a focus for the plays.  This season it is
matters of the heart , carried out with a blend of
comedies, musicals and dramas. 

This season’s plays include Bernard Shaw’s drama
‘SAINT JOAN;’ Michael Stewart and Jerry Herman’s
musical ‘MACK AND MABEL;’  Georges Feydeau’s farce
‘HOTEL PECCADILLO;’ Somerset Maugham’s drama ‘THE
CIRCLE;’ ‘THE PHILANDERER,’ a Shaw comedy; Tennessee
Williams’ drama, ‘SUMMER AND SMOKE;’ Brian Friel’s
humorous drama ‘A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY;’ the comedy
‘THE CASSILIS ENGAGEMENT’ by St. John Hankin;’
‘TRISTAN,’ a musical with book, music and lyrics by
Paul Sportelli and Jay Turvey; and Lady Augusta
Gregory’s ‘THE KILTARTAN COMEDIES,’ a duet of Irish
plays. 

Besides the plays, the Festival includes a reading
series, Sunday coffee concerts, a Village Fair and
Fete, seminars, backstage tours, pre-show chats,
Tuesday Questions and Answers and Saturday
Conversations.

For theatre information, a brochure, lodging
suggestions or tickets call 800-511-7429 or go on-line
to www.shawfest.com.  Ask about packages that include
lodging, meals and tickets.  Also be aware that the
festival offers Sunday night specials, day-of-the-show
rush tickets and senior matinee prices. 

For recommendations on bed-and-breakfasts, restaurants
and other events, go to www.royberko.info and click on
one of the Shaw listings.



Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2002 through 2007, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info
      
Roy's theatre and dance reviews appear regularly on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.  His reviews also appear on www.coolcleveland.com


 
____________________________________________________________________________________
Get your own web address.  
Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.
http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL