[NEohioPAL] Berko preview: STRATFORD SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL OF CANADA

[Roy Berko]

It's that time…plan for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival of Canada

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

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Want to get away this spring, summer or fall?  How about a drive to Canada for 
great theatre, good food, and nice scenery?  Where?  The Stratford Festival of 
Canada which takes place in Stratford, Ontario. 

This season's productions are: THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (A would-be seducer, a 
jealous husband and two resourceful housewives in a ballet of wits and 
wiles…Shakespeare), CAMELOT (A gorgeous musical score gilds a legendary tale of 
idealism, passion and betrayal…Lerner and Loewe), TWELFTH NIGHT (a riot of 
mischief-making and misplaced desire, considered the greatest romantic comedy of 
all time, starring Brian Dennehy…Shakespeare), THE MISANTHROPE (social critic 
meets social butterfly in a comedy of manners which is widely hailed as 
Moliere's masterpiece, starring Brian Bedford), THE GRAPES OF WRATH (Tony 
Award-winning drama based on the book by John Steinbeck, tells a story of 
endurance and hope), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (The rock opera that reinvented 
musical theatre for the modern age…Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber), THE 
HOMECOMING (The family is the ultimate combat zone in this darkly witty drama by 
Harold Pinter which stars Brian Dennehy),  RICHARD III (a serial killer who 
wears a crown, with Ms. Seana McKenna as Richard!…Shakespeare), TITUS ANDRONICUS 
(considered the most shocking of Shakespeare's plays, Roman general Titus brings 
home his captive Queen Tamora, which results in a cycle of grotesque 
revenge…Shakespeare), SHAKESPEARE'S WILL (a portrait of Anne Hathaway, one of 
history's most famous women…Vern Thiessen), THE LITTLE YEARS (an inspiring look 
at an uncommon woman who is denied her role in life because of her sex…John 
Mighton), HOSANINA (a raw, tragic and outrageously fun Canadian classic, which 
examines the political and the personal…Michel Tremblay, in translation).

Besides their regularly scheduled plays, the Festival offers stage-side chats, 
the Celebrated Writers Series, Night Music, Table Talks, pre-show lectures, 
lobby talks, public lectures, the teaching Shakespeare School and The Teachers' 
Conference.

What's the lodging like?  Hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts abound to fit 
any wallet.  I like a b & b.  You get to meet new people and there is a nice 
friendly feel of being a guest.  I'm trying a new one this year.  I'll let you 
know if it passes the test in my mid-summer review about the Festival.

Hungry?  For moderate cost and high quality, try The Annex Cafe (38 Albert 
Street).    For a relaxed and fairly inexpensive breakfast treat try Demetre's 
Family Eatery (1100 Ontario Street).  Cleveland theatrical legends Dorothy and 
Reuben Silver, who are Stratford regulars, recommend The Waterlot Restaurant and 
Inn (17 Huron Street behind the Royal Bank)  in New Hamburg, which is about 20 
minutes away “and well worth the trip.”(www.waterlot.com)  Also on their 
favorites list is The Keystone Alley Cafe (34 Brunswick Street) in Stratford 
(www.keystonealley.com) which has an outdoor patio.  

Packages can be arranged by www.theatrevacations.com.   Stratford Escapes 
(theatrevacations.com), is an efficient way to make reservations.  For 
individual tickets call 800-567-1600 or go on-line to www.stratfordfestival.ca.

Helpful hints: The ride from Cleveland is about six hours through Buffalo.  Go 
on-line to the festival to get directions.  The routings offered by both the AAA 
and Yahoo maps are confusing and miles longer.  And, to satisfy border 
requirements carry your passport.  Nothing else will do).

Go to Stratford, Canada!  Find out what lovely hosts Canadians are, and see some 
great theatre!

 
Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 
2011, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at 
http://royberko.info.  His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com 
and www.NeOHIOpal