[NEohioPAL] Berko reviews: The Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada

[Roy Berko]

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 SPOTLIGHT ON THE STRATFORD SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL



This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Stratford Festival of Canada,
which is located in Stratford, Ontario, Canada.   It’s approximately 6
hours drive from Cleveland, through Buffalo.  Bring your passport as
nothing else will serve as identification to get you through the border.



The season, which runs through October, features 14 shows, 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.  My favorite is the Avery House (www.averyhouse.com).



Hungry?  For moderate cost and high quality, try The Annex Cafe (38 Albert
Street) and the new Stratford Thai Cuisine (82 Wellington Street).



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



Capsule judgements of some of the shows:  (For the complete reviews go to:
www.royberko.info



42nd STREET

            *Stratford’s 42nd STREET is a total delight.  Anyone who loves
great dancing, fine singing, and creative staging should be enchanted by
this production.*



HIRSCH

            *HIRSCH is an impressive story and staging which should be seen
at The Festival, as it is the only physical venue where setting and person
will clearly merge. *



PIRATES OF PENZANCE

            *The first act of PIRATES was a total delight.  Consider
leaving at intermission and assume that the rest is going to live up to the
wonderful first act.  As is, the show is a generally enjoyable experience,
but it could have been completely wonderful.*



THE BEST BROTHERS

            *Your reaction to THE BEST BROTHERS will be based on whether  you
accept the production on its face value and enjoy what is on stage, or you
think about what has transpired and need a clear purpose and path to that
outcome.*



WANDERLUST

            *WANDERLUST, receiving its world premiere in the Tom Patterson
Theatre at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, is a totally enjoyable
experience.  It is a creative production that examines the poetry of a
dreamer with humor and music.*


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