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<p class="MsoNormal"><b style><span style="color:rgb(204,0,0)"></span><br></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<b style><br></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style>Reviews and comments
about THE SHAW FESTIVALs 2012 season</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
The Shaw Festival, which is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, is a
tribute to George Bernard Shaw and his writing contemporaries.<span style> </span>It is one of the two major Canadian
theatre festivals, the other being The Shakespeare Festival in Stratford,
Ontario.<span style> </span>Both are high quality
venues.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
Many Clevelanders take the four-hour drive up to The Shaw, as it is called by locals,
to participate in theatre, tour the most beautiful little city in Canada,
shop, and eat at the many wonderful restaurants.<br>
<br>
Here are summary statements about each of the shows I saw.<span style> </span>The complete reviews can be read at
www.royberko.ino.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
RAGTIME (Terrence McNally-Lynn Ahrens-Stephen Flahertys musical about the
U.S. melting pot as it relates to immigrants, racism, and Euro Americans in the
early 20th century. It is based on E. L. Doctorows ground-breaking novel.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style> </span><i style>Capsule judgement:<span style> </span>Shaws RAGTIME is a must see for anyone who loves a
well-staged, integrated musical drama, with superlative music and meaningful
lyrics.<span style> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
PRESENT LAUGHTER (Noel Cowards farcical play which the author describes as
"a series of semi-autobiographical pyrotechnics.")</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style> </span><i style>Capsule judgement:<span style> </span>Shaws PRESENT LAUGHTER is a total delight which features
fine acting, good pacing, visual delights and high energy.<span style> </span>Theres nothing much to learn, but
there is a lot of laughter from this classic play.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">HIS GIRL FRIDAY (John Guares adaptation of the comic film,
THE FRONT PAGE which starred Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style> </span><i style>Capsule judgement:<span style> </span>Why John Guare didnt leave well enough alone, or why the
powers that be at The Shaw didnt just produce the original delightful play, is
a mystery.<span style> </span>Why is the production
rudderless under the direction of Jim Mezon?<span style> </span>This is one of the most frustrating and irritating productions
the Festival has produced.</i><br style>
<br style>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">TROUBLE IN TAHITI (Leonard Bernstein's jazzy short opera of
love and longing in U. S. Americas 1950s suburbia.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style> </span><i style><span style>CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:<span style> </span>Bernsteins TROUBLE IN TAHITI is one of those scripts that
is pleasing to watch and listen to as it is being seen, but quickly evaporates
from memory.<span style> </span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
A MAN AND SOME WOMEN (A world premiere by little known, but noted British
playwright Githa Sowerby.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style> </span><i style>Capsule judgement:</i><span style> </span><i style>A
MAN AND SOME WOMEN is a well-written, meaningful script, which gets an
excellent production at The Shaw.<span style>
</span>It is a wonderful examination of the changing role of women.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA (William Inges story of a wife clinging to the past
and a husband clinging to a bottle.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-autospace:none"><span style> </span><i style><span style>Capsule
judgement:<span style> </span>Shaws COME BACK LITTLE
SHEBA <a name="_GoBack"></a>is theatre and Inge at their finest.<span style> </span>Maxwell has honed a production that demands
to be seen!</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
MISALLIANCE (G. B. Shaw describes the play as a long debate in which the
curtain will be lowered twice. The audience is requested to excuse these
interruptions, which are made solely for its convenience.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style> </span><i style>Capsule judgement:<span style> </span>MISALLIANCE is Shaw at his humorous best.<span style> </span>The productions staging is excellent
and the acting first class, leading to an evening of Shavian awareness and
audience pleasure. This is what the Shaw Festival is all about!</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
Its a good idea to make both theatre and lodging reservations early,
especially with the B&Bs on weekends. Our home away from home is the
beautiful and well-placed Wellington House (<a href="mailto:www.wellington.house@sympatico.ca">www.wellington.house@sympatico.ca</a>),
directly across the street from The Festival Theatre. For information on other
B&Bs go to <a href="http://www.niagaraonthelake.com/showbedandbreakfasts">www.niagaraonthelake.com/showbedandbreakfasts</a>.<br style>
<br style>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are some wonderful restaurants including the Dining
Room located at the Niagara Culinary Institute (<a href="http://www.niagaracollege.ca/dining">www.niagaracollege.ca/dining</a>.
And my in-town favorite, The Grill on King Street (905-468-7222, 233 King St.)<br>
<br>
For theatre information, a brochure or tickets, call 800-511-7429 or go on-line
to <a href="http://www.shawfest.com">www.shawfest.com</a>. Ask about packages that include lodging, meals and
tickets. Also be aware that the festival offers day-of-the-show rush tickets
and senior matinee prices.<br>
<br>
<i style>Go to the Shaw Festival! Find out what
lovely hosts Canadians are, and see some great theatre!<span style> </span>Dont forget your passport as its the
only form of identification that will be accepted for re-entry into the U.S.</i></p>
<br><span style="color:rgb(204,0,0)"></span><br>