Selma Dimitrijevic one-act play opened newest outdoor space, the Spiegeltent -\
The Shaw Festival’s Outdoors @ The Shaw returns for another year of theatre, concerts and curated experiences alfresco from June 3 to October 7 on the grounds of the Shaw Festival.
First held in 2021 as a nod to Shaw Fair and Fête festivities of the past, Outdoors @ The Shaw 2023 includes enchanting encounters, concerts and unique theatrical experiences for all ages in and around the Festival grounds. The addition of this open-air programming now allows The Shaw to fully embrace the true nature of a festival – indoors and out.
Held at either the BMO Stage, Humeniuk Foundation Stage, or in the newest performance space, the Spiegeltent, every Outdoors @ The Shaw performance encourages real human encounters and shared experiences. Audiences are invited to engage before and after shows, be part of a conversation and rediscover their own creativity together.
Outdoors @ The Shaw 2023:
MOTHER, DAUGHTER
Directed and written by Selma Dimitrijevic
Lighting design by Mikael Kangas
Spiegeltent, 10 Queen’s Parade
Previews June 3 · Available for review beginning June 23 · Closes October 7
Celebrated play Mother, Daughter explores the ever-changing relationship between children and parents. This intimate and poignant one-act features Vinnie Alberto**, Shane Carty, Patty Jamieson, Jade Repeta and a different real-life mother and daughter from the community on stage at every performance.
The creative team also includes Rose Tavormina, design co-ordinator. The stage management team is Dora Tomassi, stage manager; Katheryn Urbanek, apprentice stage manager; and Meredith Macdonald, production stage manager.
Recommended for Age 13+/Grade 8+
MATURE CONTENT
MOTHER, DAUGHTER was first commissioned by A Play, A Pie and A Pint (Oran Mor) in 2007 and produced again by Greyscale in May 2012 at the Almeida Theatre, London.
** The Baillie Cohort is generously supported by the Baillie Family Fund for Education.
THE GAME OF LOVE AND CHANCE
A romantic comedy by Pierre de Marivaux
Improvised by the Shaw Festival Ensemble – A new play every time
Directed by Tim Carroll
Set and costumes designed by Sim Suzer
Lighting design by Mikael Kangas
Original music and sound design by James Oxley
Movement by Alexis Milligan
Spiegeltent, 10 Queen’s Parade
Previews June 28 · Available for review beginning July 6 · Closes October 8
A marriage has been arranged for two young people. Unbeknownst to each other, they both assume their servants’ identities to check each other out. Mayhem and mistaken identities ensue, revealing how untamable love really is. Matching the spirit of this romantic comedy, a different cast will perform at each show, assuring a different experience at each performance. It’s a theatrical free-for-all featuring Kristopher Bowman, Sochi Fried, Martin Happer, Deborah Hay, Rebecca Northan, Travis Seetoo, Graeme Somerville and Jenny L. Wright.
Additional creative team members include Arthi Chandra, assistant director, and Emily Dotson, assistant designer. The stage management team is Martine Beland, stage manager, and Ashley Ireland, assistant stage manager.
Production sponsor: James F. Brown
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S
A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING – ONE-ACT – IN CONCERT
Music by RICHARD RODGERS and Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
Musical Arrangements by FRED WELLS
Orchestrations by MICHAEL GIBSON and JONATHAN TUNICK
Conceived by WALTER BOBBIE
Directed and choreographed by Allison McCaughey
Music direction by Paul Sportelli
Set and costumes designed by Sim Suzer
Lighting design by Mikael Kangas
BMO Stage, 10 Queen’s Parade
Previews June 29 · Available for review beginning July 7 · Closes September 30
This outdoor musical revue presents a fresh take on the tunes of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The songfest showcases innovative arrangements of musical favourites like “Maria”, from The Sound of Music, “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” from South Pacific, “Shall We Dance” from The King and I and “Oh, What A Beautiful Morning” from Oklahoma. Featuring Matt Alfano, Tat Austrie, Alana Bridgewater, Andrew Broderick, Kyle Golemba, Madelyn Kriese, Jawon Mapp, Allison McCaughey, Shakeil Rollock and Jacqueline Thair.
The creative team also includes Ryan deSouza, associate music director/keyboard (alternating), and Emily Dotson, assistant designer. The stage management team is Stage Manager Jane Vanstone Osborn and Assistant Stage Manager Théa Pel.
Production sponsor: Shaw Guild
The BMO Stage is sponsored by BMO Financial Group.
A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
Originally produced by Roundabout Theatre Company, New York City, in 1993.
A SHORT HISTORY OF NIAGARA
Created by Alexandra Montagnese and Mike Petersen
With original sound design by Ryan Cowl
Commissioned and presented by the Shaw Festival
Fort George, 51 Queen’s Parade, July 20 – August 3
Humeniuk Foundation Stage, 10 Queen’s Parade, August 5 – August 13
Previews July 20 · Available for review beginning July 22 · Closes August 13
Returning for its third season, this charming half-hour of pure storytelling features stories about the Maid of the Mist to Laura Secord to the founding of the Shaw Festival. Wordless puppets, accompanied by sound effects and music, bring the rich history of the Niagara Region to life. Featuring Alexandra Montagnese and Mike Petersen. Stage manager is Carolyn Mackenzie.
Please check shawfest.com for performance dates, location and times.
Production sponsor: Humeniuk Foundation
The Humeniuk Foundation Stage is sponsored by the Humeniuk Foundation.
COFFEE CONCERTS
Spiegeltent, 10 Queen’s Parade
June 4, July 30 and September 24
Classical music concerts performed by a string quartet and members of the Shaw Festival Orchestra.
SPEAKEASIES
BMO Stage, 10 Queen’s Parade
July 14, August 11, September 23
An evening of jazz featuring Associate Music Director Ryan deSouza and members of the Shaw Festival Orchestra, with special guests.
The BMO Stage is sponsored by BMO Financial Group.
Speakeasies are sponsored by Spirit in Niagara – Small Batch Distillery.
WHAT’S IN YOUR SONGBOOK?
Spiegeltent, 10 Queen’s Parade
June 30, July 21, August 23 and September 29
An intimate and interactive evening with members of the Shaw Acting Ensemble. Accompanied by Associate Music Director Ryan deSouza, performers open up their audition songbooks and reveal why these choices are so special to them.
GOSPEL CHOIR
BMO Stage, 10 Queen’s Parade
July 16, August 6, September 3 and October 1
Big, beautiful uplifting vocals to take your breath away! Enjoy this euphoric and inspirational musical experience performed by the glorious voices of The Shaw Ensemble.
The BMO Stage Sponsored by BMO Financial Group.
Tickets to the Outdoors @ The Shaw 2023 can be ordered through the Box Office at 1-800-511-SHAW (7429) and online at shawfest.com.
Generously sponsored by The Slaight Family Foundation, the Shaw Festival’s 2023 season runs through to December 23, with a playbill that also features Mahabharata, Gypsy, Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit, The Amen Corner, Prince Caspian, On the Razzle, Village Wooing, The Shadow of a Doubt, The Playboy of the Western World, The Apple Cart, The Clearing, A Christmas Carol and Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon.
Direct bus service from downtown Toronto and Burlington to Niagara-on-the-Lake is available on the Toronto-Niagara Shaw Express. Luxury buses are standard size wheelchair accessible, offer free Wi-Fi and have an on-board host. $29 return per person. Ticket to a 2023 performance is required. Please pre-arrange with the Box Office. Schedule is subject to change. Please confirm dates and times with the Shaw Festival Box Office.
Masks at The Shaw: While the wearing of masks is now optional, their continued use is recommended indoors and remains at the discretion of the individual. While The Shaw maintains its Duty of Care measures, there remains an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place where people congregate. The Festival continues to work closely with public health experts to ensure all necessary and reasonable precautions are being met to reduce the chances of exposure; however, patrons are encouraged to take what precautions they deem necessary to protect themselves and others. Patrons are also requested to refrain from attending any performance or event if presenting COVID-19 symptoms.
The Shaw Festival wishes to acknowledge and honour the land upon which its patrons and company members gather as the historic and traditional territory of First Nations peoples. Recognition and thanks are extended to the Neutral Nation, the Mississauga and the Haudenosaunee for their stewardship of these lands over millennia.
About the Shaw Festival
Inspired by the spirit of Bernard Shaw, the Shaw Festival creates unforgettable theatrical encounters. The Shaw is a place where people who are curious about the world gather to share the unique experience of live theatre and to create a deeper human connection with the artists, the beauty and abundance of Niagara and with each other. shawfest.com
Media Contacts:
Jenniffer Anand
Senior Manager, Communications
1-800-657-1106 x 2222
Mobile: 905-941-0018
janand@shawfest.com
Rhiannon Fleming
Communications Co-ordinator
1-800-657-1106 x 2224
Mobile: 905-941-0377
rfleming@shawfest.com
Ashley Belmer
Publicist, B-Rebel Communications
Mobile: 416-617-8934
ashley@b-rebelcommunications.com
