Theater News

Brent Carver, Sean Cullen, Christopher Plummer, et al. Set for 2010 Stratford Shakespeare; Nikki M. James Withdraws

Christopher Plummer
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)
Christopher Plummer
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival has announced additional casting for its 2010 season, under the artistic leadership of Des McAnuff. The previously announced Nikki M. James has withdrawn from the Stratford season, with a press statement citing “personal reasons” for her departure.

Christopher Plummer will star as Prospero in The Tempest, to be directed by McAnuff, with the cast also including James Blendick as Gonzalo, Bruce Dow as Trinculo, Peter Hutt as Alonso, Dion Johnstone as Caliban, Trish Lindström as Miranda, Gareth Potter as Ferdinand, Timothy D. Stickney as Sebastian, John Vickery as Antonio and Geraint Wyn Davies as Stephano. The production will feature set design by Robert Brill, costume design by Paul Tazewell, and lighting design by Michael Walton.

Brent Carver will play Jacques in As You Like It, also directed by McAnuff, with the cast also including Ben Carlson as Touchstone, Andrea Runge as Rosalind, Paul Nolan as Orlando, Mike Shara as Oliver, Lucy Peacock as Audrey, Cara Ricketts as Celia, and Tom Rooney as Duke Frederick and Duke Senior. The design team will include Debra Hanson (set), Dana Osborne (costumes), and Michael Walton (lighting).

Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, will be directed by Marti Maraden and feature Ben Carlson as Leontes, Yanna McIntosh as Hermione, Seana McKenna as Paulina, Cara Ricketts as Perdita, Mike Shara as Young Shepherd, Sean Arbuckle as Camillo, Dan Chameroy as Polixenes, Ian Lake as Florizeland Tom Rooney as Autolycus. It will be designed by John Pennoyer with lighting design by Louise Guinand. The Two Gentlemen of Verona, directed by Dean Gabourie, will feature Dion Johnstone as Valentine, Gareth Potter as Proteus, Sophia Walker as Julia, Claire Lautier as Silvia, Bruce Dow as Speed, and Robert Persichini as Launce. Set and lighting designer will be Lorenzo Savoini, withTamara Marie Kucheran as costume designer.

John Doyle will direct the musical Kiss Me Kate, featuring Juan Chioran as Fred Graham, Monique Lund as Lilli Vanessi, Chilina Kennedy as Lois Lane, and Mike Jackson as Bill Calhoun. The creative team will include musical director Franklin Brasz, choreographer Tracey Flye, and designer David Farley.

Ethan McSweeny will direct Dangerous Liaisons, featuring Tom McCamus as Le Vicomte de Valmont, Seana McKenna as La Marquise de Merteuil, Sara Topham as La Présidente de Tourvel, Martha Henry as Mme de Rosemonde, Bethany Jillard as Cécile Volanges, and Yanna McIntosh as Mme de Volanges. The creative team will include designer Santo Loquasto and lighting designer Robert Thomson.

Gary Griffin will helm Evita, featuring Chilina Kennedy in the title role, along with Juan Chioran asJuan Perón and Vince Staltari as Magaldi. The creative team will include musical director Rick Fox, choreographer Tracey Flye, set designer Douglas Paraschuk, costume designer Mara Blumenfeld, and lighting designer Kevin Fraser.

Tim Carroll will direct Peter Pan, featuring Michael Therriault in the title role, with Tom McCamus as Captain Hook, Sean Cullen as Smee, Paul Dunn as John, Stacie Steadman as Michael, and Sara Topham as Wendy. The production team includes designer Carolyn M. Smith and lighting designer Kevin Fraser.

Stafford Arima will direct Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, which will star Carver along with Mike Nadajewski and additional cast members to be announced. The creative team will include musical director Laura Burton, costume design by Jessica Poirier-Chang, and lighting design by Steven Hawkins.

Additional programming will include George F. Walker’s King of Thieves, directed by Jennifer Tarver and starring Sean Cullen and Evan Buliung; Michel Tremblay’s For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again, directed by Chris Abraham and starring Lucy Peacock and Tom Rooney; and Geraint Wyn Davies in the one-man show Do Not Go Gentle, by Leon Pownall, about the life of Dylan Thomas and to be directed by Dean Gabourie.

For more information, visit www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com.