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Festival Theatre
July 30 – October 25
Comedy

THE FRONT PAGE

by Ben Hecht & Charles MacArthur
Adapted by Michael Healey
Director Graham Abbey
World première commissioned by the Stratford Festival

Audience Advisory »

IT TAKES A WISE GUY TO GET THE TRUTH

Star reporter Hildy Johnson has had it with the newspaper business – until he finds himself harbouring a death row escapee with a tale to tell. Hildy’s challenge now is to outwit corrupt cops and rival journalists to get the scoop of a lifetime – without losing the love of his life.

Written by two former Chicago reporters, this twentieth-century classic is a powerful and timely drama of civic corruption and journalistic truth-telling.

House Program: The Front Page

2019_Np-New_Beiege 

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Production support is generously provided by Nona Macdonald Heaslip

Support for the 2019 season of the Festival Theatre is generously provided by Daniel Bernstein and Claire Foerster.

2019 publicity photography by David Cooper.

CAST & CREATIVE

CAST

    Portrait of Ben Carlson
    Ben Carlson
    Hildy Johnson
    2019: Sir Hugh Evans in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Hildy Johnson in The Front Page. 11th season. Stratford: Hamlet, Petruchio (Canadian Screen Award), Benedick, Leontes, Brutus, Apemantus, Octavius, Fluellen, Feste, Touchstone, De Flores (The Changeling), Fredrik (A Little Night Music), Beralde (The Hypochondriac), Captain von Trapp (The Sound of Music), Alceste (The Misanthrope), Jack (The Importance of Being Earnest), Chaplain (Mother Courage), Burleigh (Mary Stuart). Elsewhere: Most recently: Macbeth, Bard on the Beach. Shaw Festival: Tanner, Man and Superman; over 25 productions. Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Hamlet (Joseph Jefferson Award), Macbeth, Pericles. Various favourites: London Road, Canadian Stage; Our Town, Soulpepper Theatre; Berowne, NAC; Death of a Salesman, Neptune Theatre; Candida, Theatre Calgary; Philadelphia, Here I Come!, Walnut Street Theatre; A Doll's House (Dora Award), DVxT. Film/TV: On the Basis of Sex, Murdoch Mysteries, The Strain, Reign, The Anniversary, Saving Hope, Rookie Blue, Grey Gardens, Slings and Arrows.
    Portrait of Maev Beaty
    Maev Beaty
    Penelope "Cookie" Burns
    2019: Penelope "Cookie" Burns in The Front Page. Fifth season. Stratford: Elmire (Tartuffe), Lady Sneerwell (The School for Scandal), Sorrel (Bunny), Kate (The Last Wife), Miep (The Diary of Anne Frank), Kate Hardcastle (She Stoops to Conquer), Goneril (King Lear). Elsewhere: A Beautiful View (Festival Players); Orlando, The Last Wife, La Ronde, Parfumerie (Soulpepper); The De Chardin Project (Passe Muraille); Proud (Michael Healey), Terminus (Outside the March/Mirvish); Bunny, Wide Awake Hearts (Tarragon); Another Africa (Volcano); The Mill (Theatrefront); Palace of the End (Canadian Stage). Awards: Three Dora Awards, 10-time nominee; TTCA winner. Online: maevbeaty.com; Twitter @sheepnowool. Et cetera: Maev has originated roles in 21 world premières, including her co-creations Montparnasse, Goblin Market and, most recently, Secret Life of a Mother (Theatre Centre). Her film debut (Mouthpiece) opened the Special Presentations at last year's TIFF.
    Portrait of Michelle Giroux
    Michelle Giroux
    McLaren
    2019: Duchess of Venice in Othello and McLaren in The Front Page. 13th season. Stratford (selected): Julius Caesar, Breath of Kings, The Merchant of Venice, Blithe Spirit, Love's Labour's Lost, Edward II, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Pride and Prejudice, The Importance of Being Earnest, A Delicate Balance, The Seagull, Henry VI, The Two Noble Kinsmen, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, The Swanne Part III, The Brothers Karamazov, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Miser (New York City Centre) and The School for Scandal (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre). Elsewhere: Groundling Theatre, Factory Theatre, Tarragon Theatre, Great Canadian Theatre Company, Theatre Aquarius, Segal Centre. Film/TV (selected): Anne, Suits, Saving Hope, Sensitive Skin, Rookie Blue, The Listener, Flashpoint, L.A. Complex, King, Murdoch Mysteries, John A: The Rivals, Life in a Year, Blood Pressure. Training: National Theatre School, Birmingham Conservatory, Canadian Film Centre Actors' Conservatory.
    Portrait of Randy Hughson
    Randy Hughson
    Fife

    2019: Brabantio in Othello, Pistol in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Fife in The Front Page. 12th season. Stratford (selected): Bob Ewell (To Kill a Mockingbird), Sir John Franklin (The Breathing Hole), Capulet (Romeo and Juliet), Lucky (Waiting for Godot), Antigonus (The Winter's Tale), Senex (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Richard Voss (The Physicists). Elsewhere: Leading roles at the Belfry Theatre, Vancouver Playhouse, Citadel Theatre, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Canadian Stage, Segal Centre, Neptune Theatre, Soulpepper, Tarragon, Factory Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille, Alberta Theatre Projects, Centaur Theatre, Blyth Festival, National Arts Centre and many others. Film/TV: Randy has worked extensively in television, film and radio. Awards: Nominated for eight Dora Mavor Moore Awards, three Edmonton Sterlings, one Calgary Betty Mitchell, three Vancouver Jessies and one Gemini. Randy has won one of each award. Et cetera: Gratitude and love to Melissa, Georgina and Harvey.

    Portrait of Michael Blake
    Michael Blake
    Diamond Louis

    2019: Othello in Othello, Mr. Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Diamond Louis in The Front Page. Eighth season. Stratford: The Tempest, Coriolanus, Napoli Milionaria!, Tartuffe, Macbeth, All My Sons, Twelfth Night, King Lear, Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Three Musketeers, Merchant of Venice, Much Ado, Henry V, Merry Wives. Elsewhere: Lincoln, Topdog/Underdog (Arts Club); James, Superior Donuts (Coal Mine); Beast/Prince, Beauty and the Beast (Theatre Aquarius); MLK, Mountaintop (Theatre Kingston); Edmund, King Lear (Theatre Calgary/Bard on the Beach); Simba, The Lion King (Mirvish/Disney); Othello, Othello (Bard on the Beach); Clybourne Park (Citadel); Mercutio, Romeo and Juliet; Eilif, Mother Courage; Nativity, A Christmas Carol (NAC); Gratiano/Morocco, Merchant of Venice (SITR); Mitch, Spelling Bee (Belfry/Arts Club); Orlando, As You Like It (Soulpepper); Rock and Roll (Canadian Stage); Wilbur County Blues (Blyth). Film/TV: Expanse, Senior Trip, YTV Rocks, Degrassi. Training: National Theatre School of Canada, Soulpepper Academy, St. Michael's Choir School. Online: @samo_crown.

    Portrait of Juan Chioran
    Juan Chioran
    The Mayor

    2019: Lodovico in Othello and The Mayor in The Front Page. 17th season. Stratford: Paradise Lost, The Comedy of Errors, Romeo and Juliet, Treasure Island, The Breathing Hole, A Chorus Line, A Little Night Music, Henry V, Much Ado, The Misanthrope, Twelfth Night, Kiss Me, Kate, Evita, Bartholomew Fair, Three Sisters, All's Well, Shrew, As You Like It, Hamlet, Dracula, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Man of La Mancha. Elsewhere: Nine (Podium Concerts); The Motherf**ker with the Hat (Bob Kills Theatre); Cabaret, Philadelphia Story, Light in the Piazza (Shaw); Madonna Painter (Factory); New Brain, Piazza (Acting Up Stage); It's a Wonderful Life, Goodnight Desdemona, Much Ado (Canadian Stage); Cymbeline, The Three Musketeers, Hecuba (Chicago Shakespeare); Blithe Spirit, An Ideal Husband (Citadel); Love's Labour's Lost (NAC); The Producers (Mirvish). Training: BFA, U of A. Awards: Dora, Gemini, Jeff, Ovation, Carbonell. 

    Portrait of David Collins
    David Collins
    Alderman Dwight D. Willoughby

    2019: Senator in Othello, Bardolph in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Alderman Dwight D. Willoughby in The Front Page. 11th season. Stratford: The Tempest, Coriolanus, Napoli Milionaria!, The Changeling, Timon of Athens, Macbeth, As You Like It, Pericles, The Alchemist, King Lear, Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V, Richard III, Titus Andronicus, The Tempest, Caesar and Cleopatra. Elsewhere: Shakuntala (Premiere Dance Theatre); The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God (Mirvish); Twelfth Night, Donut City (Canadian Stage); Pusha Man, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Passe Muraille); Top Gun the Musical (Factory Theatre/N.Y.C.); Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare in Action); Founding Member of Obsidian Theatre Company. Film/TV: Assassin's Creed Origins, Killjoys, Dark Matter, Watch Dogs 2, 12 Monkeys, Jean of the Joneses, Saving Hope, Murdoch Mysteries, Nikita, The Firm, ReGenesis, Owning Mahowny, The Incredible Hulk, MVP, Warehouse 13, Nurse.Fighter.Boy, XIII. Training: MFA, York  University. Awards: Tyrone Guthrie Award. Dora nominations: Twilight Café, The America Play.

    Portrait of Sarah Dodd
    Sarah Dodd
    Mollie Malloy
    2019: Louise in Private Lives, Hostess of The Garter in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Mollie Malloy in The Front Page. 10th season. Stratford: Paradise Lost, The Comedy of Errors, Treasure Island, Romeo and Juliet, The Breathing Hole, The Importance of Being Earnest, House of Atreus trilogy, The Swanne, Richard III, Private Lives, The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth, The Cherry Orchard, The Alchemist, Julius Caesar, The Seagull, King Lear. Elsewhere (selected): Mustard, The Small Room at the Top of the Stairs, Communion, Humble Boy, The Fall (Tarragon); Domesticated, A Whistle in the Dark, Marion Bridge (Company Theatre); Age of Arousal, The Penelopiad (Nightwood Theatre); Terminus (Outside the March); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Canadian Stage); Bingo (Factory Theatre). Film/TV: Anne with an E (CBC/Netflix), Reign, Murdoch Mysteries. Training: George Brown Theatre School. Awards: Two Dora Awards, three nominations; Mary Savidge Award and a Jerry. Et cetera: Huge love and thanks to Max and Jay.
    Portrait of Rosemary Dunsmore
    Rosemary Dunsmore
    Mrs. Grant
    2019: Mrs. Grant in The Front Page and appears in The Merry Wives of Windsor. Sixth season. Stratford: Mme Pernelle, Tartuffe; Bakkhai; Madame Armfeldt, A Little Night Music; Celia, As You Like It; Helena, A Midsummer Night's Dream; Stella, A Streetcar Named Desire. Elsewhere (selected): Toronto: Late Company, Tom at the Farm, Festen, Tout Comme Elle, The New Electric Ballroom, Glass Menagerie. Montreal: Wit, Glorious, Long Day's Journey Into Night. She works as a theatre director across the country. Film/TV (recent): Street Legal (Renée Darling), Orphan Black (Susan Duncan), The Hot Zone, Coroner; over 100 films/TV series. Favourite roles include Katherine Brooke (Anne of Green Gables), title role in Mom PI. Upcoming: The Toll. Awards: Dora, Masque, ACTRA Award, ACTRA Nellie, London Telegraph Best Fringe Performance, Maclean's Honour Roll. Et cetera: She teaches at NTS, Canadian Film Centre. She is grateful for a long, rewarding career and glad to be back at the Festival.
    Portrait of Farhang Ghajar
    Farhang Ghajar
    Mr. Irving Pincus
    2019: Roderigo in Othello, Nym in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Mr. Irving Pincus in The Front Page Third season. Stratford: Federico in Napoli Milionaria!, The Tempest, Coriolanus, The School for Scandal, Twelfth Night, Tartuffe. Elsewhere: Iago in Othello (McMaster Thespian Company); Hamlet in Hamlet's Dorm (McMaster University); Jesus in The Last Judgement (University of Toronto). Film/TV: Man Seeking Woman (FXX); Dark Matter (SYFY); lead in Capture Kill Release, lead in Something to Hide, principal in Uncle Brian (independent feature films). Training: Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre, Advanced Shakespeare (Kristin Linklater, Orkney, Scotland), Strasberg Method Intensive (Tony Greco, N.Y.C.), scene study (Angela Besharah and Jimi Shlag, Toronto), scene study (Caymichael Patten, N.Y.C.), Actors Exchange (David Matheson, Toronto). Awards: Michael Mawson Award (Stratford 2017), Peter Donaldson Award (Stratford 2018). Et cetera: Love and thanks to everyone who has supported me.
    Portrait of Emma Grabinsky
    Emma Grabinsky
    Zelda Schneller
    2019: Zelda Schneller in The Front Page  and appears in Othello  and The Merry Wives of Windsor Stratford debut. Elsewhere (selected): The Comedy of Errors, The Madwoman of Chaillot, Gut Girls, Les Liaisons Dangereuses (University of Victoria); Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night (Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival); Hamlet in Hamlet (SATCo); Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker (Vancouver Playhouse). Film/TV (selected): Grand Unified Theory (Second Chance Productions); The Haunting Hour (Hub Network); Mr. Hockey (CBC); Supernatural (CW). Awards: Jessie nomination for The Miracle Worker (Best Actress in a Leading Role), Beijing International Film Festival nomination for Grand Unified Theory (Best Actress in a Feature Film). Training: BFA, University of Victoria. Et cetera: Much love to Mom, Dad, Dorothy, Mary and Ash. Huge gratitude.
    Portrait of John Kirkpatrick
    John Kirkpatrick
    Endicott

    2019: Naval Officer, Herald Cypriot Soldier in Othello, John in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Endicott in The Front Page. Sixth season. Stratford: Walter Cunningham Sr., To Kill a Mockingbird; Caius Ligarius, Julius Caesar; Lt. Brannigan, Joey Biltmore, Guys and Dolls; Apothecary, Romeo and Juliet; Doctor, Macbeth; Oliver, As You Like It; Deuxfois, The Hypochondriac; Marcellus, Fortinbras, Hamlet; Boyet, Love's Labour's Lost; René Descartes, Christina, The Girl King; Red Knight/Walrus, Alice Through the Looking-Glass. Elsewhere: Marley, A Christmas Carol; Jaques, As You Like It; Cassius, Julius Caesar; Lucio, Measure for Measure (Citadel); Slim, Of Mice and Men (Canadian Stage/Theatre Calgary); Tybalt/Friar Laurence, Romeo and Juliet (Theatre Calgary); Everard, Age of Arousal (ATP); Milan, Rock 'n' Roll (Canadian Stage/Citadel); Kent, King Lear; Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Twelfth Night (Freewill). Training: BFA Acting, University of Alberta. Awards: Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award, Measure for Measure. Et cetera: Former Artistic Director, Freewill Shakespeare Festival (Edmonton). All my love to Breanna and Aidan.

    Portrait of Shruti Kothari
    Shruti Kothari
    Jennie Stroud
    2019: Bianca in Othello, Anne Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Jennie Stroud in The Front Page. Third season. Stratford: Napoli Milionaria!, The Comedy of Errors, The Tempest, Hamlet, Love's Labour's Lost, The Taming of the Shrew. Elsewhere: Million Dollar Quartet (Thousand Islands Playhouse, Sudbury Theatre Centre); Five Alarm (Lighthouse Festival); Little Pretty and the Exceptional (Factory Theatre, Dora nomination); James and the Giant Peach (Young People's Theatre); My Co-Mates and Brothers in Exile (Shakespeare in the Ruff); Aladdin (Diversified Productions); Rent, Avenue Q (Lower Ossington Theatre). TV: The Handmaid's Tale (MGM/Hulu); Designated Survivor (ABC). Voice Work: Far Cry 4 (Ubisoft), My Dad Is Scrooge (Eb Scrooge Productions). Training: Factory Mechanicals, Queen's University, Bishop Strachan School, Claude Watson School for the Arts. Et cetera: Endless love and gratitude to my family and friends whose constant support inspires me daily and I cherish deeply.
    Portrait of Daniel Krmpotic
    Daniel Krmpotic
    Carl
    2019: Robert in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Carl in The Front Page and appears in Othello Stratford debut. Elsewhere (selected): Hamlet in Hamlet (Ryerson Theatre School), Dr. John Buchanan in Summer and Smoke, King Alexander in The Possibilities (Ryerson School of Performance), Clov in Endgame (Michael Chekhov Europe). Collaborator in Daughter (Quiptake Productions/Opia Studios). Training: Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre, Ryerson University's School of Performance, Michael Chekhov Europe (Hugh O'Gorman, Craig Mathers, Croatia), vocal technique (David Dunbar, Toronto), scene study and coaching (Jane Moffat, Toronto) and an Advanced Combatant Certificate with the Academy of Dramatic Combat (Steve Wilsher, Toronto). Et cetera: Thank you to my mentors, friends and family for continually encouraging me to strive towards a greater potential in all spheres of life.
    Portrait of Josue Laboucane
    Josue Laboucane
    Woodenshoes Eichorn

    2019: Simple in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Woodenshoes Eichorn in The Front Page and appears in OthelloSeventh season. Stratford: The Comedy of Errors, Napoli Milionaria!, The Tempest, Timon of Athens, The Madwoman of Chaillot, The Changeling, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Aeneid, The Taming of the Shrew, Love's Labour's Lost, King Lear, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Beaux' Stratagem, Mary Stuart, Measure for Measure, Othello. Birmingham Conservatory: Twelfth Night (Robin Phillips); Private Lives (Christopher Newton); Hamlet (Stephen Ouimette); Love's Labour's Lost (Martha Henry). Elsewhere: Henry VI: Wars of the Roses, Richard III, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hamlet, Timon of Athens (Vancouver's Bard on the Beach); The Exquisite Hour (Relephant); The Wizard of Oz, Seussical (Carousel); The Emperor's New Threads (Axis). Training: Birmingham Conservatory, Studio 58, Canadian National Voice Intensive. Awards: Jessie Award; Sydney J. Risk Award. Online: Twitter: @josuelaboucane

    Portrait of Jamie Mac
    Jamie Mac
    Kruger
    2019: Slender in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Kruger in The Front Page and appears in Othello. Fifth season. Stratford: Benvolio (Romeo and Juliet), Allardyce (Treasure Island), Wickers (The Breathing Hole), Lennox (Macbeth), Silvius (As You Like It), First Doctor (The Hypochondriac), Kastril (The Alchemist), Fisherman (Pericles), Young Soldier (Mother Courage), Towrus (Antony and Cleopatra). Birmingham Conservatory: Berowne (Love's Labour's Lost), Polixenes (The Winter's Tale). Elsewhere: Petruchio (St. Lawrence); Jacob Mercer, Salt-Water Moon (NAC); Laurie, Vimy (GCTC); Clown, The 39 Steps (Stage West); David Jung, Rockbound (Two Planks); Michael, Elephant Song (Beothuk Street); Dromio of Ephesus, The Comedy of Errors (SBTS); Jerry, Zoo Story (Reid Theatre). Film/TV: Murdoch Mysteries, Played, Beauty and the Beast, Republic of Doyle, Covert Affairs, Life With Derek. Training: Birmingham Conservatory; Ryerson University, BFA Acting. Awards:Elephant Song: Walter C. Chambers Scholarship, D.A. Matthews Scholarship, Honorary Chairman's Award for Best Actor. Et cetera: Jamie is a Newfoundlander.
    Portrait of Gordon S. Miller
    Gordon S. Miller
    Kaplan

    2019: Iago in Othello, Dr. Caius in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Kaplan in The Front Page. 13th season. Stratford (selected): James Tyrone Jr. (Long Day's Journey Into Night), God the Son (Paradise Lost), Pentheus (Bakkhai), Laurent (Tartuffe), Fabian (Twelfth Night), Biondello (The Taming of the Shrew), Williams (Possible Worlds), Scrub (The Beaux' Stratagem), Andrei (Three Sisters), Apollodorus (Caesar and Cleopatra), Roderigo (Othello), Flaminius (Timon of Athens). Elsewhere: A&R Angels (Crow's Theatre); Pride and Prejudice, Robin Hood (Globe Theatre); A Doll's House (Montgomery/TNB). Film/TV: Dmitri in the award-winning miniseries Fargo (Season 1; Best Miniseries: Emmy, Golden Globe), Suits, Republic of Doyle, The Ron James Show, Warehouse 13, Lost Girl. Training: National Theatre School of Canada; Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre. Awards: Tyrone Guthrie Award (2003, 2007, 2018), John Hirsch Award (2004) and the inaugural recipient of the Richard Monette Travel Grant (2009).

    Portrait of Amelia Sargisson
    Amelia Sargisson
    Peggy Grant
    2019: Desdemona in Othello, Peggy Grant in The Front Page and appears in The Merry Wives of Windsor. Second season. Stratford: Eve in Paradise Lost, Luciana in The Comedy of Errors. Elsewhere: Constanze in Amadeus (TIFT); The 39 Steps (META nomination for Outstanding Ensemble) and The Madonna Painter (Centaur Theatre); Viola/Cordelia in Twelfth Night/King Lear (Canadian Stage); The Watershed and Seeds (Crow's Theatre/Porte Parole); The Millennial Malcontent (Tarragon Theatre); Philomela in If We Were Birds (Imago Theatre - META nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress); Jamie in The Incredible Speediness of Jamie Cavanaugh (Carousel Players); Les Moutons and Camping Royale (CORPUS); six seasons of Shakespeare-in-the-Park (Repercussion Theatre). Training: Ryerson Theatre School. Awards: Faculty Award of Excellence and Louis Taube Memorial Award (Ryerson); Cartes Premières Award for Best Actress for Laurel in down from heaven (Imago Theatre); Spotlight Award for The Art of Catching Pigeons by Torchlight (SummerWorks). Et cetera: Love & thanks.
    Portrait of Mike Shara
    Mike Shara
    Sherriff Hartman
    2019: Victor Prynne in Private Lives, Fenton in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Sheriff Hartman in The Front Page. Eighth season. Stratford: King Lear, Hamlet, The Homecoming, The Matchmaker, Othello, Cymbeline, The Importance of Being Earnest, Cyrano de Bergerac, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, The Winter's Tale, The Three Musketeers, The Taming of the Shrew. Elsewhere: 10 seasons with the Shaw Festival, appearances at Theatre Calgary, Citadel Theatre, Vancouver Playhouse, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Theatre Aquarius, National Arts Centre, Soulpepper Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre, Tarragon Theatre. Film/TV: Orphan Black, Designated Survivor, Ride, Run to Me, Murdoch Mysteries, Defining Moments, A Very Country Wedding, Whatever Linda, The Gathering. Twitter: @mikeshara. Et cetera: For Carla and Molly, as always.
    Portrait of E.B. Smith
    E.B. Smith
    Wilson
    2019: Montano in Othello, Wilson in The Front Page and appears in The Merry Wives of Windsor. Ninth season. Stratford: Boatswain (The Tempest), Surrogate (Coriolanus), Doctor (Napoli Milionaria!), Orsino (Twelfth Night), Seyton (Macbeth), Dr. Jim Bayliss (All My Sons), Thaliard, Leonine (Pericles), Eilif (Mother Courage), Melun (King John), Bellievre (Mary Stuart), Abhorson (Measure for Measure), Cymbeline, Elektra. Elsewhere: Othello, Othello (Shakespeare BASH'd); Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., The Mountaintop (Grand); Big Sam, Gone With the Wind (RMTC); Seyton, Macbeth; Friar Laurence, Romeo and Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare); Macduff, Macbeth (First Folio); King, King Hedley II (Karamu); Moustique, Dream on Monkey Mountain; Junior, Before It Hits Home; Cleveland Play House; Idaho Shakespeare Festival; Theater Wit, Chicago; The Great Lakes Theater Festival. Film/TV:The Beast, Ask Gilby, Maybe By Then, Thunder Bay. Training: Ohio University, Birmingham Conservatory. Et cetera: E.B. would like to dedicate his work to his parents and grandmother, and to the memory of his Papa.
    Portrait of Johnathan Sousa
    Johnathan Sousa
    Earl Williams

    2019: Cassio in Othello, Rugby in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Earl Williams in The Front Page. Fourth season. Stratford: Francisco in The Tempest, Lieutenant in Coriolanus, Amedeo in Napoli Milionaria!, Hotspur in Breath of Kings: Rebellion, Valere in Tartuffe. Elsewhere: Charlie Breathing Corpses (Coal Mine Theatre). Film/TV: Rookie Blue (Global TV), The Animal Project (principal), Relative Happiness (lead), What We Have (lead), Kidnap Capital (lead). Training: Ryerson Theatre School (2010), Norman Jewison Canadian Film Centre Actors' Conservatory. Awards: Lou Taube Memorial Award, 2013 Toronto International Film Festival Rising Star, John Hirsch Memorial Award. Online: Instagram: @Jsous29. Et cetera: Thanks to Alicia Jeffery, my family, friends, coaches, and my wife, Brittany, for encouraging me every step of the way. Special thank-you to Ian Watson for your friendship, guidance and constant support. 

    Portrait of Michael Spencer-Davis
    Michael Spencer-Davis
    Roy V. Bensinger

    2019: Gratiano in Othello, Justice Shallow in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Roy V. Bensinger in The Front Page. Ninth season. Stratford: Paradise Lost, Timon of Athens, The Changeling, The Madwoman of Chaillot, Shakespeare in Love, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Aeneid, Taming of the Shrew, Possible Worlds, Beaux' Stratagem, A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear, Richard III, Titus Andronicus, Julius Caesar, Bartholomew Fair, Shakespeare''s Universe.Elsewhere: The Fourth Graders Present An Unnamed Love Suicide (Tiny Room); Jerusalem (Outside the March/Company Theatre); Silence, Art (Grand Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Western Canada Theatre); Hound of the Baskervilles, Robin Hood (Globe Theatre); The Castle (Storefront); Pitmen Painters, Boeing Boeing (Theatre Aquarius); Vigil, Lawrence and Holloman (Prairie Theatre Exchange); Having Hope at Home (Neptune); Twelfth Night, The Tempest (Hartford Stage); Pride and Prejudice (Theatre Calgary/NAC); The Lonely Diner (Blyth Festival); Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night (NAC); Macbeth, Othello (NAC/Citadel); Einstein's Gift (Citadel).

    Portrait of Sophia Walker
    Sophia Walker
    Mrs. Schneller
    2019: Sibyl Chase in Private Lives, Mrs. Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Mrs. Schneller in The Front Page. 11th season. Stratford (selected): Lady Gertrude Chiltern (An Ideal Husband), Calpurnia (To Kill a Mockingbird), Octavius Caesar (Julius Caesar), Julia (The Two Gentlemen of Verona), Nerissa (The Merchant of Venice), Charmian (Antony and Cleopatra), Hermia (A Midsummer Night's Dream), Lady Macduff (Macbeth), Lady Capulet (Romeo and Juliet), Luciana (The Comedy of Errors). Elsewhere: Catarina Loss (recurring) on Shadowhunters, Murdoch Mysteries, Carter Files, Carmilla: The Movie, How to Buy a Baby (web series), Designated Survivor, Guilty Party (miniseries), Black Cop, Carmilla III (web series), 12 Monkeys, Born to Be Blue, Vanessa in The DIVIDE (AMC), Happy One Year (Temple Street/City Life), Salima in Dora-winning production of Ruined (Obsidian/Nightwood). Training: Ryerson University, Birmingham Conservatory, Canadian Film Centre Actors' Conservatory, 2016. Awards: Mary Savidge, Michael Mawson and Jean A. Chalmers awards, 2012 Dora. Et cetera: Love to my family and Gil.
    Portrait of Brigit Wilson
    Brigit Wilson
    Understudy

    2019: Mrs. Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor, appears in Othello and understudy in The Front Page. 14th season. Stratford: Coriolanus, Napoli Milionaria!, School for Scandal, Macbeth, As You Like It, Hypochondriac, Pericles, Alchemist, Swanne, All's Well, Quiet in the Land, Hunchback, Count of Monte Cristo, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Orpheus Descending (Stratford, MTC, Mirvish), Merchant of Venice, The Comedy of Errors, An Ideal Husband, Three Sisters, Bartholomew Fair, Peter Pan, Grapes of Wrath, King John, Christina, Mother Courage. Elsewhere: Agamemnon (Next Stage); Narcisse Mondoux (Grand); Come Back to the Five and Dime… (Grand/Five & Dime Productions - Dora nomination); Enron (Theatre Calgary); The Merry Wives of Windsor, Glorious, Man of La Mancha (TBTB); The Ballad of Stompin' Tom, Another Season's Harvest (Blyth); The Odd Couple (Segal). TV: Harriet Sims, The Campbells (four seasons). Film: Beyond Innocence, Anne of Avonlea, The Marriage Bed, Echoes in the Darkness, Lustre. Online: Twitter @HOOPOOHEART.

CREATIVE

    Michael Healey
    Adaptor
    2019: Adaptor of The Front PageStratford: Adaptor of The Physicists. Elsewhere: His first play was Kicked, a solo one-act produced at the Toronto Fringe in 1996. The Drawer Boy, his first full-length play, was produced at Theatre Passe Muraille in 1999. His other plays include Plan B, Rune Arlidge, The Innocent Eye Test, Generous, The Nuttalls, Courageous, Are You Okay, Proud and 1979. Training: Michael trained at the Ryerson Theatre School. Awards: Canadian awards include the Governor General's Award, the Chalmers Award and five Dora Awards for best new play.
    Graham Abbey
    Director
    2019: Director of The Front Page. Mr. Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor. 20th season. Stratford: Aufidius (Coriolanus), Orgon (Tartuffe), Bolingbroke/Henry IV, conceiver, adaptor (Breath of Kings), Philip the Bastard (King John), Posthumus (Cymbeline), Iago, Petruchio, Henry V, Macbeth, Romeo, Henry VIII, Jaques, Prince Hal, D'Artagnan. Elsewhere: Hamlet (Resurgence); Jeff Skilling (Enron); Sam Byck (Assassins); Charles (School for Scandal) (Chicago). TV: Series lead: The Border. Recurring: Degrassi, Murdoch Mysteries, Covert Affairs, Republic of Doyle. Guest star: Flashpoint, Lost Girl, Rookie Blue, Bomb Girls, Remedy, Frontier, Ransom. Film:Take This Waltz, Casino Jack, Defendor, Stealing Paradise, Angels and Ornaments, Milton's Secret. Awards: Dora, Monte Carlo Television nomination. Directing: Stratford: associate director under Antoni Cimolino, Martha Henry; assistant under Tim Carroll; associate director, Breath of Kings. Director: The Winter's Tale, Measure for Measure, King Lear (Groundling), The Drawer Boy (Festival Players). Et cetera: Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction; Artistic Director, Groundling Theatre and Festival Players of Prince Edward County.
    Lorenzo Savoini
    Set Designer
    2019: Designer of Mother's Daughter and set designer of The Front Page. Seventh season. Stratford: The Two Gentleman of Verona - set and lighting; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Timon of Athens, Agamemnon, Electra, Bereav'd of Light, Fellini Radio Plays, Walk Right Up, Shadows - set; The Flies - set and costumes. Elsewhere: Designs for Soulpepper, Pershing Square Theatre (Off-Broadway), Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, The Grand Theatre, Theatre Calgary, Citadel Theatre, MTC, Tarragon Theatre, Neptune Theatre, NAC, Thousand Islands Playhouse, Blyth Festival, The Globe Theatre, Theatre Aquarius, Buddies in Bad Times, Theatrefront. His design for Soulpepper's Of Human Bondage was selected to represent Canada at the 2015 Prague Quadrennial. Awards: Dora Awards for set and lighting design for Of Human Bondage, Soulpepper Theatre. Et cetera: Lorenzo is the Director of Design for Soulpepper Theatre Company and is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada. Online:  lorenzosavoini.com.
    Dana Osborne
    Costume Designer
    2019: Costume designer of Billy Elliot the Musical, Little Shop of Horrors and The Front Page19th season. Stratford: Costume designer of 22 productions including The Music Man, The Rocky Horror Show and Guys and Dolls. Set and costume designer: Timon of Athens, Henry IV, Part 1. Elsewhere: Upcoming and recent credits: The Penelopiad (Grand Theatre), Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Citadel); A Christmas Carol (Ross Petty); The Hound of the Baskervilles, Androcles and the Lion (Shaw); Bed and Breakfast (Blyth, GCTC, Arts Club, Belfry, Centaur); Flight, The Barber of Seville (Pacific Opera/Opéra de Québec); Art, Picture This, Father Comes Home From the Wars parts 1, 2 and 3 (Soulpepper). Awards: Two Dora Awards for Costume Design, 2012 recipient of the Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award in Costume Design. Online: danaosborne.ca. Instagram: @danaosbornedesign.
    Kimberly Purtell
    Lighting Designer
    2019: Lighting designer of Private Lives, Mother's Daughter and The Front Page. 11th season. Stratford: Brontë: The World Without, Timon of Athens, The Virgin Trial, The Madwoman of Chaillot, Breath of Kings: Rebellion, Breath of Kings: Redemption, Bunny, The Taming of the Shrew, Possible Worlds, The Last Wife, Alice Through the Looking-Glass, Man of La Mancha, Christina, The Girl King, Waiting for Godot, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, The Little Years, The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead. Elsewhere: Arena Stage, Shaw Festival, Canadian Stage, Mirvish Productions, Soulpepper, National Arts Centre, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Theatre Calgary, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Citadel Theatre, Pacific Opera Victoria, Opera Philadelphia, Edmonton Opera, Necessary Angel, Studio 180, Crow's Theatre, among many others. Awards: Pauline McGibbon Award, three Dora Mavor Moore Awards and a Montreal English Theatre Award.
    John Gzowski
    Composer and Sound Designer
    2019: Composer and sound designer of The Front Page. Second season. Stratford: Sound designer of Alice Through the Looking-Glass. Elsewhere: The Hound of the Baskervilles, Dracula, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Shaw Festival); The Crucible, La Bête, Bed and Breakfast (Soulpepper); The Children, Helen Lawrence, Cruel and Tender (Canadian Stage); It's a Wonderful Life (MTC, Canadian Stage - live foley); Twelfth Night (NAC, Theatre Calgary); Theory, Other People's Children, The Vibrator Play (Tarragon); The War of the Worlds (Art of Time); Gziganes (Dancemakers). Recordings: Matador (Patricia O'Callaghan), Frey (Lenka Lichtenberg), Alchemy (Tasa). Awards: Six Dora Mavor Moore Awards for sound design, Juno nomination for Maza Meze. Online: johngzowski.com. Et cetera: As a musician/composer, John has performed at most of Canada's jazz and folk festivals and created music/sound for close to 200 shows.
    Bob White
    Dramaturge
    2019:  Director of The Foerster Bernstein New Play Development Program. Dramaturge of Mother's Daughter, Birds of a Kind and The Front Page. 11th season. Stratford: Dramaturgy credits include Paradise Lost, Brontë: The World Without, The Breathing Hole, The Virgin Trial, Bunny, The Last Wife, Christina, The Girl King, Taking Shakespeare and Hirsch. Elsewhere: Artistic Director, Alberta Theatre Projects, Calgary (1999 to 2009); Co-Director, Banff Playwrights Colony (1997 to 2009); Artistic Director, Factory Theatre, Toronto (1979 to 1987). Director of over 75 productions from Cow Head, Newfoundland, to Victoria, British Columbia, and places in between, but mostly in Calgary and Toronto. Training: Loyola College, Montreal, and University of Alberta. Awards: Member, Order of Canada; Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD), University of Calgary; eight Betty Mitchell Award nominations and three wins: "Outstanding Direction" (Calgary). In 2018, Bob was awarded the GE Lessing Award for Career Achievement by the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas.
    Anita Nittoly
    Fight Director
    2019: Fight Director for the 2019 season. Fourth season. Stratford: 2013: assistant fight director; 2017: associate fight director; 2018: associate fight director. Elsewhere: Centaur Theatre (2019 - The Last Wife, 2018 - Successions, 2017 - The 39 Steps), Carousel Players (2019 - Whole World), Blyth Festival (2018 season), Outside the March/The Company Theatre (2018 - Jerusalem), Canadian Opera Company (2014/15/16). Anita is the stage combat instructor at the National Theatre School in Montréal and teaches workshops year-round across southern Ontario. Anita also works as a stunt performer and stunt actor in the film and TV industry. Selected credits: Enhanced, Teen Titans, The Boys, Dark Matter, KIN, Designated Survivor, 12 Monkeys, Murdoch Mysteries.
    Rodrigo Beilfuss
    Assistant Director
    2019: Assistant director of The Front Page. Fourth season. Stratford (as an actor): Angelo in The Comedy of Errors, Young Siward in Macbeth, Frank Lubey in All My Sons, Fellow Countryman in The Aeneid, Jeweller in Timon of Athens, Tomazo de Piracquo in The Changeling and Small Investor/Press Agent in The Madwoman of Chaillot. Elsewhere: Selected acting: Hamlet (Bravura Theatre), Sea Wall (Theatre by the River), The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare in the Ruins), The Winter's Tale (Tom-Tom), Measure for Measure (LAMDA). Selected directing: Hamlet (SIR), Lungs, Cock, Generous and Bull (TBTR), The Duck Variations, Pariah, About Love & Champagne (Fancy Bred) and Private Lives (assistant director - RMTC). Training: The University of Winnipeg, LAMDA, Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre. Online: rodrigobeilfuss.com; @RBeilfuss. Et cetera: Rodrigo is the Artistic Director of Winnipeg's leading classical theatre, Shakespeare in the Ruins (SIR).
    Kelly Luft
    Stage Manager
    2019: Stage manager of The Front Page. Second season. Stratford: The Komagata Maru Incident (2017). Elsewhere: Pacific Opera Victoria, The Grand Theatre, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Canadian Opera Company, Opera Hamilton, Edmonton Opera, Opera Atelier, The Canadian Stage Company, Tapestry Opera, Drayton Entertainment, Theatre Plus, Lighthouse Festival Theatre, Bluewater Summer Playhouse. Et cetera: Much love to her boys, Jesse and Maclean.
    Bruno Gonsalves
    Assistant Stage Manager
    2019: Assistant stage manager of Private Lives and The Front Page. 28th season. Stratford: Selected productions: Long Day's Journey Into Night, Palmer Park, The Trojan Women, Henry IV, Part 1, Wingfield's Inferno, Cymbeline, No Exit, The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet, Tempest-Tost, Richard III, Wingfield Unbound, The Boy Friend, Tartuffe, HMS Pinafore, The Gondoliers, The Physicists, The Alchemist, The Matchmaker, Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Three Sisters, An Ideal Husband, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Waiting for Godot, Sweet Bird of Youth, Romeo and Juliet, King John, Bacchae, The Merchant of Venice, Uncle Vanya, Bonjour, là, Bonjour. Elsewhere: Grand Theatre, Shaw Festival, Canadian Stage, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Young People's Theatre, Theatre New Brunswick, Tarragon Theatre, Citadel Theatre, Toronto Dance Theatre, Vancouver Playhouse and Mirvish.
    Rebecca Miller
    Assistant Stage Manager
    2019: Assistant stage manager of Billy Elliot the Musical and The Front Page. Stratford debut. Elsewhere: Assistant stage manager: Governor General's Performing Arts Awards, 10 years (National Arts Centre); Wonderful Town, She Loves Me, A Foggy Day (Shaw Festival); The Who's Canadian Tommy tour (Mirvish); The Glass Menagerie (NAC/Mirvish); Othello (NAC/Citadel Theatre). Stage manager: After the Dance (Shaw Festival); Canada Day on Parliament Hill, Ottawa; Stanley Cup 125th Anniversary Tribute Concert, Scotiabank Place, Ottawa; Arms and the Man (NAC/Citadel Theatre/Vancouver Playhouse); An Enemy of the People (NAC/Citadel Theatre). Lighting designer: National Arts Centre 40th Anniversary Gala, CAPPIES Gala Awards, 11 years (NAC), various National Arts Centre Orchestra Pops concerts. Training: National Theatre School of Canada, Technical Production. Awards: Rideau Award Ottawa, Best Lighting Design, Top Girls (Third Wall Theatre); Rideau Award Ottawa nomination, Best Lighting Design, Henry V (Third Wall Theatre).
    Corinne Richards
    Assistant Stage Manager
    2019: Assistant stage manager of The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Front Page. 32nd season. Stratford: Festival productions include 20 Shakespearean plays (some multiple times) plus Napoli Milionaria!, The School for Scandal, All My Sons, The Physicists, The Beaux' Stratagem, The Thrill, Wanderlust, The Grapes of Wrath, The Homecoming, For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again, Home, Memoir, Les Belles-Soeurs, Alice Through the Looking-Glass, Amadeus, Little Women, The Country Wife, Pride and Prejudice, An Ideal Husband, Ghosts, The Lark and a 1998 run at the City Center in New York City of Much Ado About Nothing and The Miser. Elsewhere: Corinne has also worked for the Grand Theatre, Manitoba Theatre Centre, the National Arts Centre, the Red Barn Theatre and Douglas Beattie Productions. Training: University of Waterloo. Et cetera: Hi, Timothy! I hope you enjoy the show.
    Meghan Callan
    Production Stage Manager
    2019: Production stage manager of the Festival Theatre and Avon Theatre. 19th season. Stratford (selected): Paradise Lost, The Virgin Trial, A Little Night Music, The Physicists, A Midsummer Night's Dream (2014), Tommy, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Tempest (2010). Elsewhere: At Soulpepper, Meghan stage-managed The Virgin Trial and The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? Meghan has worked in stage management for the Shaw Festival, Atlantic Theatre Festival, Theatre New Brunswick, NAC, Citadel Theatre, Globe Theatre and Lighthouse Festival Theatre. She has also worked in stage management for corporate clients such as General Motors, Toyota Canada, the Retail Council of Canada and the Canadian International Auto Show. Training: BFA, York University. Awards: 2017 Tyrone Award, Stratford Festival. Et cetera: Much love and thanks to Beatrice, Ella and Peter for their support and for making her so happy.
    Cynthia Toushan
    Production Stage Manager
    2019: Production stage manager of the Festival Theatre. Stage manager of Billy Elliot the Musical. 23rd season. Stratford: Shows include A Chorus Line, Crazy for You, Fiddler on the Roof, Camelot, Oklahoma!, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Man of La Mancha, Hello, Dolly!, The King and I and others. Elsewhere: Over 35 years as a stage manager; over 25 years with the Canadian Opera Company as a stage manager and choreographer; production stage manager and resident director of Jersey Boys, Toronto; 25 years as a singer/dancer and choreographer in Canadian theatre; associate director/choreographer to her mentor, Alan Lund. Cynthia has worked in many forms of live entertainment including gala events, music concerts, opening ceremonies and variety-show fundraisers. Et cetera: Love to her fiancé, Paul, daughters, Stephanie and Jennifer, son-in-law, Andrew, and her grandchildren, Kennedy, Koston and Connor. Being a grandmother is the best job in the world!

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