A musical fable of Broadway, based on a story and characters of Damon RunyonMusic and lyrics by Frank LoesserBook by Jo Swerling and Abe BurrowsDirector and Choreographer Donna Feore
ROMANCE BY CHANCE
Considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, this dance spectacular travels from Times Square to Havana, Cuba – where all bets are off . Featuring “Luck Be a Lady” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”
Production Co-Sponsors
Production support is generously provided by Mary Ann & Robert Gorlin, by Riki Turofsky & Charles Petersen and by Catherine & David Wilkes.
Support for the 2017 season of the Festival Theatre is generously provided by Daniel Bernstein & Claire Foerster.
2017: Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls and understudy in Tartuffe. 15th season. Stratford: A Little Night Music, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,Pericles, The Physicists, King John, The Pirates of Penzance, 42nd Street, Mother Courage, Richard III,Titus Andronicus, Three Sisters, The Merchant of Venice,Cabaret, The Trojan Women, Macbeth, The Tempest, As You Like It, Agamemnon, Timon of Athens, The Swanne: Princess Charlotte, London Assurance, Twelfth Night, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?Elsewhere: The Immigrant (Harold Green), London Road (Canadian Stage), Othello (Segal Centre), The Winter's Tale (McCarter/Shakespeare Theatre), Humble Boy (Pioneer Theatre), Phèdre (ACT), Woman in Mind (Berkshire Theatre Festival), The Spitfire Grill (George Street, world première), The Turn of the Screw (Grand Theatre), The Importance of Being Earnest (Roundabout), Copenhagen (national tour). Film/TV: 12 Monkeys, Murdoch Mysteries, Dark Matter,Reign, Defiance, Law & Order. Training: Juilliard.
2017: Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls and understudy in Tartuffe. Third season. Stratford: Anne Egerman in A Little Night Music, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Julie Jordan in Carousel, Sister Sophia in The Sound of Music, Clara in Passion. Elsewhere: Celeste #2/Elaine in Sunday in the Park with George (TIFT); Iris in world première of The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble (Factory Theatre/Obsidian Theatre); Obeah Opera (Nightwood Theatre); Recurring John, Paradises Lost (Toronto SummerWorks); Starbright Christmas, Canada Sings, Godspell (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia); Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Driftwood Theatre). Film/TV: Motives & Murders, The Worst Thing I Ever Did. Awards: Syd and Shirley Banks Prize for Emerging Artists (Acting Up). Online: Twitter: @AlexisLGordon. Training: BFA Acting, University of Windsor. Et cetera: "Love and thanks to my mom and dad, family, friends, mentors, the creative teams and the gang at TH."
2017: Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls and Captain Corcoran in HMS Pinafore. 14th season. Stratford: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Shakespeare in Love, Hamlet, The Alchemist, Man of La Mancha, Crazy for You, Tommy, Fiddler on the Roof, 42nd Street, Grapes of Wrath, Misanthrope, Merry Wives of Windsor, Kiss Me, Kate, Evita, Cyrano de Bergerac, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Odyssey, Midsummer Night's Dream, Coriolanus. Elsewhere: London Road, Indian Ink, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Into the Woods, Dream (Canadian Stage); Assassins (TIFT/Birdland); Orson's Shadow (Pilot Group); A New Brain (Acting Up Stage); Shrek, A Christmas Story (Grand); One for the Pot, Forum (Drayton); The Producers (Neptune); Seussical, Sylvia (Aquarius); The Three Musketeers (Chicago Shakespeare); Guys and Dolls (MTC/Citadel/TC); Christmas Carol, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Citadel); The Foursome, For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again (New Stages); Three Sisters (ATF). Training: National Theatre School.
2017: Appears in Guys and Dolls and Romeo and Juliet. Second season. Stratford: A Chorus Line, The Hypochondriac. Elsewhere: Funny Girl - META-nominated (Segal Centre); Anne of Green Gables, Alice Through the Looking-Glass, Canada Rocks (Charlottetown Festival); Cats - Dora nomination (Mirvish - Panasonic). Film/TV: Full Out (2015), Big Fun Weeknights (YTV), Get Up 'N Move (Revolver Films). Awards: Guthrie Award (Stratford Festival), Amy Wallis Scholarship (Charlottetown Festival), gold and silver medals (International Tap Dance Championships). Online: Instagram/Twitter: @EricMackAbel. Et cetera: "Much love to Mom and Dad, Devon, TH gang and all my friends whose love and support means the world."
2017: Appears in Guys and Dolls and HMS Pinafore. Fourth season. Stratford: Al in A Chorus Line, Henrik Egerman in A Little Night Music, Rolf Gruber in The Sound of Music, Pinball Lad in Tommy and appeared in Fiddler on the Roof and Carousel. Elsewhere: Johnny alternate in Green Day's American Idiot (first U.S. tour); Hank Majewski in Jersey Boys (Dancap); Gilbert in Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown); Bobby in Cabaret (Theatre Aquarius). Film/TV: Captain von Trapp in the Disney movie The Pacifier starring Vin Diesel. Training: Etobicoke School of the Arts. Online: Twitter: @GabrielNacci. Et cetera: Huge thanks to his family, Colin McMurray and Donna Feore. He could not be here without the incredible support of his wife, Robin Calvert. This season is dedicated to his dog Sophie.
2017: Appears in Guys and Dolls and HMS Pinafore. Sixth season. Stratford: Greg in A Chorus Line, As You Like It, The Sound of Music, Carousel, Crazy for You, Man of La Mancha, Tommy, Fiddler on the Roof, 42nd Street, The Pirates of Penzance, Next to Normal, Passion. Elsewhere: Siegfried (COC); Cabaret, White Christmas (RMTC); Miracle on 34th Street (Grand); Hairspray, Les Feux Follets (Charlottetown); Hairspray, How to Succeed… (Drayton); Peter Pan, High School Musical (Neptune); Grief: Another Common Bond (co-creator, Winchester Street Theatre); Peter Pan (Ross Petty). Film/TV: Soundcheck: Odd Squad (PBS); How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? (CBC); Feist music videos "1, 2, 3, 4" and "My Moon, My Man." Training: Canadian College of Performing Arts. Online: Twitter: @mattarmet. Instagram: @mat2eh. Et cetera: Much love to my family and friends, especially those back home in Saskatchewan.
2017: Appears in Guys and Dolls and Romeo and Juliet. Third season. Stratford: A Chorus Line, As You Like It, Carousel, The Adventures of Pericles. Elsewhere: North American Broadway tour: Movin' Out; Drayton Entertainment: Twist and Shout, Damn Yankees and Dance Legends; Canadian Opera Company: Don Quichotte. Film/TV: American Girl: Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight; Rise, Shaftesbury Films. Training: Alex grew up dancing at his family-owned dance studio, Dean/Black School of Performing Arts. Et cetera: Alex would like to thank his wife, Rochelle, family and friends for their love and support.
2017: Swing in and associate choreographer of Guys and Dolls and choreographer of Romeo and Juliet and The Madwoman of Chaillot. 12th season. Stratford: Larry/assistant choreographer, A Chorus Line; King's Attendant/La Troupe de Molière/choreographer, The Hypochondriac; assistant choreographer, The Sound of Music; Crazy for You, Man of La Mancha, Tommy, Fiddler on the Roof (2013, 2000), 42nd Street, The Pirates of Penzance, Kiss Me, Kate, Evita, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, West Side Story, The Music Man, Moby Dick, Oklahoma!, My One and Only, Oliver!, South Pacific; choreographer: Cynthia Dale in Concert: Outside Looking In. Elsewhere: Assistant choreographer, West Side Story (Vancouver Opera); White Christmas, Annie (Drayton Entertainment); Mel Brooks's The Producers (Canon Theatre); Gangster #2 in The Drowsy Chaperone, Evita (Theatre Calgary and MTC); Forever Swing (Winter Garden Theatre); Cinderella (Grand Theatre). Et cetera: Stephen would like to thank his family for their constant support, especially his wife, Rachel.
2017: Appears in Guys and Dolls and swing in HMS Pinafore. Second season. Stratford: Mark in A Chorus Line and La Troupe de Molière in The Hypochondriac. Elsewhere: Sweet Charity, Light Up the Sky, Peter and the Starcatcher (Shaw Festival); On the Town (Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival, New York); Pip in Great Expectations (Highlands Summer Festival); Excalibur Trilogy (Florence Ballet Company, Italy); Les Feux Follets (Charlottetown Festival); Hello, Dolly!, A Doll's House, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Theatre Sheridan). Training: Colton is a proud graduate of the Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program at Sheridan College. Awards: Brian Linehan Triple Threat Award (2012, 2013, 2014). Online: Instagram/Twitter: @coltonccurtis. Et cetera: "Endless thanks to Donna, Steve, Laura, Franklin, Lezlie, Kerry and Robin for this opportunity; Bruce, Geoff and the Talent House gang; and to my loving family!"
2017: Mimi in Guys and Dolls and appears in HMS Pinafore. Fourth season. Stratford: Kristine in A Chorus Line, Liesl von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Patsy in Crazy for You; appeared in As You Like It and The Beaux' Stratagem. Elsewhere: Mary Poppins, Legally Blonde, A Christmas Carol (Theatre Aquarius); Siegfried (COC); Elf (Grand Theatre); West Side Story, The Jungle Book (Neptune); Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins (Rainbow). Film/TV: Principal dancer on Bomb Girls, Suits, Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure, L.A. Complex, Make It Happen. Training: Sheridan College Music Theatre, Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Online: Twitter: @alex_herzog_; Instagram: @alexandranicoleh. Et cetera: For my incredible mother and friends who are family.
2017: Carmen in Guys and Dolls and appears in HMS Pinafore. Fourth season. Stratford: Judy in A Chorus Line, Malla in A Little Night Music, Betsy in Crazy for You, The Sound of Music, Carousel, Man of La Mancha. Elsewhere: Dancer in Siegfried (Canadian Opera Company); Chorus in Cabaret (French version, Tandem Productions); Chorus in Chantons sous la pluie (Singin' in the Rain, French version, Just for Laughs); Rockette in Radio City Christmas Spectacular; singer in the revue '80s Flashback (Tropicana Hotel Casino, Atlantic City). Film/TV: 42nd Street chorus girl in Warehouse 13, dancer on game show Fidèles au Poste. Et cetera: Bonnie wants to thank her family and friends for always supporting and believing in her.
2017: Lt. Brannigan, Joey Biltmore in Guys and Dolls and Apothecary in Romeo and Juliet. Fourth season. Stratford: Doctor, Macbeth; Oliver, As You Like It; Deuxfois, The Hypochondriac; Marcellus, Fortinbras, Hamlet; Philip, Pedant, The Taming of the Shrew; Boyet, Love's Labour's Lost; René Descartes, Christina, The Girl King; Red Knight/Walrus, Alice Through the Looking-Glass. Elsewhere: Jaques in As You Like It, Cassius in Julius Caesar, Lucio in Measure for Measure, Jake in Stones in His Pockets (Citadel); Slim in Of Mice and Men (Canadian Stage/Theatre Calgary); Tybalt/Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet (Theatre Calgary); Everard in Age of Arousal, Ned in The Gift of the Coat (ATP); Milan in Rock 'n' Roll (Canadian Stage/Citadel); Kent in King Lear, Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night (Freewill Shakespeare Festival). Film/TV: Blackstone, Mixed Blessings. Training: BFA, Acting, University of Alberta. Awards: Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award, Measure for Measure, Citadel. Et cetera: Love to Breanna.
2017: Appears in Guys and Dolls and HMS Pinafore. Third season. Stratford: A Chorus Line, A Little Night Music, Crazy for You, The Beaux' Stratagem. Elsewhere: Chicago, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan (Drayton Entertainment); Beauty and the Beast (Theatre Aquarius); Dance Legends (Drayton Entertainment, Grand Theatre); Return to Grace (Fallsview Casino, Asian tour); Summer in the City (Stage West Calgary). Film/TV: Warrior, Warehouse 13, Hellcats, Bomb Girls, L.A. Complex, Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure, Make It Happen and Christmas Dance. Training/Teaching: Sheridan Institute's prestigious Music Theatre Performance Program and has also taught at the college. Awards: Jean A. Chalmers Training Award; Lindsay Thomas "The Show Must Go On" Award. Et cetera: "THANK YOU, Mom, Dad, Ry, Talent House team, family and friends - all deeply loved." bethanykovarik.com.
2017: Appears in Guys and Dolls and HMS Pinafore. Second season. Stratford: Butch in A Chorus Line and La Troupe de Molière in The Hypochondriac. Elsewhere: Luis in West Side Story (Citadel Theatre); Clara's Dream and Shumka at 50! China tour (Shumka/SPI Productions); Angel in Rent and Fector in Dogfight (Edmonton Fringe); Larry in Company (Grant MacEwan Theatre). Training: Grant MacEwan University Theatre Arts. Awards: Sterling Award for West Side Story, Citadel Theatre. Online: Twitter: @Jordan_Mah; Instagram: @Djmah5. Et cetera: Jordan would like to thank Bruce and everyone at Talent House, his family, friends and mentors for all the incredible support. "Life is a whirlwind, so spread those wings and fly!"
2017: Appears in Guys and Dolls and Romeo and Juliet. Eighth season. Stratford: Don in A Chorus Line, As You Like It, The Sound of Music, Carousel, Crazy for You, Man of La Mancha, The King and I, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, Hello, Dolly!, Into the Woods, Oklahoma!, My One and Only. Elsewhere: Siegfried (COC); Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (North American tour); The Little Mermaid, White Christmas, Mary Poppins (Valentine), Big Band Legends, Annie, 9 to 5 (Bob Enright), Dance Legends, Brigadoon (Harry Beaton), Evita, Peter Pan, Robin Hood, Me and My Girl (Drayton); Joseph…, Sweet Charity (Stage West Calgary); Beauty and the Beast, Legends (Grand); Guys and Dolls (Citadel, Theatre Calgary, MTC); Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown); Broadway Encore! (Tokyo Disneyland); Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker (Ballet Jörgen). Film/TV: Hairspray, Bollywood/Hollywood, The Other Me, Charms for the Easy Life, Earth: Final Conflict, Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
2017: Appears in Guys and Dolls and HMS Pinafore. Third season. Stratford: Bobby in A Chorus Line, First Page in As You Like It, Swing in Fiddler on the Roof and appeared in Tommy. Elsewhere: Twist and Shout, Legally Blonde, Damn Yankees, Footloose, The Little Mermaid, Spamalot, Chicago, The Pirates of Penzance, Aladdin: The Panto (Drayton Entertainment); The Wizard of Oz (Ross Petty); Greg in A Chorus Line, Cabaret (Rose Theatre); Summer in the City (Stage West Calgary); Booth, Assassins; Victor, Cabaret. Film/TV: Making It (CHUM TV), Nothing to Lose (MuchMusic). Awards: Z103.5 Pop Award (Sheridan College Music Theatre Program). Online: Instagram: @NickNesbitt. Et cetera: Nick is thrilled to be back for another season here at the Stratford Festival. Special thanks to the Talent House gang, Donna, and his incredible family and friends for their constant love and support! xoxo
2017: Calvin in Guys and Dolls and appears in HMS Pinafore. Second season. Stratford: Shakespeare in Love. Elsewhere: The Wizard of Oz, Shrek: The Musical, Barfee in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Grand Theatre); Billy Elliot (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); Evangeline (Charlottetown Festival/Citadel); Les Misérables, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins (Rainbow Stage); The Sound of Music, 9 to 5: The Musical (Drayton Entertainment); Robin Hood, High School Musical (Theatre Aquarius); Made in Canada (Smile Theatre); Broadway: Andrew Lloyd Webber (Port Hope); An Evening with Jason Robert Brown (Glenn Gould Studio); Come From Away (CMTP/Sheridan). Training: Proud graduate of Sheridan's Music Theatre Performance Program and George Brown's Dance Program. Et cetera: Love and thanks to the Talent House, Jade, and my family for their constant support.
2017: Martha in Guys and Dolls and appears in HMS Pinafore. Third season. Stratford: Diana Morales in A Chorus Line, A Little Night Music, The Sound of Music, Carousel. Elsewhere: The Sound of Music (Aquarius); Third Spirit, The Magic Flute; Amore, L'incoronazione di Poppea; seven seasons with Artists of Atelier Ballet, including tours to L'Opéra Royal de Versailles and Salzburg Festival; Bach Mass in B minor (Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra); Toronto All-Star Big Band. Film/TV: Magic Flute Diaries. Recordings: Shrek's Fairytale Kingdom (DreamWorks/Capcom); UFOs: A Secret History (History Channel). Training: BMus, Masters of Musicology, University of Toronto; School of Atelier Ballet. Awards: SSHRC; OGS. Et cetera: "Thanks to my family and friends (especially Jenn and Mark!) for your unconditional love and support, Ken for providing a solid artistic foundation in music, Jeannette and Marshall for introducing me to the stage and mentoring me over many, many years, and Rachel at NCA for the encouragement!"
2017: Assistant director of Guys and Dolls and The Madwoman of Chaillot. Sixth season. Stratford: Ann is very happy to be back at the Festival as assistant director to Donna Feore. Assistant director: A Chorus Line, The Sound of Music, Crazy for You, Fiddler on the Roof. Actor: Emily in Our Town, Agnes in The School for Wives (with Brian Bedford) and Les Belles-Soeurs. Elsewhere: Assistant to the Creative Producer and Director: Life Reflected, an immersive multimedia project with NACO. Actor: ensemble at Shaw Festival for six seasons; worked in regional theatres across the country. Et cetera: Ann co-created Start Stratford Arts and Culture Magazine, an online publication for which she writes and does photography. Online: startstratford.com.
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