I recently wrote about the latest developments at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, as another season is about to get underway. Closer to home, our very own Shaw Festival is also gearing up for another great season - their 51st - that includes some pretty impressive shows already in early rehearsals for the new season.
First and foremost, of course, is the big musical this season, Ragtime, at the Festival Theatre. The musical, depicting three families in turn-of-the-century America, illustrates an era of innovation and change set to the rhythms of ragtime music. To get the interest already going on the marquee musical, the Shaw Festival is launching Get Ready to Rag!, a contest to find the next great ragtime pianist. The Festival is inviting amateur piano players over the age of 13 to upload video clips of themselves playing their favourite ragtime composition to The Shaw's Facebook page. The winner will receive a Yamaha Clavinova digital piano valued at over $ 2000 and have the opportunity to perform for a live audience on Ragtime's opening night in May.
Contestants have three minutes to wow the judges and will be assesses on talent, enthusiasm and showmanship. The judges, incidentally, include The Shaw's Artistic Director, Jackie Maxwell; internationally-renowned musician Michael Kaeshammer; jazz singer and broadcaster Heather Bambrick and The Shaw's Music Director, Paul Sportelli.
The Grand Prize, in addition to the Yamaha Clavinova and the chance to perform in the lobby at the opening night performance of Ragtime, includes four tickets to the opening night performance and overnight accommodation in Niagara-on-the-Lake courtesy of Vintage Hotels So all in all, it is a pretty nice prize package.
The contest, open to Ontario residents only, by the way, closes April 30th; the winner will be announced May 10th. For complete eligibility requirements and full contest rules, visit www.facebook.com/shawfestival and click on the Shaw Festival contest tab. Good luck if you plan to enter!
Now if you just can't wait for opening week to catch some of the new shows this season at Shaw, you can book for a preview performance at a reduced rate. The Shaw Festival is currently promoting a Niagara Neighbours Spring Celebration, with tickets to preview performances of French Without Tears; A Man and Some Women; Present Laughter and Misalliance available for only $ 39, or $ 20 for students on select performances. If you want and early performance of Ragtime, they will be available for only $ 58. The offer ends April 9th, just before the preview season begins April 10th, and you must use code 11455 to book.
You can book your tickets by calling1-800.511.SHAW or go to www.shawfest.com.
See you at the theatre!
March 24th, 2012.
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