Spring is here; can summer be far behind?

First of all, my apologies for not writing last weekend, but family visiting kept me hopping all weekend long and by the time I was caught up after the weekend, another weekend was just about here, so I decided to take a break.  But without further delay, some words today on the coming summer theatre and concert season, which is fast approaching.

These days the releases from both Shaw and Stratford Festivals are coming in fast and furious, as both major theatre festivals ramp things up for new seasons with preview performances of several shows now underway.  This is a great way to catch a hot show before the full-price tickets come into effect.  It may not be the finished product as it is a preview after all, but they will be darn close at this point.

At Shaw, preview performances are already underway for the big musical, Ragtime, which I already hear is fabulous, as well as Present Laughter, A Man and Some Women and Misalliance.  Tickets for all of these productions are already available at the box-office or online by going to www.shawfest.com.  The other news this week from Shaw is the fact the festival welcomes War Horse author Michael Morpurgo, whose novel has been adapted for the stage as well as an epic Steven Spielberg treatment in a film released last year.  Mr. Morpurgo, incidentally, is the son of former Shaw Ensemble member Tony van Bridge, who passed away in 2004 at the age of 87.

Michael Morpurgo will be giving an exclusive talk at the Shaw's Festival Theatre on May 9th at 11 am, and the event is open to Shaw Members and seminar attendees.  It also includes a meet and greet following his Connections to the Shaw talk.

Meantime over at the Stratford Festival, preview performances are already underway for Much Ado About Nothing, directed by former Shaw Artistic Director Christopher Newton, the musicals 42nd Street, MacHomer and Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance.  MacHomer, by the way, is an early running show, as it opens today and only runs until May 26th.  Created and performed by Rick Miller, the  play is essentially Shakespeare's MacBeth enacted by characters from The Simpsons.  Sounds rather, uh, interesting, don't you think?!

Other news from Stratford this week Artistic Director Des McAnuff received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award last night at Rideau Hall, followed by a gala performance at the National Arts Centre, honouring each Governor General Performing Arts Award recipients.  Des had a great year in 2011, directing some great productions such as Twelfth Night and Jesus Christ Superstar, which is now on Broadway and has been nominated for two Tony Awards.  Aside from all that, he planned this season, the 60th anniversary season at Stratford, which sees the return of Oscar-winning actor Christopher Plummer in his one-man show A Word or Two.  For tickets, go to www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com.

Still with Stratford but moving exclusively to music, the Stratford Summer Music 12th season announced their lineup this week, including performances by the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, Daniel Taylor, hot young Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki and many others.  The festival runs from July 16th to August 26th, and tickets are available by going to www.stratfordsummermusic.ca.  I will be including full concert listings on my website, www.finemusic.ca very shortly.

Just down the road in Elora, my favourite summer music festival sent their season brochure out this week, and the festival this year, running from July 13th to August 5th, features performances by John McDermott, Anagnoson & Kinton, The Barra MacNeils and many others.  There's lots more planned, both classical and otherwise, so check out the website at www.elorafestival.com for more and to order tickets.  Again, I will be including full event listings on my website at www.finemusic.ca shortly.

And finally, I will be attending an announcement in Lewiston, New York, later this month to find out what is planned this season at Artpark, and I will be reporting on that in this space later this month.

So, lots to see and do both right at home and not too far away, and this is only a sampling of what's available to enjoy.  As information comes available I will be expanding my calendar listings on my website, so be sure to check back often for complete details and to order music throughout the summer season.

Enjoy the season!

May 5th, 2012.