We scanned the Stratford Festival's announcement of its 2009 season with interest. If 2008 was a lineup loses a lot of money, as reported, the institution in 2009 to do better? (See my last article, "The leadership debacle at the Stratford Festival, artistic director of the fiasco at the Stratford Festival and its fatal consequences.)
More selfishly, how many of the shows I personally would like all the way from Rochester Trekto see New York in 2009? If we compare this year's lineup with next year and judge:
Hamlet (2008) vs. Macbeth (2009) (both at the Festival Theatre)
There is a box-office draw. Hamlet is the best known and most popular game in the world, and Ben Carlson gives a good performance. (See my review of this year's Hamlet.) But Macbeth is not that long, and witches and woodland on the move.
I will show the 2009? Maybe. Macbeth is low on my list of favorite Shakespeareplays.
Romeo and Juliet (2008) vs. A Midsummer Night's Dream (2009) (both at the Festival Theatre)
The show will draw in more likely 2009. Both appeal to romantics, but people expect, and probably will, as many of the effects Lion King-style special A Midsummer Night's Dream. production and the 2008 Romeo and Juliet is a disaster.
I will show the 2009? I hope so. It's not my favorite Shakespeare comedy because I do not laugh at his jokes right now. But I amwilling to give him a fair chance.
The Taming of the Shrew (2008 at the Festival Theater) vs. Julius Caesar (2009 at the Avon Theater)
The 2009 takes a better show. A lot of people know Julius Caesar from school. And it's better that the Taming of the Shrew, to avoid some people because it can be seen as misogynistic done.
I will show the 2009? Absolutely. I love Julius Caesar, and I've never seen on stage.
All's Well That Ends Well (2008) vsCyrano de Bergerac (Edmond Rostand) (2009) (both at the Festival Theatre)
In probable popularity, a tie. Shakespeare this year is not known, but there are enough different versions of the Cyrano story over the years that the public will. But arriving in large numbers sufficient to fill the theater for the festival? I doubt it.
As for me, my interest in Cyrano's just not as high. (We liked the end of this year, so goodWell, yes.)
Love's Labour's Lost (2008) vs. Bartholomew Fair (Ben Jonson) (2009) (both at the Tom Patterson Theater)
In probable popularity, an edge to 2008. The public does not know or to play, but Shakespeare has more fans than Ben Jonson, and this year, Love's Labour's Lost is a delight.
I'll see Bartholomew Fair? I hope so. Undeterred by eye-glasses Edward II several years ago, I try another Elizabethan playwright.
Fuente Ovejuna (2008) compared toThree Sisters (2009) (both at the Tom Patterson Theater)
In probable popularity, an edge to 2009. Theater-goers who only want "fun" takes control away from seeing Chekhov. But see Chekhov before they can buy tickets to a play 400 years, the Spanish have never heard.
I will show the 2009? Maybe. We have seen a remarkable good performance of the three sisters of the Shaw Festival several years ago, and I never watch the game. But there may be anticipated. IfMartha Henry is also a director, could tip the scales in favor.
Caesar and Cleopatra (2008) vs The Importance of Being Earnest (2009) (both at the Avon Theater)
In probable popularity, an edge to 2009. Of course, Christopher Plummer is a tie, but who wants to miss Brian Bedford in drag? Stratford Festival patrons love Oscar Wilde.
For our part, we thought that the production of "The Importance of Being Earnest at the festival several years ago, Shawcould not be improved, but we love the game and can not see too often. And Bedford's killing us.
The Trojan Women (2008 at the Avon Theater) vs. Phedre (by Racine) (2009 at the Tom Patterson Theater)
In probable popularity, an edge to 2009. classical works have a strong appeal. But you might also suspect that the interest of French Canadians would pull the Racine play better.
We want to see Phedre. Our interest in the French classics was stimulated by a long time agocollege course in French literature (in translation), and we regret the lack of other promising opportunities, played by French master playwright to watch.
The Music Man (2008 at the Avon Theater) vs. West Side Story (2009 at the Theatre Festival)
In probable popularity, a tie. But most tickets are sold Theatre Festival West Side Story in the larger ones.
But probably not. West Side Story leaves me cold, as I mentioned in a previous post praiseBernstein's Wonderful Town, playing in the Shaw Festival this year.
Cabaret (2008) vs a funny thing happened on the way to the Forum (2009) (both at the Avon Theater)
In probable popularity, an edge to 2008. Sondheim A Funny Thing is a better show in my opinion, but it was a Broadway Cabaret, warm in Toronto, and on the big screen for the last ten years.
We want to see the 2009 show. A Funny Thing Happened is on the Way to the Forum is a hilariously funnyShow with a score much. And we will need something lighter after a heavy dose of the classics.
There is love (2008) vs. Ever yours, Oscar (2009) (both at the Tom Patterson Theater)
In probable popularity, an edge to 2009. The combination of Oscar Wilde and Brian Bedford will pull in
I will show the 2009? Probably not. Somehow we are not going to see shows of readings.
Hughie / Krapp's Last Tape (2008) compared to offenders (by Morris Panych)(2009)
Palmer Park (2008) vs Zastrozzi (George Walker) (2009)
Moby Dick (2008) vs. Rice Boy (by Sunil Kuruvilla) (2009) (all in the Studio Theatre)
In probable popularity, an edge to 2008. People know and like Brian Dennehy (Hughie / Krapp 's Last Tape), and each one of Melville's novel. It may be that all three Canadian divisions are scheduled for 2009 in Canada, but Americans in general do not know.
I will be one of 2009 shows theStudio Theatre? Probably not. If I do, it can play Panych. We saw his work as a director at the Shaw Festival. Affirmative action program of the Stratford Festival of The Canadian playwrights is fine, but the Festival should understand that its numerous American patrons, or if there is a Canadian playwright.
Honestly, look at the 2009 season as a whole, do not see why the management of the Stratford Festival would be toExpect the most profitable of the 2008 poster. This is a good financial decision to make a great musical theater back to the festival. And personally I'm glad the opportunity to see Racine and Ben Jonson. But besides the Shakespeare plays, the only game right seems likely to draw full houses The Importance of Being Earnest.
Personally I am disappointed that only three Shakespeare plays in 2009 introduced - a bit 'ironic, now that they changed the namethe Stratford Shakespeare Festival. I wanted to play a story in this year, like Richard II or Henry V. I regret not mollified by the Festival, "that the two musicals have roots in Shakespeare is weak inside.
And I'm seriously disappointed that no Shakespeare play is for the year 2008 in the Tom Patterson Theatre expected. Shakespeare works best in this place than in any other theater in Stratford, and perhaps better than any other theatereverywhere.
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