Two timeless holiday season tales that aim to bring comfort and joy to all are returning to the stage at the Shaw Festival.
Christmas spirits of the Dickensian variety are again inhabiting the Royal George Theatre as the classic “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens opened this week.
And Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s “Brigadoon,” one of the most enchanting and beloved musicals, returns to the Festival Theatre starting Nov. 15. Both shows run until Dec. 23.
In the spirit of the season, non-perishable food items will be collected for the Newark Neighbours food bank at all performances.
Brendan McMurtry-Howlett directs the Shaw’s 2023 version of “A Christmas Carol,” with Sanjay Talwar taking on the role of everyone’s favourite miser, Ebenezer Scrooge.
He is joined by Shawn Wright as Christmas Present and Élodie Gillett as Christmas Past, with Jason Cadieux as Mr. Hubble, Patty Jamieson as Mrs. Dilber, Andrew Lawrie as Bob Cratchit, Kiana Woo as Emily, Marlene Ginader as Belle, Jacqueline Thair as Mrs. Cratchit, Jonathan Tan as Fred, and swings Gryphyn Karimloo and Allison McCaughey.
For those who enjoy selfies, following each performance, audience members can take a photo with the cast of “A Christmas Carol.”
At the Festival Theatre, “Brigadoon” adds musical magic to the most wonderful time of the year.
Directed by Glynis Leyshon, this romantic celebration of song and dance features classic tunes like “Almost Like Being in Love” and “I’ll Go Home with Bonnie Jean.”
While hunting in the Scottish Highlands, New Yorkers Tommy Albright (Stewart Adam McKensy) and Jeff Douglas (Kevin McLachlan), stumble upon Brigadoon – a village that appears out of the mist for one day every century.
After falling for villager Fiona MacLaren (Alexis Gordon), Tommy realizes the bewitched hamlet will once again vanish at sunset.
As the day draws to a close, he must decide whether to return to the world he knows or stay forever in Brigadoon with the woman he loves.
Tickets are available through the box office at 1-800-511-SHAW (7429) and online at shawfest.com.
