Niagara Falls 
As Ontario is entering Step 2 of its Reopening plan on June 30th, Niagara Region’s famous theatre festival inspired by the spirit of Bernard Shaw has announced Outdoors @ The Shaw, a series of concerts and events scheduled to take place from July 10 to October 9, 2021, in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Billed, part carnival, part theatre celebration, the lineup includes concerts and unique theatrical experiences in front of Shaw Festival Theatres – the BMO Stage, Humeniuk Foundation Stage, Royal George Theatre’s Gallery Patio, Nona Macdonald Stage in addition to the Festival Theatre grounds.
Outdoors @ The Shaw is presented in addition to the open air performances of The Devil’s Disciple at the Nona Macdonald Stage, Flush at the Humeniuk Foundation Stage, Charley’s Aunt at the BMO Stage and the Shaw Festival’s presentation of A Short History of Niagara at both the Humeniuk Foundation Stage and the BMO Stage.
The Shaw Festival is one of Canada’s premier theatre festivals.
Outdoors @ The Shaw Lineup:
GATSBY’S JAZZ, SONNY’S BLUES
Excerpts from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel and James Baldwin’s story combine with music and are brought to life by Kaleb Alexander, Fiona Byrne, Peter Fernandes, Alexis Gordon, Nafeesa Monroe, Kiera Sangster, Travis Seetoo and a four-piece band. Featured songs include “Am I Blue?”, “Beale Street Blues”, “Ain’t We Got Fun” and the gospel hymn, “If Only I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again.”
July 10 to October 8 (17 performances)
The BMO Stage, 10 Queen’s Parade on The Commons
$35/$30 under 30
THE DUKE AND TWO IRENES
The music of Duke Ellington returns in a new revue that also includes songs by Irene Higginbotham and Irene Kitchings – two 20th century African-American songwriters and musicians with ties to singer Billie Holiday. An accomplished songwriter and concert pianist, Higginbotham co-authored “Good Morning Heartache” in 1946, while jazz pianist, band leader and songwriter Kitchings co-wrote “Some Other Spring” in 1939 – both were recorded by Billie Holiday. Accompanied by a seven-piece band, ensemble members Andrew Broderick, James Daly, Kristi Frank, Julie Lumsden*, Marie Mahabal, Olivia Sinclair-Brisbane**, Jonathan Tan and Kelly Wong will perform a selection of songs featuring “Good Morning Heartache”, “Some Other Spring”, “Satin Doll” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”.
July 14 to October 7 (14 performances)
Festival Theatre Grounds, South Lawn Patio, 10 Queen’s Parad
$35/$30 under 30
CHITRA
A play in one act by Rabindranath Tagore
Gabriella Sundar Singh is Chitra, warrior princess. Determined to win the heart of Prince Arjuna, she asks the gods Mandana and Vasanta to cloak her fighting virtuosity with such beauty he would never leave her side. Based on a tale from the Mahabharata and written by Nobel Laureate Tagore, this lyrical drama about the New Woman was an often explored theme by his contemporary, Bernard Shaw. Chitra also features Andrew Lawrie, Marie Mahabal, Michelle Mohammed and Sanjay Talwar.
July 15 to 31 (6 performances)
Royal George Theatre Gallery Lawn and Gardens, 85 Queen Street
$35/$30 under 30
COFFEE CONCERTS
Classical music concerts performed by a string quartet and members of the Shaw Festival Orchestra.
July 17 – September 30 (9 performances)
The Humeniuk Foundation Stage, 10 Queen’s Parade
$10
ASSASSINS IN CONCERT
Nine people have tried to kill an American president, four have succeeded and only Stephen Sondheim could create a darkly comic musical revue about it. A carnival of the macabre where assassins and would-be assassins – from John Wilkes Booth to Sara Jane Moore – tell their side of the story. This concert presentation features all the songs from the musical including “Another National Anthem”, “Unworthy of Your Love”, and “Everybody’s Got the Right”.
The BMO Stage, 10 Queen’s Parade on The Commons
July 18 to September 29 (12 performances)
$50/$30 under 30
FAIRGROUND
A guided ramble through the lush Festival Theatre grounds complete with welcoming fanfare and filled with the sensory delights of music, provided by a five-piece band; poetry, dance, and culminating with an exhilarating finale. So unique an experience, no two encounters will be the same.
Festival Theatre Grounds, 10 Queen’s Parade
July 23 to October 8 (14 performances)
$35/$30 under 30/$10 Youth
SPEAKEASIES
An evening of jazz featuring Associate Music Director Ryan deSouza and members of the Shaw Festival Orchestra, with special guests.
The BMO Stage, 10 Queen’s Parade on The Commons
July 22, August 7, September 18 (3 performances)
$20
SHAWGROUND
An hour-long, Victorian fair-inspired guided jaunt through the wonderfully maintained Festival Theatre grounds features the wit and charm of Bernard Shaw and a few Shavian surprises. This enchanting Shaw affair begins with musical flourish and presents provocative art, spoken word, big ideas, dynamic discussions and spirited music from Shaw’s lifetime, performed live by a nine-piece band; along with themes and ideas from contemporaries past and present.
Aug 19 to October 6 (10 performances)
The Festival Theatre Grounds, 10 Queen’s Parade
$35/$30 under 30/$10 Youth
WHAT’S IN YOUR SONGBOOK?
An intimate and interactive evening with members of the Shaw Acting Ensemble. Accompanied by Associate Music Director Ryan deSouza, performers open up their audition songbooks and reveal why these choices are so special to them.
July 28 and August 22 (2 performances)
The Nona Macdonald Stage , 10 Queen’s Parade – Parking Lot Tent
$20
KREUTZER SONATA
Ludwig van Beethoven dedicated Violin Sonata No.9, Op.47 to Rodolphe Kreutzer, a violinist internationally renowned for his virtuosity, in 1805. This sonata then inspired Leo Tolstoy’s harrowing novella,The Kreutzer Sonata, which then inspired Leoš Janáček’s first string quartet. The Shaw gives this piece a further twist: a dramatic mash-up/journey of music and text featuring ensemble members Fiona Byrne, Shauna Thompson* and the Blue Spruce Quartet.
August 26 to October 9 (7 performances)
The Humeniuk Foundation Stage, 10 Queen’s Parade
$35/$30 under 30
Tickets:
Outdoors @ The Shaw events go on sale to Friends of The Shaw beginning June 29 and the public on July 6.
Tickets can be ordered through the Box Office at 1-800-511-SHAW (7429) and online at shawfest.com.
