THEATRE/OPERA NEWS: ShawFest completes lineup; COC turns profit
9 NOV/11

JOHN COULBOURN - QMI Agency

With the release of casting for the Royal George and the Studio Theatre Wednesday, the Shaw Festival seems to have completed its casting for the 2012 season in Niagara-on-the-Lake. 
On the Royal George stage, look for Drama at Inish’s Thom Marriott and Krista Colosimo to reunite in Misalliance, under the direction of Eda Holmes, supported by Wade Bogart-O’Brien, Catherine McGregor, Jeff Meadows, Peter Krantz, Craig Pike, Tara Rosling and Ben Sanders.


Meanwhile, Shaw veteran Michael Ball heads up an ensemble that includes Robin Evan Willis, Billy Lake, Julie Martell, Bogart-O’Brien, Pike and Saunders in French Without Tears, directed by Kate Lynch. 
As well, look for Corrine Koslo and Ric Reid to return to the festival in Come Back Little Sheba, joining Julia Course and Sharry Flett in a production directed by Jackie Maxwell. 
And finally, Rosling will team up with Sanjay Talwar in Helen’s Necklace, the first Canadian play to be presented on the stage of the Studio Theatre, to be directed by Michelene Chevrier.

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Hitting the high notes in a questionable economy is arguably a high-wire act — but the Canadian Opera Company continues to maintain its balance despite it all.
 In financial statements released at the COC annual general meeting Wednesday, the company reported a “modest” surplus of $10,000 on revenues totalling $12.3 million at the end of its 2010-11 season.
In total, the COC drew 129,450 patrons to 66 performances of the seven operas that comprised the company’s fifth season in the Four  Seasons Centre. 
In addition to box office revenues, which represent 33% of their total budget and grants from various level of government (19%), the COC also raised an additional $8.6 million from other sources — an increase of 5% in fundraising over last year.