More 2010 casting news: Sean Cullen, Paul Nolan, Mike Shara, Sophia Walker all return

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival announced more 2010 casting in a press release today.

Sean Cullen (above left) will return to play Smee in Peter Pan, opposite Michael Therriealut. The two starred together in the Toronto run of The Producers five years ago. Joining the cast as little Michael Darling is Stacie Steadman (above, right). Mr. Cullen has also been cast as Vinnie the M.C. in King of Thieves at the Studio Theatre.

Paul Nolan (above left), has been cast as Orlando in As You Like It, with Mike Shara (above right) as Oliver.

Sophia Walker (above left) now has the role of Julia in The Two Gentlemen of Verona; Nikki M. James was to play that part but recently pulled out of the 2010 season for unstated reasons. Mike Jackson (above right) will return to play Billl Calhoun in Kiss Me, Kate.

Marti Maraden's production of The Winter's Tale will also include performances by Dan Chameroy, Sean Arbuckle and Ian Lake (above right, middle, and left, respectively).

And Richard Ouzounian's source appears to be a good one; earlier today he reported that Jewelle Blackman (above left) and Nathalie Nadon (above right) would be appearing in Jacques Brel, which the press release has now confirmed.

Nikki M. James pulls out of 2010 season

J. Kelly Nestruck of the Globe and Mail reports that Nikki M. James (right), who was cast as Ariel (The Tempest) and Julia (Two Gentlemen of Verona), has pulled out of the 2010 Stratford season for personal reasons.

Replacements have not yet been announced.

2010 Birmingham Conservatory participants

Aside from the casting listed earlier this week, the following actors are likely to have roles in the 2010 season by virtue of the fact that they are participating in the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre Training this fall and winter:

Bruce Godfree

Amanda Lisman
Paul Nolan
Andrea Runge

Anand Rajaram
Quincy Armorer
Skye Brandon

Jennifer Paterson
Christopher Prentice

Suzanne Roberts Smith

Chilina Kennedy (above left) and Cara Ricketts (above right) are also in the Conservatory this year, and have already been cast in Kiss Me, Kate and Evita, and As You Like It and A Winter's Tale, respectively.

Casting released by Festival

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival announced some key casting in a press release last week (sorry for the delay - I was on vacation). So who is back?

In no particular order, these faces will be seen on our stages again next year: Bruce Dow, James Blendick (right), Sarah Topham, Lucy Peacock, Seana McKenna, Tom McCamus, Dion Johnstone, Yanna McIntosh, Ben Carlson, Michael Therriault, Juan Chioan, Trish Lindstrom and a whole host of other favorites. Not all the roles have been announced yet, but here's who you can see in what (so far)...

Joining Christopher Plummer in The Tempest is Nikki M. James (Ariel), Trish Lindstrom (Miranda), Bruce Dow (Trinculo), Dion Johnstone (Caliban), John Vickery (Antonio), Geraint Wyn Davies (Stephano), Gareth Potter (Ferdinand), Peter Hutt (Alonso), Timothy D. Stickney (Sebastian) and James Blendick (right) as Gonzalo.

Brent Carver will be joined in As You Like It by Ben Carlson (Touchstone), Andrea Runge (Rosalind), Lucy Peacock (Audrey), Cara Rickets (Celia), Tom Rooney (both Duke Frederick and Duke Senior).

As previosly announced in the Toronto Star, Kiss Me, Kate will feature Juan Chioran and Monica Lund as the leads, joined by Chilina Kennedy as Lois Lane.

However, contrary to previous rumours, it will be Chilina Kennedy playing the lead in Evita, with Juan Chioran as Juan Peron. Vince Staltari joins the cast as Magaldi.

Dangerous Liasons will feature Seana McKenna as La Marquise de Merteuil, opposite Tom McCamus as Le Vicomte de Valmont. Joining them are Sarah Topham (La Presidente de Tourvel), Bethany Jillard (Cecile Volanges), Yanna McIntosh (Mme de Volanges) (right) and Martha Henry (Mme de Rosemonde).

Back at the Festival for the first time since 2005 is Michael Therriault (left), taking the lead in Peter Pan, opposite Tom McCamus as Captain Hook. Rounding out the cast are Paul Dunn (John) and Sarah Topham (Wendy).

The Winter's Tale will feature Ben Carlson as Leontes and Yanna McIntosh as Hermione, with Seana McKenna (Paulina), Cara Ricketts (Perdita), and Tom Rooney (Autolycus).

Mike Nadajewski is joining Brent Carver in Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.

Lucy Peacock and Tom Rooney will play Nana nad the Narrator in Tremblay's For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again.

Over at the Studio Theatre, The Two Gentlemen of Verona will be played by Dion Johnstone and Gareth Potter. Other roles will be filled by Nikki M. James (Julia), Claire Lautier (Silvia), Bruce Dow (Speed) and Robert Persichini (Launce).

Evan Buliung (left) returns to play Mac in George F. Walker's King of Thieves, with Laura Condlln playing Polly. Jennifer Tarver directs.

As previously announced, Geraint Wyn Davies will also be at the Studio, presenting Do Not Go Gentle.

Actor and Festival alumni Douglas Campbell passes away

Actor Douglas Campbell (left, as Falstaff in 2001) has passed away at age 87. Mr. Campbell was a founding member of the Stratford Festival company, and contributed greatly to establishing professional theatre in this country.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival issued a press release expressing their sadness, with this note from fellow thespian Christopher Plummer:

“Douglas, that proud and warlike Campbell who fought so valiantly in defense of theatrical integrity, is gone. And with his passing, gone too is a great part of my youth when he showed me what discipline meant and gave me the moral support I needed so desperately. A rebellious fugitive from the venerable Glasgow Citizens Company, he was brought to this country by Tyrone Guthrie in the early fifties and like a true pioneer Douglas did more for the growing up of professional theatre in Canada coast to coast than almost anyone I can think of. As a lover of the night he always managed to outlast any overzealous drinking competitor that dared challenge his capacity. He had a gregarious soul and a great heart so it is no small wonder that he was the best Falstaff I have ever seen. Douglas sprang from those Babylon days when the stage was revered and respected and his own devotion to his art, which he carried with him to the end, shone like a beacon of hope to anyone eager and wise enough to follow in his path.”

(Below is an image of Mr. Campbell as King Lear (front) with Nicholas Pennel as Fool, in 1985.)

Further articles about Douglas Campbell's distinguished career on the stage can be viewed at CBC, Playbill and the Toronto Star.