Shakespeare’s As You Like It starts a week of ‘opening nights’, as the Stratford Festival’s 73rd season officially launches tonight with a 7:30 p.m. performance at the Festival Theatre.
Festival Publicity Director Ann Swerdfager told MyStratfordNow guests can expect a glamourous experience with Stratford Police Pipes and Drums on hand, television and media interviews and everyone dressed to the nines.
“People love to come and watch the red carpet moments. It’s a really fun night.”
Swerdfager said although there are previews running beforehand, opening week is the culmination of a lot of hard work from a diverse group of festival employees, from the props department to maintenance, the box office and company actors.
“Everybody is firing on all cylinders as we prepare for this important week where so many of our shows open.”
Tuesday evening sees the opening of the much-anticipated musical Annie, also at the Festival Theatre.
The Avon Theatre officially opens for the season Wednesday with Macbeth, followed by the musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on Thursday.
Tom Patterson Theatre is the venue for the opening of The Winter’s Tale on Friday and it’s Anne of Green Gables on Saturday at the Avon Theatre.
Forgiveness, Sense and Sensibility, The Art of War, Dangerous Liaisons and Ransacking Troy open later in the Stratford Festival season.