Shirley Douglas, Judd Hirsch and Kiefer Sutherland are already confirmed to play The Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto this season. Four productions, including two musicals, one a world premiere, and the other a North American premiere, will play at this 90 year old theatre before heading to Broadway. Two seminal contemporary dramas make up the rest of the season. The finest directors in theatre today, John Caird, Scott Ellis and Neil Munro will be directing.
Jane Eyre by John Caird and Paul Gordon, directed by John Caird, and designed by John Napier, opens November 96-January 97. An enchanting and compelling new musical based on Charlotte Bront's novel. John Caird also a Tony Award-winning director of Les Misrables, and also associate director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Produced by David and Ed Mirvish, with a budget of $6 million, and the show opens on Broadway in March 1997. Casting is almost complete in Toronto and New York.
Death Of A Salesman by Arthur Miller, starring Judd Hirsch, directed by Scott Ellis will play February - March 1997, has not been produced in Toronto in more than three decades. This co-production between David and Ed Mirvish and The Manitoba Theatre Centre will open in Winnipeg before playing the Royal Alex.
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams will bring together mother and son on stage for the first time ever. Shirley Douglas and son, Kiefer Sutherland star in this great classic directed by Neil Munro. Kathryn Greenwood will play Laura. David and Ed Mirvish and The National Arts Centre will co-produce The Glass Menagerie, which opens in Ottawa before moving to the Royal Alex for performances from March to May, 1997.
Jolson: The Musical by Francis Essex and Rob Bettison will play June and July, 1997, and is directed by Rob Bettison. Al Jolson last played The Royal Alex in 1941. This year's Olivier Award-winner as "best musical" in London's West End is playing to packed houses at the Victoria Palace, where it opened this past October. It will open with its North American Premiere at The Royal Alex in June, 1997, produced by David and Ed Mirvish and Paul Elliott, Laurie Mansfield & Greg Smith, before heading to Broadway in fall 1997. This spectacular musical with its 42 member company and opulent sets will have a pre-production budget of $8 million, and will be cast in Toronto and New York.
Subscriptions to all four productions are priced from $75, but will be available on a priority basis to current Royal Alex subscribers first. To get your subscription call (416) 593-4225.
