The closing chapter of the dramatic comedy about showfolk in a dysfunctional Shakespeare festival was popular on Canada television and on American TV's Sundance Channel. Tony Award winner Bob Martin (co-writer and star of Broadway's The Drowsy Chaperone) co-created the series.
Acorn bills the DVD set as representing "the third and likely final season of the critically acclaimed, hit series starring Paul Gross, Don McKellar, Martha Burns, Sarah Polley and Mark McKinney."
According to Acorn, here's the third season in a nutshell: "Struggling with the unfamiliar burdens of success, the New Burbage Theatre Festival mounts two ambitious productions: King Lear, Shakespeare's epic tragedy, and East Hastings, a debut musical about a heroin-addicted hooker with a heart of gold. Emotionally fragile artistic director Geoffrey Tennant (Paul Gross) coaxes legendary actor Charles Kingman [Canadian theatre legend William Hutt] out of semi-retirement to play Lear. But with plenty of personal baggage, Kingman doesn't so much play the part as live it. Meanwhile, the festival's resident bean-counter (Mark McKinney) joins forces with the musical's flamboyant director (Don McKellar) to create the unlikeliest hit in theatre history. As with the first two seasons, the interwoven storylines take unexpected turns, captivating viewers and building to a satisfying and moving conclusion."
"Slings & Arrows" has won several awards including the Canadian Comedy Award, Directors Guild of Canada, Writers Guild of Canada and six Gemini Awards.
The series is created and written by Susan Coyne, Mark McKinney and Bob Martin. Along with Don McKellar, Martin won the 2006 Book of a Musical Tony Award for The Drowsy Chaperone.
DVD special features include interviews with Paul Gross and Susan Coyne; extended scenes of King Lear; bloopers; deleted and extra scenes; trailer; production notes; photo gallery, song lyrics, and cast filmographies.
Retail price for the two-disc "Slings & Arrows" is $29.99.
For more information visit www.acornonline.com.
