Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell officially announced the Shaw Festival 2008 season. Ms. Maxwell noted: "From Shaw to Sondheim, Molnár to MacDonald, the 2008 season takes every opportunity to engage, entertain and challenge with a richly diverse selection of provocative dramas, exquisite musicals, glittering ensemble pieces and newly minted theatrical gems."

The 2008 playbill includes ten productions, on the Festival's three Niagara-on-the-Lake stages: the Festival Theatre, the Court House Theatre and the Royal George Theatre, as well as four concert performances of Stephen Sondheim's legendary musical Follies in the Festival Theatre.

The season opens with J.B. Priestley's chilling mystery An Inspector Calls, directed by The Shaw's Associate Director Neil Munro, known for his complex and often radical approach to theatre classics.

Two plays by the Festival's namesake are presented this season. Jackie Maxwell directs Mrs. Warren's Profession, Shaw's still-controversial story of love, sex, money and morality, in the Festival Theatre. At the Royal George Joseph Ziegler directs Getting Married, a witty and provocative look at the institution of marriage.

Sharing the Festival Theatre stage with Shaw is the celebrated Leonard Bernstein musical Wonderful Town, directed by Roger Hodgman, director of The Shaw's hit production She Loves Me (2000). Based on the movie and novel My Sister Eileen, this musical adventure about being young and full of dreams in New York City won six Tony Awards on Broadway.

The Court House season opens with the Canadian premiere of Githa Sowerby's newly discovered 1924 play The Stepmother, directed by Ms. Maxwell. The Shaw produced Sowerby's first play, Rutherford and Son, in 2004 to great critical acclaim. Also in the Court House, Morris Panych will direct Stephen Sondheim's classic A Little Night Music, which features some of musical theatre's most spectacular songs, including the beloved "Send in the Clowns". A remount of the 2005 hit production of Ann-Marie MacDonald's gothic comedy Belle Moral, directed by Alisa Palmer, closes the Court House season.

Also on the Royal George stage are Lillian Hellman's ultimate family feud The Little Foxes, directed by Eda Holmes; Terence Rattigan's tale of a lost generation, After the Dance, directed by Mr. Munro; and the lunchtime production, Ferenc Molnár's one-act whirlwind The President, newly adapted for The Shaw by Morwyn Brebner and directed by Ensemble member Blair Williams.

The season also includes many opportunities to learn more about playwrights, productions and the world of theatre through readings, seminars and workshops that feature actors, directors, designers and renowned scholars.

Tickets for the 2008 season go on sale to Shaw Festival Members according to Membership level starting November 10. Tickets go on sale to groups on January 3. For the general public tickets go on sale January 2 by mail, fax or online and on January 12 by phone or in person.

The 2008 season is proudly presented by HSBC Bank Canada/HSBC Bank USA, N.A.

Shaw Festival's 2008 Season at a Glance:

An Inspector Calls (1945)
J.B. Priestley
Jim Mezon

May 21 - November 2
Festival

Getting Married (1908)
Bernard Shaw
Joseph Ziegler

May 22 - November 1
Royal George

The Stepmother (1924)
Githa Sowerby
Jackie Maxwell
May 23 - October 4
Court House

The Little Foxes (1939)
Lillian Hellman
Eda Holmes

May 24 - November 1
Royal George

Wonderful Town (1953)
Fields, Chodorov, Comden, Green,
Bernstein
Roger Hodgman
May 24 - October 5
Festival

A Little Night Music (1973)
Hugh Wheeler,
Stephen Sondheim
Morris Panych
July 4 - October 4
Court House

The President (1929)
Ferenc Molnár,
Morwyn Brebner
Blair Williams
July 5 - October 4
Royal George

After the Dance (1939)
Terence Rattigan
Neil Munro
July 5 - October 5
Royal George

Mrs. Warren's Profession (1893)
Bernard Shaw
Jackie Maxwell
July 18 - November 1
Festival

Belle Moral (2005)
Ann-Marie MacDonald
Alisa Palmer
July 19 - October 5
Court House

Follies (1971)
James Goldman,
Stephen Sondheim
Valerie Moore
Dates: August 29, September 12 & 27, October 4
Festival

For More Information Go to the Shaw Festival Website at: www.shawfest.com