CHEERS TO A DECADE FILLED WITH LAUGHTER!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 6, 2024, St. Catharines, Ontario…
In announcing The Foster Festival’s 2025 – 10th Anniversary Season, Artistic Director Emily Oriold says, “I can’t believe we are already celebrating ten years of laughter at The Foster Festival! It feels like just yesterday I was reaching out to Norm with the idea to found a theatre festival to celebrate him as Canada’s most prolific playwright. Since then, we have produced 26 of Norm’s comedies, 15 of them being world premieres, and ten development workshops.
“This past decade has been filled with unforgettable memories together. From the incredible performances to the amazing community we’ve built, it has been an honour and a joy to share my passion for Canadian theatre with all of you. And now we are deepening our commitment to Canadian work through our Fostered Playwrights Festival. In another ten years, I know we will all look back and be even more amazed by our accomplishments.
“Here’s to many more years of creativity, connection, and, of course, laughter! On behalf of our staff, artists, and board of directors, thank you for being a part of this incredible journey with us.”
Subscriptions to The Foster Festival’s mainstage season go on sale tomorrow (Nov. 7). Single tickets to the season productions go on sale December 1.
To subscribe, donate, or purchase tickets, visit fosterfestival.com, call 1.844.735.4832 x3 or email [email protected].
2025 MAINSTAGE SUBSCRIPTION SERIES
JULY 3 – 17 | Mandeville Theatre, Ridley College, St. Catharines
ON A FIRST NAME BASIS by Norm Foster
Back by popular demand, Artistic Director Emily Oriold and Artistic Associate Jamie Williams star in this laugh-out-loud comedy. A very successful but cantankerous novelist discovers that he knows nothing about his maid of 25 years. She, on the other hand, knows absolutely everything about him! He makes it his mission to learn all he can about her in a most engaging conversation. On a First Name Basis is a love story, a social commentary, and a mystery wrapped in witty dialogue and vivid imagery.
JULY 23 – AUG. 3 | Mandeville Theatre, Ridley College, St. Catharines
SCREWBALL COMEDY by Norm Foster
Lucky, the Foster pup, makes a welcome return to the stage in Screwball Comedy! It’s 1938 and Mary Hayes is trying to break into the male dominated world of newspaper journalism. Editor-in-Chief Bosco Godfrey sets a competition between his egotistical star reporter and plucky Mary. If Mary wins, she will replace the ace newshound. Screwball Comedy is an homage to those zany screwball comedies of the 1930’s, full of snappy dialogue, outrageous characters, and humour that packs a punch.
AUGUST 14 – 24 | Mandeville Theatre, Ridley College, St. Catharines
MECHANICALLY INCLINED by Steve Ross – World Premiere
Developed through The Foster Festival’s 2024 Fostered Playwrights Festival, it was a favourite amongst attendees. Born and raised in the Niagara Region, Steve Ross has performed at theatres across the country including 22 seasons with the Stratford Festival. Shakespeare isn’t your typical fare for the amateur, but when Abby gets her chance to direct A Midsummer Night’s Dream with a cast of community misfits, she discovers more drama outside the rehearsal hall than in it. Mechanically Inclined is a hilarious look at how theatre can bring purpose, meaning, and connection to even the most motley of crews.
DATES TBA | Mandeville Theatre, Ridley College, St. Catharines
A NIAGARA CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens, adapted by Jamie Williams – World Premiere
In partnership with the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre and in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Welland Canal Company and the construction of the Canal itself, Dickens’ beloved holiday ghost story is set in 19th century St. Catharines at the time of the Canal’s build. A Niagara Christmas Carol is a uniquely Canadian take on the traditional story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s redemption.
Tasty treats from one of our Foster supporters, Nature’s Corner Bakery & Cafe in Ridgeville and wine from a local winery will also be available to purchase at each performance.
See all four shows with a Pick 4 subscription for only $180/person. A Pick 3 subscription is just $135/person; ideal for “Snowbirds.” The price you see, is the price you pay. Fees and taxes are included.
2025 SPECIAL EVENTS
As well as the subscription series, a number of special events are offered throughout the year to which all subscribers receive a 10% discount on tickets. Tickets to all special events are now on sale.
FEBRUARY 13 – 15 | Vineland Estates Winery, Vineland
LOVE LETTERS by A.R. Gurney
Enjoy a wide variety of hors d’oeuvres, a glass of sparkling wine, and Love Letters, a unique and imaginative theatre piece. Letters are exchanged over a lifetime between two people who grew up together, went their separate ways, but continued to share confidences. Love Letters is an evocative, touching, frequently funny but always telling pair of character studies in which what is implied is as revealing and meaningful as what is actually written down. Starring local personalities to be announced soon!
MAY 28 – JUNE 1 | Firehall Theatre, Niagara Falls
BEDTIME STORIES by Norm Foster
What does a shock-radio jock, a dying man, two thieves, an aging rock star, an accident-prone stripper, and a woman leaving her husband have in common? Find out in Bedtime Stories, featuring a cast from the Niagara Region’s community theatre scene.
OCTOBER 2 – 5 | Old Pelham Town Hall, Fenwick
STAKEOUT by Norm Foster with musical guests Melissa-Marie Shriner and Declan (Paddyman) O’Sullivan
Two cops are assigned to conduct a stakeout at a bus stop across the street from a house where suspected drug deals are being made. With nothing but time on their hands they try to remain as inconspicuous as possible while maintaining their cover as a married couple. Not an easy task having never met before. What could go wrong? Find out as Emily and Jamie take to the stage in Stakeout!
Stakeout will also include professional Irish entertainer and songwriter Declan (Paddyman) O’Sullivan, who has performed live for over one million people around the world, will perform October 2. Soprano Melissa-Marie Shriner, a versatile performer in recitals, concerts, and self-produced shows throughout southern Ontario, will perform October 3-5.
MARCH 21- 23 | Firehall Theatre, Niagara Falls
FOSTERED PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL
The second annual Fostered Playwrights Festival presents three selections from emerging or established Canadian playwrights, professionally performed and directed in public readings. The three scripts to be featured this year are Sew Far, Sew Good by Marnie Walsh, Packing Up by Alison Lawrence, and Every Little Thing by The Foster Festival’s Artistic Director Emily Oriold. In 2023, an astounding 72 submissions were received from across the country, and ultimately, Time & Tide by Jody Stevens McCluskey, received its world premiere production in October 2024.
Tickets to the Fostered Playwrights Festival, Bedtime Stories, and Stakeout are on sale tomorrow (Nov. 7). Watch for more information on Love Letters coming soon.
FOSTER FRIENDS CIRCLE
As part of the 10th Anniversary Season, The Foster Festival is also inviting patrons and supporters to join the all-new Foster Friends Circle. For as little as $25 donors receive a host of donor benefits and recognition. A one-time gift or monthly pledge means that The Foster Festival can continue to present the heart and humour of Norm Foster’s comedies and to foster and support emerging and established Canadian playwrights through the Fostered Playwrights Festival. More information on becoming a member of the Foster Friends Circle can be found at fosterfestival.com.
To subscribe, donate, or purchase tickets, visit fosterfestival.com, call 1.844.735.4832 x3 or email [email protected].
This 10th Anniversary Season promises to be a celebration of The Foster Festival’s decade of laughter; and many more to come!
The Norm Foster Theatre Festival is a professional theatre company located in St. Catharines, Ontario, and is inspired by the work of internationally renowned Canadian playwright Norm Foster. The Foster Festival is an annual theatre Festival which celebrates Norm Foster’s works including workshopping and producing his world premieres. Focusing on its mandate of producing uplifting, heartfelt comedies written by Canadians, The Foster Festival launched its Play Development Program and hosted its first annual Fostered Playwrights Festival in 2024.
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PHOTO: The Foster Festival’s Artistic Director, Emily Oriold, and Foster pup, Lucky, recently met with “Mechanically Inclined” playwright Steve Ross, in Stratford.