The Two Gentlemen of Verona Joins the 36th Season of Bard on the Beach
May 8, 2025, Vancouver, BC / Traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations – Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival continues its 36th Season in Vanier Park with The Two Gentlemen of Verona joining Much Ado About Nothing on the BMO Mainstage from June 13 to September 19, 2025.
It’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona—with a twist! Directed by Dean Paul Gibson, this nostalgic visit to the ‘80s features a soundtrack of that candy-coloured decade, from unforgettable dance hits to tear-jerking ballads, as it celebrates friendship and the foolhardy ways young love makes us behave. Adding to the fun, the role of Crab will be played by an actual dog, the only dog role in the Shakespearean canon.
“As one of Shakespeare’s earliest works, The Two Gentlemen of Verona features themes that resonate deeply with myself and everyone I know—passionate young love, impulsive decisions, and the all-or-nothing stakes of youth,” said director Dean Paul Gibson. “It has been a joy to collaborate with this extraordinary company of artists—onstage and off—as we have drawn inspiration from iconic ‘80’s films like Pretty in Pink, Weekend at Bernie’s, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Breakfast Club, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Our incredible design team has woven in quintessential ‘80s references, from fashion to a soundtrack packed with classic hits that will have you humming long after the show ends”
“This is going to be a very entertaining and joyful production this summer at Bard on the Beach,” said Christopher Gaze, Bard on the Beach Artistic Director. “Dean has an incredible history with Bard and will bring his dynamic creative touch to this production. I’m also thrilled to have my beloved Mason join the cast as Crab.”
In The Two Gentlemen of Verona, best friends Valentine and Proteus find their bond tested when they fall for the same woman, Silvia. Valentine travels to Milan and falls in love with her, while Proteus—who leaves behind his devoted fiancée Julia in Verona—also becomes infatuated with Silvia, betraying both his friend and his love. Disguised as a man, Julia follows Proteus and secretly witnesses his disloyalty. Amidst banishment, disguises, and a band of outlaws, truths are revealed and relationships tested. In the end, forgiveness triumphs as Valentine reunites with Silvia, and Proteus seeks redemption and is forgiven by Julia.
The Two Gentlemen of Verona cast members include Scott Bellis, Jennifer Clement, Steffanie Davis, Tess Degenstein, Sheldon Elter, Craig Erickson, Paige Fraser, Mason Gaze, Kristi Hansen, Matthew Ip Shaw, Karthik Kadam, Jacob Leonard, Agnes Tong, Jennifer Tong, Angus Yam and Tanner Zerr. Understudies for The Two Gentlemen of Verona are Jennifer Lines, David Marr, and Synthia Yusuf.
The design team has crafted a visual experience that will have every audience member revisit and celebrate the ’80s with a sweeping set by Set Designer Pam Johnson, iconic ’80s fashions by Costume Designer Carmen Alatorre and a soundtrack laced with all the hits of the ’80s by Composer & Sound Designer Malcolm Dow. Additional members of The Two Gentlemen of Verona production team include Gerald King (Lighting Designer), Nicol Spinola (Choreographer), Jonathan Hawley Purvis (Fight Director), and Lisa Goebel (Intimacy Director). They are supported by Joanne P.B. Smith (Production Stage Manager), Yvonne Yip (Assistant Stage Manager) and Caroline Tang (Apprentice Stage Manager).
Ticket prices for all regular play performances start at $35 CAD and are available now. Early booking is recommended for best seat selection, as many performances sell out in advance. The full performance schedule and event details are on the Bard website at bardonthebeach.org. To book tickets, order online through the Bard website or call the Bard Box Office at 604-739-0559 or (toll free) 1-877-739-0559.
Bard on the Beach gratefully acknowledges the corporate sponsors and donors who support and sustain the Festival and its programs. Sponsors include BMO (BMO Mainstage) along with Production Sponsors Lawson Lundell LLP (Much Ado About Nothing), Odlum Brown (The Two Gentlemen of Verona), and Polygon Homes (The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]). Season Media Sponsors include the Vancouver Sun and Global BC, as well as many other valued sponsors and partners. Bard also thanks the City of Vancouver Cultural Services Department, the Vancouver Park Board, the Province of British Columbia, the BC Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, and the Canada Council for the Arts for their continuing support.
About Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
Bard on the Beach is one of Canada’s largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare festivals. Established in 1990, Bard’s mission is to create transformational experiences through exceptional theatre, training and education opportunities that inspire, resonate, and promote the exchange of ideas. As well as its annual summer Festival, Bard offers year-round education and training programs for youth, adults, and theatre professionals in its administrative home at the BMO Theatre Centre in Olympic Village as well as in schools and community facilities throughout the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
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