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The Musical Theatre Getaway You’ve Been Waiting For

Two spectacular musicals, one unforgettable escape. Experience ”Guys and Dolls” and ”Something Rotten!” on Stratford’s iconic stage—just across the border and well worth the trip.

Stratford Shakespeare Festival

July 6, 2026

Mark-Uhre-as-Nick-Bottom-with-members-of-the-company-in-Something-Rotten!.-Stratford-Festival-2024.-Photo-by-Ann-Baggley.-DSC_2739 — Mark Uhre as Nick Bottom with members of the company in Something Rotten!. Stratford Festival 2024.
Photo: Ann Baggley

Just across the border, a remarkable musical theatre experience awaits. This season, the Stratford Festival invites Michigan audiences to make the journey to Stratford for two unforgettable productions on the Festival Theatre stage: the beloved classic Guys and Dolls and the riotous hit Something Rotten!, returning by popular demand.

“Luck Be a Lady Tonight”

— Sky Masterson

Together, they offer a rare opportunity to experience two spectacular musicals in one visit, sometimes even in a single day! Widely celebrated as “the perfect musical” Guys and Dolls delivers timeless romance, wit and a score filled with iconic songs, from “Luck Be a Lady” to “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and “A Bushel and a Peck”. It’s the golden age of Broadway at its most irresistible. In delightful contrast, Something Rotten! delivers a wildly inventive, laugh-out-loud comedy set in Renaissance England, following two playwright brothers determined to outshine Shakespeare, with exuberant results.

What makes seeing them in Stratford especially thrilling is not only the pairing itself, but how they are staged. Both productions take place on the Festival Theatre’s iconic thrust stage, where the action unfolds on three sides, drawing the audience into the heart of the performance. It’s an immersive, immediate way of experiencing musical theatre, one that is remarkably rare for productions of this scale and one that brings a heightened sense of energy, connection and spontaneity to every number.

“Nothing’s as amazing as a musical!”

— Nostradamus

That immediacy is matched by the Festival’s repertory model. A single company of actors performs across both productions, moving seamlessly between worlds – from the slick streets of 1949 New York to a comedic Elizabethan stage. On 35 instances this season, both musicals play on the same day, offering the rare chance to watch these transformations unfold within hours. It’s a thrilling display of versatility and a testament to the extraordinary talent at the heart of the Festival.

After a runaway success in 2024, Something Rotten! returns by overwhelming demand, drawing back audiences who couldn’t get enough. Paired with the enduring charm and sophistication of Guys and Dolls, it creates a dynamic and deeply satisfying theatrical double bill.

The setting makes the experience all the more memorable. Just a short drive from Michigan, across an easy border crossing and a scenic stretch of countryside, Stratford feels like a world apart. Set along the Avon river in the heart of Ontario farmland, this welcoming town invites you to slow down and savour your time. Here, world-class theatre is complemented by exceptional dining, curated shopping and warm, small-town atmosphere.

For Michigan theatregoers, Stratford is more than a destination—it’s a complete experience. This season, make the trip and discover the rare pleasure of two spectacular musicals, one extraordinary company and a theatre tradition unlike any other.

Learn more at stratfordfestival.ca.