R&J and Joni

The St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival is proud to announce 2026 programming and casting, expanding its reach and solidifying its place as a premier theatre festival in Prescott, Ontario. The St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival will include the world premiere of the new musical R&J and Joni from July 16-August 8 at the Kinsmen Amphitheatre, a walk-about production Macbeth at the Tower from July 24-August 7 at the Maitland Tower, and a showcase of local talents with the Spotlight Series July 21, 28 and August 4 at the Kinsmen Amphitheatre.

The 2026 season will kick off with R&J and Joni, co-created by Joey Herbison, Julia Nish-Lapidus, Cara Pantalone, and James Wallis with text and music by William Shakespeare and Joni Mitchell. This world-premiere adaptation of Romeo and Juliet brings Shakespeare’s words together with the timeless music of Canadian icon Joni Mitchell in a fully staged musical. Directed by Julia Nish-Lapidus, with Music Direction by Joey Herbison, audiences will experience a new way of seeing and hearing one of the most famous plays in the English language, with a unique musical perspective.