Artistic Director Ed Thomason unveiled his summer season line-up on Friday March 7 at the Victorian-era Waverley Inn in front of cast, crew, sponsors and invited guests.

The launch, hosted by actor Jeremy Webb, was a light-hearted affair with actors and directors for the theatre's 21st season taking turns to announce four Main Stage shows, two Family Stage offerings and a full slate of edgier work from emerging and visiting artists in the companies successful Stage2 second space.

Thomason puts the theatre's success down to his staff, his acting company of Nova Scotia's finest actors and the support from the community of Antigonish. "We've been called the little festival that could. We pack our season with a variety of plays, really something for everyone's tastes, but we keep it small and sustainable."

After announcing his playbill, Thomason added "we like to ensure there are Canadian plays, well-known crowd-pleasers and something to challenge our loyal audiences."

MAIN STAGE SERIES
• I OUGHT TO BE IN PICTURES - The Broadway Hit Comedy by Neil Simon. Directed by Ed Thomason. Cast Kate Lavender, Genevieve Steele & one TBA
• SEXY LAUNDRY - A Comedy by Michelle Riml. Directed by Robert Metcalfe. Cast: Shelley Thompson & Stewart Arnott
• GASLIGHT - A Victorian Thriller by Patrick Hamilton. Directed by Ed Thomason. Cast: Genevieve Steele, Stewart Arnott, Shelley Thompson, Kate Lavender & one TBA
• GRACE - A Drama by Mick Gordon & A.C. Grayling. Directed by Stewart Arnott. Cast: Shelley Thompson, Anthony Black, Genevieve Steele & Ed Thomason.

THE FAMILY SERIES
• MUNSCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING - Adapted by Debbie Patterson
• GODSPELL - Music & Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz. Book: John-Michael Tebelak. Directed by: Richie Wilcox with a large ensemble of talented young performers.

STAGE2 SERIES
• SHITS & GIGGLES - Written and performed by Brendan Ahern, Paddy MacDonald & Robert Murphy.
• TOMPKINSVILLE - by Lindsay Kyte (Script in development. A staged reading of work-in-progress)
Visiting Artists at STAGE2
• Brendan McMurtry-Howlett in AND STOCKINGS FOR THE LADIES by Attila Clemann
• Andrew Musselman in CATALPA - THE MOVIE by Donal O'Kelly.
• Mary Colin Chisholm, SHerry Smith & Maurlea Austin in TALKING HEADS by Alan Bennett, produced by LUNA/SEA.

The FAST Season kicks off July 10, running through to September. As the season winds up in early September, Festival Antigonish in cooperation with Willpower Theatre will take two plays to Wolfville from September 8 to 14.

"This will be the third time we have taken plays to Wolfville from our season. It has been a fantastic success and a great partnership between the two communities, " says Thomason.