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Legendary director passes away before Stratford Festival debut

Garcia was known all over the world for his skills especially in the directors chair
bobbygarcia
Bobby Garcia who sadly passed away was set to debut with the Stratford Festival

It’s a sad start to the holiday season at the Stratford Festival, as the company is mourning the loss of Bobby Garcia. 

The 55 year-old Garcia was scheduled to make his Stratford Festival debut as the director of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels but he passed away on Tuesday according to his family. 

“Bobby was forced to withdraw from directing Dirty Rotten Scoundrels earlier this month for health reasons,” said artistic director at the Stratford Festival Antoni Cimolino. “We know that the entire cast and creative team will make Bobby's spirit proud of the beauty and joy he set in motion.”

Director Tracey Flye has stepped in to direct the production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. 

Garcia was an award-winning producer, and director throughout Canada and internationally. He led 50 plays and musicals as a director, with major productions all throughout Asia.  He also founded one of Asia’s most prolific theatre companies, Atlantis Productions/Atlantis Theatrical Group of Companies. The Filipino Canadian, also served as the first show director at Hong Kong Disneyland, and is the winner of three Aliw Awards for Direction. 

“Bobby had made a very positive impression very quickly and we felt he had a lot to give the Festival and the theatre world more broadly,” said Cimolino. “In hiring him for the production, we knew that he was extremely accomplished and brimming with talent, but very quickly we learned that he was also an extraordinary, gentle and kind human being.”

Cimolino, who considered himself to be a friend of Garcia's, expressed a heartfelt dedication to Garcia, along with his family and friends.

“Our hearts go out to Bobby's family and friends, who must be struggling to deal with this sudden loss,” he said. 

The festival has announced it is dedicating the 2025 production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels to Bobby's memory