Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Acting Up Stage Company – Toronto’s premiere not-for-profit musical theatre and Obsidian Theatre Company – Canada’s leading culturally diverse theatre company, have teamed up to present the Canadian premiere of Caroline, or Change, from January 21 to February 12, 2012 at The Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs.
Written by Pulitzer, Drama Desk, Tony and Emmy award-winner Tony Kushner (Angels In America) and Obie, New York Drama Critics Circle award-winning composer Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Violet), Caroline, or Change premiered at the Public Theatre in 2003. It was subsequently produced on Broadway, at the National Theatre in London, and in regional productions around the world. It won the Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel and Olivier Award for Best Musical and, when New York Magazine assembled a panel to vote on the “Greatest Musical of All-Time”, it was the only work from the 21st century to appear on every panelist’s shortlist. This production marks the Canadian premiere.
The Story
Caroline, an African American maid to a Southern Jewish family, is struggling to keep afloat both emotionally and economically, while the young son of her employer tries to make sense of the world following the death of his mother. Mixing fact and fantasy, symbolism and reality, plus a palette of over 20 musical styles, Caroline, or Change tells the story of ordinary people facing extraordinary change.
The Toronto Production & Cast
Caroline, or Change is directed by Robert McQueen (The Light In The Piazza), with musical direction by Reza Jacobs (The Dora winning-Assassins). The design team includes Michael Gianfrancesco (set) Kimberly Purtell (lighting), Alex Amini (costumes) and Peter McBoyle (sound).
The company of 15 actors, who play all of the characters and many singing inanimate objects, includes many of Canada’s finest talent. From CBC’s Little Mosque On The Prairie, Arlene Duncan stars as Caroline Thibodeaux and leading Shaw and Stratford Festival player Deborah Hay plays Rose, Caroline’s boss. Also starring are Neema Bickersteth, Jewelle Blackman, Alana Hibbert, Sterling Jarvis, Kaya Joubert Johnson, Londa Larmond, Cameron MacDuffee, Mary Pitt, Nicholas Rice, Derrick Roberts, and Sabryn Rock.
About The Producing Companies
Since 2004, Acting Up Stage Company (Mitchell Marcus, Artistic Producer) has brought stellar Canadian casts to productions of contemporary and provocative musicals. The company has been heralded with rave reviews, sold-out performances and 15 Dora Award nominations for its productions, including Parade, The Light In The Piazza, Elegies: A Song Cycle, A New Brain and A Man of No Importance.
Obsidian Theatre (Philip Akin, Artistic Director) is Canada’s leading culturally diverse theatre company. They are passionately dedicated to the exploration, development, and production of the Black voice. Obsidian produces plays from a world-wide canon focusing primarily, but not exclusively, on the works of highly acclaimed Black playwrights. Obsidian provides artistic support, promoting the development of work by Black theatre makers and offering training opportunities through mentoring and apprenticeship programs for emerging Black artists.
CAROLINE, OR CHANGE
January 21 - February 12, 2012
Previews: January 21 at 8PM and January 22 at 7PM
Opening Night: Monday, January 23 at 8PM
Regular Performance Schedule:
Wednesday-Saturday, 8PM; Saturday, 2PM; Sunday, 7PM
(3PM performance on Sunday, February 12)
Tickets: $32 to $45, with 20% discount for students and seniors
On Sale Now by Phone at 416-368-3110
And Online at www.actingupstage.com
2011-10-18
Toronto: Acting Up Stage & Obsidian Theatre present “Caroline, or Change” January 21-February 12, 2012