Stage Door News
Stage Door News
TORONTO – Against the Grain Theatre, a grassroots opera initiative, is bringing back its smash hit of Puccini’s La Bohème for a limited run. The new production, premiered by the company last spring to sold-out houses, returns for three performances on Dec. 1, 2 and 3, 2011, at 8 p.m. at The Tranzac Clubin Toronto’s Annex.
The artistic team of director Joel Ivany, music director/pianist Christopher Mokrzewski, set and costume designer Camellia Koo and lighting designer Jason Hand are reunited to breathe new life into the timeless tale. Set in modern day Toronto to a new English translation, the captivating staging revolves around the audience as the cast and chorus of spirited bohemians make use of the entire venue.
The starcrossed lovers Mimi and Rodolfo are sung by soprano Miriam Khalil, fresh from her debut at the renowned Glyndebourne Festival in the U.K., and young Canadian tenor Ryan Harper, who trained at the Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal. Reprising their roles that delighted audiences and critics are baritone Justin Welsh as Marcello, soprano Lindsay Sutherland Boal as Musetta, bass-baritone Neil Craighead as Colline, baritone Keith Lam as Schaunard, and baritone Gregory Finney as Benoit/Alcindoro.
La Bohème is approximately two hours in duration, including one intermission. Tickets range from $35 – $50 and are available online atagainstthegraintheatre.com or at the door on the evening of the performance at The Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
ABOUT AGAINST THE GRAIN
Against the Grain Theatre is a collective of young arts professionals who seek to perform traditional works in unconventional spaces and ways. Founded in 2010 by Artistic Director Joel Ivany, Against the Grain Theatre’s second season includes fully staged productions of Puccini’s La Bohème and Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, and a concert performance of Kurt Weill’s Seven Deadly Sins. For more information and artist biographies, please visitagainstthegraintheatre.com.
2011-11-08
Toronto: Against the Grain Theatre remounts its sell-out production of “La Bohème”