Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The 501: Toronto In Transit explores the people and history of the longest streetcar line in the world. Bob Nasmith, Donna-Michelle St. Bernard and Justin Many Fingers have been off-and-on the 501 (the Queen streetcar) for the last six months. The three have been collecting stories and researching the history of this strip of Toronto to create a moving snap shot of the iconic 501.
Bob Nasmith has been working in professional theatre since 1954 and has been a part of the TPM community since it’s beginnings. He is an expert storyteller and his voice is a major part of the Canadian theatre tapestry. Donna-Michelle St. Bernard is a producer (New Harlem Productions), playwright, spoken-word and hip-hop artist. She has created many original songs exploring the stories of the 501. Justin Many Fingers grew up on the Lavern Kainai Blackfoot Reserve in Alberta and trained with the Centre for Indigenous Theatre, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, Toronto Dance Theatre and the Soulpepper Academy. He brings a unique movement based approach to the history of the 501.
Bob Nasmith has recently been diagnosed with throat cancer and is currently undergoing a series of treatments. He will be unable to perform live in the run of The 501: Toronto In Transit, however the collective has devised a way to keep his voice and stories intricately woven in the heart of the piece. Bob has created audio recordings of his 501 encounters, which will play a major part in the stage production of The 501: Toronto In Transit.
Bob had this to say to the TPM community, “I’ve been around TPM for 43 years an plan to be here for the 50th. This seems probable.” If people want to contact Bob, they can go through Heather Ervin at TPM (x 2140, heathere@passemuraille.on.ca) and she will pass on messages.
The 501: Toronto In Transit marks the 10th initiative of TPM’s Theatre Beyond Walls Season. The fall at TPM has already seen a hugely successful Street Fest; the inspiring and intimate dance piece Queen West Project; a touring wonderland- The ToyBox -that had its first two stops in our Mainspace and at City Hall where even the Councilors turned out; the launch of our Bring The Buzz Festival; TPM Everywhere the pop-up street theatre initiative of Theatre Beyond Walls; the Toronto love story This Must Be The Place: The CN Tower Show; the site-specific radio drama The Four Corners; and the political docudrama Fare Game: Life in Toronto’s Taxis which runs until December 8.
The 501: Toronto In Transit
A Theatre Passe Muraille Production
Created and Performed by Bob Nasmith, Donna-Michelle St. Bernard and Justin Many Fingers
Begins November 29, Opens December 4, runs to December 8
In the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace, 16 Ryerson Avenue
Performances:
Tuesday-Saturday @ 7:30pm with Saturday Matinees at 2:00pm
Ticket Prices:
Tuesday-Thursday $25
Friday & Saturday $30
Previews $15
Under 30 $15
Student, senior and group pricing available.
Tickets:
Arts Box Office 416.504.7529 or at
The Arts Box Office located at 16 Ryerson Avenue is open Tuesday-Saturday from 12:00pm -6:00pm and one hour before the show.
Photo: Character in Ignorance. ©2011 Old Trout Puppet Workshop.
2012-11-19
Toronto: Theatre Passe Muraille presents “The 501: Toronto in Transit” November 29-December 8