Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The third in a trilogy of award-winning plays (Generous, Courageous) about Canadian values by award-winning playwright Michael Healey. Proud is about what we actually want out of our politics, and our politicians. Set in the Prime Minister’s office in the Centre Block of Parliament, it is just after the spring 2011 election but the reality of the play is different from ours. In the play, all the seats won by the NDP in Quebec have gone to the Conservatives. This gives them not only an overwhelming majority in Parliament, but a lot of rookie MPs in the Tory caucus.
One such MP is Jisbella Lyth, from the fictional Quebec riding of Cormier-Lac Poule. A single mother who, up until getting elected was the manager at a St-Hubert franchise, Jisbella nonetheless displays traits that indicate to the Prime Minister that she will be a useful asset to his government. He and his Chief of Staff, Cary Baines, begin to train Jisbella in the various methods and strategies that have made the Conservatives so successful. Their lessons unleash an emotional component that none of them anticipate.
“I’m using the Prime Minister and this government to discuss the things I want to discuss,” Healey says, “Which are: What do we want out of our politicians? What kind of relationship do we want to have with each other as citizens, expressed through our politics?” Proud is a comic work, but it has serious intentions. “My entire focus was to get as close to understanding Stephen Harper’s behaviour as possible, and to actually create a sympathetic character. Because I just don’t think it’s interesting to present a demonized version of somebody who I believe cares deeply about the job he’s doing. Playwright Interview with Globe and Mail, March 2012
Directed by Miles Potter (The Drawer Boy) Proud features an award winning cast and creative team with scenic and costume design by Gillian Gallow (Ruined), lighting design by Kimberley Purtell (Crash) and sound design by Lyon Smith (Agokwe). The cast is a tour-de-force, with Tom Barnett (Generous, Courageous) in the role of Cary; Maev Beatty (A Happy Woman) as Jisbella Lyth; Jeff Lillico (The Glass Menagerie) as Jake and Michael Healey (Clybourne Park) himself stepping into the controversial role of The Prime Minister.
Proud runs for a limited engagement at the Berkeley Street Theatre Upstairs, 26 Berkeley St. Previewing September 20, opening September 22 and closing October 6th, Proud is a production not to be missed – just when you think you know a Prime Minister, Proud will make you laugh, consider, re-consider and
consider again all the decisions, actions and exploits that take place both on and off stage in the theatre of Canadian politics.
Previews September 20, 21
Opens September 22
Closes October 6
Berkeley Street Theatre, Toronto
Tickets $20 – $40, Mondays PWYC
Canadian Stage Box Office www.canadianstage.com (Also At Berkeley) or 416-368-3110
Photo: Michael Healey.@2012 AmandaLynne Ballard..
2012-09-17
Toronto: Michael Healey’s “Proud” about a certain conservative Prime Minister runs September 22-October 6