Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Ten Foot Pole Theatre is proud to present the world premiere of Rob Salerno’s new rock music satire BIG IN GERMANY, playing at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre April 11-21.
BIG IN GERMANY stars Michael Goldlist and Dylan George as Bruce and Alex, lifelong best friends and struggling musicians who are hugely famous in Germany, although at home in Toronto they’re unknowns who work in the porn industry to pay the bills. The show gives us a behind-the-scenes peak at their rise to fame, their abortive attempts to achieve rock stardom in Canada, and the forces that threaten to break the band apart – like Bruce’s longstanding crush on his best friend and Alex’s quest to bed every woman he sees. It’s a loving tribute to growing up in the greatest city in the world Canada, and a biting satire on the Canadian art and entertainment scenes.
Playwright and director Rob Salerno, who grew up in North York, is also playing a small part in the show, as the porn producer who keeps our heroes employed when they’re not playing to sold-out houses in Germany.
“It’s really important to me that this show really puts a spotlight on Toronto – including the inner suburbs where the main characters grow up – because I think the city is such a fascinating place, and yet it’s so missing from our art and pop culture,” Salerno says. “It’s a portrait of Toronto told through this rock band.”
BIG IN GERMANY is also a spoof on the Canadian art and music scene from the 90s to today, with comic situations involving Can-Con rules, Canadian television (Breaker High, Flashpoint), MuchMusic, Edge 102, Rick “The Temp” Campanelli, Dean Blundell, Canadian Idol, Our Lady Peace, Hard Core Logo, Rita MacNeil, Paul Gross, Maple Leaf Gardens, Humber College, the TTC, Mel Lastman and more!
Ten Foot Pole Theatre developed BIG IN GERMANY over three years while presenting workshops of the show at festivals across Canada and in Europe, including a first presentation at the Toronto Fringe in 2010. This final production of BIG IN GERMANY has grown to feature length including several original rock songs created by the company.
“The show really benefitted from being worked on the festival circuit, but this new run has allowed us to let the show grow,” says playwright and director Rob Salerno. “We’ve been able to add original music and incorporate the Buddies Cabaret space to give the show a real rock concert feel, while I could let the script grow to add more jokes, more character development, and more comically disastrous situations.”
WHAT: BIG IN GERMANY, produced by TEN FOOT POLE THEATRE
WHO: Written by Rob Salerno Original Music by the Cast
Starring Michael Goldlist, Dylan George, and Rob Salerno
Designer Dariusz Korbiel Lighting by Oz Weaver
WHERE: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander St)
WHEN: April 11-21, Preview April 9; Tues, Thurs-Sat 8pm; Sun 2:30pm and 7:30pm (1hr 40mins)
TICKETS: $25 at door, $20 advance, $15 students/artists; PWYC Sunday matinees; $10 preview
Available at buddiesinbadtimes.com or 416-975-8885
MORE INFO: www.tenfootpole.ca * Facebook.com/10footpole *
Photo: Michael Goldlist, Dylan George and Rob Salerno. ©2013 Ten Foot Pole Theatre.
2013-02-20
Toronto: Ten Foot Pole Theatre premieres rock music comedy “Big in Germany” April 11-21