Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The Great Canadian Theatre Company is thrilled to present its 2013-2014 Season. “There isn’t a theme per se, but rapier wit is the driving force,” says Artistic Director Eric Coates. “We have political satire, chaotic comedy, tough realism, star power and a world premiere. I like theatre to be fearless.”
Eric Coates joined the theatre in October 2012 and immediately went to work programming the 2013-2014 season. Coates is not only directing one of the plays in 2014, he is also playing the central character in the final production in June. Coates adds, “I wanted to program a season by and about Canadians – with a particular focus on Ottawa artists. Four of our scripts are by women – two of whom grew up here. GCTC is committed to its community.”
The six plays were presented at GCTC’s launch and party on Monday evening at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre. At 7:30 pm Eric revealed the new season with a little help from the playwrights – Michael Healey, Maja Ardal, Ann- Marie MacDonald - and several well-known Ottawa actors- John Koensgen, Andy Massingham and Alix Sideris. The new season, subscription and ticket information are now on GCTC ‘s website along with a video of Eric Coates introducing the plays. www.gctc.ca .
GCTC’s 2013-2014 Season:
PROUD by Michael Healey
Directed by Miles Potter
September 10-29, 2013
It’s 2011 and the Conservatives have just secured a massive electoral majority, winning virtually every seat in Quebec. With his long-awaited majority in hand, the Prime Minister takes command and sets a course of unprecedented fiscal conservatism. Enter novice Quebec M.P. (and former St-Hubert manager). Jisabella Lyth – a woman with a certain charm. Is she an asset or a liability to the Prime Minister’s plan? From the playwright who brought you The Drawer Boy and Plan B, PROUD is a comedy about what politicians actually want and the lengths to which they will go to win their hearts’ desires.
“DAZZLINGLY WITTY, SURGICALLY PRECISE AND SCATHINGLY SATIRICAL…” TORONTO STAR
“VERY WITTY, VERY ENGAGING, PROUD IS FINE THEATRE.” NOW TORONTO
YOU FANCY YOURSELF Written & performed by Maja Ardal
Directed by Mary Francis Moore
A Contrary Company Production
OCTOBER 15 – NOVEMBER 3, 2013
When her family moves from Iceland to Edinburgh, Elsa relies on her gigantic imagination to help her find friends. She soon realizes that imagination alone is not enough to conquer the scrappy politics of the social scene. As Elsa juggles her desire to fit in with the hope of true friendship, she finds herself along the way. Powerhouse actress/playwright Maja Ardal was inspired by her own experiences to create this comedic gem that warms the heart while tugging at its strings.
“…EQUAL PORTIONS OF HEART AND HUMOUR” - TORONTO STAR
“A WONDERFUL PRODUCTION!” - CBC RADIO
Ann-Marie MacDonald`s
GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA, (GOOD MORNING JULIET)
Directed by Ann Hodges
NOVEMBER 26 – DECEMBER 15, 2013
What if Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies were actually comedies? After a professor steals her thesis, Constance Ledbelly is transported into the Bard’s world of Othello and Romeo & Juliet, where she inadvertently sends his stories in new directions. With an abundance of twists, fights, seductions and wild surprises, Constance engages in a truly hilarious Elizabethan tale of self-discovery. Do not miss this hit from Canadian literary superstar Ann-Marie MacDonald.
“…ONE OF THE CLEVEREST PLAYS EVER WRITTEN” GEORGIA STRAIGHT
“…A SWEET, SMART, FUNNY PLAY” CHICAGO READER
THIS IS WAR by Hannah Moscovitch
Directed by Eric Coates
FEBRUARY 4 – 23, 2014
Following an ill-fated operation in the most volatile region of Afghanistan, four Canadian soldiers recount different versions of the mission. Their stories reveal how the human equation – personal relationships and sexual tensions – can affect the outcome. Step into the ravaged psyche of the contemporary soldier in uncompromising terms with this dramatic story of modern warfare. Hannah Moscovitch, the award-winning playwright of East of Berlin returns to GCTC.
“…PUTS A HUMAN FACE ON THE PAIN OF COMBAT” - GLOBE AND MAIL
“…PERHAPS THE HOTTEST YOUNG PLAYWRIGHT IN CANADA” - TORONTO STAR
MARY WALSH in
DANCING WITH RAGE Written & performed by Mary Walsh
Co-Directed by Andy Jones & Mary Walsh
Originally produced by Resource Centre for the Arts Theatre Company & Theatre Passe Muraille.
MARCH 18 – APRIL 6, 2014
Join Mary Walsh’s alter-ego, the indomitable Marg Delahunty, on her hilarious cross-country quest for truth, justice and…her illegitimate child conceived during a reckless encounter at Montreal’s world fair – Expo ’67. Part political rant, part domestic yearning and all funny, this show is a coast-to-coast hit, starring a national treasure who doesn’t back down from a battle, no matter what the odds. Dancing with Rage is fun, exciting, and up-to-the-minute! Don’t miss Mary Walsh with all her bells and whistles, and then some.
“YOU’VE GOT TO LOVE MARY WALSH FOR REMINDING US THAT POLITICS MATTER,
THAT BEING CANADIAN MATTERS – AND THAT CANADIAN POLITICAL FURY CAN BE
SCREAMINGLY FUNNY.” - GEORGIA STRAIGHT, VANCOUVER
THE BURDEN OF SELF-AWARENESS by George F. Walker
Directed by Arthur Milner
JUNE 3 – 22, 2014
Michael is wealthy beyond his dreams, but after a brush with death he is a changed man. When he decides to give away his fortune, Michael’s wife is alarmed by the prospect of a middle-class existence. Conspiring with a neurotic psychiatrist, a reluctant hit man and a call girl with a degree in history, she desperately fights to stop the events that her husband has set in motion. Canada’s master of dark comedy, George F. Walker, brings us this gripping tale of sex, regret and murder in another world premiere for GCTC.
“…THE GENERATION-DEFYING ACT THAT WE CALL GEORGE F. WALKER” - TORONTO STAR
"...ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S MOST POPULAR PLAYWRIGHTS...” - LIVE WITH CULTURE
It’s great Canadian theatre at the Great Canadian Theatre Company.
undercurrents: theatre below the mainstream returns for its 4thrd season February 11-23, 2014. GCTC`s festival of ‘indie’ theatre presents six plays over two weeks in the intimate Studio Theatre. Three pieces are chosen from Ottawa; and three from the rest of Canada. The works are original, the focus is on emerging artists and the content is bold.
For subscription, ticket and festival pass information call the Box Office (613) 236-5196 or visit www.gctc.ca
All this and more!
The Lorraine Yale `Fritzi` Gallery offers the public a unique dialogue between two artistic disciplines; theatre and fine art. Each time a play goes into production, an artist is chosen to read the script, attend rehearsals and create a body of work reflecting and interpreting the themes and ideas of each piece of theatre. The `Fritzi` Gallery is located on the second floor of the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre (GCTC).
Acoustic Waves Music Series has satisfied Ottawa’s thirst for great folk and independent music for 30 years. To complement the 6 shows in GCTC’s season, BLACKBOX CONCERT SERIES has put together 6 concerts from September 2013 to June 2014. Showcasing top independent musical talent this country, concerts are on the mainstage of the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre. For the concert line up go to www.acousticwaves.ca. Tickets can be booked at the GCTC Box Office.
Le Café Michel-Ange now calls the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre home, serving coffee, home-baked goods and tasty soups. The café arrived with the reputation for hosting local and visiting musicians and concert events that will continue in GCTC’s main lobby and theatres.
About the Great Canadian Theatre Company:
“To foster, produce and promote excellent theatre that provokes examination of Canadian life and our place in the world."
GCTC is celebrating its 39th Anniversary Season in 2013 – 2014 GCTC has developed from a small group of five people who joined together at Carleton University with little more than an idea, to become a vibrant independent professional theatre company.
GCTC is committed to the production of new Canadian work and artist development. We continue to commission and workshop new plays by emerging and established playwrights. We mentor emerging companies and artists through our undercurrents festival, masterclasses, and internships.
2013-04-15
Ottawa: The Great Canadian Theatre Company announces its 2013/14 season