Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Alumnae Theatre is proud to present a very sexy and very bawdy production of The Underpants. The Underpants is an adaptation of the 1910 German farce Die Hose by playwright Carl Sternheim. In this farcical send-up of bourgeois snobbery and conformity, a housewife becomes an instant celebrity after she accidentally loses her underpants in public.
Director Ginette Mohr was drawn to this play for two main reasons. One, for its physical comedy, which she loves staging. Two, for its themes of feminism, gender roles and individuality vs. conformity – themes that were controversial a century ago and still are very relevant today. Through the course of this play, Louise (played by Carolyn Hall) struggles with self-worth and self-identity. Gradually she grows in power and self-confidence until she can challenge her domineering husband (played by Andrew Anthony).
Mohr was specifically interested in how this play examines traditional notions of women’s experiences. In 1910, men were the source of wealth. Choices were few for middle class women and housewifery was the chief vocation. In Germany, women did not win the vote until 1918. Women such as Louise were expected to perform the duties of wifehood, motherhood and hostess, while also being the nurse, dressmaker, tailor, laundress and cook.
The Underpants also features Chantale Groulx in the role of Gertrude Deuter; Scott Farley doing double duty as Frank Versati / King; Michael Gordin Shore as Benjamin Cohen and Jacqueline Costa playing Klinglehoff.
Ginette Mohr is assisted in her direction by Caitlin English. In addition to playing the role of Klinglehoff, Jacqueline Costa will also be tackling Set and lighting design. Costume Design is by Sarah Joy Bennett. Aaron Corbett is the Sound Designer and Composer for this production. The Underpants is produced by Jennifer McKinley.
Bio for Ginette Mohr:
Co-Artistic Director of the Dora Award-Winning Quickening Theatre, Ginette Mohr is a Toronto-based performer, director and writer. Selected performance credits include: The Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Neptune Theatre, Theatre New Brunswick, Drayton Entertainment, Theatre Aquarius, The Second City, Keystone Theatre (Dora Award), The Edmonton Festival Ballet, and Monkey Toast (Canadian Comedy Award Winner). Her solo piece, Fish Face, garnered critical acclaim and won the Cultch Theatre Award. Recent credits: directing Life as a Pomegranate (Essentia); directing/co-creating The Last Man on Earth (Keystone Theatre); performing in Mister Baxter (The Quickening Theatre); directing The De Chardin Project (The Quickening Theatre – Dora Award).
The Details: The Underpants
Running Time: Approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes,
including one 15-minute intermission.
Opening Night & Gala: Friday September 20, 2013
Performance Dates:Friday September 20 - Saturday October 5, 2013
Schedule: Wednesday – Saturday 8:00pm;
Sunday matinee at 2:00pm
Talkback with cast & director after the matinee on September 29.
Tickets:Wednesday 2-for-1; Thursday, Friday &
Saturday $20; Sunday PWYC.
May be purchased online for Thu/Fri (except opening night)/Sat
at www.totix.ca (service charge applies).
Location:Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley Street
(SW corner with Adelaide), Toronto.
Box Office:416-364-4170 (box 1) or e-mail reservations@alumnaetheatre.com.
For cash purchases, Box Office opens one hour prior to each performance.
Please note: Alumnae box office does not accept credit or debit cards.
2013-08-21
Toronto: Alumnae Theatre opens its 2013/14 season with “The Underpants” September 20-October 5