Stage Door News
Stage Door News
GCTC fearlessly presents the Ottawa premiere of Proud, written by Michael Healey and directed by Miles Potter. This is a behind-the-scenes romp that skewers political strategies and beliefs.
Proud takes audiences into the backroom of the Conservative Prime Minister’s office in 2011, as the PM begins a new term with a majority. The Prime Minister is working to maintain tight control of his members and messages when in walks a newly elected sexy single mother - looking for a condom. Is she a loose cannon or a calculating challenge? The Prime Minister decides to take her under his wing and tries using her for his own political purposes with surprising results.
"It's a comedy influenced by writers like George Bernard Shaw and Aaron Sorkin who both illuminate the politics of the day," says Michael Healey.
Michael Healey is not only the playwright but also the lead actor. He’s quick to confirm that his character, the Prime Minister, is based on The Right Honourable Stephen Harper. Healey is passionate about the role of government in this country and wrote this play because “it’s important to get people talking about politics and about their national government.” He says in writing Proud, he set out to cut through the deep political divides and bring the discussion back to a human level, especially about the Prime Minister.
"It's fun and will inspire crackling conversations," says Eric Coates, GCTC's Artistic Director. "Producing theatre takes guts at the best of times. This play is a fearless and funny poke at government and the public's role in the whole equation."
"Dazzlingly witty, surgically precise and scathingly satirical..."" TORONTO STAR
September, 10-29, 2013 - Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre.
Tickets are on sale now at the GCTC Box Office - 613-236-5196 - 1233 Wellington St. West.
About the play: 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 and tight controls on his party. Enter novice Quebec M.P. (and former St-Hubert manager), Jisbella 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.
The play contains sexual content and strong language.
Creative Team
THE CAST
Tom Barnett: Cary Baines
Michael Healey: The Prime Minister
Drew Moore: Jake
Jenny Young: Jisbella Lyth
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Michael Healey: Playwright
Miles Potter: Director
Gillian Gallow: Set & Costume Designer
Kim Purtell: Lighting Designer
Lyon Smith: Sound Designer
Samira Rose: Stage Manager
Jacki Brabazon: Apprentice Stage Manager
Coming Soon:
GCTC’s Artistic Director, Eric Coates, will be unveiling two new series to compliment the plays programmed during the 2013-2014 season. The first is an electrifying debate series presented by GCTC and Hill Times Embassy news called Friday Night Fights. Keeping with GCTC’s mandate to "...provoke examination of Canadian life..." this debate series will bring opposing views to bear on themes from our season. Moderated by Hill Times Editor-in-Chief, Jim Creskey, the debates will give GCTC's audience food for thought, long after they have left the theatre. The second is a new outreach program called Fearless Women Series. This series, hosted by GCTC and sponsored by Optimum Talent, will feature a panel of women who are fearless in their professional and private lives. The themes will be topical and will also relate to the issues surrounding each play.
Tickets and subscriptions are on sale now at the GCTC Box Office - 613-236-5196, 1233 Wellington St. West (at Holland) and online. www.gctc.ca
Performances Times:
Performances begin at 8:00 pm Tuesday – Friday. Saturday performances begin at 4:00 pm & 8:30 pm. Sunday matinee performances begin at 2:00 pm.
Student Rush tickets: $13. Valid student ID required. Tickets can be picked up after noon on the day of performance in person from GCTC Box Office.
Special Performances:
Sunday, September 15 - Pay-What-You Can - 2:00 pm Matinee.
Friday, September 20 - Talkback – Follows the 8:00 pm performance. Members of the Proud team will be participating in a talkback with audience members who would like to find out more about what it takes to bring this comedy from the page to the stage.
Sunday, September 22 -The Playtime Program - is a fun and enriching opportunity for children to exercise their creativity, while theatre-going parents get to enjoy a great GCTC matinee.
Stages and Pages is a program created by the Ottawa Public Library and the Great Canadian Theatre Company. The library creates a recommended reading list to accompany each play.
The Fritzi Gallery:
The Cube Gallery presents artists from Ottawa and Gatineau featuring portraits of ‘proud’ Canadians. The exhibition runs from September 10 – October 13, 2013.
About GCTC: GCTC is celebrating its 39th season in 2013 – 2014.
“To foster, produce and promote excellent theatre that provokes examination ofCanadian life and our place in the world."
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, master classes, and internships.
Photo: Michael Healey. ©2012.
2013-08-30
Ottawa: GCTC has the Ottawa premiere of Michael’s Healey’s “Proud” – a wickedly witty tour of the PMO