Stage Door News
Stage Door News
GCTC is proud to present the world premiere of George F. Walker’s new social satire, The Burden of Self Awareness from June 3 – 22, 2014. After a brush with death, a man decides to give away his fabulous fortune to those in need. But before he can, his elitist wife, his not-so-happy hooker, a neurotic shrink, and a reluctant hit man have other ideas about who should have and who should have not.
On his first day at GCTC as Artistic Director, Eric Coates took a call from George F. Walker’s agent and was offered this dark comedy. Coates loved it and programmed it to end this 2013-2014 season. Eric Coates also plays the conflicted protagonist. “The director and I felt it was a good fit for me as an actor and as the new Artistic Director; I wanted a way to connect with the GCTC audience, to let them get to know me.”
Arthur Milner, the noted playwright and director, is at the helm. Milner was GCTC’s resident playwright from 1978 to 1991 and Artistic Director from 1991-1995 and is delighted to be working with such a smart, spirited and funny team.
Eric Coates is surrounded by a powerhouse Ottawa cast with Paul Rainville as the psychiatrist in need of a psychiatrist, John Koensgen as the born-again PI turned hit man, Sarah McVie as the wife who realizes she will do anything to keep the money and Samantha Madely as the high-end prostitute with a history degree looking for a career change.
Director Arthur Milner first met the playwright in 1984 when Walker directed The Art of War at GCTC. “George’s plays have changed my writing and my life. His narrative brilliance, deadly comedy, devastating honesty and profound humanity have been an inspiration,” says Milner.
The Burden of Self Awareness runs from June 3-22, 2014 - Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre.
Note: This play contains mature and sexual content and strong language.
THE BURDEN OF SELF AWARENESS
George F. Walker: Playwright
Arthur Milner: Director
THE CAST
Eric Coates: Michael
John Koensgen: Phil
Samantha Madely: Lianne
Sarah McVie: Judy
Paul Rainville: Stan
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:
Friday, June 6 - 9:30 pm - Friday Night Fights is a lively debate series presented by GCTC and The Hill Times/Embassy following the play. Friday Night Fights bring opposing views to bear on themes from GCTC’s season. “Should the wealthiest 1% give all their money away?” is the question up for debate.
Sunday, June 8 - Pay-What-You Can - 2:00 pm matinee.
Friday, June 13 - Talkback – Follows the 8:00 pm performance. Cast will participate in a talkback with audience members who would like to know about The Burden of Self Awareness.
Stages & 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.
OPL’s Readers’ Advisory staff have read the scripts for each of the plays, and recommended resources to further the exploration of their themes.
Stages & Pages – The Burden of Self Awareness
The Fritzi Gallery - GCTC invites you to a new show at the Lorraine 'Fritzi' Yale Gallery in the Upper Lobby of the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre. The Burden of Self Awareness – Mixed Media Works, Group Art Exhibition – June 3 – July 13, 2014. Vernissage – June 5, 7:00-8:00pm.
The paintings, photographs and bronze work in this exhibition address the notion of wealth and the culture that forms around it. The works document the diversity among people and comment on the gap between rich and poor, looking to notions of altruism, class and desire. Artists: Virginia Dupuis, Rashmi Rehka, Barbara Cuerden, Zainab Hussain, Elbagir Osman, Janet K. MacKay
About GCTC: GCTC is celebrating its 39th season in 2013 – 2014. Our mission is to foster, produce and promote excellent theatre that provokes examination of Canadian life and our place in the world.
2014-05-16
Ottawa: GCTC presents the world premiere of George F. Walker's "The Burden of Self-Awareness" June 3-22