Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto, ON – The Company Theatre, in partnership with Canadian Stage, is thrilled to announce today that Torri Higginson, star of new, critically-acclaimed CBC series “This Life”, will join iconic stage and screen stars (and real life couple) Paul Gross and Martha Burns on stage for the Canadian premiere of Pulitzer and Tony winner Bruce Norris’ Domesticated at the Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley Street) from November 17 to December 13 (Media night: November 19). This is the first time in 30 years that Gross and Burns will work on stage together.
Domesticated examines what happens when a popular politician is discovered by police at the bedside of an injured prostitute. Bill Pulver's credibility is irrevocably damaged and the lives of his wife and daughters are turned upside-down as Pulitzer- and Tony-Award winning author Bruce Norris (Clybourne Park, 2012) follows the scandal beyond the cameras and into the private bedroom of a public humiliation. It’s a wickedly funny, deeply serious and totally unpredictable take on power, sexuality and politics.
The Company Theatre co-artistic director Philip Riccio directs for his third time for The Company; Riccio last directed Speaking In Tongues for The Company Theatre in the 2012/2013 season, and he earned a Dora Award for Best Production for his directorial debut Through The Leaves in 2010.
Paul Gross plays politician Bill, Martha Burns his dedicated but not dependent wife Judy, and Higginson Bill’s high-powered lawyer. “Paul Gross and Martha Burns are both brilliantly talented and totally distinct,” said Riccio. “Neither of them is afraid to push a performance to the edge, which in the context of Bruce Norris’ play has the potential to be incendiary. Torri brings a very authentic quality to the mix which is going to add great texture to this explosive story about the challenges of marriage and modern gender politics to life for the first time in Canada.”
“I am thrilled to continue our relationship with The Company Theatre following our Berkeley Street Partnership with them,” said Matthew Jocelyn, Artistic and General Director of Canadian Stage. “Time and time again The Company Theatre has asserted its dedication to challenging audiences with unflinchingly, sometimes bracingly honest theatre driven by an absolute dedication to the performer’s process. Philip Riccio, a talented actor in his own right, has shown himself to be a gifted director of that process. It is wonderful to see our partnership with them assist in Philip’s and The Company’s continued growth.”
Joining Gross, Burns, and Higginson on stage are The Company Theatre ensemble members Sarah Dodd (Whistle in the Dark, Marion Bridge) and Maria Vacratsis (Through the Leaves) as well as Salvatore Antonio (“Remedy”, Leo), Akosua Amo-Adem (Farther West, The Middle Place), Nicola Lipman (Driving Miss Daisy, Another Home Invasion), Kelly McNamee (“Sensitive Skin”), Abigail Pew, and Vanessa Smythe (In Case We Disappear, Beast). Nicholas Blais (Mr Burns, Terminus) joins the creative team as set designer and lighting design will be by Kevin Lamotte (Belleville, Tartuffe).
Domesticated will be on stage in Toronto from November 17 to December 13, 2015. (Opening night: November 19). 2015.2016 subscriptions and single tickets are currently on sale with 6-show packages starting from $180 and full season 13-show packages starting from $360. Single tickets are available from $30 to $53. Subscriptions and tickets may be purchased by phone at 416.368.3110 or in-person at the Canadian Stage Box Office: Bluma Appel Theatre (27 Front St. E.) or Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley St.). Full details on the production, casting and ticket sales are available online at companytheatre.ca or canadianstage.com.
Twitter: @companytheatre, @CanadianStage
Photo: Martha Burns and Paul Gross. ©2008 Kristi Papas.
2015-10-09
Toronto: Paul Gross and Martha Burns star in "Domesticated" November 17-December 13