Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto, February 13, 2015 - Artistic Director Richard Rose and Managing Director Susan Moffat proudly rolled out Tarragon Theatre's 45th Anniversary Season today, filled with bold theatrical adventures and reaffirming Tarragon's reputation as a home for Canadian theatre.
The 2015-16 season introduces seven contemporary Canadian playwrights new to Tarragon, and welcomes back an acclaimed hit show from last season.
It features five world premieres of new Canadian plays (three from Tarragon Playwrights-in-Residence), a home-grown international comedic sensation, the Toronto English-language premiere of a Quebecois drama and a remount of a cutting-edge German adaptation of a timeless classic.
In outlining the season, Rose said, "This year we are celebrating 45 years of storytelling at Tarragon, 45 years of fostering the creation and development of new Canadian plays and 45 years of embracing our personal, collective and political struggles. Significantly, in year 45, we are proud to introduce audiences to seven writers - ranging from emerging voices to established artists - whose works have never before been seen on Tarragon's stages; as well as bring back a contemporized classic that audiences loved.
"The shows in our 2015-16 season explore history, memory and the nature of progress - and ask: what place does the past hold for us when the future has already arrived? Audiences will meet doctors, teachers, scientists, tech visionaries, parents, lovers, travellers and imaginary friends. They will visit worlds both near and far: a small European spa town, Ukraine mired in turmoil, a Francophone community, an airport hotel in Toronto and the safe haven of a child's bedroom.
"In addition to featuring Canadian artists and boundary-pushing work, with our new big accessible doors, new bright lobby and new 'build-your-own' subscription packages, we continue to welcome Toronto theatre-goers into our home - and, metaphorically, theirs. Our doors are open."
Canadian Comedy award-winner Rebecca Northan's international sensation Blind Date returns to Toronto to launch Tarragon's 45th anniversary season after playing off-Broadway, in London's West End and across Canada. Fall in love with "Mimi" and her date for the evening, as they explore the ups and downs of a different blind date every performance in this "utterly enchanting" (Time Out New York) production.
And in what promises to again be one of the most exciting events of the entire theatre season, Tarragon remounts Florian Borchmeyer's revolutionary adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People, in a rendition staged by Richard Rose. This contemporary mirror for our times, originally adapted for Berlin's Schaubühne, took Toronto audiences and critics by storm and was on the 2014 Top Ten lists of The Globe and Mail, National Post and NOW Magazine, among others.
In a home-grown offering, Tarragon welcomes acclaimed actor/Tarragon Playwright-in-Residence Gord Rand in his Tarragon playwriting debut as he premieres the darkly funny The Trouble with Mr. Adams, a bold new work that exposes the male mid-life crisis in all its awkward and ruinous glory.
In his first play ever for Tarragon, Project: Humanity Creative Director and Tarragon Playwright-in-Residence Andrew Kushnir premieres Wormwood, a powerful new play directed by Richard Rose about a young Canadian man who travels to Ukraine following the Orange Revolution, only to become an unexpected player in its fractured politics and tumultuous history. Next, also making her Tarragon debut is librettist, Tarragon Playwright-in-Residence and performer Anna Chatterton who premieres Within the Glass, a new comedic drama directed by Tarragon Assistant Artistic Director Andrea Donaldson that tackles a dilemma faced by two very different couples after an implant mistake at a fertility clinic. One of Toronto's hottest young writers, Kat Sandler, Artistic Director of Theatre Brouhaha, makes her Tarragon playwriting debut with the premiere of Mustard, an off-centre comic fairy tale about a mother and daughter navigating life after divorce with their imaginary friend.
The 45th anniversary season continues with You Will Remember Me, a vivid and beautifully moving drama about aging, family and memory from one of Quebec's most dynamic voices, Governor General's award-winning playwright François Archambault (15 seconds, The Leisure Society). Translated by Bobby Theodore, this co-production with Studio 180 is directed by its Artistic Director Joel Greenberg and is the first time Tarragon is presenting an Archambault work.
The 2015-16 season closes with a premiere from celebrated Canadian screenwriter and actor Fabrizio Filippo. Best known for his television roles that include Scott Hope in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and violinist Ethan Gold in Queer as Folk, as well as starring in macIDeas' storied This is Our Youth directed by Woody Harrelson, Filippo now makes his Tarragon playwriting debut with a technological drama that speaks to the nature of mortality in The Summoned, directed by Richard Rose.
In addition to its work on the stage, Tarragon continues with its extensive youth programs and the country's most successful new play development program as well as its Tarragon Village program which includes Preview Feedback Sessions, Talk Back Weeks, Lecture-Conversations and improved hospitality and concessions. This year Tarragon is also introducing new initiatives to welcome underserved communities into the theatre, including partnerships with local organizations and special pay-what-you-can ticket prices. More details of these initiatives will be released in the coming months.
RUSH SEATS: In its effort to make theatre accessible, Tarragon continues to remove cost as a barrier to art with specially priced $15 Rush tickets on sale for most performances. Combined with a number of affordably-priced ticket options and the best-valued subscription packages available, Tarragon truly has a ticket for everyone.
NEW TECHNOLOGY: Thanks to a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation last season, Tarragon will continue to roll out new technology to increase its capacity to meet the needs of patrons. Upon request, Tarragon will continue to offer Assistive Listening Devices to patrons for both the Mainspace and Extraspace theatres. The lobby is now animated by Large Digital Screens to share information about the shows, recognize donors and supporters, as well as play a high-definition feed from Closed Circuit Cameras in each theatre. Plans are underway to install a new Lobby Wide Sound System. As part of a serious commitment to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Barrier Free Doors have been introduced to all public spaces. All of these changes continue the theatre's long-term project to improve the facility in increasingly significant ways over the next few years.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: This year, Tarragon introduces the 'build your own' subscription package; a flexible way to design your own theatre experience - and save money. Patrons can choose the number of plays they wish to see and which package they prefer. Theatre made simple.
2015-16 Early Bird Subscriptions (with spectacular savings of up to 45%) and single tickets for the 45th Anniversary Season are on sale now.
5-, 6-, 7- and 8-play subscription packages are now available. An 8-play season package starts as low as $165 if booked before May 31, 2015.
Subscriptions and tickets can be purchased online at www.tarragontheatre.com, by phone at 416-531-1827 or in person at the Tarragon Theatre Box Office at 30 Bridgman Avenue. Call Patron Services at 416-531-1827 for more information or visit www.tarragontheatre.com.
Tarragon Theatre's 45th Anniversary Season details are below.
Tarragon Theatre 2015-16 Season Details:
Blind Date International hit-show in Tarragon debut Mainspace
Created by and starring Rebecca Northan
September 8 - October 4, 2015
Canadian Comedy Award-winner Rebecca Northan's popular hit show returns to Toronto after critically acclaimed runs in New York, London's West End and across Canada. When Mimi's date for the evening fails to show up, she turns to the audience for someone brave enough to answer Love's call. What happens next is anybody's guess, and different each night. This unscripted, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants adventure is one saucy, daring and entertaining evening out.
"Funny and spontaneous, but also genuinely adorable. Blind Date conjures up all the heart-mushrooming glee of a brand-new romance, even as it gently lampoons sexual politics and courtship anxietiesŠ. Mimi's definitely a keeper." - J. Kelly Nestruck, The Globe and Mail
"Do you believe in love at first sight? I do, because I once spent 90 minutes under the spell of Rebecca Northan... A flight of theatrical fancy that is absolutely magical." - Richard Ouzounian, Toronto Star
"It's one thing to bring audience members onstage for three minutes of mockery, then sit them back down again. It's quite another to play opposite a stranger who's not a professional actor for more than an hour. That's what Ms. Northan fearlessly does, and it's very funny." - Neil Genzlinger, The New York Times
An Enemy of the People Back by popular demand! Mainspace
By Henrik Ibsen
Adapted by Florian Borchmeyer
Originally adapted for the Schaubühne
Translated by Maria Milisavljevic
Original Direction by Thomas Ostermeier
Toronto Staging by Richard Rose
October 7 - November 1, 2015
Dr. Stockmann has made a shocking discovery - his town's local baths are contaminated with industrial waste - but to go public with it will spell the end of the town's prosperity. With his reputation and relationships at stake, Dr. Stockmann must choose the right course of action. Censored scientists, environmental crises, the pitfalls of democracy and anarchist manifestos - An Enemy of the People is as alive now as it was in 1882.
Tarragon Artistic Director Richard Rose again helms an all-Canadian rendition of Schaubühne Theatre Artistic Director Thomas Ostermeier's visionary, boundary-crushing and acclaimed production. This riveting spectacle returns to the Tarragon stage after its huge audience and critical success this past fall.
"It was thrillingŠ a must-see" - J. Kelly Nestruck, The Globe and Mail
"Superb... even more topical now in a world where politicians at various levels discourage scientists and tell doctors to stick to their stethoscopes." - Robert Cushman, National Post
"Intelligent, well-argued and passionately dramatic. Don't miss it." - Jon Kaplan, NOW
The Trouble with Mr. Adams World premiere Extraspace
by Gord Rand
October 20 - November 29, 2015 (Opens October 28)
The dirty tip of cupid's arrow pierces high-school coach Mr. Adams when he falls for his too-young volleyball star - a love that threatens to destroy his life, family and career. This darkly funny, brand new play, from acclaimed actor and Tarragon Playwright-in-Residence Gord Rand in his Tarragon playwriting debut, exposes the male mid-life crisis in all its awkward and ruinous glory. Rand starred in Tarragon's Abyss in 2014-15 as well as the Shaw Festival's The Philanderer, Necessary Angel's Hamlet and Volcano's Goodness which he made into the feature documentary Goodness in Rwanda (Audience Choice Award at the 2013 ReelWorld Film Festival and Best Feature Documentary at the Thin Line Film Festival in Denton, Texas). He will soon be seen in the Stratford Festival's Oedipus Rex. He also wrote Poor Tom Productions' Dora-nominated play Pond Life.
Wormwood World premiere Mainspace
by Andrew Kushnir
directed by Richard Rose
November 11 - December 20, 2015 (Opens November 18)
A young Canadian man travels to Ukraine to observe the elections following the Orange Revolution, only to become an unexpected player in its fractured politics, its tumultuous history and the fate of a beautiful woman. As he falls deeper in love with the mysterious young woman, the more transparent his delusions about her country and its complicated past become. A stirring story about reconciling one's ideals with a complex political reality from Tarragon Playwright-in-Residence Andrew Kushnir who now makes his Tarragon debut. Kushnir, Creative Director at Project: Humanity, wrote and starred in its productions of Small Axe (co-presented with The Theatre Centre) and The Middle Place (a Canadian Stage/Theatre Passe Muraille collaboration). He also co-wrote and starred in The GHP Collective/Buddies in Bad Times Theatre's acclaimed The Gay Heritage Project.
Within the Glass World premiere Mainspace
by Anna Chatterton
directed by Andrea Donaldson
January 6 - February 14, 2016 (Opens January 13)
Two very different couples meet after a critical mistake at a fertility clinic: a fertilized egg has been implanted into the wrong woman. Over the course of a tense and absurd evening, they fight to determine the uncertain future of their families. This extraordinary pregnancy forces each of them to reassess their relationships, the depths of their desire to parent, and their hopes for the future - asking each person what they are willing to give up in the pursuit of a child. Anna Chatterton, a Tarragon Playwright-in-Residence, makes her Tarragon debut with this comic drama; her many other credits include works for The Canadian Opera Company (Swoon), and World Stage/Harbourfront Centre (Voice-Box) as well as Stitch for urbanvessel/The Theatre Centre and Breathe for Soundstreams. As a founding member of award-winning theatre company Independent Aunties, she co-wrote and performed in its acclaimed Clean Irene & Dirty Maxine and Breakfast, both presented by Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.
Mustard World premiere Extraspace
by Kat Sandler
February 2 - March 13, 2016 (Opens February 10)
Teenage Thai still has an imaginary friend named Mustard who lives under the bed. How can her mother, recently divorced and looking for solace at the bottom of a wine glass, persuade her that this is not normal, when she just started seeing him too? Mustard is a darkly comic fairy tale about an imaginary friend's quest to stay in our world; a whimsical story about loss, family, growing up and our need to belong. Artistic Director of Theatre Brouhaha, Kat Sandler is arguably Toronto's hottest and most prolific young playwright. She is known on indie stages, particularly the Fringe Festival, for such dark comedies as Punch-Up (2014 Best of Fringe/Patrons' Pick), Help Yourself (2012 Best of Fringe/Patrons' Pick) and We Are The Bomb, as well as Theatre Brouhaha's Cockfight and Retreat at The Storefront Theatre. She now makes her Tarragon debut.
You Will Remember Me Toronto premiere Mainspace
by François Archambault, translated by Bobby Theodore
in co-production with Studio 180
directed by Joel Greenberg
March 1 - April 10, 2016 (Opens March 9)
How will you be remembered? How will you choose to remember those you love? As an aging patriarch of a modern family - a university professor, political and intellectual force and long-time sovereigntist - suffers from dementia, the people who love him struggle to make room in their lives to care for him. This is a vivid and elegant drama about family and memory from one of Québec's most dynamic voices: Governor General's Award-winning playwright, François Archambault (15 seconds, The Leisure Society). New to the Tarragon stage, Archambault received raves when You Will Remember Me opened in Calgary at the 2014 Alberta Theatre Projects playRites Festival of New Canadian Plays for its English premiere:
"It is a beautiful, heart wrenching story told with as much compassion as insight.... as gripping as it is thought provoking" - Louis Hobson, Calgary Sun
"is the sharpest and most thoughtful Canadian stage drama to investigate the mysteries of memory since John Mighton's Half Life.... But while this is a play of ideas, it's a rich, accessible and frequently funny one that never neglects the emotional stakes." - J. Kelly Nestruck, The Globe and Mail
The Summoned World premiere Mainspace
by Fabrizio Filippo
directed by Richard Rose
April 20 - May 29, 2016 (Opens April 27)
Following the death of a billionaire tech visionary, the most important people in his life are summoned to an airport hotel for the reading of his will. They know to expect the unexpected, but what transpires is nothing short of a paradigm shift in the very fabric of these characters' lives, the nature of mortality and the future of technology. Celebrated Canadian screenwriter and actor Fabrizio Filippo, best-known for his television roles that include Scott Hope in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and violinist Ethan Gold in Queer as Folk, as well as starring in macIDeas' storied This is Our Youth, directed by Woody Harrelson, now makes his Tarragon playwriting debut on the Tarragon stage.
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ABOUT TARRAGON THEATRE
Tarragon Theatre is one of Canada's most important arts institutions. For 45 years, Tarragon Theatre has created, developed and produced new plays by home-grown artists as well as significant works from the world stage, vitally contributing to the important legacy of a Canadian culture. Since its founding, over 190 works have premiered at Tarragon and over 500 scripts have been created and workshopped, receiving 34 nominations and 11 wins for the Governor General's Literary Award. Tarragon received the 2012 Premier's Award for Excellence in the Arts in recognition of producing and developing leading edge and thought-provoking Canadian Theatre, both nationally and on the world stage. Richard Rose has been the Artistic Director since 2002. For more information visit www.tarragontheatre.com.
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Photo: Tarragon Theatre.
2015-02-13
Toronto: Tarragon Theatre announces its 45th anniversary season