Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto, ON – Canadian Stage presents the Canadian premiere of Harper Regan, a contemporary tale about loyalty, morality and the bonds of family, by acclaimed British playwright Simon Stephens from Mar. 1 to 22 at the Bluma Appel Theatre (27 Front St. E). Harper Regan is directed by Canadian Stage’s artistic & general director, Matthew Jocelyn and features Canadian film and television star, Molly Parker (“Deadwood”; “House of Cards”) who will be supported by a gifted Canadian cast consisting of Vivien Endicott-Douglas (Stopheart), Lynne Griffin (Stratford Festival and Shaw Festival), Hardee T. Lineham (The Ugly One), Alex Poch-Goldin (Scorched), Philip Riccio (The Seagull) and Izaak Smith (“Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B”). This marks the first time Stephens’ work will be presented on a main stage in Canada.
“I’m very excited to be part of the cast of Harper Regan,” said Parker who takes on the play’s title role. “Harper, with all her complexities, is a challenging character. I can’t wait to start on this journey with her, and this wonderful group of talented performers.”
Inspired by the opus of Greek playwright Euripides, Harper Regan follows a woman’s voyage of self-discovery. After a family scandal, Harper Regan (Parker) is forced to become the cornerstone of her family. But one autumn evening she learns of her father’s impending death, and walks away from her home, her husband (Poch-Goldin) and her daughter (Endicott-Douglas). Harper tells no one where she’s going or whether she’s coming back, putting her family and everything she’s ever worked for at risk.
“When we first started reading Simon Stephens’ work at Canadian Stage, Harper Regan was the play we kept coming back to,” said Jocelyn. “Simon has created a beautiful domestic story with hints of something that is truly epic. In Harper we find a woman who is unwittingly driven by a need to get to the source of who she is, and what roles she plays in a generations-old family curse. Begging the question: if a person takes destiny in their own hands, might they be able to make a difference?”
In Jocelyn’s most recent production, the critically acclaimed THIS (2013), he transformed the Berkeley Street Theatre, exploring the space in a new way by stripping it bare. Now, with set & costume designer Debra Hanson, Jocelyn turns his transformative eye to Canadian Stage’s larger performance space, the Bluma Appel Theatre, creating an intimate atmosphere by extending the stage with actors performing only a few feet away from the audience. When not performing, the actors will remain on the traditional stage shrouded by a black void of unknown created by lighting designer, Michael Walton.
During the run of Harper Regan Canadian Stage will host a range programming designed to engage audiences and foster conversations about art and theatre. On Mar. 6 there will be a pre-show conversation with director Matthew Jocelyn; the playwright, Simon Stephens, will join Jocelyn for another pre-show chat on Mar. 13. In addition, post-show conversations with members of the cast will take place after every Wednesday matinee and Thursday evening performance. More information can be found at canadianstage.com.
Harper Regan is on stage at the Bluma Appel Theatre (27 Front St. E) from Mar. 1 to 22. Performances run Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with Friday performances starting at 7 p.m. and additional Saturday and Sunday matinees at 1 p.m. Tickets from $30 to $99 are available online, by phone at 416.363.3110 or in person at the box office. For details visit canadianstage.com.
Website: canadianstage.com
Facebook: Canadian Stage
Twitter: @CanadianStage;
Hashtag: #csHarper
Photo: Molly Parker.
2015-02-19
Toronto: Matthew Jocelyn directs Molly Parker in "Harper Regan" March 1-22