Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto, ON - March 30, 2015: Albert Schultz, Founding Artistic Director of Soulpepper Theatre Company, today announced further details on 2015's April to June programming, including casting for May's four Soulpepper plays: Bedroom Farce (Alan Ayckbourn); seven-time Dora Award-winner Of Human Bondage (Vern Thiessen, based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham); the world premiere of The Dybbuk, or Between Two Worlds (Anton Piatigorsky, based on the play by S. Ansky); and Eurydice (Sarah Ruhl).
VideoCabaret also returns to Soulpepper this spring with their two Trudeau plays, part of the epic cycle Canada's History Plays by Michael Hollingsworth. Last year's sell-out hit Trudeau and the FLQ and its follow-up Trudeau and Levesque run through April to June, created by the Dora Award-winning VideoCabaret ensemble with Dora-Award winner Mac Fyfe as Pierre Trudeau.
Music at Soulpepper this spring includes two concerts, The Nina Project and New Orleans - The Big Easy. After selling out the Young Centre and the National Arts Centre, The Nina Project returns from April 3 to 12, with Jackie Richardson, Shakura S'Aida, Kellylee Evans and Coco Cognac Brown. New Orleans - The Big Easy, with music direction and performances from Joe Sealy and Slaight Family Director of Music Mike Ross, runs from April 10 to 12.
Soulpepper's Weekly Cabaret Series continues with a rotating lineup of intimate concerts, for up-to-date listings visit soulpepper.ca.
As previously announced, Soulpepper's Spoon River production recording is available now as a CD or digital download, visit soulpepper.ca for purchase details. The stage production of Spoon River has been extended to April 2. Ins Choi's Subway Stations of the Cross, part of the Studio Series, has been extended to April 4.
This July and August, the Young Centre for the Performing Arts will be home to fall 2015 Soulpepper rehearsals, as well as many PANAMANIA arts and cultural festival events as part of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. Soulpepper mainstage programming will return in early September, and additional 2015 programming will be announced this June.
Visit soulpepper.ca or call 416.866.8666 for more details.
SOULPEPPER'S 2015 SEASON: APRIL TO JUNE
MAINSTAGE
Bedroom Farce
Alan Ayckbourn
Directed by Ted Dykstra
Four couples, three bedrooms...one tumultuous evening! British comic master Alan Ayckbourn (The Norman Conquests) once again delivers a vivid and sophisticated look at the trials and tribulations of modern married life. The lives of three beleaguered couples are thrown into chaos by a fourth whose marriage is on the rocks, resulting in a rollicking comedy of manners. The cast includes: Derek Boyes; Caitlin Driscoll; Katherine Gauthier; Gordon Hecht; Corrine Koslo; Amy Matysio; Alex McCooeye; and Ron Pederson.
Bedroom Farce runs from May 1 to June 20. Opening night is May 8.
Of Human Bondage
Vern Thiessen. Based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham.
Directed by Albert Schultz
Of Human Bondage returns to Soulpepper after winning seven Dora Mavor Moore Awards last year, including: Outstanding Production; New Play; Direction; Ensemble; Set Design; Lighting Design; and Sound Design/Composition. This epic tale of lust, obsession, and the pursuit of beauty, was adapted for the stage for Soulpepper by Governor General's Award-winning playwright Vern Thiessen. The cast includes: Courtney Ch'ng Lancaster; Dan Chameroy; Laura Condlln; Oliver Dennis; John Jarvis; Richard Lam; Jeff Lillico; Michelle Monteith; Gregory Prest; Paolo Santalucia; and Sarah Wilson.
Of Human Bondage runs from May 2 to June 20. Opening performance is May 6.
The Dybbuk, or Between Two Worlds
Anton Piatigorsky. Based on the novel by S. Ansky.
Directed by Albert Schultz
The most celebrated play of Yiddish literature is presented in a new adaptation by award-winning Canadian playwright Anton Piatigorsky. Boundaries between the natural and supernatural worlds dissolve as ill-fated pledges and untimely deaths ensnare two families in this tale of powerful young love and eternal passion. The cast includes: Derek Boyes; Dan Chameroy; Leah Cherniak; Laura Condlln; Mikaela Davies; Caitlin Driscoll; Peter Fernandes; Katherine Gauthier; Hailey Gillis; Gordon Hecht John Jarvis; Richard Lam; Soulpepper Founding Members Diana Leblanc, Diego Matamoros and William Webster; Amy Matysio; Colin Palangio; Ron Pederson; Jordan Pettle; Alex Poch-Goldin; and Paolo Santalucia.
The Dybbuk, or Between Two Worlds runs from May 14 to June 18. Opening night is May 21.
Eurydice
Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Alan Dilworth
Sarah Ruhl, one of the most respected living American playwrights, adapts the classic myth of Orpheus from the perspective of his wife, Eurydice, in this playful and profound contemporary retelling. The cast includes: Courtney Ch'ng Lancaster; Oliver Dennis; Soulpepper Founding Member Stuart Hughes; Alex McCooeye; Michelle Monteith; Oyin Oladejo; and Gregory Prest.
Eurydice runs from May 19 to June 18. Opening night is May 28.
PARTNER PRESENTATIONS
Trudeau and the FLQ
THE HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF THE SMALL HUTS, 1963-1970
Michael Hollingsworth
As the centenary of Canada's Confederation approaches, Québec separatists crank up the violence. On a stage lit by terrorist bombings, Professor Trudeau pirouettes to power. The acid-tripping rock-throwing '60s are conjured by a master storyteller with the magical stagecraft of the VideoCabaret ensemble. With Aurora Browne, Richard Alan Campbell, Cyrus Faird, Mac Fyfe, Craig Lauzon, Linda Prystawska and Michaela Washburn.
Trudeau and the FLQ runs from May 12 to June 13. Opening night is May 14.
Trudeau and Levesque
THE HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF THE SMALL HUTS, 1971-1982
Michael Hollingsworth
Pierre Trudeau and René Lévesque pursue irreconcilable visions: one of Les Canadiens governing Canada from sea to sea, the other of Les Québecois governing Québec. Combatants, provocateurs, and spies in this comedie noire include: PQ Minister Claude Morin and his RCMP handlers; Poupette and her lovers in the FLQ and the Terrorism Squad; a Gang of Premiers and a Queen; plus Maggie Trudeau and The Rolling Stones. With Aurora Browne, Richard Alan Campbell, Cyrus Faird, Mac Fyfe, Craig Lauzon, Linda Prystawska and Michaela Washburn.
Trudeau and Levesque runs from April 25 to June 13. Opening night is May 2.
SOULPEPPER CONCERT SERIES
The Soulpepper Company, Slaight Family Director of Music Mike Ross, and special guests present a series of original musical experiences enriched with story, design and inter-disciplinary combustion.
The Nina Project
After selling out the Young Centre and the National Arts Centre, The Nina Project returns. Some of Canada's greatest vocalists, including Jackie Richardson, Shakura S’Aida, Kellylee Evans and Coco Cognac Brown, plus a team of incredible musicians, celebrate the life, legend, reach and relevance of Nina Simone.
April 3 to April 12, visit soulpepper.ca for details.
New Orleans - The Big Easy
A celebration of the city that gave birth to Louis Armstrong, Lillian Hellman, Jelly Roll Morton, Dr. John, and jazz itself. The cast includes Mike Ross, Joe Sealy, Paul Navoty, The Heavy Weights, and guest performances from Michael Dunston and Jackie Richardson.
April 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. and April 12 at 1:30 p.m.
SOULPEPPER'S WEEKLY CABARETS
Soulpepper's Weekly Cabarets at the Young Centre are musical showcases from established artists, fresh and exciting talent, and intimate groupings of artists from Toronto's diverse musical community. Each Cabaret runs for 60-90 minutes. Visit soulpepper.ca for more details.
Tickets to Soulpepper productions at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts are available by calling the Young Centre Box Office at 416.866.8666 or by visiting soulpepper.ca.
Tickets for Soulpepper productions range from $94 to $29.50. Tickets for the Soulpepper Concert Series start at $22. Tickets for the Weekly Cabarets are $25 and Studio Series tickets start at $30. $24 tickets are available for Arts Workers. $24 tickets for Soulpepper productions are also available for 21-30 year-olds at stageplay.ca. StagePlay is sponsored by TD Bank Group. The $24 Rush Ticket / $5 Youth Rush program is sponsored by Sun Life Financial. Ticket prices include a Young Centre facility fee, service charge and HST. Pricing is subject to change.
Photo: Oliver Dennis and Gregory Prest in Of Human Bondage. ©2014 Cylla von Tiedemann.
2015-03-30
Toronto: Soulpepper's April to June programming