Stage Door News
Stage Door News
April 21, 2015. . . SpringWorks: indie theatre & arts festival is celebrating its fifth season with an expanded line-up that includes a puppet festival for families.
SpringWorks runs from May 7 to 17, with the Puppet Festival Family Weekend on May 16 and 17.
A Puppet Festival day pass—priced at $10 for kids and $20 for adults—will give visitors access to performances, hands-on workshops and a host of free activities in and around Stratford’s downtown core. (Early-bird passes are available until May 1.)
“After the success of our Mini Festival of Puppets last season,” says Artistic Producer Eileen Smith, “we knew we wanted to bring more of these shows to Stratford. I think this will be a very exciting addition for our family audiences.”
The weekend programming is suitable for everyone from the very young to the young at heart. Highlights include:
· Loki’s Big Dream – Jim Dalling weaves the touching story of a boy and his grandfather, and the lessons imparted by spending precious time together building cabins in the woods.
· The Great Red Ball Rescue – In this spellbinding show by Faye Dupras, a boy undertakes a daring adventure to recover his favourite ball, which has been carried out to sea.
· The Good Old Fashioned Punch & Judy Show – Created by Fraggle Rock’s Mike Petersen, this classic puppet show is even better than you remember it: the comedy, the violence, the whole darn thing.
· Squirrel Stole My Underpants – Bonnie Duncan presents one girl’s hilarious journey to rescue her favourite piece of clothing from the paws of a mischievous squirrel.
· Pandora’s Box – Based on the Greek myth, Jay Wilson’s one-man, five-character play introduces children to theatre, storytelling and more.
· The Sleeping Prince – The Clever Crones’ delightful family show returns to SpringWorks in a new orchestrated version with shadow puppets.
· Arbre and Inukshuk – Québécois company le chemin qui marche perform two captivating stories without words, followed by Q&A sessions in French and English.
· The Mask Messenger – A series of vignettes by Christel Bartelse and Faustwork Mask Theatre, ranging from the comic to the poignant to the bizarre.
· Tread On It! – Jeff Mann delivers an environmentally themed workshop in which kids use car parts and tires to print their own wearable art.
· The Kissing Booth – Kimberley Howe and Eva Nitsch invite kids to decorate a puppet, kiss a puppet and become an official puppeteer.
SpringWorks will also present a mainstage puppet show for youth and adults: Kira Hall’s acclaimed solo work, Paleoncology.
“Kira’s show reminds us that puppetry isn’t just a children’s art form,” says Ms Smith. “It ignites the imagination at any age.”
Diversity a central theme of 2015 festival
SpringWorks has also added new programming around the theme of diversity, a popular stream with youth and adult audiences.
“It’s important to us to stage works that explore a range of life experiences,” says Ms Smith. “Last season, visitors were keen to see not only cross-cultural productions, but also shows that touched on the broader topic of diversity. We’ve taken that interest as a cue for this year’s programming, and we’ve invited artists whose work speaks to themes like ethnicity, mental health, religion and gender.
“Many of these productions are funny and uplifting, and all of them promise an unforgettable audience experience.”
SpringWorks’ 2015 programming includes:
· Sound of the Beast – Governor General’s Award nominee Donna-Michelle St. Bernard presents her new long-form narrative from the 54ology, in which writes a play for every country in Africa.
· Inua – Recently featured in Native Earth Performing Arts’ festival Weesageechak Begins to Dance, this touching drama by Danish-Inuit playwright Naja Dyrendom Graugaard explores the relationship between an Inuk Elder and her granddaughter, a forensic anthropologist.
· Licking Knives – Melanie Hrymak’s darkly funny story is narrated by a young woman who leaves home in the spring of 1939, journeying across Europe from small-town Ukraine to Paris, the City of Lights.
· JESTERS INCOGNITO – Haw! Theatre presents an award-winning production about a man who copes with Bipolar Disorder by inventing a dystopia inhabited by underground artists and entertainers.
· Going On – In a one-woman show with 12 characters, Elizabeth Richardson explores the paradoxical and hilarious life of a Buddhist actress, complete with appearances by Peter O’Toole and her mother.
· The Two Horsewomen – A comedy by Gemini Award winner Robin Craig, with music by singer-songwriter Nancy White. Two respected senior actresses take on “as cast” roles in a new musical—only to be shocked by what “as cast” entails.
Celebrating the art of song with concerts, opera and more
The 2015 season also features a variety of musical acts, including a riotous work of musical theatre.
"We’re delighted to present Brian Kennington’s Elvis and Dick, which takes a comedic look at the lives of two legendary figures—Elvis Presley and Richard Nixon,” says Ms Smith. “As Brian and his team say, the story is absolutely true—except for the parts they’ve made up!”
SpringWorks is also pleased to welcome back Dora Award-winning company Tapestry Opera, who are mounting a cabaret of 20th- and 21st-century gems with world-renowned soprano Carla Huhtanen.
“It’s wonderful to be able to showcase local talent at the festival, as well,” says Ms Smith. “This season we have Stratford chanteuse Lara MacMillan, whose new concert centres on the work of John Lennon. The superlative Barbara Dunn-Prosser will present her one-woman show Lest We Forget, a touching commemorative piece featuring Canadian songs from the First World War.
“Sloppy Joe and the Dust Bunnies will be our closing act on May 17, and I’m thrilled. Their performances always create a wonderful party atmosphere.”
Celebrated trio Trent Severn will open the SpringWorks festival on May 7, bringing the sweet sounds of “Canadian History in Harmony” to Stratford’s City Hall. A reception will follow at the University of Waterloo Stratford Campus, where visitors will be able to interact with the three-story Christie MicroTiles Wall.
Complementing the musical acts are spellbinding works of contemporary dance, including half life by Blue Ceiling Dance and Zolla!, a piece for dancer and accordion by Tiina Kiik and Julia Aplin. Toronto’s Rock Bottom Movement will also present The Salt Show 2015 with competitive dancers from Stratford’s own Infinity Dance Studio.
More than 100 events to explore at SpringWorks
With free poetry readings, plus visual art, workshops and late-night cabaret, SpringWorks’ fifth season offers programming for all ages and interests.
“It’s amazing to see how much we’ve grown in just five years,” says Ms Smith. “Each season more and more people come out to SpringWorks—in fact, we’ve quadrupled our audiences since we started in 2011. It’s very rewarding to see that there’s so much interest in Canada’s independent artists.
“We have a terrific line-up this year; I’m looking forward to sharing this work with our visitors.”
Dates: May 7 to 17, 2015
General Admission: Adults: FREE to $20; Children: FREE to $10.
Puppet Festival Day Pass: Adults: $20; Children: $10.
Early-Bird Puppet Festival Weekend Pass (two days for the price of one): Adults: $20; Children: $10.*
Package rates: Adult tickets: 3+ for $15 each; Family of 4 (max. 2 adults): $40.
Flex passes (3 tickets): Adults: $45; Children: $25.
All purchases add HST and service fees.
*Early-Bird pass is available until May 1, 2015.
Website: www.springworksfestival.ca
2015-04-21
Stratford: SpringWorks adds a new puppet weekend