Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Richard Rose, Artistic Director of Tarragon Theatre, is pleased to announce the Tarragon premiere of the critically celebrated work by David Greig and Gordon McIntyre, Midsummer (a play with songs). This “play with songs” comically recounts a lost midsummer weekend in Edinburgh - a misguided hookup and all its subsequent and hilarious mishaps. Midsummer (a play with songs) runs April 18 - May 28, 2017 (opening April 26, 2017) in the Mainspace.
Midsummer’s weekend in Edinburgh. It’s raining. Bob’s a failing car salesman on the fringes of the city’s underworld. Helena’s a high-powered divorce lawyer with a taste for other people’s husbands. She’s totally out of his league. He’s not her type at all. They absolutely should not sleep together. Which is, of course, why they do. Midsummer is the hilarious story of a great lost weekend of ill-advised romance: bridge-burning, car chases, wedding bust-ups, midnight trysts, poignant pop songs, honest humour, and self-loathing hangovers.
The genre-defying production is a romantic comedy of the most theatrical kind. “Midsummer beats any story you’ve ever heard from a friend, and it’s a powerful demonstration of storytelling,” notes director Tamara Bernier Evans.
Evans was inspired to work on the play after seeing it in French in 2014, “When the play was over I was so excited I got in touch with Richard Rose right away - I knew I wanted to direct this play. Luckily, it was already on his radar.”
“The days are getting longer, the sun feels warmer and we’re all eager to get out there and have some fun. Midsummer (a play with songs) is a perfect way to do so - and a great way to close out our regular season,” notes Tarragon’s Artistic Director, Richard Rose, who also serves as consulting director on the play.
Midsummer (a play with songs) features Brandon McGibbon (Tarragon’s An Enemy of the People, Forests, Mirvish’s Matilda, Once Broadway & Toronto companies) and Carly Street (Tarragon debut, seasons at Stratford, Canadian Stage’s Venus in Fur). With direction from Tamara Bernier Evans (Tarragon‘s Mimi: A Poisoner’s Comedy, Assistant Artistic Director 2015-16, Directorial debut), consulted by Richard Rose (Tarragon’s The Realistic Joneses, An Enemy of the People).
The play with songs, written by David Greig with music by Gordon McIntyre, was originally published in 2008 and has been on stage at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh and New York’s Clurman Theatre, among others. Midsummer (a play with songs) has its Tarragon premiere April 18 - May 28, 2017, opening officially Wednesday, April 26.
Midsummer (a play with songs)
In Tarragon Theatre’s Mainspace
Written by David Greig & Gordon McIntyre
Directed by Tamara Bernier Evans
Featuring Brandon McGibbon and Carly Street
April 18 - May 28, 2017 (opening April 26)
Midsummer’s weekend in Edinburgh. It’s raining. Bob’s a failing car salesman on the fringes of the city’s underworld. Helena’s a high-powered divorce lawyer with a taste for other people’s husbands. She’s totally out of his league. He’s not her type at all. They absolutely should not sleep together. Which is, of course, why they do. Midsummer is the hilarious story of a great lost weekend of ill-advised romance: bridge-burning, car chases, wedding bust-ups, midnight trysts, poignant pop songs, honest humour, and self-loathing hangovers.
★★★★ “Exhilarating… you float out laughing as if you’ve just swallowed sunshine on a spoon.” – The Guardian
CAST + CREW
Written by David Greig & Gordon McIntyre
Directed by Tamara Bernier Evans
Consulting director Richard Rose
Featuring Brandon McGibbon as Bob and Carly Street as Helena
Lighting designer Nick Andison
Costume designer Kathleen Johnston
Musical director Sam Sholdice
Set designer Graeme S. Thomson
Stage manager Nicola Benidickson
Assistant director Madeleine Brown
***
Showtimes are Tuesday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 2:30pm, and select Saturdays at 2:30pm.
Tickets range from $29 - 65 and can be purchased online at www.tarragontheatre.com, or by phone at 416-531-1827. Discounts are available for seniors, students, groups and arts workers. Patrons under 35 & arts workers visit www.tarragontheatre.com/tarragon22.
Tarragon offers the most flexible subscription packages in the city with savings of up to 40%, allowing patrons to choose their productions, change their dates free of charge, and offering many different price points to suit all schedules and budgets. Subscription packages for the 2017/18 season are now on sale at special Earlybird rates to May 31, 2017. Visit the website or call Patron Services today for more information.
Rush tickets are sold for $20 cash only, in person at the theatre two hours before showtime. This year Tarragon will also be offering online rush tickets at varying discount, sold on the same day as the performance. Both Rush ticket options are subject to availability.
For more information on Tarragon’s events and activities, visit www.tarragontheatre.com/calendar.
Photo: Deb Filler.
2017-03-28
Toronto: Tarragon Theatre presents "Midsummer (a play with songs)" April 18-May 28