Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre kicks of its 40th anniversary season this September with the return of an audience favourite, Gertrude and Alice, originally co-produced by Buddies and the Independent Aunties in 2016. Critically-acclaimed, nominated for three Dora Mavor Moore Awards (outstanding new play, performance – ensemble, and costume design), and recently published by Playwrights Canada Press, this beloved story of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas returns to the Buddies stage with a new production design by celebrated visual artist Sherri Hay.
Visiting the audience in the present day, contentious and influential writer Gertrude Stein and her partner, Alice B. Toklas, come to find out how history has treated them. The couple recounts stories of their 40-year marriage, of meetings with iconic artists and writers, of their taste-making collection of early modernist paintings, and of Alice’s overwhelming, consuming devotion to Gertrude’s genius. Before they leave, they want to find out how their lives and work are – or are not – remembered.
Evalyn Parry, artistic director of Buddies and co-creator of the piece, comments, “We usher in Buddies 40th season with a play that, fittingly, explores the nature of queer artistic legacy. Gertrude and Alice brings to the stage the work of a deeply influential, experimental and transgressive lesbian artist, and also a legendary queer love story.”
With a new production design by visionary artist Sherri Hay, the set becomes a character of its own. As our queer heroes chart their influence and legacy in their own artistic moment, the 21st century art installation in which they find themselves evolves at an almost-imperceptible yet constant pace, creating a stunning visual metaphor for the questions the play explores.
Conceived and created by the Independent Aunties, Gertrude and Alice is written and performed by Anna Chatterton (Quiver, Within the Glass) and Buddies artistic director Evalyn Parry (Kiinalik: These Sharp Tools, SPIN) and directed and dramaturged by Karin Randoja (huff, This is the Point). Sherri Hay (Other Jesus, YouTopia) joins the all-women creative team as production designer, alongside lighting by Michelle Ramsay (The Magic Hour, Body Politic), sound by Aleda Deroche (Kiinalik: These Sharp Tools), and costumes by Ming Wong (Girls Like That, The Wedding Party).
A Buddies in Bad Times Theatre production
Gertrude and Alice
conceived + created by The Independent Aunties
directed + dramaturged by Karin Randoja
written + performed by Anna Chatterton + Evalyn Parry
with additional text by Gertrude Stein + Alice B. Toklas
set design Sherri Hay
lighting design Michelle Ramsay
costume design Ming Wong
sound design Aleda Deroche + Karin Randoja
stage management Christina Cicko
Previews: September 15th, 16th, 18th & 19th
Opening Night: September 20th
Closing Performance: October 7th
Runs: Tues-Sat 8pm, Sun 2:30pm
Tickets: PWYC - $40
Box Office 416-975-8555 or buddiesinbadtimes.com
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander Street, Toronto ON
Photo: Evalyn Parry and Anna Chatterton. ©2017 Tanja-Tiziana.
2018-08-21
Toronto: "Gertrude and Alice" returns to Buddies in Bad Times Theatre September 15-October 7