RedWit Theatre presents Living with Olivia Cadence Donovan by Allison Shea Reed, a play about not just surviving but living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which will premiere with a brand new second act, running January 14th-25, 2020 at the Tankhouse Theatre in the Young Centre. Living with Olivia Cadence Donovan is directed by Sean O’Brien, the director of the 2018 critically-acclaimed Toronto premiere of Hamlet(s) (Skipping Stones Theatre). Featuring a cast of emerging artists and a passionate creative team, Living with Olivia delves into the lives of Emily and her friends as they come to terms with her disorder. 

Emily has been living with Olivia her whole life. Olivia is her best friend and roommate, her protector and her downfall. She can be extraordinarily difficult and time-consuming but she is always there. Olivia is Emily’s Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.  In this impressive debut, Living with Olivia explores the inner life of a young woman struggling with OCD and shines a light on the people in her life that love her. Through its recognizable and nuanced portraits of people we have all known, Living with Olivia Cadence Donovan asks its audience to confront this disorder head on through these people and this story. This play was written by Allison Shea Reed in early 2018 out of pure frustration with anyone who has ever said “I’m so OCD” and has no idea what it actually means, this play is not a PSA but an exploration of what happens inside the brain of someone who deals with this disorder and how it affects those around them. 

Living with Olivia Cadence Donovan is the first full length play written by RedWit Theatre’s Artistic Director Allison Shea Reed and is directed by Sean O’Brien (Hamlet(s),Skipping Stones Theatre; Coriolanus, Skipping Stones). The production features Gabriella Circosta (The Cenotaph project,Theatre by the Bay) as Olivia; Tristan Claxton (Hamlet(s), Skipping Stones Theatre) as Rowan; Conor Ling (The Seat Next to the King, Minmar Gaslight Productions) as Graham, and the playwright Allison Shea Reed (In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play), RedWit Theatre) as Emily. The creative team consists of Designer Olivia Cassidy Stupka (Lighting Design: Living with Olivia Cadence Donovan, RedWit Theatre; In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play); RedWit Theatre) and Producer Allison Shea Reed (Artistic Director and Founder, RedWit Theatre).

Living with Olivia Cadence Donovan 

At the Tankhouse Theatre in the Young Centre for the Performing Arts

Playwright – Allison Shea Reed
Director – Sean O’Brien
Emily – Allison Shea Reed
Olivia – Gabriella Circosta
Rowan – Tristan Claxton
Graham – Conor Ling
Lighting/Sound Designer – Olivia-Cassidy Stupka
Producer – Allison Shea Reed

LOCATION: Tankhouse Theatre in the Young Centre for the Performing Arts –

50 Tank House Lane
Distillery Historic District
Toronto, Ontario M5A 3C4

DATES:
Preview: Tues. Jan. 14 (8 pm)
Opening Night: Wed. Jan. 15 (8 pm)
Regular Performances: Thurs. Jan. 16 (8 pm), Fri. Jan. 17 (8 pm), Sat. Jan. 18^th (2 pm), Sat. Jan. 18 (8 pm), Mon. Jan. 20 (8 pm), Tues. Jan. 21 (8 pm), Wed. Jan. 22 (8 pm), Thurs. Jan 23 (8 pm), Fri. Jan 24 (8 pm), Sat. Jan. 25 (2 pm), Sat. Jan. 25 (8 pm)

RUNTIME: approx. 90 minutes. (with intermission)
CONTENT WARNINGS: This show contains strong language, adult themes, and discussions of mental illness.  

TICKETS: Students/Artsworkers - $25.00
General Admission - $35.00
Tickets available as of December 7^th. 

Buy Ticket online: tickets.youngcentre.ca

The Young Centre Box Office is located in the Atrium and is open Tuesday to Saturday, 1pm to 8pm and one hour prior to a Sunday or Monday performance.

Phone Number: 416.866.8666

For more information, visit www.redwittheatre.com

Photo: Allison Shea Reed, Gabriella Circosta, Tristan Claxton and Conor Ling.