Tarragon Theatre is excited to announce the Toronto Premiere of New Magic Valley Fun Town, the new work by Simonovitch Award-winning playwright, Daniel MacIvor. New Magic Valley Fun Town, which is co-produced by Prairie Theatre Exchange, runs in Tarragon’s Mainspace February 20 - March 31, 2019 (opening February 27). 

Cape Bretoner Dougie hasn’t seen his best childhood pal Allan in twenty-five years, so it’s no surprise that their reunion is a boisterous night of memories, laughter, drinking and dancing. But as evening becomes day, as the smiles begin to fade and the bottles sit empty, the old friends revisit other memories, uncomfortable ones that force them to confront the realities of who — and what — they really are.

The internet is forever and as often as it can be used for good, it can be a vehicle for spreading confusion and misinformation. In New Magic Valley Fun Town, MacIvor’s characters are on a truth-seeking mission down the rabbit hole of social media to clarify exposed fragments from the past, bringing to light family dysfunction, personal drama and love. 

New Magic Valley Fun Town, which MacIvor is also starring in, is a comedic drama about the challenges of trying moving forward before facing the past. In a style that has become synonymous with the theatre superstar’s writing, MacIvor and his fellow cast members take the audience on a journey of remembering, experiencing sadness and difficulty with laughter. 

“Daniel MacIvor is a mainstay of the Canadian theatre world and we are so excited to bring the Toronto premiere of his newest work, New Magic Valley Fun Town, to Tarragon audiences,” notes Tarragon’s Artistic Director Richard Rose.

New Magic Valley Fun Town features Caroline Gillis (Tarragon’s Communion, Tarragon’s Marion Bridge, Driftwood Theatre’s Rosalynde, Soulpepper’s Innocence Lost), Stephanie MacDonald (Tarragon debut, KAZAN Co-op’s Communion, Valley Summer Theatre’s Marion Bridge, Theatre New Brunswick’s The Boat), Daniel MacIvor and Andrew Moodie (Tarragon debut, Shakespeare in the Rough’s Othello, PTE’s Master Harold… and the Boys, playwright - Riot). New Magic Valley Fun Town is written by award-winning playwright Daniel MacIvor (Tarragon’s Communion, Tarragon’s How it Works, Tarragon’s Was Spring), with direction by Richard Rose.

The production recently had its world premiere at Prairie Theatre Exchange. Following the Toronto premiere run at Tarragon Theatre, it is set to open at Neptune Theatre in Halifax, NS.  

New Magic Valley Fun Town runs in Tarragon Theatre’s Mainspace from February 20, 2019, opening officially Wednesday, February 27.  

New Magic Valley Fun Town (Toronto premiere)
Mainspace
Co-produced by Prairie Theatre Exchange and Tarragon Theatre
Written by Daniel MacIvor
Directed by Richard Rose
February 20 - March 31, 2019 (opening February 27)

Daniel MacIvor is the winner of The Siminovitch Prize and The Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama.

Audience Advisory: while full of comedic moments, this play also touches on sensitive issues such as the aftermath of past trauma.

Showtimes are Tuesday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 2:30pm, and select Saturdays at 2:30pm.

Tickets range from $22 - $60 and can be purchased online at www.tarragontheatre.com, or by phone at 416-531-1827. Discounts are available for seniors, students and groups and arts workers. Patrons under 35 & arts workers visit 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. 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 discounts, 24h prior to the show. Both Rush ticket options are subject to availability.

For more information on Tarragon’s events and activities, visit www.tarragontheatre.com.

Photo: Daniel MacIvor in New Magic Valley Fun Town at Prairie Theatre Exchange. © 2019 Mike Deal.