Kristen Thomson Returns for the Toronto Engagement of I, Claudia - Tickets on Sale Now
"Thomson is a stupendous character actress... one of the most heart-stoppingly honest comedians in Toronto." -The Globe & Mail
Tickets are already on sale for Crow's Theatre's Toronto production of I, Claudia. Kristen Thomson will reprise her Dora Award winning performance in this extraordinary one-woman show, using four astonishingly expressive masks to map the raw, but beautiful interior life of a misfit adolescent, her grandfather, her dad's new girlfriend, and the school janitor. Don't miss your chance to see one of the country's most talented performers in her most celebrated role. The Young Centre for the Performing Arts will present I, Claudia at the Michael Young Theatre April 24 - May 23. Get your tickets now
"Under Chris Abraham’s immaculate direction, Thomson blends the humorous and the painful in a single sentence"
-Now Magazine
 –Edmonton Sun, Now Magazine
Claudia, age twelve-and-three-quarters, finds herself suffering from the triple afflictions of puberty, unpopularity, and her parents' divorce. Alternately heartbreakingly sad and wrenchingly funny, I, Claudia casts a theatrical spell of rare power, and has played to sold out houses across Canada.
“Blissfully funny, unexpectedly touching, ‘I, Claudia’ is a must see." –Toronto Star
Winner of 2 Dora Awards for Outstanding New Play and Performance I, Claudia has been charming audiences the world over since it first premiered at the Tarragon Theatre in 2001. For tickets, call the Young Centre box office at (416) 866-8666 or visit youngcentre.ca
“A masterful accomplishment! Brilliant, charming and heartbreaking" –National Post
–Eye Weekly, The Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, Ottawa Sun
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Evan Webber Reports Back from Under the Radar
In January, Writer in Residence Evan Webber, along with Chris Abraham, attended the Under the Radar Festival - New York’s premiere festival of experimental and interdisciplinary theatre. For two weeks, a selection of emerging and established artists from around the world presented work at The Public Theater and other venues across the city.
The New York Times is insufficient.
Yesterday (which was January 13, 2009) the New York Times reviewed some of the performances I saw at the Coil and Under the Radar Festivals last week in New York. The front page was drinking the blood out of its own wounds with particular relish that day, with Israel, "a paradigm of unity and mutual support" explaining the justice if their invasion of Gaza, and George W. Bush explaining the last 8 years by quoting Frank Sinatra, as he saddled his horse for Texas. This is the context in which the art - or at least three of the works I saw - was deemed a success.
One of pieces that was not reviewed in the 'Times was Liga: 50% reward and 50% punishment. It begins with a film showing performers leaving the stage...
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Memories of a Forgotten People
Writer in Residence Misha Shulman was born and raised in Jerusalem, and served in the Israeli army as a Commander in charge of Education. Before moving to Toronto in 2008, Misha spent seven years living in New York City where he was a founding member of Boundless Theatre and a member of the famed Living Theatre.
It was a land of mistakes and a land of contradictions. A “Security Zone” which happened to be the most dangerous strip of land in a radius of hundreds of miles, a mountainous paradise through which flows the majestic Litani River, turned into a hopeless hell-hole of terrorists, soldiers and their victims, cousin funding cousin to fight brother, all steadily sinking into the economic, social and moral mud of their rifles’ blazing fire.
On the tip of a tall mountain above the Litani sits an ancient Crusader fort turned Israeli army post. Across the river’s deep ravine lies another army base in the village of Marj Ayoun, in which lay the headquarters of two of the armies inhabiting the area – the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and its puppet army of Lebanese Christians and Druze, the South Lebanon Army (SLA). It was at this base that I found myself watching the sun rise over the notorious Al-Hayyam prison, and set over Beaufort Castle, from 1996 to 1999...
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Evan Webber's Moon Mission Playing at the 2009 RhubarB! Festival
Evan Webber is a playwright, performer, and founding member of Toronto's One Reed Theatre Ensemble. Evan's new work, Antigone: A Clean House for the Dead Season, was co-developed by Crow's Theatre and will be produced by Soulpepper in September 2009.
 
In February, Evan Webber will be one of over two-dozen artists presenting work at the 30th Rhubarb! Festival, which takes place at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre February 4 – 22, 2009. Evan will be presenting the third episode of his latest work, Moon Mission, which is being produced In Association with Crow’s Theatre as a part of the Writers in Residence Program.
Featuring performers Kerr Wells and Hannah Cheeseman, Moon Mission 3 is a presentational history of two astronauts who set out to “return to the moon" in the year 2025. The third episode in a cycle of semi-fictional works about accident, collaboration, and the story of humanity’s presence in outer space. For more information, visit relativesafety.com
For tickets, passes, and a complete line-up for the Rhubarb! Festival call (416) 975-8555, or visit artsexy.ca.
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SideMart theatrical Grocery and The Mark of All Genius
Andrew Shaver is Artistic Director of SideMart Theatrical Grocery Montreal and an Artistic Director at the Montreal / Brooklyn based collective Sabooge Theatre. Andrew has been working with Crow’s Theatre since March of 2008, when he took on the role of Dr. Thoughtless Actions in [boxhead].
  
When I was a kid, the worst feeling in the world (apart from cranging my head into my knee while jumping on the bed) was thinking that I’d disappointed my parents. It was OK if they got mad at me (and they often did - they loved that damn bed) but when their feelings went from anger to disappointment (or worse, skipped anger entirely), my heart sank and I lost my words.
A full childhood, a stumbling adolescence and a whole decade of grownupness spent actively evading these scenarios hopefully contributed to some pleasant aspects of my personality, but it also hollowed out a space for some ridiculously deep-rooted sensitivity. And it was into this painful abscess that a horrible, blinding, sickly, flashbacky type of light was shone earlier in January during a laboratory-style creation experiment in Montreal...
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An Excerpt from Anton Piatigorsky's The Iron Bridge
Crow's Theatre will present Anton Piatigorsky's latest work, Eternal Hydra (pictured below), for a limited engagement opening May 21 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Anton is also working on The Iron Bridge, a collection of short stories about adolescent dictators, as well as a new adaptation of S. Ansky's The Dybbuk. He recently took time to talk to us about his upcoming projects, and share an excerpt from one of his stories about a young Mao Tse-tung.
 
I’ve been juggling several projects for a few years now, and it looks like many them will fall at the exact same time. Hopefully they’ll all get caught. It’s a bit of a perfect storm. Eternal Hydra, a play I started way back in 2001, will have the full-length production I’ve always wanted for it (thanks to Crow’s) in May, and will also be published by Coach House Books. During rehearsal for Eternal Hydra, I will be splitting my time with a three-work workshop for another project that’s been brewing for years, an adaptation with Soulpepper of S. Ansky’s classic play The Dybbuk.
Before those go, however, I have to put the finishing touches on a collection of short stories about dictators as teenagers, called The Iron Bridge. That’s the culmination of two years of work. And at the same time I’m in the process of writing a screenplay based on three of those stories for a prospective production company. I’m also beginning a novel, which means writing a proposal, something I’m supposed to have finished in the next two months. And I have to fix a libretto for a fundraiser in May. And I’m pondering the next step of a new play that I hope to workshop in the fall. And I’m trying to raise my three great kids. And I’m telling myself it will all be fine.
It’s unusual for me to have so much work all at once. For some inexplicable reason, I’m not all that stressed. I’m pretty pleased with it, actually. It’s great for my concentration to shift gears every few days or weeks; each project stays fresh and I always have new eyes.
Here’s the beginning of a story about young Mao Tse-tung called ‘The Consummation’
Click here to read an excerpt from The Consummation
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Michael MacKenzie's Adam's Wall Plays to Critical Acclaim in Toronto and Montreal
Michael MacKenzie is a multi-award winning writer and director for film and theatre, whose work has played at stages across Europe and North America. Michael joined Crow's Theatre as a Writer in Residence for 2008/09, and will be working with Chris Abraham on an upcoming production of his play Geometry in Venice.
His latest film, Adam's Wall, enjoyed highly successful runs in both Toronto and Montreal and garnered much critical acclaim. Click on the image below to watch the trailer.
"visually and sonically radiant" -John Griffin, The Gazette
"MacKenzie makes a triumphant return with the low-budget but high-production value drama Adam's Wall." -Christopher Skyes, Mirror
"Mile End, and Montreal in general, has rarely looked as lovely as it does in Michael MacKenzie's Adam's Wall"
-Melora Koepke, Hour
Adam, a Jewish teenager, and Yasmine, a young Lebanese girl, fall in love. Their relationship is overshadowed by the ongoing feud between their families, but also by the raging conflict in the Middle East. From the heart of Mile End, Montreal's multicultural neighborhood, comes this modern-day story of two lovers fighting against the walls that separate them. Adam’s Wall is coming soon to video – for more information visit couzinfilms.com
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Crow's Theatre Announces Dates for the Directors' Exchange
In May, Crow’s Theatre will host The National Theatre School in Toronto as they showcase the Directing Program students' graduating works at the Theatre Centre. An exciting component of the showcase will be the Director’s Exchange, a three day event from May 15 - 17, organized by Crow’s Theatre. Curated by Christian Barry, The Director’s Exchange will bring prominent Canadian directors to view the work of the students and engage with the broader community. Through a series of panel discussions the event will investigate the role of the director as artistic leader, the path of the emerging director, and the role of our current artistic leaders in shaping the vision of our national theatre.
For more information on The Directors' Exchange and the National Theatre School Showcase make sure you are signed up to the Crow’s Theatre Facebook Group and our mailing list.
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Make a donation towards our 25th Anniversary Season
This is a year of celebration for us at Crow’s Theatre as the 08/09 season marks the company’s 25th Anniversary, one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory and a true celebration of the history and spirit of Crow’s Theatre. We are only mid-way through this ambitious season that will see us working with some of the country’s top artists to bring a diverse line-up of bold new works and award-winning remounts to stages in Toronto and across the country.
Throughout the season we will continue to develop new work and support the next generation of talent through initiatives like our Writers in Residence Program, The Directors' Exchange, and the Crow’s Theatre Award for Direction, which is presented annually at SummerWorks. Your support will allow an ever-growing number of artists to be involved with these initiatives in the years ahead.
Your donation could not come at a more critical time, as recent cuts to government programs combined with the economy’s strain on foundation revenues has resulted in a drastically shrinking pool of funds available to support the development of new work. Now, more than ever, your help is needed to provide artists with the kind of time and resources that have made our 25th Anniversary Season possible.
To learn more, please visit our website or visit CanadaHelps to donate on-line.
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Announcements
IN MEMORIAM
On December 12 2008, Crow’s Theatre lost friend and valued board member, Stephen Roth. His voluble spirit and tremendous energy will be greatly missed. Along side his recent tenure as a Director for Crow’s Theatre, Stephen supported and nurtured a mutitude of community causes, arts organization and individuals. He was the champion of so many worthy causes. Among his many proffessional achievments, Stephen co-founded Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., the film and television conglomerate. He was born in Montreal, graduated with a law degree from McGill University in 1966 and worked in private practice as a corporate and securities lawyer for nearly a decade before founding RSL productions in 1975 with his McGill friends, Robert Lantos and Victor Loewy. In 1991 he left the film business to work as a venture capitalist, portfolio manager and real-estate developer. A dedicated family man, Stephen is survived by his wife Sheila, son Elie and daughter Ava and Dara. He also leaves five grandchildren and sister Sharon. He was predeceased by his son Lev.
CHRIS ABRAHAM TO DIRECT THE PATIENT HOUR BY KRISTEN THOMSON
 Chris Abraham will be at the Tarragon Theatre this February to direct the premiere of The Patient Hour – a new play by Kristen Thomson. Through the eyes of the patient, the audience watches a young man keep vigil in a lonely hospital room. He has been called to the bedside of his mother, numbed by a stroke and lost to the conscious world. All he must do is wait patiently for time to reveal its truth – contemplating the weight of loneliness, the power of reunion, and the unfathomable mystery of each person’s inner world.
The Patient Hour reunites Chris and Kristen with the original creative team from I, Claudia – designers Julie Fox and Rebecca Picherak. The show features additional design by Mike Ross and performances by Patricia Fagan, Todd Thomson, Waneta Storms, and Liisa Repo-Martell. For more information please see our Community Events section.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Crow’s Theatre is thrilled to welcome Jack Livingston and Adam Lazarus to our Board of Directors.
Jack Livingston is the owner of Livingston Metal Management Inc. and was a founding partner in what became the largest transport trailer leasing company in Canada. He has been involved in a number of community projects, including volunteer fundraising for the U.J.A. and Simon Wiesenthal Centre.
Adam Lazarus is a graduate and former apprentice of Master Teacher Philippe Gaulier’s school in Paris, France, as well as a sessional professor of acting at the University of Toronto and a regular facilitator of physical theatre workshops for professional and non-professional artists. Adam has directed and co-created many revered and awarded clown, bouffon and character shows, including Rachelle Elie’s Joe: The Perfect Man; Jesse Buck’s Bubkus; Shawn Hitchens’ Homogenius; and Melissa D’Agostino’s Lupe: Undone. He is also co-producer of the annual Toronto Festival of Clowns.
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Call for Volunteers
Crow's Theatre is seeking volunteers to help out in the administrative, artistic, and producing areas of the company. We are also looking for people who can help out with the upcoming Director’s Exchange (May 15 - 17, 2009). We will need people who can offer support at the venue during the three days, and assist with the planning and set-up of the event.
If you are interested, please contact Outreach Coordinator Mark Aikman.
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Community Events
PRAXIS THEATRE PRESENTS THE STRANGER - AN ORIGINAL ADAPTATION OF CAMUS' THE OUTSIDER - AT THE THEATRE CENTRE
On-Going until February 8th
The Stranger becomes . . . even Stranger
In his 1942 novel L'Étranger, Albert Camus asks a simple question: "Is a man's inability to cry at his mother's funeral sufficient evidence to condemn him?" Stranger explores this and other existential dilemmas in a fast-paced ensemble drama that follows Mersault's incomprehensible murder of a man and his subsequent trial.
January 3 - February 8. Tues-Sat 8PM, Sun 2PM. Tickets $20 at the door or at praxistheatre.com
ADAM LAZARUS WILL BE TEACHING A WEEK OF WORKSHOPS AT HUB 14
It's amazingly inexpensive!
February 2 - 6, 10AM - 12PM at HUB 14
A workshop about the joy of performing, using jeu, clown, bouffon, melodrama, improvisation and fun.
$10 drop in / $40 for 5 classes.
For more information visit hub14.org
NATIONAL THEATRE SCHOOL OFFERS 1-YEAR DIRECTING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM FOR 09/10 SCHOOL YEAR
For the 2009-2010 school year, the National Theatre School of Canada will offer a one-year Directing Certificate Program. The 2009-2010 NTS Directing Program will offer one experienced theatre artist the opportunity to further his/her knowledge of the craft of directing. It will provide a unique laboratory setting for the theatre director to collaborate with actors, writers, designers and technicians devoted to the art of making theatre.
Application deadline for the one-year Directing Program Certificate is February 15, 2009.
For more information, visit the National Theatre School's website.
THE PATIENT HOUR PREMIERES AT THE TARRAGON EXTRA SPACE
February 17 – March 29, 2009
Directed by Chris Abraham
Starring: Patricia Fagan, Todd Thomson, Waneta Storms, and Liisa Repo-Martell
This new play from the writer of I, Claudia promises a moving journey of discovery that explores how long past trauma can continue to shape us, and those around us, often without our knowing.
Tickets available at tarragontheatre.com or (416) 531-1827.
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