OBSIDIAN THEATRE 2014/15 SEASON PRESS RELEASE

MEDIA RELEASE Media Contact: [email protected] 416.463.8444

Toronto, ON – August 26, 2014. Founding member and Artistic Director Philip Akin is pleased to announce Obsidian Theatre’s 15th season. With a musical set in the roaring 20’s and a play set in the turbulent 60’s this season looks back at two influential times in history.

The season begins with award winning The Mountaintop by Katori Hall. In a partnership that brought the multi Dora award winning Top/Dog Underdog to , Obsidian Theatre will once again be in association with the Shaw Festival. The Mountaintop starring Kevin Hanchard (Orphan Black, Obsidian- Topdog/Underdog)and Alana Hibbert (Shaw-Ragtime/Obsidian-Caroline or Change) and directed by Philip Akin ( Obsidian-Topdog/Underdog / Intimate Apparel) follows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the last night of his life at the now iconic Lorraine Motel. When a young maid arrives at his door, we are led on a heart-breaking journey through the life of the man and the myth. Continuing on the season, Obsidian presents the musical The Wild Party by Michael LaChiusa and book by Michael LaChiusia and George C. Wolfe. Presented by Acting Upstage Company in association with Obsidian Theatre. Set in the roaring 20’s and directed by Robert McQueen (Obsidian -Caroline or Change /Stratford- Man of La Mancha) the story centers around the excesses of the 20’s and Queenie and Burrs, two Vaudeville performers who are both living life at it’s edge. Musical direction by Bob Foster and choreography by Stephanie Graham. The Spring will see our continuing support of new Canadian work with The Development Series. Playwrights Lisa Codrington and Meghan Swaby enter into their second year of development with workshop productions.

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THE MOUNTAINTOP BY KATORI HALL Obsidian Theatre in association with The Shaw Festival September 27 - October 19, 2014

1968, a storm rages outside as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. settles into his last night in the now iconic Room 306 at the Lorraine Motel. He is exhausted, having just delivered his powerful “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. When room service arrives, he meets a beautiful and slightly mysterious young hotel maid. Through their intimate and ultimately transformative conversation, we hear the hopes and fears of King – both the leader and the man – as he is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy.

Directed by Philip Akin Stage Manger: Andrea Schurman Production Manager: Patrick Lavender Set & Costume Design: Judith Bowden Lighting Design: Kevin Lamotte Sound Design: Freddy Gabrsek Multi Media Design: Andrew Smith

Starring: Kevin Hanchard and Alana Hibbert

Aki Studio Theatre Daniels Spectrum 585 Dundas St E Toronto, ON M5A 2B7

Tickets on sale August 27,2014 Tickets: 416-531-1402 Online: nativeearth.ca

______THE WILD PARTY MUSIC AND LYRICS BY MICHAEL JOHN LaCHIUSA BOOK BY MICHAEL JOHN LaCHIUSA and GEORGE C. WOLFE Acting Up Stage Company in association with Obsidian Theatre February 20 - March 8, 2015

The Wild Party tells the story of one wild evening in a Manhattan apartment just before the crash in 1929. In a relationship marked by vicious behavior and recklessness, Queenie and Burrs, a vaudeville dancer and a vaudeville clown decide to throw a party to end all parties. A handsome young stranger named Black arrives and he and Queenie’s mutual attraction brings the party to a climax. Capturing the sound of a bygone era, we realize that moral decadence is not only limited to our past.

Directed by Robert McQueen Musical Direction by Bob Foster Choreographer Stephanie Graham Set Design Michael Gianfrancesco Costume Design Alex Amini Lighting Design Kim Purtell Sound Design Peter McBoyle

Starring: Daren A. Herbert, Lisa Horner, Sara-Jeanne Hosie, Sterling Jarvis and Cara Ricketts

Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs 26 Berkeley Street, Toronto ON M5A 2W3

Tickets on sale Monday November 17, 2014 Tickets: 416-368-3110 Online: canadianstage.com

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THE DEVELOPMENT SERIES

This year, Obsidian is incubating two vibrant and imaginative new works with our Development Series. These new Canadian plays explore the length and breadth of the Black Canadian experience. In the Spring of 2015, Obsidian will present staged readings of these works.

Obsidian Theatre 1089 Dundas St. E Toronto, ON M4M 1R9 www.obsidiantheatre.com 416.463.8444

Dates TBA

UP THE GARDEN PATH BY LISA CODRINGTON

The late 1960′s, Rosa, a young Bajan girl dresses as a man and travels to to work in the Niagara Region on a problem addled Vineyard. Ghosts, cannons, and the constant threat of starlings fill this vivid and lively comedy.

VENUS’ DAUGHTER BY MEGHAN SWABY

Inspired by the life of Sara Bartmaan, (Hottentot Venus) Venus’ Daughter peels away the thick fog of silence around the infamous woman, and uncovers her connection to a young woman almost 200 years after her death.

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About Obsidian

Obsidian is Canada’s leading culturally diverse theatre company. Our threefold mission is to produce plays, to develop playwrights and to train emerging theatre professionals. Obsidian is passionately dedicated to the exploration, development, and production of the Black voice. Obsidian produces plays from a worldwide canon focusing primarily, but not exclusively, on the works of highly acclaimed Black playwrights.

Obsidian provides artistic support, promoting the development of work by Black theatre makers and offering training opportunities through mentoring and apprenticeship programs for emerging Black artists. Obsidian Theatre Company was born out of a passionate sense of artistic responsibility – a responsibility to bring the Black voice, in its many artistic dialects, to Canada’s cultural forefront. Obsidian encourages Black artists to expand their vision of what they perceive, create and present to a national audience. Obsidian continues to play a prominent role in Canada’s theatrical mosaic by showcasing the work of both emerging and established Black artists. For more information please visit www.obsidiantheatre.com

For photo inquires or more information please contact [email protected] or 416.463.8444

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Obsidian Theatre 1089 Dundas St. E Toronto, ON M4M 1R9 www.obsidiantheatre.com 416.463.8444