Titanic This London Life the Runner Mary Poppins Fully Committed
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
subscribe today grandtheatre.com Titanic This London Life The Runner Mary Poppins world curious Fully Committed Room Every Brilliant Thing London Proud Grow Between Breaths season 2019/20 season sponsor Honour Beat juno’s reward jeans ’n classics Dennis Garnhum Artistic Director Deb Harvey Executive Director My office here at the Grand Theatre has one of the best views in the city. And this room sees many animated, passionate conversations. It was here we first met Emma and asked her if we could present her play Room. I sat here reading the latest drafts of Morris’ new play, This London Life, on this couch. I remem- ber glancing up once and imagining Mary Poppins (to be played by London’s own Deborah Hay) flying among the clouds, and I’ve been caught (on a few occasions) singing the songs from our brand new musical Grow. We have two incredible stages where the magic comes to life, but it is here in this room — looking out to our gorgeous city — that these dreams are born. Welcome. dennis garnhum, artistic director TITANIC the musical Story and Book by Peter Stone Music and Lyrics by Maury Yeston Orchestrations by Ian Weinberger Produced on Broadway by Dodger Theatricals, Richard S. Pechter and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Directed by Andrew Tribe Musical Direction by Andrew Petrasiunas september 17 to 28 spriet stage | Opens September 20 Titanic: a legendary celebration of human achievement and a tragedy of epic proportions. At noon on the tenth of April 1912, the Titanic set sail on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic. She would never reach her destination, instead meeting a tragic end when the ship collid- ed with an iceberg, just four days later. One of the deadliest maritime disasters of its time, the fateful voyage is beautifully rendered in this 1997 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, which tells the moving stories of the ship’s real passengers, who sailed in pursuit of hopes and dreams in a new world. In order to present this musical properly, you need an enormous ensemble of artists with powerful voices — and our High School Project students are the perfect fit. Part glorious Broadway musical, part tragic history, it’s a great combination for this year’s celebration of the emerging talent of our city. Beautiful, heartbreaking, and thrilling. – DENNIS title sponsor partners “Panych neatly balances existential questions with funny dialogue and pleasingly absurd characters.” canadian literature WORLD PREMIERE CoMeDY THIS LONDON LIFE Written and Directed by Morris Panych october 15 to november 2 spriet stage | Opens October 18 This London Life is a story of identity—mistaken and otherwise—and how, sometimes, the worst of mis- takes can lead to the best of outcomes. The Grand Theatre has commissioned Governor General’s Award-winning playwright Morris Panych to write a play that celebrates, examines, and pokes fun at the constant comparisons between our city and THIS that other London across the ocean. Set in London, Ontario, a young British man wakes up and assumes he has landed home in England. A collection of un- usually colourful characters are equally confused: Who is who and where exactly are we? This is a play LONDON about our city and life in the shadow of another LIFE London. I asked Morris to write a play showing the absurdity of living in our city with identical street names, rivers, and markets as London, England. Expect three things: laughter, mistaken identities, and more than anything, a love letter to our beloved city of London: ‘the other one’. – DENNIS title development sponsor partner “ ” the globe and mail THE RUNNER “A beautiful, gripping production” the slotkin letter THE RUNNER by Christopher Morris Presented by Human Cargo Theatre Directed by Daniel Brooks Starring Gord Rand Set and Costume Design by Gillian Gallow Lighting Design by Bonnie Beecher Composer and Sound Designer Alexander MacSween november 5 to 16 mcmanus stage | Opens November 6 Zaka is an Orthodox Jewish volunteer rescue and recovery team in Israel that collects the remains of Jews killed in accidents. Follow Jacob — a zaka vol- unteer — as he grapples with the political and moral fallout of saving a woman’s life. Based on interviews with real-life zaka members, The Runner is “an intense and visceral new thriller that will make your heart rate soar and leave you breathless” according to The Globe and Mail. The McManus Stage is an intimate setting in which we are able to explore powerful stories close up. This produc- tion has been created in an incredibly innovative way — I won’t reveal more — which allows Jacob’s relentless race towards (or from) the truth to come stunningly to life. – DENNIS The Practically Perfect Musical t he grand theatre’s production of d isney and cameron mackintosh’s MARY POPPINS A Musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film Original Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman Book by Julian Fellowes New Songs and Additional Music and Lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe D nIsneY a D Co-Created by Cameron Mackintosh Ca Meron Ma CkIntosh’s Directed by Megan Watson Starring Deborah Hay n ovember 26 to december 29 s priet stage | Opens November 29 MARY POPPINS When the Banks children write an advertisement for a new nanny, little do they know who they’ll get: Mary Poppins! Her magic and charm turn the fam- ily’s lives upside-down, taking them on a fantastical journey that sees them rediscover their love for one another. As Mary Poppins says, “Anything can hap- pen if you let it.” Just in time for the holidays, enjoy this beloved musical classic with the whole family. All of those glorious songs we know from the classic movie come beautifully to life in this new stage version. A family classic for the best reasons: uplifting melodies, big-hearted characters, all wrapped inside a huge dose of love. Simply put, a perfect musical. – DENNIS title sponsor “Hilarious and touching.” time out, new york FULLY “A richly comic affirmation of everything I’ve suspected about bad COMMITTED behavior that good food can inspire” the new york times FULLY COMMITTED by Becky Mode and Mark Setlock Directed by Steven Gallagher Starring Gavin Crawford January 14 to 26 spriet stage | Opens January 17 Nobody wants to hear that a multiple-award- winning, ridiculously trendy restaurant is fully committed and can’t take a booking. When New York socialites and international a–listers wish to dine on the date they wish to dine on, it’s harder to finesse than the perfect soufflé. In a dingy basement office far from the magic of molecular gastronomy, skilful reservationist Sam has to use his charisma and wits to keep over forty demanding people happy — and most importantly, keep his job. Watch in awe as the extraordinarily talented Gavin Crawford takes on all 40 characters in this fast-paced, tour-de-force performance. This is a simple pleasure — easy laughter at the absurdity of our foodie-obsessed world. – DENNIS “An amazing, and emotional, EVERY immersive storytelling experience.” b roadway world BRILLIANT “One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see about depression.” THING t he guardian EVERY BRILLIANT THING by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe Directed by Liza Balkan Starring Rebecca Northan January 21 to february 2 m cmanus stage | Opens January 23 What makes life worth living? Ice cream? Puppy dogs? The answers are both simple and profound in this one-of-a-kind theatrical experience. This witty and contemporary play shines a compassionate light on the impact of suicide and reminds us of all the things that make life brilliant. Equal parts hilarious and thought-provoking, this play shows us the joy that can be found in even the most unexpected plac- es. What’s on your list? This production carries on our fascination with immer- sive experiences. With Rebecca using many audience members to assist, we’ll go on a shared experience where we will remind ourselves and each other of the ups and downs of living — and the brilliant things worth remem- bering. – DENNIS title sponsor “An important work of HONOUR Indigenous Art.” the g lobe and mail BEAT HONOUR BEAT by Tara Beagan Directed by Falen Johnson february 4 to 22 s priet stage | Opens February 7 By their mother’s bed in a hospital’s palliative care ward, two sisters keep vigil. As the pair reckon with their mother’s inevitable fate, they share memories of her younger years. In a spiritual journey that sees them confront the love and tragedy of their family’s past, these sisters discover a new home: in one an- other. Both funny and honest, Beagan’s play speaks to the strength of family bonds. The first time I read this play, I was immediately taken by the enormous honesty at the heart of the story. A family comes together and, as families always do, truths are revealed. It had me laughing out loud until the climactic ending, which had me in full tears. A beautiful new play you won’t soon forget. – DENNIS title sponsor “Compelling and compassionate… BETWEEN breathtaking.” the telegram from governor general’s award- BREATHS winning playwright robert chafe BETWEEN BREATHS by Robert Chafe Music Composed and Arranged by The Once Directed by Jillian Keiley Costume and Set Designer Shawn Kerwin Lighting Designer Leigh Ann Vardy Sound Designer Brian Kenny february 25 to march 7 mcmanus stage | Opens February 26 Between Breaths is based on the life of Dr. Jon Lien — known in Newfoundland as “the Whale Man” — who pioneered techniques for rescuing whales trapped in fishing nets.