Douleurs Fantômes de Mireielle Maynard-Fiset

Douleurs Fantômes de Mireille Maynard-Fiset, mise en scène de Christian Lapointe. Présenter par les finissants 2010 de l'École Nationale de Théâtre au Monument-National Hydro-Québec du 16 au 20 février.

Review pending.

The Mid-Life Crisis of Dionysus

An Epic Musical Tragedy of Olympian Proportions. Book and lyrics by Jeremy Hechtman & Patrick Goddard Directed by Jeremy Hechtman. Music by Nick Carpenter Choreography by Amy Elizabeth Blackmore

Starring (in alphabetic order): George Bekiaris, Nichole Carlone, Vance De Waele, Patrick Goddard, Jade Hassouné, Molly McGivern, Ulka Mohanty, Gabrielle Néron, Joanne Sarazen, Jake Smith, Paul Van Dyck, Eleanor Young, and a special guest star!

A cast of 14 Montreal actors sing, dance, act, and play in MainLine's first original musical since 2006's Johnny Canuck and the Last Burlesque. Hechtman, Goddard and Carpenter reunite for a smorgasborgiastic extraspectaculaganza the likes of which have not been seen in over two thousand years.

Set in the Grotto! In the theatre of Dionysus, every night is a feast of wine, women, and song. But tonight, Dionysus will discover that eternal life doesn't mean eternal youth... How will Dionysus react to his impending middle age? Will he choose to accept his fate with grace and dignity? Or will he decide it is better to burn out then to fade away?

Jeremy Hechtman has been thinking for a long time about creating a show that would star Dionysus, the god of Theatre. Hechtman has always lived the Dionysian lifestyle -but in recent years has taken on the responsibilities of marriage, mortgage, and children. As Hechtman approached age 40, the inspiration of Dionysus turned into introspection. The show must go on, -but how long can the showman?... The Mid-Life Crisis of Dionysus February 17 – March 6, 2010.

MainLine Theatre 3997 St-Laurent Blvd. Tickets: $20 or $15 w/ Four Play card. Reservations: 514.849.3378 www.mainlinetheatre.ca

Metamorphoses: New Standjofski plays draw inspiration from Kafka

Metamorphoses: Concordia’s University Department of Theatre proudly presents Metamorphoses, three plays written and directed by Harry Standjofski. Students have participated in the creation of the plays from first draft through to production. Metamorphoses, a suite of brand-new one-act plays, centers around the theme of transformation.

• Morph is a contemporary re-imagining of Kafka’s great “The Metamorphosis”: Greg’s sudden transformation equally transforms his family. Running time aprox 70 minutes. A humorous, edge of your seat, thought provoking experience.

• Love Is Like Water is a contemporary fable of love changing the lives of two unlikely lovers. Running time aprox 20 minutes. A romantic and moving two hander.

• Evelyn Lee is the remarkable voyage of Evelyn, from age 5 to 21, from private school in Vancouver to the set of Los Angeles gonzo porn and back. Running time aprox 90 minutes. A non-linear tale, very unexpected twist of a young girls journey.

Metamorphoses plays at the Cazalet Studio from February 11 to 14, and from February 17 to 20, 2010. Admission fees are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. For box office information call 514-848-2424 ext. 4742. The Cazalet Studio is located at 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, under the Loyola Chapel. For information on the Concordia University Department of Theatre visit http://theatre.concordia.ca.

A jolly good time...with the pirate-packed production: Pirates of Penzance

"Pirates of Penzance" by Gilbert and Sullivan; Directed by Jonathan Patterson in his 6th season with Savoy; Musical director Michal Novotny.

Robin Alder founded the Savoy Society at McGill in 1963. Forty-six years later it is still strong as a new generation with sails at full mast are hitting the high C's on this new voyage. A bevy of pirates and damsels keep things a-float as they hit a high note with this production of Gilbert and Sullivan's popular classic, Pirates of Penzance .

Featuring a huge ensemble cast of 32 and and equally large orchestra of 32 instruments these talented actors/vocalists dance and sing their way onto the stage and into our hearts. They bringing joy and humor to the story and revive these familiar tunes to life. All are in very good voice, including great performances by both the engaging Michael Loewen as Frederick and the dashing Matthew McKeown as Pirate King; -Rebecca Woodmass is outstanding as the awe-inspiring Mabel. Costumes, set and lighting are all well conceived; direction is seamless and well choreographed. A very entertaining and light hearted with very broad appeal!

Produced by the McGill Savoy Society, playing at the Moyse Hall McGill Campus, February 12 to 20. Tickets 20$ to 12$ www.mcgillsavoy.ca

Michel & ti-Jean

"Michel & ti-Jean" by George Rideout, directed by Sarah Garton-Stanley, features Vincent Hoss-Desmarais and Alain Goulem.

When Jack was feeling wounded or angry he’d sign his letters ti-Jean. He’d save Jean-Louis for his darkest moments.

What do Jack Kerouac and Michel Tremblay have in common? A lot more than you’d think… In the world premiere of Michel & ti-Jean, a script which was endorsed and brought to Centaur’s attention via Michel Tremblay, this play begs the question, 'What if?' A 27-year-old Michel Tremblay, having just published Les Belles Soeurs, and the "king of the Beatniks"; Jack Kerouac, were to meet at a bar in Florida, in 1969 (about a month before Kerouac’s death). In this evocative and spirited glimpse into the poetic and philosophical world of North American literature, the two prolific writers share their thoughts on the art of writing, inspirations, sports, music, religion and the most innate quality they share: their Quebecois heritage!

Entertaining outstanding performances by both actors. Original and interesting well worked material. Sharp, well paced, and creative direction, with equally well designed minimalist set. These two actors will take you on an unforgettable emotional roller coaster ride, a journey with performances that will be branded in your memory long after you leave the theatre.

Presented at Centaur Theatre February 2 to March 7. www.centaurtheatre.com

Geometry In Venice

"Geometry In Venice" a play by Michael Mackenzie, directed by Chris Abraham.

Continuing this season's themes of mentorship and education and the important roles thay play in our lives the Segal Center in association with Crow's Theatre present 'Geometry In Venice'. Adapted from The Pupil, a novella by Henry James, the story brings us into the lives of the Moreen family, an impoverished yet aristocratic British family living in Venice at the end of the 19th century. Desperate to keep up appearances, they travel to the fashionable salons of Europe in search of a wealthy suitor to marry their only daughter Amy (Susanna Fournier). In this play, the playwright has included the original author Henry James (Damien Atkins) as a character into the tale who becomes a promising suitor. Although reluctant and unable to pay a salary, the parents: Mr. Moreen (Aiden Devive) and Mrs. Moreen (Allegra Fulton) hire a Canadian tutor and aspiring writer Pemberton (Graham Cuthbertson) to provide their ailing genius son Morgan (Eliotte Larson) with a classical education. The play is a timely examination of a family's obsession with wealth and status, raising questions of ethics and morality.

The set design (Julie Fox) is sufficiently dramatic yet minimalist in basic concept; the costumes are impeccable. The lighting of Luc Prairie and sound of Antoine Bédard are very intregated and very connected to the story telling. The performances are all well presented across the board with stand out moments delived by both Allegra Fulton (Mrs. Moreen) and Susanna Fournier (Amy). There is an expression, quoted from W.C. Fields "Never perform with children and animals...they'll ultimately upstage you." The performance of the revelation that is Eliott Larson proves this to be tried and true. At the ripe old age of 14, as Morgan playing 12, he is one to watch as an up and comer fresh home grown local talent. He is engaging and fearless in his portrayal of this complex and engaging character.

Is presented at the Segal Center for Performing Arts, January 31 to February 14. www.segalcentre.org

The Daily Miracle

David Sherman's* 'The Daily Miracle", presented by Infinitheatre at Bain Saint Michel, January 26 to February 14 is a topical and current account of where our local daily news paper's fate as it promotes it's own death.

Marty's back at work after suffering a nervous breakdown; Elizabeth's daughter is sick at home with the nanny; Carrie uses al her charmes to impress as she dreams of a job in television; Benjamin is just trying to get the paper out by deadline. All is overseen by the ghosts of an industry that used to be and is no longer relevant. It's another night at the news desk, where a few battle-scarred, overworked copy editors wrestle with fractured syntax and crushed ideals to get the next edition out. Tempers frayed from layoffs, cutbacks and corroded ambitions; it's a miracle they can get the paper out at all. *"Although a play is a work of fiction, as are the characters the true strains and stress of working the desk in today's deteriorating newspaper industry are stranger than fiction."

Featuring a professional ensemble delivering memorable performances are: Jean-Guy Bouchard as Roland the janitor and resident philosopher; Arthur Holden as the nurotic Marty; Howard Rosenstein as the womanising night editor Benjamin; Ellen David plays Elizabeth balancing motherhood and career, and Sheena Gazé-Deslandes the newly hired Carrie. Ellen David's performance is nothing short of brilliant with every fragment of her being she embodies her character completely. Arthur Holden as the quick witted reporter laced with synisism, is so captivating that we hang on every word ("I don't need friends, I'm a newspaper person. ... This is my life, and it is killing me!") from the moment he first appears on stage. Sheena Gazé-Deslandes delivers an energetic and convincing performance in her premier professional stage debut. Directed by Guy Sprung. Set and costume design by James Lavoie. The set design is perfectly designed advantaging the piece, utilizing and taking full advantage of the infinite space.

Tickets: 10$ to 20$ 514 987-1774 www.infinitheatre.com Foto credit: Alexei Anikine.