EVENT: The Search For Eileen Sullivan

Blog: Paradise Lost's Journey to Atlantic Fringe

One

by Sara Rodriguez

Here we are, about to embark on a new adventure. Nerves are going and excitement is in the air. Bags have been packed, last minute errands are being run, goodbyes are being said and it is safe to say the next few hours will be spent trying to figure out how to fit everything into the little Ford Focus that could…

This is Beyond the Mountain Productions’ first show since its launch this past July, although not its first project. Earlier this month Danielle (our artistic director) had a very successful visit to Minneapolis for the 2011 Minnesota fringe festival. She spoke a lot about the company, established great relationships and found wonderful shows to bring to Montreal in future seasons.

Beyond The Fourth Wall, August 31, 2011

WEEKEND GETAWAY… 

Sep 2-5 – Hot Air Balloon Festival

Gatineau

LABOUR DAY WEEKEND SUGGESTIONS :

No labour!

by Estelle Rosen

After Dark, August 30, 2011

The Village People
It really does take a village
By Gaëtan L. Charlebois

The Upstage Interview: Ginette Noiseux

Upstage Contributor Stephanie Breton spoke with Artistic Director Ginette Noiseux about  Espace Go presenting an English production for the first time. Imago Theatre and Stella Quines Theatre of Scotland will be co-producing ANA with Espace Go. The conversation was conducted in French, translated by Stephanie Breton.  Similar to Espace Go presenting an English play for the first time, Upstage is presenting  for the first time an interview conducted in French. English translation below. 

The Thread, August 28, 2011

The Thread

Every week we will be posting a whiff of provocation and inviting you to join the conversation in the comments section below. You may respond to the original subject or to previous postings. Play nice. CPC and CharPo contributors will be joining the convo from time to time.

This week:

As reported here, the board of directors of Hudson's Village Theatre did not renew the contract of its artistic director, Andrew Johnston. The reaction was immediate and a group was formed on Facebook to organize resistance to the board's move and to support Johnston. In this new world of fiscal restraint, cutbacks, and theatres struggling for survival, is what is happening in Hudson an important event or a tempest in a teapot and why? Discuss.

Theatre For Thought, August 27, 2011

George Bernard Shaw vs. Terror and Pity

Whatever you think of Shawfest, it should always be applauded for single-handedly keeping Shaw’s work alive in North America.

joel fishbane

The Friday Five, August 26, 2011

FIVE FICTITIOUS THEATRE COMPANIES

I wouldn’t be surprised if some of these already exist. No, scratch that. I would be VERY surprised.

by Matt Raudsepp of Matt and Kyle and Matt

CharPo's Real Theatre! August 26, 2011

(Click to enlarge)

News: Black Theatre Workshop has new AD: Quincy Armorer

BTW press release: 

BLACK THEATRE WORKSHOP WELCOMES QUINCY ARMORER AS NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

MONTREAL, August 25, 2011 – The Board of Governors announced today that it has selected its new Artistic Director of Black Theatre Workshop Quincy Armorer. Quincy has a long history with the company, a vast amount of theatrical experience within Canada, and the board and staff are pleased with this new appointment.

CharPo's Picture of the Week, August 25, 2011

News: Andrew Johnston supporters to meet

Supporters of Hudson's Village Theatre's ousted artistic director, Andrew Johnston, will be holding a meeting to discuss options on Sunday, September 11, at 7 pm. at the village's community centre, 394 Main Road.

The Facebook Group in support of Johnston has grown, as of this writing, to 208 members including the company's founder Heather Markgraf, Geordie artistic director Dean Fleming, ex-Centaur AD Gordon McCall and present AD Roy Surette, ex-Segal AD Bryna Wasserman, and actors Neil Napier, Vlasta Vrana, Michael Rudder and Danette MacKay among many others.

Related News (CharPo links): 

Ex-Centaur AD McCall responds to Village board decision

Board Explains decision

Geordie artistic director responds to board decision

Andrew Johnston, Village Theatre AD, "thanked" by board

Summerworks/Toronto/Montreal

MONTREAL CONNECTIONS AT TORONTO SUMMERWORKS

Montreal moves to the Queen City for the fiesta

by Byron Toben

The annual August Summerworks in Toronto, the largest juried Independent theatre festival in Canada has blossomed into a major event, especially under the four year artistic direction of MICHAEL RUBENFELD, a graduate of Montreal's National Theatre School. His NTS colleague, HANNA MOSCOVITCH was plastered on the front page of Toronto weekly magazine NOW (a Mirror like tabloid) for her show Little One featuring Montreal ex-pat the always inventive JOE COBDEN.

News: The Charlebois Post (Montreal) passes 100k pageview mark

In less than nine months existence the Charlebois Post (Montreal) site  - or CharPo - has passed the 100,000 pageview mark.

Beyond The Fourth Wall, August 24, 2011

Theatre Awakens Gently 

From Summer Doldrums

by Estelle Rosen

A play about a film 

Aug. 26 – Les Cafés Tragiques

Breaking News: Ex-Centaur Artistic Director Responds to Hudson Village Theatre Board Decision

Related News (CharPo links): 
Board Explains decision
Geordie artistic director responds to board decision
Andrew Johnston, Village Theatre AD, "thanked" by board

Latest: In a open letter to the forum established on Facebook to support Village Theatre artistic director Andrew Johnston against the company's board which ousted him, Gordon McCall, ex-artistic director of Centaur Theatre, responded with a letter:

No Script? No Problem! (Part VI)

Montreal Improv: l-r Bryan Walsh, Kirsten Rasmussen, François Vincent, Marc Rowland (photo credit: Jeremy Bobrow)

Post-traumatic Show Syndrome

A little piece of advice for those times when a show just didn’t work

by Marc Rowland from Montreal Improv

After Dark, August 23, 2011

Ending The Conversation
The media may be shooting themselves in the foot
By Gaëtan L. Charlebois

News: Village Theatre board explains Johnston decision

The board of Hudson's Village Theatre has explained its decision not to renew artistic director Andrew Johnston's contract, saying that the house can no longer sustain the position and that it will be turning to a guest artistic director to organize the 2012 season.

Read the full press release at the theatre's web site.

Breaking News: Geordie boss takes on Village Theatre board

In an open letter, Dean Fleming, artistic director of Geordie Theatre, has addressed concerns surrounding the non-renewal of Andrew Johnston's contract as AD for Hudson's Village Theatre. The text of the letter follows;

The Upstage Interview: Clare Schapiro and Muriel Romanes

Standing ovations really surprised me. We don’t get that in Scotland.

Upstage Contributor Stephanie Breton spoke with Artistic Director of Imago Theatre Clare Schapiro, and Muriel Romanes Artistic Director of Stellar Quines Theatre, Scotland,  about their co-production of ANA. Below is an abridged version of the interview edited by Estelle Rosen, CharPo Editor-in-chief.

Breaking News: Hudson Artistic Director "thanked" by board.

Sources have informed The Charlebois Post that Hudson's Village Theatre board of directors has not renewed artistic director Andrew Johnston's contract for next year. A Facebook page has been set up to support the director.

More news to follow.

The Thread, August 21, 2011 (New weekly feature)

The Thread

Every week we will be posting a whiff of provocation and inviting you to join the conversation in the comments section below. You may respond to the original subject or to previous postings. Play nice. CPC and CharPo contributors will be joining the convo from time to time.

This week:
Though Montreal Shakespeare Theatre Company's Titus Andronicus has closed, commentary lives on. One snarky anonymous comment following our review read, "I hope everyone who paid 30 bucks is glad the actors an [sic] crew saw none of it." The company's boss, Ace Lopes, responded in a long comment which included this statement: "With a cast of over 30 people and theatre rentals being what they are...does anyone really believe that there is any really [sic] money to be made?" Indeed... But... Is Montreal English-language theatre, outside of the main houses, forever to rely on the kindness/enthusiasm of its collaborators? Discuss.

Feature: Opera Piccola

Opera in the Summer

joel fishbane

Summer has long been the time when music fills Montreal: from Osheaga to the Jazzfest to CETM’s New Wave Theatre Festival, every genre of music has managed to have its day in the sun. Opera has long been the exception to this rule – the Montreal Opera Company shuts down for the summer and our summer theatres have been lax at filling the void. Enter Opera Piccola, a new company founded by Taras Kulish and Anne-Marie Trahan. Devoted to bringing professional opera to the summer crowds, they’re hoping to turn la belle ville into La Bohème. 

Theatre for Thought, August 20, 2011

SPOILER ALERT!

When it comes to theatre I avoid press releases and critiques like the plague. I have to.

joel fishbane

Blog: Johanna Nutter and the Journey of My Pregnant Brother (Part XV)

Eighteen

I’m home. I entered Vegas like a lion and left in a hurry. It was a fittingly operatic and action-packed lightshow of massive physical and emotional not-in-kansas-anymore moments, and it certainly wasn’t Zion. Or was it… (INSIDE VOICE: Wow: am I writing a musical?)

I dunno. 

You know what they say…

(Blackout)

The Friday Five, August 19, 2011

Five Indispensable Stage Props

Acting is the dumbest profession on earth. It’s completely regressive. Suddenly, you’re 4 years old again, doing your best impression of an adult, except this time, people are paying good money to see you move around, talk and yell and gesticulate. Meanwhile, for you this is playtime, this is paradise. In fact, only one thing can make you happier... some toys.

By Matt G of Matt and Kyle and Matt

CharPo's Real Theatre! August 19, 2011

CharPo's Picture of the Week, August 18, 2011

Don Anderson in Hudson's Village Theatre

production of Skin Flick (photo: Michael Greene)

Blog: Johanna Nutter and the Journey of My Pregnant Brother (Part XIV)

Seventeen

Zion National Park is the greatest place in the world. I don’t know what else to say, really. I just spent three of the most wonderful days here, rediscovering this glorious ball of water and earth on which I breathe and move and feel and eat and drink and sleep. From the first glimpse of the morning light on the sandstone, with the iPod shuffling miraculously into Lauren Hill’s Everything is Everything, I knew why I had to come to Zion. 

Beyond The Fourth Wall, August 17, 2011

I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on a train. ∼ Oscar Wilde

News: Infini announces new season

Teesri, Arthur Holden and François Archambault in lineup. 

After Dark, August 16, 2011

What CharPo Is
(and isn't and will not be)
by Gaëtan L. Charlebois

EVENT: Segal Centre (Sept-Nov, 2011)

EVENT: FUNDRAISER: Little Scream, Reversing Falls, Roma Carnivale & Cat Kidd

The Upstage Interview: Julia Ainsworth and Catherine Lemieux

Catherine Lemieux, Rosaruby Kagan, Emilia Alvarez, Vanessa Schmit-Craan

The federal penitentiary for women; unfit for bears let alone women.

Upstage Contributor Alison Louder spoke with Writer/Director Julia Ainsworth about Zeitgeist Theatre Collective’s presentation of Unfit For Bears. Cast member Catherine Lemieux joined the conversation towards the end of the interview.

Below is an abridged version of the interview edited by Estelle Rosen, CharPo Editor-in-chief.

UPSTAGE

Remounting a play isn’t easy, especially with such a vital subject. What’s it like re-visiting this subject after so much time?

AINSWORTH

It was very useful for us to have the time to reflect. We were able to  meet with women who saw the workshop last year. They could then give us feedback which we incorporated into the script. 

The Sunday Feature: Carolyn Fe on The Crossroads

Carolyn (centre) and her band

Standing at the crossroads...

Have I really crossed over to the music world? Did I really leave theatre?

by Carolyn Fe

What an honor it was for me when Estelle and Gaëtan asked me to write about crossing over from theatre to music.  At first I was taken by surprise and then I thought...Woah! Have I really crossed over to the music world? Did I really leave theatre?  

Blog: Johanna Nutter and the Journey of My Pregnant Brother (Part XIII)

Sixteen

Cows are from outer space. No really, they are. Look:

Theatre For Thought, August 13, 2011

THE MARY POPPINS SYNDROME

It's been done...?

joel fishbane

For months now, Bennett and I have been trying to write a musical. Given my obsession with the genre and his own not-insignificant talents with a piano, this seemed more or less a fait accompli. Like most would-be duos, we started off by arguing over whose name would come first (I’m sure Rogers and Hammerstein had the same fight). Then we started combing through public domain material, looking for something to adapt. Musicals are almost always adapted from other sources; the idea of people breaking into song isn’t really something that tends to provoke original thought.

Blog: Johanna Nutter and the Journey of My Pregnant Brother (Part XII)

Fifteen

So, saying goodbye to Yesca wasn’t easy. I hope to be back for the wedding. The crazy green dress from my play inspired Spirit to suggest that be our bridesmaids theme: sequins. Because of course, the sartorial rule for bridesmaids’ dresses is that you can never find an occasion to wear them again. Leaving Taos marked the real beginning of my vacation; just me and the open road for a whole five days. I headed north, waving goodbye to the earthships along the way. I’d been surprised by them on the way in; a whole community of these creations out there in the desert, reminding me of that Co Hoedeman short animated film I loved so much as a child: The Sand Castle.

Review: The Lion King

J. Anthony Crane as “Scar” and Dionne Randolph as “Mufasa” face off in 

THE LION KING National Tour.  ©Disney.  Photo Credit:  Joan Marcus.

Hakuna matata

Montreal production of The Lion King goes off without a hitch

by Richard Burnett

The Friday Five, August 12, 2011

Five Meals That Are Safe To Eat In The Audience
by Kyle Gatehouse of Matt & Kyle & Matt

If you're anything like me, you believe that Hamlet is best enjoyed while enjoying a plate of ham. Same goes for a dish of duck during The Wild Duck and some cucumber sandwiches to munch alongside Algernon in Earnest.
I've seen it all and eaten it all while seeing it, so I can tell you that theatres generally frown upon eating during performances, with the exception of these five theatre-friendly meals...

CharPo's Real Theatre! August 12, 2011

CharPo's Picture of the Week, August 11, 2011

Blog: Johanna Nutter and the Journey of My Pregnant Brother (Part XI)

Fourteen

The last time I saw Yesca  was eighteen years ago. She was living in West Hollywood and we jumped into her pool with all our clothes on and then took her Great Dane, Saucy, to The Burger That Ate L.A., dripping wet and giggling like mad. So, it was only fitting that when she met me at Embudo Station, where she’s been ever since, we should jump into the Rio Grande with all our clothes on. 

Beyond The Fourth Wall, August 10, 2011

Gradually easing into… gulp… Autumn!

By Estelle Rosen

After Dark, August 9, 2011

Left, Right and The Dogma of Theatre

Warnings from American politics

By Gaëtan L. Charlebois

Blog: Johanna Nutter and the Journey of My Pregnant Brother (Part X)

Thirteen

Vegas looks great in the rear-view mirror. That’s about all I saw of it. Well, can you blame me? 

The Upstage Interview: Carolyn Fe

Carolyn Fe (Centre) and her band

Original Sin: Eve, Adam, Apple, Knowledge

Upstage Host Eric Sukhu spoke with Carolyn Fe about her crossover from theatre to music. Below is an abridged version of interview edited by Estelle Rosen, CharPo Editor-in-chief.

The Sunday Feature: Kendra Moore (The Lion King)

Kendra Moore (photo: John Ballard)

The Lion Queen

Canadian entertainer Kendra Moore’s triumphant return to Montreal with The Lion King

By Richard Burnett

Theatre For Thought, August 6, 2011

THE MODERN PLAGUE

Shakespeare vs. the Modern World

joel fishbane

I often feel sorry for Shakespeare. Not only is he dead, which presumably sucks, but he has to deal with the pain of being widely produced and unable to sue for royalties. 

Blog: Johanna Nutter and the Journey of My Pregnant Brother (Part IX)

Twelve

I think if my grin gets any wider it’s going to cleave my head in two and the top half will fall off. 

The Friday Five, August 5, 2011

Five Reasons Not to Sit in the Front Row

As an audience member, you enter a silent agreement when you choose the front row as your vantage point for the evening. Know this: actors are hyper aware of you people. The following is a list of things for you to be aware of too…

by Matthew Raudsepp of Matt & Kyle & Matt 

CharPo's Real Theatre! August 5, 2011

Review: Did I escape, I wonder...

When a Chamber Feels Like a Prison

A small opera is more confusing than Wagner

by Valerie Cardinal

Just after walking out of Theatre Ste. Catherine after Did I Escape, I Wonder…, there is no way I could have told you what the plot was. A day later, I’m still lost.

Review: The Mysterious Case of the Flying Anarchist

Ford: Unsafe at any speed

The real Rob Ford often feels like a caricature, and the play definitely uses this to its advantage.

by Valerie Cardinal

CharPo's Picture of the Week, August 4, 2011

Oh! we so love this delightfully silly photo from 

The Mysterious Case of the Flying Anarchist.

It is, of course, supposed to be Mayor Rob Ford of Toronto

but the special touch is that dumpster.

Review: Titus Andronicus

Does Excess=Success

by Rachel Zuroff

Blood, excess, murder, rape . . . The Montreal Shakespeare Theatre Company is currently staging William Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, one of the playwright’s least performed pieces. The play revolves around its title character Titus, as he returns to Rome victorious from war.  With him is the Goth royal family, brought back as prisoners of war.  The first scene of the play is marked by a series of Titus’ rash decisions, including the execution of the eldest son of Tamora, Queen of the Goths.  Titus’ decision to execute Tamora’s son rather than to be lenient unleashes the play’s subsequent cycle of horrors.