It was an afternoon of celebrations for the Belfry Theatre.
Wednesday saw not only the announcement of the new season for the iconic Fernwood company, but a thank you to a major sponsor for helping make patrons more comfortable in the smaller of the BelfryB次元官网网址檚 two live theatre venues.
BMO Financial GroupB次元官网网址檚 contribution of $100,000 to the BelfryB次元官网网址檚 capital campaign not only earned it naming rights for the newly christened BMO Studio Theatre, it helped pay for new padded seats. BMOB次元官网网址檚 assistance also helped the Belfry leverage other funding from the province, which will help cover the cost of replacing outdated production lighting with more efficient B次元官网网址� and far less hot B次元官网网址� LED lights.
B次元官网网址淭he importance of a major gift like this to the upgrade and maintenance of an arts facility cannot be overstated,B次元官网网址� Belfry Theatre executive director Ivan Habel said in a video statement from Toronto. He was there representing the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres in contract negotiations with the Canadian ActorB次元官网网址檚 Equity Association.
The 2019-20 season kicks off this summer (July 30-Aug. 18) with BOOM X, a multimedia masterpiece written, directed and performed by Rick Miller. ItB次元官网网址檚 a follow-up to BOOM, which came to the Belfry in 2015 and saw Miller portray personalities from music, culture and politics in the Baby Boom era.
BOOM X, not surprisingly, pushes the clock forward, starting at Woodstock in 1969 and features a cross-section of imagery and personality portrayal from Generation X. ItB次元官网网址檚 his own story of growing up and trying to navigate the tangled legacy of the Baby Boom.
Following productions include (with artistic director Michael ShamataB次元官网网址檚 comments):
The Children, by Lucy Kirkwood (Sept. 17-Oct. 13) B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址淎ward-winning playwright Lucy KirkwoodB次元官网网址檚 brilliant play asks big questions about the responsibility we face to leave a better world for the next generation. How do we reconcile our mistakes with their impact on the future, and who is meant to clean up after us?B次元官网网址�
Bang Bang, by Kat Sandler (Oct. 29-Nov. 24) B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a super funny sitcom style comedy B次元官网网址� allowing is to laugh at serious issues and timely themes B次元官网网址� including racial profiling, voice appropriation, ego, selfishness and the sometimes incomprehensible world of the theatre.B次元官网网址�
Every Brilliant Thing, by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe (Dec. 3-22) B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址淭his is simply one of the most moving pieces of theatre I have ever seen. It is so full of life, and pain, and joy and yearningB次元官网网址� it overflows with humanity. And its remarkable use of the audience as participants in the storytelling makes for a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience.B次元官网网址�
The Ministry of Grace, by Tara Beagan (Feb. 4-March 1, 2020) B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 like a sprawling Steinbeck novel B次元官网网址� a real saga B次元官网网址� of encountering hypocrisy and evil, while clinging to the beliefs that guide you. Produced by the Belfry and created by an all-Indigenous team, including designer Andy Moro and writer/director Tara Began, one of our leading playwrights.B次元官网网址�
1979, by Michael Healey (April 21-May 17, 2020) B次元官网网址� Politics can be nasty; in Michael HealeyB次元官网网址檚 hands, they can be very funny, too. Characters such as Pierre Trudeau, Brian Mulroney, Maureen McTeer and even a very young Stephen Harper come tumbling through the revolving door of the Prime MinisterB次元官网网址檚 Office. But what I really love is the tension between principles and politics in this play, making it incredibly apt for these times.B次元官网网址�
Spark Festival (March 9-22)
For ticket and other information, stay tuned to .
editor@mondaymag.com
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