The Tarragon season includes four world premieres, including:
Ubuntu (The Cape Town Project), created by the Ensemble, directed by Daryl Cloran in a co-production with Neptune Theatre (Halifax) in association with Theatrefront. "The past and present collide as a man and woman, continents apart and drawn together by chance, unearth dark family secrets. Featuring an acting ensemble brought together from Canada and South Africa that also performs music and dance, Ubuntu brings to life a gripping story of the clash of cultures and generations." In the Mainspace Jan. 21-March 1, 2009.The Patient Hour by Kristen Thomson, directed by Chris Abraham. "A young man keeps vigil in a lonely hospital room as his mother wavers on the brink of death. In her follow up to the acclaimed hit I, Claudia, Kristen Thomson takes us on a fraught and moving journey to the other side." In the Extra Space Feb. 17-March 29, 2009.Another Home Invasion by Joan MacLeod, directed by Richard Rose in a co-production with Alberta Theatre Projects as part of the Enbridge playRites Festival of New Canadian Plays (Calgary). "The elderly Sadie has everything under control until a bizarre encounter with an intruder begins a nerve-wracking week. From the writer of The Hope Slide and The Shape of a Girl comes this new one woman show about the struggle for security in a world gone awry." In the Mainspace March 12-April 19, 2009.
The House of Many Tongues by Jonathan Garfinkel, directed by Richard Rose. "A house in Jerusalem is home to an Israeli general and his adolescent son, who's busy trying to bring peace to the Middle East through improved sexual techniques. When a Palestinian writer returns to the house he left 40 years ago, pursued by his long-lost daughter, we realize somehow these four people are going to have to live together — if they don't kill each other first. Jonathan developed this play during his time in Tarragon's Playwrights Unit." In the Mainspace April 29- June 7, 2009. The troupe's leaders, Richard Rose and Camilla Holland, recently announced Tarragon's 2008-09 season, which will boast ten productions.
The lineup also includes:
The Toronto premiere of The Black Rider by Tom Waits, Robert Wilson & William S. Burroughs, directed by Ron Jenkins, a November Theatre Production. "To prove his worth as a hunter and win his lover's hand in marriage, a mild-mannered clerk makes a devilish bargain with a sinister stranger. This gothic musical is the brainchild of three groundbreaking and internationally renowned artists." In the Mainspace Oct. 8-Nov. 16.The English language premiere of Bashir Lazhar by Evelyne de la Chenelière, translated by Morwyn Brebner, directed by Jennifer Tarver. "Bashir Lazhar is the eager substitute teacher for a grade six class reeling from the death of their teacher. Dispensing with conventional wisdom, he has his own ideas about what's best for his precocious new students. Written by renowned Quebec playwright Evelyne de la Chenelière, this poetic script is translated by Morwyn Brebner, who brought us The Optimists." In the Extra Space Oct. 28-Dec. 7.The Toronto premiere of Molière by Sabina Berman, translated by Shelley Tepperman, directed by Richard Rose. "In 17th-century Paris, Molière's comedies are the toast of the town, but not everybody is laughing. Together with the infamous Archbishop, tragedian Jean Racine declares all-out war on his celebrated rival in a desperate bid to bring the God of Laughter to his knees. Sabina Berman, one of Mexico's most prolific and successful playwrights, brings this epic battle to the stage." In the Mainspace Nov. 26-Dec 28.A remount of Scorched by Wajdi Mouawad, translated by Linda Gaboriau, directed by Richard Rose. "A mother's last will and testament sends twins Simon and Janine on a journey into her past. Plunging into their mother's history in a war-torn country, they struggle to solve the mystery of their origins. After a highly successful run in 2006-07, Scorched returns to Tarragon before taking off on a nation-wide tour to the Centaur Theatre, Montreal, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg, and the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton." In the Mainspace Sept. 2-28.A remount of East of Berlin by Hannah Moscovitch, directed by Alisa Palmer. "Haunted by his own feelings of guilt, a young German ex-patriot flies home to Paraguay to confront his father. As he steels himself for the encounter, he realizes it will take a desperate act to finally free himself from his father's dark past. Fresh from its success in the 2007-08 season, East of Berlin returns to the Extra Space for a limited run." In the Extra Space Jan. 6-Feb. 1, 2009.A remount of A Beautiful View, written and directed by Daniel MacIvor, originally produced by Sherrie Johnson, an original da da kamera production. "After an intense romantic encounter, fear and circumstance drive M and L apart. Longing for the intimacy of shared stories and shared silences, they reconnect sporadically over the years, struggling to grasp what is it that binds two people together. From the acclaimed writer of last year's How It Works, the original creative team brings you Daniel MacIvor's humorous and poignant hit." In the Extra Space April 28-May 24, 2009. For more information about Tarragon Theatre visit www.tarragontheatre.com.
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Brendan Gall's Alias Godot is currently playing Tarragon. Richard Rose directs in the Mainspace.
