TORONTO -- The Canada dell'Arte Theatre troupe, known for its critically acclaimed, stylized outdoor productions, has come inside to present the official world premiere of Spirits in its new, full-length form. The original one-act version was a huge hit at Toronto's 1998 Summerworks Fringe Festival.
Spirits opened at The Bathurst Street Theatre Jan. 15 and ends its scheduled run Feb. 6.
Brechtian influences abound in this "zesty operatic vaudeville tragedy." The three-act "musical feast" takes critical swipes at contemporary North American lifestyle over the course of one night, during which a young girl, her single father, and two wannabe lovers decide to take on the world. Family relations, urban nightlife, love, lust and booze are the ingredients which creators Christopher Cummings, Dennis Frey and Peter Reitzel -- the troupe's co-founders -- blend in an effort to provide what they hope will be "an intoxicating experience of side-splitting absurdity and euphonious inspiration."
Reflecting attributes of their company's name, they will pay tribute to vaudeville, regarded by the creative team as an art form worthy of resuscitating.
The multi-faceted trio -- median age 28 -- will also be principals in the cast completed by Julie Reitzel and Michael Chipman. The production is under Reitzel's direction, also credited for set and costume design. Musical arrangements and musical direction are by Sam Allison. The co-op styled ensemble was created from common ideals the members realized in each other while studying at Toronto's respected George Brown College Theate Dept. -- particularly, a dissatisfaction with U.S.-Canadian regional theatre fare.
For tickets and information, call (416) 406-0998.
