Toronto's Tarragon Flavors Its 2007-08 Slate With Three World Premieres

Richard Rose, Andy McKim and Camilla Holland, who run the respected resident theatre known for new and recent works, announced the season March 22.

The Tarragon lineup includes:

Benevolence, written and directed by Morris Panych, a world premiere in the Mainspace, Sept. 18-Oct. 27. "He's passed him on the street a million times before. Only on this day, Oswald Eichersen impulsively decides to give that homeless man $100. And that's where his troubles begin. This seemingly simple act of generosity becomes a life-changing event." Panych's previous hits include The Dishwashers, Earshot, Girl in the Goldfish Bowl and Vigil.

East of Berlin by Hannah Moscovitch, a world premiere in the Extra Space, Oct. 16-Nov. 25. "What would you do if you found out that someone you loved was the architect of a horrific act? Rudi has grown up in Panama, blissfully ignorant of his father's past. When he discovers the truth, he tries to atone in a meaningful way." Moscovitch is the acclaimed writer of independent theatre hits The Russian Play and Essay and is a recent member of Tarragon's Playwright's Unit.

How It Works, written and directed by Daniel MacIvor, a Toronto premiere in the Mainspace, Nov. 6-Dec. 16. "When your teenage daughter is struggling with drugs, boys, and the law, it's not an ideal time for dating. After an awkward divorce, Al is looking for a new start, but 19-year old Brooke is determined to undermine her father's chance at happiness." MacIvor won the Governor General's Award in Drama in 2006, and Toronto audiences flocked to his recent reprisals of Monster, House and Here Lies Henry.

Wild Mouth by Maureen Hunter, directed by RH Thomson, a world premiere in the Mainspace, Jan. 2-Feb. 10, 2008. "In 1917, an unconventional woman flees to the prairies and her brother's farm to grieve the loss of her son. Instead of comfort, she encounters the chauvinism of her family and the wisdom of returning soldiers. Wild Mouth is a vivid and poetic work about transcending war." This is Hunter's first production at the Tarragon; she is the acclaimed author of Atlantis and Transit of Venus.

Democracy by Michael Frayn, directed by Richard Rose, a Toronto premiere in the Mainspace, Feb. 26-April 6, 2008. "It's 1969, and Willy Brandt, the charismatic left-wing politician, has just been elected chancellor of West Germany. His government is full of limitless energy, exciting new ideas and an East German spy." This is the international hit from the writer of Copenhagen and Noises Off — "a spy thriller wrapped up in a political drama."

The Fall by Greg Nelson, a Toronto premiere in the Extra Space, March 18-April 27, 2008. "Justice Harry McKay is dead. Officially, he was a great man: leading intellectual, activist judge, Canadian hero. But the unofficial version — the truth — is much darker. In a government building, in a basement room, is a file with a startling secret. Now Harry's estranged son must come to terms with his father's past." Nelson's play was produced in Ottawa at the Great Canadian Theatre Company and was developed during his time in the Tarragon Playwright's Unit.

Alias Godot by Brendan Gall, directed by Richard Rose, a North American premiere in the Mainspace, April 22-June 1, 2008. "In a gritty New York police station, a vagrant is being interrogated by two policemen. But he's not answerin' their questions, just complainin' that he's going to be late for an important meeting. Can they trust him? Particularly as he's from France? Inspired by the classic Beckett play, Alias Godot turns security and trust on their heads." The author developed this script through Tarragon's Playwrights Unit. For information about Tarragon Theatre, call (416) 531-1827 or visit www.tarragontheatre.com.

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