This woke me up.

Joey Tremblay in Elephant Wake

Elephant Wake. For some reason, it didn’t occur to me until the end that this was a funeral reference. But not quite a funeral. This town, this unspoken elephant in the room, never reaches the stage of funeral; holding its last breath because of one last surviving resident.

How long has Jean-Claude been living alone in the Franco-Saskatchewan town of Ste. Vierge. At least twenty years, it seems, maybe more. Surrounded by papier-mache figurines. As long as he has stories to tell, memories to share, he stays.

The fiddle music invited me in, as I strolled through the walls of black curtains into the National Arts Centre studio, eagerly anticipating the design from visionary artist/director Bretta Gerecke. I already knew I loved her work in Nevermore, the show I raved about after seeing it two and a half times at the Magnetic North Festival. Who says spectacle can’t tell a story. Aristotle obviously never acquainted himself with productions like these.

I knew very little about writer/performer Joey Tremblay, except that he was good. I’ve been researching Catalyst Theatre for my master’s thesis, and of course his name comes up as one-half of that phenomenal artistic team that saved Catalyst from financial and artistic ruin about ten years ago. But what would he be like onstage…

He enters the dark stage with only a flashlight, shines it at the audience, acknowledging us, noting “Scary, eh?” We all laugh, and suddenly we all become friends.

Who knew that Ottawa audiences could relish so much in interactive theatre. What happened to us. Where did we come from. We were all children again, singing along to hymns without really knowing all the words; clapping our hands as this idiot-savant character dances on top of a white box, a true joie-de-vivre in his voice, in his body.

White. Everything is white. The stage strewn with shards of paper. Bottle-figurines represent members of the town that once were. Hints of a lively community. Small lanterns line two rows across the stage. Jean-Claude plays with the light, he plays with us; he speaks directly to an audience member named James, who seems shy but willing to join in the fun.

Admittedly, sometimes my mind wandered. I didn’t follow his every word and two hours is a long time to sit and watch one person onstage. And yet… when he left, when it was over, I so desperately wanted him to come back.

I loved this character. I loved how he struggled to speak French, his native language, and how he spoke English with such a strong accent, full of resistance. I love how he never complained, really, and always joked around. Humour is the greatest weapon, he makes this so clear.

I don’t review plays very often. But I thought this was worth mentioning. The show plays until November 14.

Ottawa Arts – November 2009

Greetings arts enthusiasts,

I have some rather exciting news! The Ottawa Arts Newsletter has been nominated for “Best local blog/website” in the Ottawa XPress – Best of Ottawa 2009.

All the nominees are pretty awesome — but hey, if you want to vote for me, then follow this link: http://www.ottawaxpress.ca/dossier/bestof/xpress2009.aspx.Section 4 right near the bottom! Please vote before the deadline on November 11.

And without further ado, here is your artistic line-up for the month of November…

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November 3 to 7
The University of Ottawa’s Drama Guild presents “Our Country’s Good”
http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/theatre/eng/season.html

Timberlake Wertenbaker’s Our Country’s Good is set in eighteenth-century Australia and tells the story of convicts who decide to put on a production of a Restoration drama. Directed by Arthur Milner, this Drama Guild production is designed by Martin Conboy, Roy Hansen-Robitschek, and Rick Cousins, and features students from the theatre department at the University of Ottawa.

November 3 to 14
The National Arts Centre English Theatre presents “Elephant Wake”
http://nac-cna.ca/en/theatre/0910/elephantwake/

I am really looking forward to seeing this expanded production of Elephant Wake that was originally produced as a Fringe Festival production by Catalyst Theatre (a spectacular Edmonton company that I am studying for my thesis and that recently presented Nevermore here in Ottawa). Witness writer/actor Joey Tremblay’s performance as the last man left in Ste. Vierge, a defunct Francophone town in Saskatchewan, and see up close director/designer Bretta Gerecke’s remarkable papier maché townscape. Check out the website for photos!

November 3 to 22
The Great Canadian Theatre Company presents “The Children’s Republic”
http://www.gctc.ca/plays/the-childrens-republic

Hannah Moscovitch’s long awaited new play – about a Jewish orphanage in Poland that is invaded by Nazis – premieres at the GCTC this month. Directed by Janet Irwin, this co-production with the Ottawa School of Speech and Drama features several of its students in the roles of the orphans, as well as local actors Paul Rainville, Peter Froehlich, Kate Hurman, and Sarah McVie. Heather Marie Scheerschmidt has written a great article about this show: http://bit.ly/3NOA3h

November 12 to 14
Ottawa Little Theatre and Savoy Society of Ottawa present a Double Bill!
http://ottawasavoysociety.org/

Ottawa Little Theatre presents W. S. Gilbert’s one act play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The Savoy Society then presents The Zoo, a one-act comic opera by Arthur Sullivan and Bolton Rowe.  Join an incognito nobleman, an anguished pharmacist, a saucy waitress, a grumpy grocer and his captivating daughter, with a patriotic chorus of animal lovers in this opera set in the London Zoo.

November 13 and 14
AB Series presents two readings by Joe Rosenblatt
http://abseries.org/

Author of twenty books and his poems have appeared in over thirty anthologies of Canadian poetry, Joe has received major awards such as the Governor General’s Award in 1976 and the BC Book Award in 1986. Catch him in Ottawa, then in Gatineau with Ottawa poète Andree Christensen.

November 14
2^nd Ottawa Timeraiser
http://www.timeraiser.ca/en/2nd-Ottawa

This event has only recently been brought to my attention, and I think it is a phenomenal idea. Timeraiser is part volunteer fair, part silent art auction and part night on the town. The big twist is rather than bidding money on artwork, you bid volunteer hours. You can sign up by visiting the website, and the event takes place at the National Gallery of Canada. The goal is to raise 5000 volunteer hours!

November 15
Jill Zmud CD Release
http://www.myspace.com/jillzmud

Ottawa torch-folk songstress Jill Zmud is releasing her debut album at the Black Sheep Inn this month. Check out her MySpace page to experience her soothing vocals and imaginative lyrics. For her release, she will be joined by fellow musicians Dave Draves, Chris Page, Safwan Javed and more.

November 16
The Wrecking Ball
http://thewreckingball.ca/

I was sorry to have missed this event last year, that busy time of arts cuts protests before the federal election. The Wrecking Ball is back at St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts and Humanities, this time bringing together members of the theatre and literary communities. Don’t miss what promises to be an evening of incredible live performance!

November 17 to 28
SevenThirty Productions presents Shining City
http://www.seventhirty.ca/

Written by Connor MacPherson, Shining City takes place in the disheveled office of Ian, a former priest turned therapist. Ian’s latest patient, John, is in trouble. His wife has just died tragically… and he is visited more than once by her ghost. John is now terrified to return home, but Ian has his own troubles, including a new baby and a crumbling relationship. Directed by John P. Kelly, this production features Richard Gélinas, Tom Charlebois, Nancy Kenny, and Garrett Quirk.

November 18 to 28
Ottawa Chamber Theatre presents “The Mechanicsville Monologues”
http://www.chambertheatrehintonburg.ca/

Written by Donnie Laflamme, this production consists of a series of monologues and is performed by ten local actors and a handful of professional musicians. As the playwright describes, “The monologues are based on things I’ve seen, things I’ve done, and things I’ve heard. The pieces are inspired by people and situations experienced in ‘hood. I call them the dirtiest tales ever told and some of them truly are. No punches get pulled. No apologies.” Well, I’m intrigued!

November 19 to 28
Sock ‘N’ Buskin Theatre company presents “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead”
http://www.carleton.ca/socknbuskin/mainstage.htm

If you haven’t yet seen this play, it’s a good one: two of Hamlet’s most underrated characters are given centre stage in this existentialist comedy that is reminiscent of Waiting for Godot, but with a modern Shakespearean twist. Directed by Dave Dawson, this production opens Sock ‘N’ Buskin’s 66^th season in Ottawa.

November 26 and 27
Ottawa Chamber Music Society presents the Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra of Heilbronn
http://chamberfest.com/

Two wonderful concerts in one weekend! The Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra plays at the Shenkman Centre on the first night and at the Dominion-Chalmers Church on the second. These concerts are in commemoration of the 20^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

November 28
Halabisky’s Uprising CD Release “State of Emergency”
http://www.myspace.com/halabiskysuprising

Antizario saxman Dave Halabisky releases his debut solo album at the Mercury Lounge! The CD release party will be hosted by spoken word artist Ritallin and will feature a live performance by Dave and his Uprising band. The album features new music by Dave and collaborations with Moka Only (Swollen Members), Amalia Townsend (Sekoya), Atherton and Sadie Hell.

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Just a bit more house-keeping…

Youth Infringement
Deadline for applications: November 27 (for directors) and December 31 (for playwrights)
http://www.youthinfringement.ca

The Ottawa Theatre Network…

…now has a blog! Visit http://ottawatheatrenetwork.wordpress.com/ to find out more about how YOU can get involved with Ottawa’s diverse theatre community.

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Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to vote in Best of Ottawa 2009!

Artistically yours,

Jessica

The Drowsy Chaperone: Far from a lullaby

The Drowsy Chaperone: Canadian Company

Review by Jennie Barnes

Sprightly, frenetic, and utterly ebullient, the National Arts Centre and Citadel Theatre’s co-production of The Drowsy Chaperone is certainly not what its wearisome title suggests. Originally conceived as burlesque stag party entertainment by playwrights Don McKellar, Lisa Lambert, Greg Morrison and Bob Martin, this Tony award-winning Canadian show makes its Ottawa debut and runs in the NAC Theatre until October 31. Branded as a musical within a comedy, Drowsy ushers in the 40^th season of English Theatre at the NAC with an apt fusion of wistfulness and mirth.

Even before the curtain rises, uproarious laughter seizes the audience. “You know what I do when I’m sitting in a darkened theatre waiting for the show to begin? I pray. Oh, dear God, please let it be a good show,” sighs Man in Chair (Jay Brazeau) a jittery, Zoloft-addicted divorcee seated at stage-left. But he need not fret; the cast of this vaudeville pastiche are anything but lackadaisical. As the middle-aged recluse sets his record player to his favourite 1920s revue, kaleidoscopic lighting (Gerald King) transforms the stage into a histrionic universe teeming with song, spit-takes and tap-dancing.

The Drowsy Chaperone, the musical to which the Man in Chair introduces us, mainly centres on Janet (Debbie Timuss) an ostentatious showgirl poised to abandon the limelight in order to marry Robert (John Ullyatt), an equally vainglorious oil magnate who spends a good part of the play blindfolded whilst roller-skating across the stage in a slapdash fashion. Scatterbrained wedding planner Mrs. Tottendale, played by veteran actor Nora McLellan, endears herself to the audience with her odd facial expressions and other such winsome foibles. Susan Gilmour skilfully portrays The Drowsy Chaperone’s eponymous heroine, an alcoholic duenna tasked with keeping the bride and groom apart prior to their nuptials.

Thom Allison steals the show as Aldopho, a stereotypical European playboy commissioned by Feldzieg (Mark Burgess), Janet’s frantic producer, to ruin the celebrity wedding. Other notable performances include Josh Epstein and Neil Minor as pastry-chef gangsters, Ryan Reid as best man, Julien Arnold as Underling the butler, Nathalie Marrable as Janet’s lacklustre successor and Lovena B. Fox as the Aviatrix.

Sumptuous stage design (Jean Claude Olivier) and flamboyant costumes (Phillip Clarkson) provide ample eye candy for the audience. In the wake of musical director Lloyd Nicholson’s untimely death days before opening, replacement Scott Davey does a superb job of conducting the on-stage band. Thirteen numbers with intentionally asinine titles such as “Cold Feets” and “Love is Always Lovely” breathe comical life into the hackneyed plotlines.

Man in Chair warns the audience that Janet’s “Bride’s Lament” is especially lame as the lead singer bemoans having put a “monkey on a pedestal” after a ludicrous argument with her fiancé. Admittedly, Man in Chair’s caveat could apply to the entire performance, which is largely satirical. In any event, director Max Reimer has categorically succeeded in staging a show “so bad that it’s good.”

Jennie Barnes is an undergraduate student at the University of Ottawa.

Ottawa Arts Newsletter gets nominated!

Ottawa XPress

The Ottawa Arts Newsletter has been nominated for “Best local blog/website” for the Ottawa XPress – Best of Ottawa 2009.

I’m pretty thrilled! I have been writing this newsletter for approximately 3 and a half years now. Getting to know Ottawa’s incredible artistic community has been so rewarding, and it seems that the online media has made a concentrated effort to focus on local content over the last few years. It is very encouraging.

All the nominees are pretty awesome — but hey, if you want to vote for me, this is the link. Section 4 right near the bottom! Please vote before the deadline on November 11.

Thanks so much for your support!

Arabian Night evokes dreamlike scene

Photo by Tim Ginley (LtoR: Emily Pearlman, Richard Gelinas, Kate Smith, Stewart Matthews)

Review by Erika Morey

Evolution Theatre finishes off its 2009 season this week with Roland Schmimmelpfennig’s Arabian Night (in an English translation by David Tushingham) directed by Natalie Joy Quesnel. Nominated Play of the Year by six German critics in 2001, this sensual urban thriller tells the intricate tale of five individuals who unwittingly cross paths in an apartment building one night as they each struggle to realize their own most personal fantasies.  In discovering these desires through series of dreamlike events, each character undergoes a transformation that culminates with the revelation of the play’s central message – “We simply can’t stop revealing our true natures”.

Overcoming the inevitable challenges that come with working in a non-traditional theatrical space (Evolution chose to use the Cube Gallery as its playing space), the production offered a simplistic yet versatile setting that mirrored Quesnel’s illiteral approach to the play. Six translucent curtains and two white sliding staircases were drawn back, flipped and removed by actors to create a surreal environment that contrasted with the very literal nature of text, which is essentially a collection of stage directions spoken aloud. Striving to be evocative rather than illustrative, the production is unique in its intention as well as in its set (John Doucet), lighting (Pierre Ducharme), and costume design (Mishka Lavigne).

Quesnel’s fresh interpretation was matched by the work of an exceptionally talented ensemble, all of whom brought a distinct energy and individuality to their roles. A reliably comical Richard Gelinas delighted the audience as the indecisive apartment building superintendent Lomeier , and Bradley Cunningham Long brought an unexpected  whimsicality to Kalil, a moped-driving young man who visits this same building to visit his girlfriend Fatima. Stewart Matthews was also exceptional in his portrayal of a curious and infatuated Karpati, who is drawn into the building at the sight of a beautiful woman on the 7th floor.

Most noteworthy, however, was Kate Smith’s riveting performance as Franziska, a narcoleptic blonde-haired beauty whose memory slips into obscurity each day as morning fades to night. Drifting around the stage as if sleepwalking for the first few minutes of the play, she later becomes both active and aware as she describes the images that come to her while in a deep sleep. Effective in her ability to engage the audience, Smith chillingly portayed her character’s shift from vulnerability and confusion in reality to the confidence and understanding she finds within in her dreams.

In attempting to stage such an ambitious piece, Evolution took some major risks for a relatively young company emerging into the Ottawa arts scene. Luckily, with so many creative minds on board, Evolution is certainly living up to its mandate to entertain audiences with thought-provoking, emotional, and evocative contemporary theatre. Theatre-goers in Ottawa should take advantage of the opportunity to see high-calibre experimental theatre right here in the city, and should expect to be both entertained and challenged by what Evolution has to offer.

Erika is a first year theatre student at the University of Ottawa.

Ottawa Arts – October 2009

Greetings arts enthusiasts!

I’ve been making a concentrated effort over the last few months to restrict this newsletter to only 10 events per issue. However, this month there is so much happening (and I promised so many people I would include their events…) that I had to raise the limit to 12. I also cheat sometimes and include two events under one heading. Oops!

Be sure to read to the bottom this time for AUDITION information and news about the Ottawa Theatre Network.

October 1 to 3
Tara Players and Ottawa Little Theatre present ‘Women on the Verge of HRT’
http://www.ottawalittletheatre.com/

This Irish coming-of-a-certain-age story looks pretty adorable. Two 40-something women trapped in loveless marriage go on an adventure to see Daniel O’Donnell in concert, and much more. All the charm of Thelma and Louise, minus the rape and murder. Directed by Sarah Hearn, this show features local actors Lori Jean Hodge, Irish O’Brien (could they have picked a better name?), and Kevin O’Reilly.

October 2
Ottawa Storytellers presents ‘Gossip, Tales and Yarns: A Collage of Canadian Stories’
http://ottawastorytellers.ca/SC-CC.htm

Tales, yarns, stories, recounted by some of Canada’s premier storytellers: Dale Jarvis, Cindy Campbell, Mariella Bertelli, Pearl-Ann Gooding, Mary Gavan, and Moira Cameron. Check the website, also, for information about the monthly story swaps!

October 2 to 4
The Inséparable Collective presents ‘Inséparable’
http://ossd.com/

Blending French and English theatrical styles, this piece depicts a comical (and fictional) chance encounter between Wolfe and Montcalm in the early morning of September 13, 1759, sometime before the fateful Battle of the Plains of Abraham. Both playwright Louis Lemire and director Matthew Romantini act in the show, joined by local actor Jerome Bourgault.

Other plays closing this weekend include ‘The Syringa Tree’ (GCTC), ‘Old Times’ (Third Wall), and ‘The Pillowman’ (Vision Theatre).

October 3
Danielle K. L. Gregoire launches ‘Optimism is a Constant Struggle’ at Capital Slam
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/group.php?gid=102457898755

Aside from being just about the sweetest person I know, Danielle is also a talented poetess with a refreshing fascination with all the things that make our world beautiful. She is launching her very first CD that contains her impressive repertoire, the stuff that will brighten your day and inspire you to take positive action. She has invited a number of poets (myself included!) to join her onstage for certain poems. It should be a phenomenal evening.

October 3
The AB Series Third Season Launch
http://abseries.org

The AB Series presents performance poetry ensemble The Be Blank Consort at Gallery 101. The series is also hosting a reading by poet/fiction writer Margaret Christakos on October 14. Check out the website for more details on upcoming events!

October 3
Negative Theatre presents Gogol’s ‘Diary of a Madman’
http://negativetheatre.org/

This is a brand new Ottawa-based theatre company looking to produce challenging works and reach out to multilingual audiences. If I weren’t performing in another show this evening, I would definitely check out this company’s inaugural production. Adapted/Directed/Performed by Ozgur Cinar, this show is performed in Turkish with English Surtitles.

October 8
isme(e) performance cabaret at the Saw Gallery
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2344143106&ref=ts

Weird, wacky, and wild. Expect the unexpected. From spoken word to performance art to interpretive dance to stand up to rock bands and everything in between. Lovingly hosted by Scott Florence and Annie Lefebvre.

October 12
Toto Too Theatre presents ‘The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later’
http://tototoo.ca/

I first saw the original Laramie Project at Canterbury High School when I was a student there. It is powerful stuff: verbatim interviews with inhabitants of the town where Matthew Shepard was murdered for being gay. Toto Too Ottawa’s Gay and Lesbian Theatre is one of the many companies around the world that is presenting this reading of a new series of interviews, ten years after the hate crime occurred. Directed by Teri Rata Loretto, this reading features local actors Lawrence Aronovitch, Chris Bedford, Simon Bradshaw, Janne Cleveland, Nancy Clue, Lawrence Evenchick, Lori Jean Hodge, Nathan Ings , Kris Joseph, Margo MacDonald, Jim McNabb, Kel Morin-Parsons, Chantale Plante, Garrett Quirk, Kelly Rigole, Denis Schryburt, and Matt Smith. Tickets are FREE, but you have to reserve!

October 14 to 24
Evolution Theatre presents ‘Arabian Night’
http://evolutiontheatre.ca

This erotic urban thriller (nice wording, Nancy!) is directed by Natalie Joy Quesnel and features some of my favourite local actors: Stewart Matthews, Richard Gelinas, Kate Smith, Brad Long (recently seen in The Pillowman), and Emily Pearlman. I read this script in my dramaturgy class last year and loved it: sexy, mysterious, mind boggling, and gives the director a lot of creative freedom. I’m looking forward to seeing what Evolution does with this one.

October 19
Newstalgica Poetry Series featuring Jessica Ruano and Poem de Terre
http://jessicaruano.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/my-next-performance/

Well, you already know who I am. So I’ll just tell you a little about my co-feature for this Newstalgica event (which, by the way, happens once a month on a Monday at Cafe Nostalgica at the University of Ottawa, hosted by Devin Zane Shaw and JF Lafleche):  Poem de Terre is a multi-disciplinary ensemble melding live folk music and spoken word with contemporary and more established musical forms. And they have their own t-shirts. Check us out!

October 14 to 31
The National Arts Centre English Theatre presents ‘ The Drowsy Chaperone’
http://nac-cna.ca/en/theatre/index.cfm

Don’t miss this extraordinary Canadian musical that made it big on Broadway after starting out at a local Fringe Festival. My sister saw it in New York City and loved it, therefore highly recommended!

ALSO: ‘The Ark: The Theatre of Ancient Greece’ on October 24

October 29 to November 14
The Gladstone presents ‘The Final Twist’
http://thegladstone.ca

The Gladstone continues its second season with a classic thriller – by Ken Whitmore and Alfred Bradley, directed by local artist John Koensgen – about a playwright who is offered an unusual commission that treads the line between fiction and reality.

And now a message from Sterling Lynch:

The Ottawa Theatre Network is born!

Are you involved in professional theatre in Ottawa? Would you like to assist in its growth?

The Ottawa Theatre Network wants to know who you are! Please read this call to action and find out how you can help: http://sterlinglynch.wordpress.com/the-ottawa-theatre-network/

These are exciting time for professional theatre in Ottawa. Find out why!

Also, AUDITIONS!

Auditions for J.M. Barrie’s classic fairy tale Peter Pan will take place on Saturday October 3 & Sunday October 4 at Carleton University. To book an audition time email snbtheatre@gmail.com, or call (613) 520-3770

Auditions for the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat will take place October 6 and 7 at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. To book an audition, please contact Sue Walker at 613 725 3519 ext 113

If you have any more events to add for this month, please post a comment on my website: http://jessicaruano.wordpress.com/blog

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful month!

Artistically yours,

Jessica

Ottawafocus: Q & A with Jessica Ruano

Interview by Ren Tomovcik

Jessica Ruano’s online bio will tell you that she’s a publicist, publicity consultant, arts journalist, photographer, drama coach, director, spoken word performer, and general arts enthusiast – but she’s so much more than the sum of her (numerous) activities.

The University of Ottawa graduate student has become known as a tireless advocate for the performing arts scene in Ottawa, keeping the capital’s inhabitants informed about what’s going on with the Ottawa Arts Newsletter and promoting upcoming events on her website.

Jessica’s work is thoroughly imbued with her love of the stage, and her enthusiastic endorsements have likely enticed countless audience members into their seats at Ottawa’s many theatres.

Lately, Jessica has been embracing the role of performer.  She was a headlining reader in the Voices of Venus series this past summer, and next month she’ll take the stage at Cafe Nostalgica, the “belonging place” where her passion for spoken word performance began.

Jessica chats with Ottawafocus about theatre, inspiration, and the arts scene in our city that’s alive and kicking!

Check out the full interview at Ottawafocus.com