CAPITAL LETTERS GCTC's first season in the new Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre
Media Release: Ottawa, ON - Monday, April 16, 6:30 p.m.
The Great Canadian Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, Lise Ann Johnson, is pleased to present her season on Monday, April 16, 6:30 p.m., at a season launch public event at GCTC’s current location at 910 Gladstone Avenue, Ottawa. The 2007-2008 season will be GCTC’s first season in its new home, the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, opening in the Fall of 2007 at the corner of Wellington Street and Holland Avenue. TELUS is GCTC’s 2007-2008 inaugural season sponsor, and both companies are proud of this partnership: “Through TELUS’ involvement with GCTC initiatives such as the student matinee series, we’ve seen first hand the leadership role the theatre plays in engaging young people in the arts,” said Janet Yale, TELUS executive vice president, Corporate Affairs. “TELUS also recognizes GCTC’s important contribution to the overall cultural and social life of the community, and we are honoured to be the theatre’s first season sponsor.”
“Our CAPITAL LETTERS season is GCTC’s love letter to the National Capital Region,” says Johnson. “All of the plays in the 2007-2008 season are either penned by writers from Ottawa, or feature a connection to our nation’s capital.”
Jennifer Brewin, of Ottawa, directs The Man from the Capital, the first production in the new Irving Greenberg Theatre mainstage space, playing October 9 - 28, 2007. The book and lyrics are by Colin Heath with music by John Millard. Scotiabank Group is the production partner of The Man from the Capital. Adapted from The Government Inspector, by Nikolai Gogol, the story is set in the small town of ‘Salmon Elbow’ during the Great Depression. The Man from the Capital is a musical comedy that probes the foibles of a corrupt municipal government. When Mayor Ira Trout catches wind of an Ottawa inspector’s imminent visit, the city council is sent into comic overdrive. The mayor mistakes a penniless drifter as the inspector, who ultimately accepts his bribes, eats his food, seduces his daughter, and rides off into the sunset – all just before the real “man from the capital” arrives.
Andrew Moodie, formerly of Ottawa, now residing in Toronto, wrote and directs The Real McCoy playing at GCTC from November 13 to December 2, 2007. This is a joint production with Factory Theatre, Toronto. The Real McCoy is inspired by the true-life story of black inventor Elijah McCoy. Born in Canada to runaway slaves, McCoy became a leading expert in the field of thermo-dynamics. McCoy invented a device that revolutionized steam engine travel, only to see it sold worldwide with the marketer’s proviso that his race be concealed. The Real McCoy is a passionate and touching story about the struggle between science and faith in the late industrial age.
Now living in Toronto, Ottawa’s Morwyn Brebner wrote The Optimists, playing January 29-February 17, 2008. Directed by Charles McFarland, also of Ottawa, the play is a bittersweet comedy that traps two couples in one Las Vegas hotel room. Chick and Teenie are on the verge of getting married; Doug and Margie are on the verge of splitting up. And the question is, will anyone live happily ever after? A quirky dissection of love, friendship and class, The Optimists is also a testament to an enduring belief that things will work out for the best.
Ottawa’s Pierre Brault wrote and will star in the world-premiere production of 5 O’Clock Bells, a play commissioned by GCTC’s play development program. This show, co-produced with Sleeping Dog Theatre, plays April 1 – 20, 2008. Directed By Brian Quirt, 5 O’Clock Bells sheds biographical and musical light on Lenny Breau, one of Canada’s unsung musical heroes. From the country music of his childhood, to the avant-garde experimentations of the sixties, to bonafide jazz stardom, Breau’s life was one long musical wave. Like many jazz geniuses, Breau struggled against drug addiction. His life ended prematurely when his body was found at the bottom of a Los Angeles swimming pool in 1984, in an unresolved homicide. Pierre Brault examines the musical reflection of Breau’s life from the bottom of the pool, where liquid wave meets sound wave.
Plan B, directed by Ottawa resident and GCTC Artistic Director Lise Ann Johnson, is a political comedy written by playwright Michael Healey. This play runs May 27-June 15, 2008. In this play, 53% of Québec has just voted “oui” and negotiations begin. Four government representatives meet in a Hull hotel to discuss the terms of separation. Negotiations go awry when Canada’s Finance Minister gets the hots for Québec’s Intergovernmental Affairs Minister. The author of The Drawer Boy brings us a seductive comedy about betrayal in personal and political relationships.
In addition to the mainstage plays, Johnson presented news regarding other GCTC programming at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre: “Our new state of the art theatre centre places GCTC at the geographical heart of an exciting arts district. Don Monet, of Cube Gallery, and Sheila Whyte’s Thyme & Again, are joining us in our new space and we are very excited about what our visitors will experience from our both our new gallery and our excellence in hospitality. We are commited to sharing the facility with the community and dream of GCTC as a hub for Ottawa’s burgeoning theatre scene. With more room to create and advanced theatrical equipment, the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre will enable GCTC to better fulfil its mandate to foster, produce and promote excellent theatre that promotes examination of Canadian life and our place in the world.”
Acoustic Waves returns to GCTC. Co-presented with the Ottawa Folk Festival, concerts are scheduled on Sundays, October 21, November 25, February 10, April 13 and June 8 at 8 p.m. These concerts will feature both the celebrated and the rising stars of the Canadian music scene. Talkback Tuesdays are on October 16, November 20, February 5, April 8 and June 3. They are informal, wide-ranging discussions of the play and the production with cast members and other theatre artists after the show on the second Tuesday of each run. The 9th Annual Lawyer Play runs May 1 - 3, 2008. This production featuring lawyers as actors is a fundraiser in support of GCTC and its charity partner. GCTC’s Edgeucation Program’s Student Matinees allow students to experience the very best of cutting-edge Canadian theatre: The Man From The Capital: Wednesday October 17 at 12:30 p.m.; The Real McCoy: Wednesday November 21 at 12:30 p.m.; The Optimists: Wednesday February 6 at 12:30 p.m.; and 5 O’Clock Bells: Wednesday April 9 at 12:30 p.m. Pay-What-You-Can shows are also available for each of the plays in the 2007-2008 professional theatre season.
This is Lise Ann Johnson’s second season at GCTC and she warmly invites audiences to enjoy the CAPITAL LETTERS season, which is as varied as Ottawa itself. “This collection of five plays features music, comedy, political satire, and great Canadian lives. I look forward to welcome everyone to the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre.”
GCTC’s media sponsors are CBC TV and the Ottawa Citizen.
Subscriptions to the 2007-2008 season are on sale now by phone at (613) 236-5196. For further information, visit www.gctc.ca. Early-bird savings of 10% are available before July 3rd.
-30-
BACKGROUNDERS (see below): IRVING GREENBERG THEATRE & THE CURRENTS
Media Contacts:
For GCTC,
Laurie Murphy
Communications Manager
Great Canadian Theatre Company
910 Gladstone Avenue
Ottawa, ON K1R 6Y4
236-5192 x 229
publicity@gctc.ca
For TELUS,
Françoise Gagnon
Director, Public Affairs and Media Relations
(613) 597-8227
Francoise.gagnon@telus.com
BACKGROUNDERS:
IRVING GREENBERG THEATRE CENTRE & THE CURRENTS
The Facts
The Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, home of the Great Canadian Theatre Company, occupies 23,000 square feet of The Currents, a 43-unit condominium, mixed-use development that totals 100,000 square feet.
The building was developed by Ottawa-based Windmill and is on target to become a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold-certified building – the first in Ottawa.
Busby Perkins + Will Architects, a Vancouver-based firm known for its sustainable design projects was the architect for the Currents; Griffiths Rankin Cook was the architect for GCTC. The builder was AECON.
The Process
(from a talk by Windmill partner Jonathan Westeinde held in Ottawa on April 11, 2007):
How do you make a Green Building?
1. Clean up the site.
The corner of Holland and Wellington was previously a gas station and then a dry cleaning business so it was thoroughly contaminated with pollutants.
2. Create the concrete structure.
Replace crushed stone aggregate with recycled fly ash. It takes longer to cure but creates a harder and therefore more durable foundation.
3. Create an energy-efficient building envelope.
Windows are always the weakest point in the barrier. So Windmill spent invested in windows, using high efficiency thermal glass that contain small ceramics “beads” to act as a shadowing agent during the summer months.
4. Choose environmental systems and products.
Here are some of the environmental features of the building:
· Toilets that have half- or full-flush options to save water
· Non-leaching paints, drywall, and wheatboard cabinets (no VOCs or formaldehyde)
· Havea floors made by the waste products of rubber tree production
· Increased natural light penetration to 70%
· Aerated faucets
· Local granite
· Composting
· Energy-star rated appliances
· High efficiency chiller and boiler systems
· Large internal cistern for storm water recycling. Rain collected from the roof is directed for use in the building’s sewage system.
These choices will result in:
50% less greenhouse gas emissions
60% less potable water drawn from municipal water supplies
But isn’t the cost prohibitive?
The cost of construction at LEED gold certification level is approximately $3 more per square foot. The savings in energy costs to the consumer immediately and over time makes this up-front investment extremely financially smart.
GCTC’s IRVING GREENBERG THEATRE CENTRE
Located on a bustling intersection in the heart of an emerging arts district, the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre is poised to deliver great theatre and great events not just locally and city-wide but regionally and nationally as well. With two theatres, two lobbies, versatile boardroom, wine and dessert bar, catering services and a gallery, the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre will meet the needs of many different audiences by featuring performances, arts exhibitions, independent productions, weddings and cocktail parties, lecture and film series, art education events, symposia, awards shows, great music, coffee, etcetera.
In brief:
The IRVING GREENBERG THEATRE is a 265-seat theatre with fully up-to-date sound and lighting systems, designed to accommodate theatre, dance and music performances The STUDIO THEATRE is a black box rehearsal and performance studio with flexible seating for 90 people. It has its own sound and lighting systems and is appropriate for intimate theatrical presentations as well as workshops. It will appeal to independent companies or artists seeking to present their work in a professional venue.
THE LOCAL BAR is a Wine and Dessert Bar featuring a tasting menu of small plates that reflect creative caterer Thyme & Again’s exceptional quality and style. The Local Bar’s modern approach is tailored to theatre patrons and the local community. Thyme & A gain’s attention to detail, decadently-inspired menus and fresh, seasonal ingredients complement the green theme of the main theatre lobby.
CATERING The Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre is the perfect setting for special events. Thyme & Again’s expertise in menu design and event co-ordination ensures that every event will be stylish, fun and memorable.
THE LORRAINE FRITZY YALE GALLERY is Ottawa’s newest visual arts exhibition
Space. The Lorraine Fritzy Yale Gallery will display contemporary artworks by a range of local artists, solo or in groups on the mezzanine level. In an innovative artistic partnership, Cube Gallery owner, artist and impresario Don Monet will curate art exhibitions that directly reflect GCTC’s Mainstage season. The Lorraine Fritzy Yale Gallery and Cube Gallery in concert – where great art meets great theatre.
ARCHIVED INVITE TO THE PUBLIC:
You are invited to GCTC’s
2007–2008 Season Launch.
Be the first to hear about the 2007-2008 Season in the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre when Artistic Director Lise Ann Johnson announces her season on Monday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. at 910 Gladstone Avenue.
LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED
RSVP BY FRIDAY, APRIL 13,
BY CALLING (613) 236-5192, EXTENSION 310.
