Coma Unplugged at GCTC

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Thursday, November 20, 2008

The Great Canadian Theatre Company is pleased to present the World premiere of the English translation of Pierre-Michel Tremblay’s Coma Unplugged, the third play and stage in the Stages season, previewing November 25 and 26, officially opening on November 27 and closing on December 14 at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre.

Coma Unplugged is translated and directed by former GCTC Artistic Director (1995 – 2000), Micheline Chevrier. She admits that she kept this play a private love-affair for a year and a half, before finally bringing it to the GCTC stage, “When I first saw the play in its original language, it was a ‘coup-de-foudre.’ I instantly fell in love with Pierre-Michel’s words, humour and heart.” “This play is a love story,” says Chevrier, “In fact; it’s a story about what happens when love leaves a man’s life… Without love, can there be courage or purpose? Can there be life?” Coma Unplugged, sponsored by production partner Scotiabank Group, runs weekdays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the GCTC Box Office at (613) 236-5196, or in person at 1233 Wellington Street West, at Holland Avenue.

Coma Unplugged is a comedy that invites the audience into a man’s mind, heart and memories, as he looks back on some of the characters that have touched his life. The play follows Daniel Martin, a self-loathing humour columnist for the local daily, who is plunged into a deep coma following an accident — or was it an accident? — which occurred while he was despondent after getting sacked from his marriage to the woman he loves and which threatens his relationship with his 9-year-old daughter. Between reality and dream, Daniel takes stock of his life and re-encounters an old nemesis, an African warrior, a doctor without borders, his mother and estranged wife. Daniel’s mid-life crisis is ultimately a microcosm for what ails our society at large. It argues against detached irony, and makes a moving case for human engagement in the world.

Coma Unplugged was one of the most notable successes of the 2006-2007 theatrical season in Quebec, snagging the “Prix de la critique” from the Association québecoise des critiques de theatre (AQCT) and several Masque Awards in the 14th annual Gala des masques. This hit comedy from Quebec probes our society’s desire to laugh at all costs.

GCTC Artistic Director, Lise-Ann Johnson says about Coma Unplugged, “More than just a male mid-life crisis, Daniel’s journey is emblematic of our own struggle to make sense of life in a pluralistic, individualistic society in which cynicism and irony reign supreme. How do we find the courage to be poets and heroes in our daily lives? How do we find the courage to have compassion for others? How do we find the courage to use humour as a means of shedding light and comfort, and not as a shield or weapon? And most of all, how do we find the courage to engage meaningfully in our real lives in order to make a better world for all of us.”

The set and costumes of Coma Unplugged are designed by Yannik Larivee, and the lighting design is by Jock Munro. The original music and sound design of the show is by John Millard. Stage management is by Renate Hanson, with apprentice stage management by Chantal Hayman. Chevrier has pulled together a strong cast, many of whom are alumni of past GCTC productions, to star in Coma Unplugged, a comedy that uses humour to explore the everyman’s struggle to reconcile the life that he wanted to have, with the one he is actually living. Starring is Mary Ellis as “Madeleine,” Kevin Hanchard as “Ishouad,” Bruce Hunter as “Daniel,” Annie Lefebvre as “Marjorie” and Jeff Meadows as “Roger”.

In accompaniment with the production there is an art gallery exhibition, inspired by the play itself, in the Lorraine “Fritzi” Yale Gallery in the Upper Lobby of the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre. The artwork of Tony Clark, is curated by Don Monet of CUBE Gallery. Born in Toronto, Tony Clark received his Bachelor of Education at the University of Ottawa and a BA in Fine Art and English Literature at the University of Toronto.The exhibition is open from Thursday, November 25 until Sunday, December 14. The exhibition is free to the public.

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Media Call:
Thursday, November 20, 2:30 p.m., Irving Greenberg Theatre, 1233 Wellington Street West (at Holland). Please confirm attendance and any requests for interviews of company members.

GCTC Media Contact(s):
Kevin Falkingham, Marketing & Communications Manager
kfalkingham@gctc.ca
(613) 236-5192 x229

Jessica Rashotte, Marketing Coordinator
jrashotte@gctc.ca
(613) 236-5192 x229