World Premiere - The Children's Republic at GCTC

 

The Great Canadian Theatre Company and the Ottawa School of Speech and Drama are pleased to present the world premiere of The Children’s Republic by Hannah Moscovitch at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, 1233 Wellington Street West, at the corner of Holland Avenue. Following two preview performances on November 3 and 4, The Children’s Republic officially opens on November 5 and runs until November 22.

 

Commissioned and produced in partnership by GCTC and OSSD, the development of The Children’s Republic started nearly three years ago as a March Break workshop held by OSSD for some of its students. The story was inspired by the life of local businessman (and OSSD’s landlord), Leon Gluzman. The play tells the story of Dr. Janusz Korczak, a Polish-Jewish pediatrician, author and champion of children’s rights. Dr. Korczak ran a remarkable orphanage in Poland in the early 20^th century. When the orphanage was forced into the Warsaw Ghetto in 1942, Dr. Korczak chose to remain with the children, despite repeated offers of escape to safety.

 

As a fitting tribute to Dr. Korczak’s life and work, fighting for the empowerment of children, The Children’s Republic will feature six child actors, all students at OSSD. Moscovitch decided very early in the writing process that the story would not only be about Dr. Korczak, but also about the orphans in his care. She said, “I hoped that by featuring the stories of Korczak’s orphans, I would best honour his life and work.”

 

Equally dedicated to the concept of working with children on this play is the Director, Janet Irwin, “I’ve always loved the mix of children and adults working together on a theatrical production… The children who have been working with this new play have also become excellent and alert collaborators in the dramaturgical process. They are quite something. They distinguish themselves by dedication and focus, and I’m very proud of them.”

 

The Children’s Republic stars Paul Rainville in the role of Dr. Korczak. Also starring are Peter Froehlich, Kate Hurman, Hannah Kaya, Juliana Krajcovic, Luke Letourneau, Sarah McVie, Leah Morris, Adrien Pyke and Louis Sobol. The composer and musical director (live) is Nick Carpenter; and the composer and sound designer (recorded) is Marc Desormeaux. The set and costumes are designed by Camellia Koo and the lighting design is by Jock Munro. The movement director is Peter Ryan and the Fight Director is John Koensgen. The assistant director is Patrick Gauthier, and stage management is by Kevin Waghorn with apprentice stage manager, Louisa Haché.

 

In conjunction with the play, there will be an exhibit in the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre Studio, Champion of the Child: Janusz Korczak. The exhibit was created by the Jewish Museum of London, UK, and brought to GCTC in collaboration with the Shoah (Holocaust) Committee of Ottawa for the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s 2009 Holocaust Education Week. Through words and pictures, the exhibit shows how Dr. Korczak’s teachings on the treatment of children continue to resonate around the world.

 

Featured in the Lorraine ‘Fritzi’ Yale Gallery will be the paintings of Marc Brzustowski, inspired by The Children’s Republic. Gatineau-based Brzustowski describes himself as “an engagingly old-fashioned painter.” Similar to the Group of Seven, he sets up his easel in the streets and paints what he sees. His paintings have been showcased all over the world. His exhibit will be open in the upper lobby of the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre from November 5, 2009 to January 11, 2010.

 

To purchase tickets to The Children’s Republic or for more information, visit www.gctc.ca or call the Box Office at 613-236-5196.

--30--

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kevin Falkingham

Marketing and Communications Manager

Great Canadian Theatre Company

613-236-5192 ext 229

publicity@gctc.ca