May 2007 - Nr. 5
Canadian Stage Company
in High Park
The Canadian Stage Company TD Dream in High Park Marks its Silver Anniversary with William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream
- Award-winning director ahdri zhina mandiela spices it up with a Caribbean kick -
Toronto, ON - In celebration of its 25th anniversary, The Canadian Stage TD Dream in High Park is proud to present Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, one of the best-loved Shakespearean comedies of all time and the very first play ever produced at our open-air theatre. The production runs June 26 through September 2 in High Park.
Directed by Dora Award-winner ahdri zhina mandiela (a Canadian Stage playwright-in-residence), this year's presentation is a hip, urban interpretation of Shakespeare's timeless comedy. A Midsummer Night's Dream follows the adventures of four enchanted lovers and a group of amateur actors as they make their way through a moonlit forest inhabited by mischievous fairies.
The cast includes Maev Beaty as Helena, Matthew Brown (CTV's Instant Star) as Snout, Antonio M. Cayonne as Lysander, Sarah Dodd as Egeus/Starveling, Emberly Doherty as Snug, Steven Gallagher (Showtime's Queer as Folk) as Quince, Kevin Hanchard (Canadian Stage's The Comedy of Errors) as Oberon/Theseus, Richard Harte as Demetrius, Colin Heath (Canadian Stage's The Overcoat) as Robin Goodfellow/Puck, Meghan Hoople as Fairy, Matthew Kabwe as Bottom, Andrew Kushnir (CBC's This is Wonderland) as Flute, Holly Lewis (CBC's The Newsroom) as Hermia, Jajube Mandiela (CTV's Degrassi: The Next Generation) as Fairy, Sarena Parmar as Fairy and Karen Robinson (Love, Sex and Eating the Bones) as Titania/Hippolyta.
The creative team includes set & costume designer Julia Tribe, lighting designer Steve Lucas, sound designer Nicholas Murray and stage manager Marinda De Beer (Canadian Stage's Lucy).
Since its inception in 1983, 1.25 million people have enjoyed the tradition of The Canadian Stage Company TD Dream in High Park.
Steeped in tradition, a generation of children have attended the Dream with their parents and experienced the magic of Shakespeare under the stars. Those children have grown up and are now bringing their own children. To enhance their experience, the Dream now offers free interactive programs all summer long. Programs include:
Family Days
This newly expanded free program for parents, children and family members, from ages six to 85 years, features fun-filled activities which include Shakespearean games, exploring the language of the Bard, the art of stage fighting, backstage tours, meeting the cast and more. Held pre-show at the Dream site every Sunday from 5 - 6:30 p.m., weather permitting, the workshops are led by theatre professionals and are free-of-charge. Active participation is encouraged and no experience is required. Contact 416-367-8243 x 245 or
pjarvis@canstage.com to register.Community Parade Day
New! Celebrating the Caribbean flavour of this year's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, the island-themed carnival in the park will feature masquerade costumes, buskers, steel bands, fun-filled activities and more. The all-ages event is free and will be held pre-show at the Dream site on Sunday, Aug. 12 from 3 - 6:30 p.m., weather permitting. Rain date: Sunday, Aug. 19.
Words in Action
Offered through Toronto Public Libraries, this free, weekly program is targeted to the eight to 16 year-old set and features hands-on activities that explore the language of the theatre. Check tpl.toronto.on.ca for dates, times and locations and to register.
title Sponsor: TD Bank Financial Group
COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAM SPONSOR: The Ontario Trillium Foundation
PRINT SPONSOR: NOW Magazine
DREAM DETAILS:
DATES
June 26 - Sept. 2, 2007 (Press night: Tuesday, July 3, 2007)
TIMES
Tuesday - Sunday at 8 p.m. Gate opens at 6 p.m. (No show Monday.)
LOCATION
High Park at Bloor St. W. and High Park Ave. Near High Park subway station. Enter from Bloor St., follow the road to Grenadier Café and continue east along the path opposite the parking lot. Follow the signs!
TICKETS
PWYC. Suggested minimum donation $15. Children 14 and under free thanks to TD!
INFO
416-367-1652 or canstage.com
RAIN POLICY
Cancellations based on weather conditions at 8 p.m. If the show is cancelled, tickets are valid for free admittance on another, drier night. Refunds not offered as tickets are issued for anonymous cash donations.
FAMILY DAYS
Free, all-ages activities at the Dream site every Sunday from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Contact
pjarvis@canstage.com or 416-367-8243 x 245 to register.COMMUNITY PARADE DAY - New!
A free, all-ages, island-themed carnival at the Dream site, celebrating the Caribbean flavour of this year's production. Sunday, Aug. 12, from 3 - 6:30 p.m. Rain date: Sunday, Aug. 19.
WORDS IN ACTION
Free, weekly program targeted to the eight to 16 year-old set exploring the language of theatre. Offered through Toronto Public Libraries. Check tpl.toronto.on.ca for dates, times, locations and to register.
DOGS AND SMOKING ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE DREAM SITE.
