SUMMERWORKS THEATRE FESTIVAL

August 9^th-19^th, 2012

Toronto, ON – The largest juried theatre Festival in Canada announces it’s final selections for 2012. The 22^nd Festival, running from August 9^th to 19^th, features over 40 plays, a return of the Performance Bar, a Live Art Series, practical workshops and a new twist on the Music Series. The National Series features a new play by award-winning playwright, actor and director Daniel MacIvor.

“We were humbled and proud of the quality of the work this year,” says Artistic Producer, Michael Rubenfeld. “We programmed an exciting, challenging season of work that is political, entertaining, provocative and virtuosic.”

New plays by Daniel MacIvor, Anton Piatigorsky, Sean Dixon, Waawaate Fobister, Richard Sanger, Rosa Laborde, Nicholas Billon, Erin Brandenburg, Ron Jenkins, Anthony Black, The Scandelles and more.  Work directed by Richard Greenblatt, Tara Beagan, Brendan Healey, Sarah Stanley, Edward Roy, Natasha Mytnowych, Ron Jenkins, Alistair Newton and others.

This year’s National Series welcomes four very different, exciting shows, including a brand new Daniel MacIvor piece, I, Animal.  This will be the first time SummerWorks has presented a new full-length by the award winning playwright and actor.

SummerWorks welcomes back to the Festival Halifax’s 2b Theatre, with their production of When It Rains, by Anthony Black (Invisible Atom).  When It Rains was nominated for 8 Merritt Awards (Halifax Doras) and won one for performance.  From Montreal, the Festival features two provocative solo shows: My Pregnant Brother, by Johanna Nutter and One/Un, by Mani Soleymanlou.  Each of these works garnered considerable attention in previous productions, and SummerWorks is pleased to offer their Toronto premiere’s at this year’s Festival.

THE 2012 SUMMERWORKS FULL LINE-UP

Twitter: @SummerWorks

www.summerworks.ca

About SummerWorks Theatre Festival:

As the largest juried theatre festival in Canada featuring predominantly New Canadian plays, SummerWorks programs a festival that uniquely reflects Toronto and Canada’s cultural zeitgeist. Since 1991, SummerWorks has continued to explore and respond to the needs and wants of audiences and the theatre community. The festival has grown to become of the country’s preeminent multi-disciplinary hubs featuring a Music Series, a mentorship program (SummerWorks Leadership Intensive Program –S.L.I.P.); and the National Series, showcasing works from across Canada. The festival adds new initiatives yearly, including performance-based programs such as the Performance Bar. The 2012 SummerWorks Festival runs August 9th to 19th in venues across Toronto.

“BENEATH THE VEIL”

MacMillan Theatre, University of  Toronto  -  Saturday, April 10th, 8PM

Toronto, ON — This exclusive, one-night-only performance of the Critic’s Choice play is presented in honour of Zahra Kazemi, the Canadian journalist killed by Iranian officials after being imprisoned and tortured in Tehran. Based on real events, this stunning eye-opener, accompanied by traditional music and dance, tells Zahra’s story, as well as several others.

Dr. Reza Moridi M.P.P. will be speaking before the show.  An award-winning scientist, engineer, educator, business leader and community activist, Reza Moridi was first elected to the Ontario Legislative Assembly in 2007.

Past speakers and Honorary Chairs for Beneath the Veil presentations include: former First Lady Laura Bush, international journalist Rudi Bakhtiar, former Representative to the United Nations General Assembly, Goli Ameri, and Timothy Higdon of Amnesty International.

The East Coast premiere of Beneath the Veil played to a large audience at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.  Former First Lady Laura Bush was the Honorary Chair, and Ambassador Jawad of Afghanistan, Queen Noor of Jordan, the Ambassador of Egypt, the Empress of Iran and many other influential people were in attendance.  It played an encore at the Kennedy Center, played at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles in recognition of International Women’s day, and moves to Lincoln Center in New York City after Toronto.  Each performance has been attended by government officials, celebrities, and human rights activists.

“You can take away our rights, and cover us from head to toe,

but you cannot take away our voices!”

There’s something About Mary…

You can’t judge a book by her cover, especially when the cover looks like Mary Apick. Fiery, throaty-voiced stage, TV and screen actress with brown eyes and a lion’s mane of tawny hair, adept at both drama and comedy, Mary has enjoyed phenomenal international success.  She was the first Iranian/Armenian/Middle Eastern woman to win the Best Actress Award at the 10^th Annual Moscow International Film Festival for her 1977 performance in “Dead End”, making Mary a supernova cultural sensation in Iran.

Her outspoken personality will not be silenced, whether in front of the camera or behind it, on the Kennedy Center stage playing to an opening night audience including the First Lady and the Iranian Royal Family, or addressing the U.S. Congress.

Today in Iran, Mary’s image is larger than life, a household name to 70 million of her countrymen and women, and a haunting memory of past happiness when Iran was free. Before the Islamic revolution, the stunningly beautiful Mary set fashion trends as a teenage idol with mini skirts and cropped top hair. Iranian fashion magazines read: As Mary dresses, so do our teenagers. Sadly and tragically, when the mullahs took power, they stamped out all symbols of so-called cultural decadence symbolized by Mary.

Everything screeched to a halt with the 1979 Islamic revolution. Mary was forced to flee her homeland and find her new home in America. Just because Iran is out of her sight, doesn’t mean it’s out of her mind. Mary is a true profile in courage for speaking out. Politically, a pacifist as well as a vociferous anti-fascist, Mary pulls no punches.

“I do what I must do, I say what I must say – in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures – and that is the basis of all human morality. The road to making a public platform is always a treacherous one, but with my country in such grave danger, this is not the time for any Iranian to hold back. We all need to summon the same kind of courage from our generation, and demand that kind of courage from our leadership.”

“If we let fear win out over hope, and good people do nothing to stop this evil, the bad guys win. And we, the people lose. Everything. Mankind is our business.”

Mary Apick began her career as a child performer in Iran. One of her earliest successes was “Octopus,” a long running “Saturday Night Live” type show on Iranian television, where starting at age ten she performed in political and satirical skits that helped change and liberalize society. Going on to star in countless television shows, feature films and plays, Mary became one of the most popular stars in Iran.

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To purchase tickets: ItsMySeat.com
For more info: info@itsmyseat.com
By phone: (416) 857-7270

Opening Night: Thursday, Sept. 10

• 12:00PM – TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: I’m Your Man
  • Preceded by shorts: POEN, Tony Dekker at Spadina Subway Station and The Poet’s Home
• 3:00PM – TIFF Shhh! Silent Film Series: Steamboat Bill Jr.
• 7:00PM – Live satellite feed from the Roy Thomson Hall red carpet for the Opening Night Gala Presentation of Creation
• 9:00PM – TIFF YDS Spotlight: Opening Night concert by DJ Champion, hosted by Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman

Friday, Sept. 11

• 12:00PM – TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: Shut Up & Sing
  • Preceded by shorts: Neighbors, Serena Ryder at the Dakota Tavern and Crickets
• 3:00PM – TIFF Shhh! Silent Film Series: 20000 Leagues Under The Sea
• 6:30PM – Suck Spotlight ft.: featuring The Burning Brides and Canadian legends Blue Peter with guest appearances from stars of the rock’n’roll vampire comedy screening as part of the 2009 Festival
• 9:00PM – TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
  • Preceded by shorts: Juke – Bar, Danko Jones at Maple Leaf Gardens and Jaffawiye

Saturday, Sept. 12

• 12:00PM – TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: The Harder They Come
  • Preceded by shorts: Getting Started, Divine Brown at The Rex and Bleach
• 2:00PM – tiff.kids Zone: offering fun for children of all ages, including face-painting, green-screen activities and more
• 4:00PM – Precious Showcase ft. Sapphire
• 6:00PM – Survival Of The Dead – Toronto Zombie Walk
• 7:00PM – Special Presentation: George Romero Citizen of Toronto & Canada

Sunday, Sept. 13

• 12:00PM – TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: Woodstock
  • Preceded by shorts: Street Musique, Geddy Lee at Massey Hall and Washing Machine, Sewing Machine
• 5:00PM – Whip It Spotlight roller-derby exhibition featuring stars from the filmand the Toronto Roller Derby League
• 9:00PM – The Topp Twins Spotlight with hosted by comedian Elvira Kurt

Monday, Sept. 14

• 12:00PM – TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: Stop Making Sense
  • Preceded by shorts: Lonely Boy, Woodhands at The Brick Works and From The City To The Forest
• 3:00PM – TIFF Shhh! Silent Film Series: The Busher
• 9:00PM – TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: North American Premiere – The Neil Young Trunk Show ft. Neil Young hosted by director Jonathan Demme

Tuesday, Sept. 15

• 12:00PM – TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: Monterey Pop
  • Preceded by shorts: Toronto Jazz, Sarah Slean at The Rivoli and Questions Of A Dead Worker
• 3:00PM – TIFF Shhh! Silent Film Series: Robin Hood
• 7:00PM – Hipsters Spotlight: swing-dance lessons followed by a concert at 9 p.m. featuring Aelita with the Galaxy All-Star Orchestra in honour of the Russian musical screening as part of the Festival’s Vanguard programme
• 9:00PM – Hipsters Showcase: Concert: Aelita with the Galaxy All-Star Orchestra

Wednesday, Sept. 16

• 12:00PM – TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: The Last Waltz
  • Preceded by shorts:Ready When You Are, Laura Barrett with Martin Tielli at the AGO and Bloomfield or a Memory Bank
• 3:00PM – TIFF Shhh! Silent Film Series: Tillie’s Punctured Romance
• 9:00PM – The National Ballet of Canada’s preview presentation of the latest production from Aszure Barton in celebration of the Festival’s screening of Mao’s Last Dancer

Thursday, Sept. 17

• 12:00PM – TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: U2: Rattle & Hum
  • Preceded by shorts: cNote, Lioness at the Masonic Temple and Gershon
• 3:00PM – TIFF Shhh! Silent Film Series: It
• 9:00PM – Performance, rock show, installation and film screening: BAND, by cutting-edge New York artist Adam Pendleton, refashions Sympathy for the Devil, Jean-Luc Godard’s 1968 cinematic paean to the Rolling Stones and the Black Panthers, into a contemporary art happening that places the celebrated indie art-rock/post-punk band Deerhoof at the centre of the action. This event is presented as part of Future Projections.

Friday, Sept. 18

• 12:00PM – TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: Don’t Look Back
  • Preceded by shorts: Glenn Gould – On The Record, Jason Collett at Kensington Market and Weitzman #10
• 3:00PM – TIFF Shhh! Silent Film Series: Grandma’s Boy
• 6:00PM – TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: world premiere of American Masters featuring Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound, followed by an appearance and short concert by Joan Baez herself

Closing Night: Saturday, Sept. 19

• 12:00PM – TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: Truth Or Dare
  • Preceded by shorts: Meet Gisele, Care Failure at 102.1 The Edge and Killer Babe
• 7:00PM – TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: World Premiere of Copyright Criminals
• 9:00PM – Festival Wrap Party presented in Association with Future Projections and hosted by Chuck D, featuring the infectious improvised audiovisual mashups of Eclectic Method. The renowned trio will thrill film and music lovers with a video remix set incorporating clips from the films included in Essential 100, the opening show of TIFF Bell Lightbox. With special guest Clyde Stubblefield.

*Schedule subject to change

Synopsis:
Cole (Richard de Klerk) wants to write his way out of small-town Lytton, B.C. and his job at the family gas station. A new romance with Serafina (Kandyse McClure), a woman from his writing class, offers a chance for both of them to change their lives in this emotional and intense drama. Also starring Sonja Bennett and Chad Willett.

Download the press kit here:

COLE Press Kit

See the trailer for Cole, starring Kandyse McClure and Richerd de Klerk.

Provocative line-up includes: Daniel Barrow, Barbie Doll Operas, Brechtian Cabarets, Nick Drake, Erotic Parisian Models, Dance Parties & Sperm Donors

SummerWorks Theatre Festival proudly announces an extraordinary line-up for August 2009. The 19th instalment of Canada’s largest juried theatre festival offers up 41 productions, 9 concerts, 3 walking tours, workshops of plays-in-development, and a host of free events. The Festival kicks off August 6th and runs to August 16th, 2009 at various theatres and venues throughout Toronto.

SummerWorks is home to Toronto’s cutting-edge independent theatre. It prides itself on producing work that represents Canada’s thriving cultural aesthetic.

“This year’s line-up pushes more boundaries than ever,” comments Artistic Producer, Michael Rubenfeld. He adds,  “We’re really pleased that SummerWorks continues to be a key component towards the development of this country’s theatrical culture.  Our work is challenging, compelling and diverse.“

Theatrical highlights include: The Nick Drake Project by Matthew Heiti. A play with music inspired by the works of late singer/songwriter Nick Drake. Apricots by Misha Shulman, an absurdist story of a Palestinian family forced to cut down their apricot trees to make way for an Israeli sewage system. Montparnasse by Erin Shields and Maev Beaty. An erotic submersion into the world of artist models in Paris in the 1920s.  Ecce Homo 2008’s Pastor Phelps Project returns with The Ecstasy of Mother Theresa, a political Brechtian cabaret. Internationally renowned Irish composer Jennifer Walshe brings XXX Live Nude Girls, an opera for Barbie dolls. Three of Toronto’s top theatre producers (Brendan Gall, Geoffrey Pounsett and Christopher Stanton) bring Red Machine, the first of a series of short plays created by their newly formed theatre company The Room. Dora Award winner d’bi young brings benu and renowned visual artist Daniel Barrow will also present work.

Performance Gallery highlights include: Sperm Bank: Two Jews in Search of a Sperm Donor – Shira Leuchter and Julie Tepperman set up camp to interview sperm donors as the audience votes on their favourite. Laurel MacDonald’s VideoVoce, performs an opera accompanied by abstract video. NOISE COMPLAINTS/The Dance Party has Kaleb Robertson and Ame Henderson teaching a room full of people dance moves to music only heard through the choreographer’s headphones.  In its second year, the SummerWorks Performance Gallery, hosted by The Gladstone Hotel  is a curated pay-what-you-can event featuring 5-8 minute performances every night of the festival.

Musical highlights include: Matthew Barber, Miracle Fortress, Think About Life, Karkwa, Bob Wiseman, Great Bloomers, Claire Jenkins, Germans and The D’Urbervilles.

In its inaugural year SummerWalks is inspired by the Jane’s Walk, where the neighbourhoods that helped shape the Festival will be toured and explored.

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For full Festival line-up and more info visit: www.summerworks.ca
Media Contact:  Daniela Syrovy, ClutchPR 416.319.3511 – daniela@clutchpr.com

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