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Jul 10, 2018

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Soulpepper 2018-2019 Season Announcement

15 Shows Including Three World Premieres, Three Canadian Premieres, a Brand New Concert, and More

Soulpepper 2018-2019 Season Announcement
Toronto, ON – July 10, 2018: Soulpepper Theatre Company today announced new artistic programming from October 2018 to June 2019. The full season line-up features 15 shows, including three World Premieres, three Canadian Premieres, and five new partner presentations. View the complete 2018-2019 season at soulpepper.ca.

“Soulpepper’s 2018-2019 line-up reinforces what we’ve come to love from this company – theatrical experiences that invite the audience right into the heart of the story. It is a season filled with inspiring stories about our capacity for complexity, imagination, transformation, and love. These are our stories; they are stories for our time,” said Alan Dilworth, Acting Artistic Director. “This season includes new voices and voices we have grown to love and cherish. These offerings will affirm Soulpepper is home to one of the most vibrant artistic companies in Canada.”

The 2018-2019 season starts in October with a powerful punch on the Mainstage with the Canadian Premiere of The Royale by Marco Ramirez (Orange is the New Black, Daredevil) inspired by the true story of Jack Johnson and ‘The Fight of the Century’, directed by Soulpepper Resident Artist Guillermo Verdecchia. This is followed by the Canadian Premiere of Escaped Alone from master playwright Caryl Churchill in a co-production with Necessary Angel Theatre Company, featuring an all-female creative and production team, directed by Necessary Angel’s Artistic Director Jennifer Tarver. 

Also this Fall, Soulpepper presents three partnerships that explore journeys through identity; first starting with the multidisciplinary piece Oraltorio: a Theatrical Mixtape produced by Obsidian Theatre Company and directed by Soulpepper Academy graduate Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu. Next, making its first stop on its national tour, from British Columbia, Universal Limited’s JAPANESE PROBLEM is an immersive performance about internment camps during WWII; and last, the World Premiere of Yellow Rabbit, from Silk Bath Collective, where the search for belonging becomes a battle for racial supremacy.

December marks the return of the Soulpepper Family Festival, with a mix of seasonal programming for all ages. The fifth Family Festival begins with Soulpepper’s cherished adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol adapted by Michael Shamata, featuring Soulpepper Founding Member Joseph Ziegler. Returning this year is the audience favourite Peter Pan, by Bad Hats Theatre, winner of three Dora Awards, including Outstanding Production. This season’s Family Festival extends into early 2019 with the World Premiere of a new Soulpepper musical,Rosebased on Gertrude Stein’s The World Is Round, created by Sarah Wilson and Mike Ross (co-creator Spoon River, Critics’ Pick – New York Times). Additional Family Festival programming will be announced this Fall.

In January 2019, Kate Hennig’s The Virgin Trialthe highly acclaimed companion piece to The Last Wife, plays for a limited run, directed by Soulpepper’s Acting Artistic Director Alan Dilworth.The Virgin Trial was commissioned by and premiered at the Stratford Festival in 2017.

On stage in February is Little Menace: Pinter Plays, a compilation of short works from the master of dark comedy himself, commemorating ten years since the loss of Harold Pinter, directed by Thomas Moschopoulos, Soulpepper’s Drummond-Dorrance International Resident Artist. In a uniquely immersive experience through March, Alan Dilworth directs the World Premiere of Soulpepper Academy graduate Sina Gilani’s Wedding at Aulis, which explores the genesis of the Trojan War.

The Spring features two Tony Award-winning plays, starting with the masterful three-handerCopenhagen by Michael Frayn and directed by Academy graduate Katrina Darychuk, followed by the Pulitzer prize-winning epic August: Osage County written by Tracy Letts and directed by Jackie Maxwell. Also in May is the Canadian Premiere of The Brothers Size, a bracing and poetic look at brotherhood from Tarell Alvin McCraney, the writer of the 2017 Academy Award-winner for Best Picture Moonlight, and directed by Academy graduate Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu.

The 2018-2019 season wraps up in June with 88 KEYSa brand new concert created by Tom Allen and the Slaight Family Director of Music Mike Ross about the ‘King of the Instruments’– the piano – celebrating Chopin to Ray Charles, and the masters in between.

Soulpepper is pleased to again offer American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted performances, this time for The Royale on November 1 and 3, 2018 and August: Osage County on June 6 and 8, 2019.  For the first time, Soulpepper will offer Relaxed Performances that are intended specifically to be sensitive to and welcoming of patrons who may benefit from a more relaxed environment. There will be Relaxed Performances for Escaped Alone on November 10, 2018Peter Pan onDecember 15 and 19, 2018, and Rose on January 27 and February 2, 2019. For full details about the ASL and Relaxed Performances see Soulpepper.ca/Access.

Exclusive ticket access to the full 2018-2019 programming is on sale to current subscribers as of July 10 at 1 p.m. Public subscriptions sales begin on July 24. Single tickets for Oraltorio: A Theatrical MixtapeThe RoyaleJAPANESE PROBLEMEscaped AloneYellow RabbitA Christmas CarolPeter Pan, and Rose go on sale August 7, 2018. Single tickets for remaining programming will be available Fall 2018.

As previously announced, Soulpepper’s current 2018 Summer season continues with productions of Orlando, by Sarah Ruhl from Virginia Woolf’s timeless novel, now through July 29; Mark Crawford’s Bed and Breakfast, on stage August 11 to September 2; and Sisters by Soulpepper Academy graduate Rosamund Small, on stage August 23 to September 16, 2018. There are also three concerts in the Summer season: The Secret Chord: A Leonard Cohen Experience and The 27 Club in July, and A Moveable Feast: Paris in the ‘20s in September.

For details on all of Soulpepper’s programming, visit soulpepper.ca or call the Young Centre Box Office at 416.8
66.8666.

SOULPEPPER PROGRAMMING OCTOBER 2018 TO JUNE 2019:

Soulpepper Presents
Oraltorio: a Theatrical Mixtape
Obsidian Theatre Company
Written and performed by MOTION
Music and performed by DJ L’OQENZ
Directed by Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu

Part poetry slam, part house party – a coming of age story like no other. Born in the Northside, two Toronto girls grapple with womanhood and identity as they journey through their histories of ancient, contemporary, and Afro-futuristic soundscapes. The traditional storyteller and drummer are reborn in the beats and rhymes of the B Girl and the DJ.
 
In association with MotionLive and IFT Theatre, Oraltorio has been developed in part through The Collaborations at Canada's National Arts Centre.
 
Oraltorio: a Theatrical Mixtape runs from October 2 to October 20, 2018. Opening night isOctober 4.


The Royale
Marco Ramirez
Directed by Guillermo Verdecchia
 
Not all champions are made inside the ring. Based on the true story of World Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson and ‘The Fight of the Century’, playwright Marco Ramirez (Orange is the New Black, Daredevil) shows us the deeply human cost of making history.
 
Canadian Premiere
 
The Royale runs from October 12 to November 11, 2018. Opening night is October 18.American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted performances on November 1 and 3, 2018.
 
Soulpepper Presents

JAPANESE PROBLEM
Created by Universal Limited
Performed by Yoshié Bancroft, Daniel Doerksen, Brent Hirose and Nicole Yukiko
Directed by Joanna Garfinkel
 
In 1942, over 24,000 Japanese Canadians were removed from their homes. Over 8,000 of them were taken to the barns at Hastings Park, with women and children housed in animal stalls. A recreated stall becomes a powerfully immersive space where their stories are brought to life. The first stop on a national tour, JAPANESE PROBLEM invites Toronto audiences to experience the past, and hear it being echoed today.
 
JAPANESE PROBLEM runs October 24 to 28, 2018
Warning – Limited Seating
 

Escaped Alone
Caryl Churchill
Co-produced with Necessary Angel Theatre
Directed by Jennifer Tarver
 
The apocalypse begins with tea. Featuring an all-female cast and crew, this remarkable interpretation of Caryl Churchill’s award winning play bends through time and space to illuminate four friends sitting in a garden, on the precipice of complete catastrophe. With wicked humour and profound prescience, master playwright Caryl Churchill (Cloud Nine) shows us a poetic world, close to devastation and closer than we think.

Canadian Premiere
Winner of the Writer’s Guild Award for Best Play
 
Escaped Alone runs from October 28 to November 25, 2018. Opening night is November 1.There will be a Relaxed Performance setting on November 10, 2018.
 
Soulpepper Presents

Yellow Rabbit
Silk Bath Collective
Written by Bessie Cheng, Aaron Jan, and Gloria Mok, with contributions from the company
Directed by Jasmine Chen
 
Set under the lights of a post-nuclear wasteland, two contestants battle it out for a spot in the Chinese sanctuary city of Rich-Man Hill. The winner is granted refuge. The loser dies. In a battle for racial supremacy, what are we willing to sacrifice and who are we willing to leave behind? From Silk Bath Collective comes the next chapter in the search for belonging.
 
Performed in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese (with Chinese and English surtitles)
 
World Premiere
 
The World Premiere of Yellow Rabbit runs from November 23 to December 1, 2018. Opening night is November 24.
 

A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens
Adapted by Michael Shamata
Remount directed by Joseph Ziegler
 
Soulpepper’s beloved production of A Christmas Carol has become a Toronto holiday tradition. Follow Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by three ghosts who help him understand the importance of charity in the holiday season.
 
Recommended for ages 8+
 
A Christmas Carol runs from December 7 to December 24, 2018
 
Soulpepper Presents

Peter Pan
Bad Hats Theatre
J.M. Barrie
Adapted by Fiona Sauder & Reanne Spitzer
Music by Landon Doak
Arrangements by Nathan Carroll & Company
Directed by Severn Thompson
 
Pirates. Lost Boys. A ticking crocodile. The fantastical audience favourite is back! J.M. Barrie’s classic story about the boy who would never grow up is given a lively musical reimagining for kids and kids-at-heart.
 
Winner - Dora Awards for Outstanding Production; Outstanding Ensemble; Outstanding Direction
Recommended for ages 3+
 
Peter Pan runs from December 8, 2018 to January 5, 2019. Opening night is December 12.There will be Relaxed Performance settings on December 15 and 19, 2018.
 

Rose
Music and Book by Mike Ross
Lyrics and Book by Sarah Wilson
From Gertrude Stein’s The World is Round
Directed by Gregory Prest
 
Meet Rose, a quiet kid from the town of Somewhere, who sees the world a little differently. To discover her place in the world she must embark on the adventure of a lifetime and conquer the mountain that stands in her way. See just how high Rose can go in this whimsical and inspiring new musical from Sarah Wilson and Mike Ross, co-creator of Spoon River (Critics’ Pick – New York Times).
 
World Premiere
Recommended for ages 5+
 
The World Premiere of Rose runs from January 17 to February 10, 2019. Opening night isJanuary 23.  There will be Relaxed Performance settings on January 27 and February 2, 2019.
 

The Virgin Trial
Kate Hennig
Originally commissioned by and premiered at the Stratford Festival
Directed by Alan Dilworth
 
Princess Elizabeth navigates a labyrinth of political and sexual intrigue in the Tudor court, threatening her freedom and her life. Soulpepper presents the Stratford Festival’s highly acclaimed companion piece to the runaway hit The Last Wife.
 
The Virgin Trial runs from January 19 to February 3, 2019. Opening night is January 24
 

Little Menace: Pinter Plays
Harold Pinter
Directed by Thomas Moschopoulos
 
Master of dark comedy, Harold Pinter unmasks the passions and absurdities that live within us all. Each play within this showcase of short works delivers the perfect punch.
 
Little Menace: Pinter Plays runs from February 16 to March 10, 2019. Opening night isFebruary 21.
 

Wedding at Aulis
Sina Gilani
A version of Iphigenia in Aulis by Euripides
Directed by Alan Dilworth
 
To get the one thing he needs, Agamemnon must destroy the one thing he loves. A uniquely immersive experience places the audience at the heart of the genesis of the Trojan War.
 
World Premiere
 
The World Premiere of Wedding at Aulis runs March 22 to April 7, 2019. Opening Night isMarch 28.
Warning - Extremely Limited Seating
 

Copenhagen
Michael Frayn
Directed by Katrina Darychuk
 
Two tiny particles colliding can cause a nuclear reaction. It is 1941, nations race to perfect The Bomb, and two scientists meet in occupied Denmark for a conversation that would change the course of history. Michael Frayn (Noises Off, Democracy) invites us to bear witness to the ultimate ethical impasse.
 
Tony Award-Winner for Best Play
 
Copenhagen runs from April 6 to 28, 2019. Opening night is April 12
 

The Brothers Size
Tarell Alvin McCraney
Directed by Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu
 
In the Deep South, music and ritual intertwine with Yoruba mythology, in this explosive story of a prodigal brother’s return home. From the writer of Moonlight, the 2017 Academy Award winner for Best Picture, comes a bracing, honest, and moving portrait of brotherhood. 
 
Canadian Premiere
 
The Brothers Size runs from May 4 to 26, 2019. Opening night is May 10.
Warning – Mature Language
 

August: Osage County
Tracy Letts
Directed by Jackie Maxwell
 
When their father vanishes, three daughters return home to support their mother. The result is an epic portrait of the modern dysfunctional family. Fiercely funny and bitingly brutal.
 
Tony Award-Winner for Best Play
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama 
 
August: Osage County runs from May 18 to June 15, 2019. Opening night is May 24.American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted performances on June 6 and 8, 2019.
Warning – Mature Themes
 

SOULPEPPER MUSIC PROGRAMMING 2018-2019:

Each original Soulpepper Concert revolves around a time, place, or artist crafted by a team of incomparable performers. The Concert Series is led by Slaight Family Director of Music Mike Ross. Check the season calendar for dates and times.
 

88 KEYS
Written by Tom Allen
Directed by Mike Ross

88 keys, 230 strings, and 7,500 working parts make up every piano. For three hundred years, it has been the vehicle through which genius was conveyed, from Beethoven and Chopin to Fats Domino, Ray Charles, and Billy Joel. Mike Ross leads Soulpepper musicians on an exploration of the ‘King of the Instruments’.
 
88 KEYS runs from June 1 to 21, 2019.

Located in its multi-venue home, the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto’s Distillery Historic District, Soulpepper is Toronto’s largest not-for-profit theatre company. Founded and guided by artists, Soulpepper has an integrated mission which includes: industry-leading youth and community outreach initiatives; artist training and mentorship programs; and a year-round diverse repertory season which is grounded in the classics and committed to the creation of new works, new forms, and innovative practices. Tickets to Soulpepper productions are available by calling the Young Centre Box Office at 416.866.8666 or by visiting soulpepper.ca.
 
The artists and staff of Soulpepper and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts acknowledge the original caretakers and storytellers of this land - the Mississaugas of the New Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, and the Wendat First Nations. We commit to honouring and celebrating their past, present and future.
 
Soulpepper believes all people have a right to express their individuality, to experience creative freedom, to feel safe at all times, and to be treated with dignity and respect.
 
Tickets for Soulpepper productions start at $35. Tickets for Soulpepper Concerts start at $30. $20 tickets for Soulpepper productions are available for arts workers. $20 StagePlay tickets for under-30 year-olds are available at soulpepper.ca/stageplay, sponsored by TD Bank Group. Youth 21 years old and under can access free tickets online via the MyPlay Program presented by Sun Life Financial: visit soulpepper.ca/myplay for more details. Rush tickets are offered one hour before most performances (in person), subject to availability – call the Box Office for more details. All ticket prices include a Young Centre facility fees, service charge and HST. Pricing is subject to change without notice.
 
Soulpepper gratefully acknowledges annual operating support from the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts. Soulpepper is pleased to recognize the donors of transformational gifts to its Creative Capital Campaign: The Michael Young Family Foundation; The Slaight Family; The Government of Ontario; Gail Drummond and Bob Dorrance; Kevin and Roger Garland; Ada Slaight; and Richard Wernham & Julia West. Support for all Music Programming is provided by the Slaight Family through the Slaight Family Music Program. Lead Support for the Soulpepper Academy is provided by the Michael and Karen Vukets Family Foundation, with additional support from the RBC Foundation, Hal Jackman Foundation, and the Canada Arts Training Program at the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Soulpepper is grateful for the major sponsorship support of:
Scotiabank – Soulpepper & City Youth Academy
Lead sponsorship support of:
BMO – Project imagiNation
CIBC – Soulpepper Family Festival
TD Bank – StagePlay + ASL Interpretation
Sun Life Financial – MyPlay Program
 
Soulpepper is grateful for the 2018 season support of:
Diane Blake & Stephen Smith, Production Sponsor, Orlando
Sylvia Soyka, Production Sponsor, Bed and Breakfast
Middlefield Group, Concert Sponsor, A Moveable Feast: Paris in the ‘20s
.