The Segal Centre is readying itself (and theatergoers) for another whirlwind ride into the sublime and the thought-provoking this fall, as it recently unveiled an enthralling line-up for the 2018-2019 season beginning in early fall. The newly unveiled Sylvan Adams Theatre, named after the well-respected, Montreal-born businessman/philanthropist and theatre lover now based in Tel Aviv, will launch it all as the setting for Once, a romantic romp about a budding amorous alliance between a Dublin, Ireland street musician and another sonically gifted individual, a pianist who dreams of playing for adoring audiences everywhere. A Celtic affair of the heart will instantly warm yours in the intimate and elegant surroundings of the renamed Theatre. A Doll’s House Part 2, nominated for eight Tony Awards and sponsored by Delmar International, will have you thinking (and laughing) about gender and relationships, as the spirited and imagined sequel to the legendary Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 classic plays out on the Segal stage. Children of God powerfully reminds us about the indomitable indigenous spirit alive and well in this vast country, and encourages us never to forget, but also be inspired to do better, by the painful past fabric stitched into our national quilt. Muse Entertainment will be backing that deeply affecting production. Another Tony Award-recognized production will be directed by Segal Centre Artistic and Executive Director Lisa Rubin, in the form of Indecent – the scandalous tale of the reception, shock, legal repercussions and public outrage with which the 1923 Broadway debut of God of Vengeance was met. Rick Miller, following the success of Boom, will dazzle the senses with Boom X, sponsored by BMO, Miller hitting us with his best shot this time to take us through the kaleidoscope of the world through the eyes of the vaunted, yet often maligned and misunderstood Generation X (those born between 1969 – 1995). A distinctly Canadian story will enrapture audiences in the Segal Studio in December, as Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story tells the story in grand Klezmer-folk music production fashion of renowned playwright Hannah Moscovitch’s tale of her grandparents’ 1908 immigration from Romania to Canada.
The excellence is not merely confined to the physical, stoic Segal Centre building itself: productions of perennial favourites like the Hockey Sweater, Bad Jews, We Are Not Alone and Prom Queen: the Musical are all hitting the road, set to be revving its nomadic engines to delight audiences in Toronto, London (Ontario), and Ottawa at the National Arts Centre. A Century Songbook is also back by popular demand thanks to the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre, featuring 100 years of the best the musical Jewish community has had to offer; they’ll also be producing The Bintel Brief – about letters written to a New York newspaper at the turn of the 20th century, a stage reading of God of Vengeance to coincide with Indecent’s release, and A Purim Celebration.
The exuberant Power Music series returns as well, beginning with a riveting performance by Belle Soeurs: The Musical and Les Misérables favourite Geneviève Leclerc.
Government support from organizations such as the Canada Council for the Arts, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Culture et Communications Québec, and the Government of Canada itself have all proven invaluable in allowing us to share in what is sure to be a remarkable season and treat for the senses at the Segal Centre in 2018–19.
Here is a link to the play The Angel and the Sparrow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoaW5zAPBxc&feature=youtu.be
Visit segalcentre.org for more information or call the box office at (514) 739-7944.
