'Buried Child' at the Segal Centre

The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre & KPMG

Present

Buried Child

By Sam Shepard

Directed by Peter Hinton

A co-production with Canada’Äôs National Arts Centre (Ottawa)

MONTREAL January, 2008 ’Äì The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre launches the second half of its 2008-2009 season with the co- production of Sam Shepard's Pulitzer Prize winning play, Buried Child - marking the first ever partnership between the Segal Theatre and Canada’Äôs National Arts Centre (Ottawa).

’ÄúWe are proud to be presenting this production together with the National Arts Centre,’Äù said Bryna Wasserman, Artistic and Executive Director of the Segal Centre. ’ÄúWith Peter Hinton directing the play, Buried Child promises to be a powerful theatrical production’Äù.

He (Peter Hinton), his actors and designers have located the theatricality, the poetry, and the tricky balance between realism and symbolism, between horror and humour, that defines Shepard's Pulitzer-winning play. In so doing, they’Äôve tapped into the terrible beauty that is Buried Child. Patrick Langston, The Ottawa Citizen January 10, 2009

Buried Child is an edgy, gritty portrayal of a dysfunctional family in the American Midwest. Set on an Illinois farm, it revolves around the unannounced return of a long-lost grandson. But strangely, no one seems to remember him at first. The farmhouse is rundown and a dark secret looms within its walls, contaminating the family psyche.

At times disturbing, even destabilizing, this play rips the veneer off the ’ÄúAmerican Dream,’Äù exposing its shadow side to harsh unflattering light. Taboos and secrets surface and are unceremoniously unearthed.

’ÄúThe play reminds us that beneath the mythology of Norman Rockwell lie buried secrets that are both absurdly upheld and dangerously exposed. Given the condition of the United States today, recent turns in the economy, a new president, and an uncertain future, Buried Child has never been more timely or relevant’Äù, says Hinton.

Buried Child is hard-hitting and provocative but it will also make you laugh. In this fine Sam Shepard drama, tragedy and comedy can turn on a dime, and its dysfunctional characters, even the boorish sociopaths, can rouse roaring laughter.

’ÄúBuried Child brings a ray of hope’Äù, adds a reflective Bryna Wasserman, ’Äúa new path, if we choose to take it’Äù.

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As part of a truly outstanding cast, David Fox stars as Dodge, a cantankerous and broken old man whose adulterous wife Halie, played by Clare Coulter , openly flirts with her love interest, Father Lewis, who is played by John Keonsgen. The highly-respected cast also includes Randy Hughson as Tilden, a disturbed former athlete, Alex Ivanovici plays his violent brother Bradley, a long-lost grandson Vince is played by Christie Watson and Adrienne Gould plays his girlfriend Shelly.

The design team has created a stunning stage where reality and surrealism merge to support Sam Shepard’Äôs strong use of imagery. Mastermind creators include Eo Sharp, set and costume design; Robert Thomson, lighting; and Troy Slocum, sound design. Laurie Champagne is the stage manager and Todd Bricker completes the team as assistant stage manager.

88.5 CBC Radio One proudly presents Sunday-@-the-Segal
Sunday, February 1, 11am. Admission is free.
Join us for another season of intimate conversation and riveting lectures.

Director Peter Hinton will focus on the importance of Sam Shepard’Äôs voice in modern drama and why Buried Child is so timely and relevant today.

Monday Night Talkbacks
As usual following the play, some of the actors and/or designers will remain on stage to take questions from the audience. Monday Night Talkbacks provides an intimate opportunity for audiences to engage up close and personal with the personalities bringing first class professional English language theatre to Montreal.

Pre-Show Talks

The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre, in association with The Argyle Institute of Human Relations, has scheduled several pre-show talks with family therapy professionals. www.argyleinstitute.org

Pre-show speakers are invited to enhance the audience's understanding and appreciation of the plays presented at the The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre.

Building audiences for the future
Everyone in this field knows that what matters most is the creation and fostering of new audiences. To this extent, the Segal Centre is offering fantastic savings for those under 30. The hope is to see full advantage of this taken, from full-time college and university students to young professionals just starting out.

TICKETS AND MEDIA INFORMATION

Run:
February 1- 22, 2008

Previews:
February 1, 1:30 pm
February 1 - 4, 8:00 pm

Sunday-@-the-Segal:
February 1, 11:00 am

Media Opening Night:
Thursday, February 5, 8:00 pm

Performances:
Monday - Thursday, 8:00 pm
Saturday 8:30 pm
Sunday 7:00 pm

Matinˆ©es:
Wednesdays 1:00 pm
Sundays 2:00 pm

Box Office:
(514) 739-7944

Admission
(514) 790-1245
www.admission.com

Segal Centre for Performing Arts at the Saidye
5170 Cote St. Catherine Rd.