News: (Winnipeg) Royal MTC Rides Cyclone in 2012-13 season

Ride the Cyclone cast

Speculation is rife that Ride the Cyclone - the smash hit musical to rise out of SummerWorks 2010 - will be part of seasons across the country, but Manitoba Theatre Centre is the first to announce it as part of theirs. Opening in March 2013, the cult show is only a small part of a marvellously eclectic season at the Royal house in Winnipeg. 

Other highlights of the year include: 

- a world premiere of an adaptation of Gone With The Wind, the Margaret Mitchell Civil War potboiler which has been previously adapted (three times!) as a musical. 

- the magnificent and troubling Stephen Sondheim musical Assassins, a pastiche of stories and songs about presidential assassins throughout American history.

- Margaret Atwood's haunting The Penelopiad, which in the past year has received no less than three productions across the country. (GLC)

Press release:

MTC UNVEILS A SEASON OF EPIC STORIES

Gone with the Wind, A Few Good Men, The Penelopiad and more

WINNIPEG, March 9, 2012 – A headstrong southern belle, a fledgling courtroom lawyer, the long-suffering wife of Odysseus – these are just some of the passionate characters that will be treading the boards at the ROYAL MANITOBA THEATRE CENTRE next season. This morning, Artistic Director Steven Schipper unveiled the 2012-13 season to gathered donors, sponsors and season ticket holders. MTC is offering a season filledwith epic stories that audiences know and love, including a world premiere adaptation of GONE WITH THE WIND, Aaron Sorkin’s A FEW GOOD MEN and Margaret Atwood’s THE PENELOPIAD. The event featured Niki Landau, a fresh Canadian talent who has adapted Margaret Mitchell’s beloved novel.

THE JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE

A FEW GOOD MEN

BY AARON SORKIN

October 18 – November 10, 2012 | Preview Oct. 17

“Brilliant, intelligent, cutting – socks you between the eyes” –The Independent

A young American lawyer defends two Marines accused of murder in a hazing incident gone wrong in Guantanamo Bay. As the legal teamdigs at the truth, they uncover a high-level conspiracy that threatens the integrity and honour of the military system. A thrilling Broadway hit by writer Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Social Network). A co-production with Citadel Theatre

MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET

BY TOM DUDZICK

November 22 – December 15, 2012 | Preview Nov. 21

“A rollicking comedy where one revelation builds on another to an unexpected and thoroughly satisfying conclusion"

– The Journal News

The Nowaks have always felt special, ever since the Virgin Mary made an appearance in the family barbershop in 1942. Clara has taken over the care of her father’s beautiful statue of the Blessed Mother, and shares the story of the miracle with all who pass by. But Clara’s daughter Ruth is about to reveal a family secret, one that will have the Nowaks questioning both their faith and their identity.

*WORLD PREMIERE*

GONE WITH THE WIND

ADAPTED BY NIKI LANDAU

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY MARGARET MITCHELL

January 10 – February 2, 2013 | Preview Jan. 9

“Some day I’m going to do everything I want to do, and say everything I want to say, and if people don’t like it I don’t care.” – Scarlett

Southern belle Scarlett O’Hara’s pampered life of parties and petticoats is threatened by the devastation of the American Civil War. As she struggles to survive, this unlikely heroine proves she has the gumption to persevere despite the odds. Margaret Mitchell’s epic romance comes to life in the world premiere adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.

ED’S GARAGE

BY DAN NEEDLES                              

February 7 – March 2, 2013 | Preview Feb. 6, plus 2013 Regional Tour

“A fun, warm-hearted play that makes you smile from beginning to end.” – London Free Press

Ed can fix just about anything – an old truck, a stubborn boat motor, even people’s problems. The folks of Port Petunia flock to Ed’s Garage for oil changes and sage advice. Everything’s running like a well-oiled machine until a psychotherapist from the city sets up shop next door, throwing a wrench into the whole business. Actor Rod Beattie, writer Dan Needles and director Douglas Beattie (Wingfield series) return with this light-hearted comedy.

DADDY LONG LEGS

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY PAUL GORDON

BOOK BY JOHN CAIRD

BASED ON THE CLASSIC NOVEL BY JEAN WEBSTER

March 14 – April 6, 2013 | Preview Mar. 13

"Skillful storytelling, enticing songs and superb performances..." - The Independent

Set in the early 20^th century, this charming musical is the moving account of a young orphan as she blossoms into a beautiful, intelligent and vivacious woman. When Jerusha gets the opportunity to go to college, all expenses are paid by a mysterious benefactor whose only requirement is that she never know his identity. As she writes monthly letters to the man she calls “Daddy Long Legs,” we’re drawn into the contrasting worlds of these two extraordinary individuals. A Rubicon Theatre production

OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY

BY JERRY STERNER

April 18 – May 11, 2013 | Preview Apr. 17

“Trades in clever wit — much of it raunchy — and looks into the hearts of people passionate about their work.”

– New York Times

In the business world, corporate takeovers are theultimate seduction. Larry the Liquidator preys on companies that are worth more dead than alive and he’s set his sights on the aging New England Wire and Cable Company. As he prepares to play monopoly with people’s lives, Larry realizes this family business has more game – and heart – than he anticipated. In today’s economic climate, this satire about the excess of the '80s remains startlingly relevant.

THE TOM HENDRY WAREHOUSE

RED

BY JOHN LOGAN

November 1 – 17, 2012 | Preview Oct. 31

“The mostcompelling drama I’ve seen all year… sizzling, intellectually thrilling” – Chicago Tribune

In late 1950s New York, painter Mark Rothko is offered one of the greatest artistic commissions of the 20^th century. With the next generation of artists nipping at his heels, Rothko struggles to create a masterpiece for an extraordinary setting. Assisting in this monumental task is a young painter who quickly learns that nothing in Rothko’s world is black and white.

A co-production with the Belfry Theatre

ASSASSINS

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY STEPHEN SONDHEIM

BOOK BY JOHN WEIDMAN

January 17 – February 2, 2013 | Preview Jan. 16

“An absolutely delirious theatrical experience” – The Globe and Mail

Bold, surreal and alarmingly funny, Stephen Sondheim’s vaudeville extravaganza takes aim at nine individuals who set out to assassinate the President of the United States. From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, these lost souls believe the American dream has failed them and they’re ready to settle the score. If this is the land of opportunity, shouldn’t everyone get their shot? Part of SondheimFest 2013. A BirdLand Theatre and Talk is Free Theatre production

THEPENELOPIAD

BY MARGARET ATWOOD

February 21 – March 9, 2013 | Preview Feb. 20

“Vibrant, moving and darkly, explosively funny” – National Post

Her husband’s gone off to war. With nothing but third-hand news of his exploits, Penelope is left to run the kingdom while dealing with a bratty teenager and a raft of aggressive suitors who are trying to jump the queue. Now, Penelope tells her side of the story. With sardonic wit and a fresh perspective, Margaret Atwood breathes new life into the classic myth.

RIDE THE CYCLONE

BY JACOB RICHMOND AND BROOKE MAXWELL

March 21 – April 6, 2013 | Preview Mar. 20

“A work of genius that defies description” – Vancouver Sun

This weird and wonderful musical takes us on a wild ride when a teenage chamber choir from a small town dies in a roller coaster accident. Karnack, a mechanical fortune-telling machine, feels responsible for the young choir’s demise, and gives the teens a chance to perform from beyond the grave. Ride the Cyclone is their final recital, where they celebrate their individuality while coming to terms with their sad fate. An Atomic Vaudeville production

SUBSCRIBE EARLY FOR THE BEST SAVINGS AND GUARANTEE YOUR SEATS FOR A GREAT SEASON OF LIVE THEATRE!

Current MTC Priority subscribers can renew their seats beginning March 9, 2012 by calling MTC Patron Services at 204-942-6537 (toll-free 1-877-446-4500), or in person at the MTC Box Office, 174 Market Avenue (renewal packages are currently being prepared and will be mailed next week).

New subscriptions can be reserved beginning March 9, 2012 by calling the MTC Box Office (new orders will beseated after the subscriber renewal deadline on a first-come, first-served basis).

6-play John Hirsch Mainstage subscriptions start at only $132

4-play Tom Hendry Warehouse subscriptions start at only $65

Become a MTC SuperSubscriber… see all 10 plays and get an extra discount on your Warehouse subscription!

About the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre

The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre is a community-based, not-for-profit arts organization in Winnipeg, Manitoba. MTC was Canada’s first English-language regional theatre and presents six plays at the John Hirsch Mainstage, four plays at the Tom Hendry Warehouse, a regional tour, a Master Playwright Festival and the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, North America’s second-largest Fringe Festival.