People will be discussing Every Letter Counts for a variety of reasons both pleasant and decidedly unpleasant. Firstly, it is the first work of the season at Factory Theatre since artistic director, Ken Gass, was ousted. Secondly it is written and performed by Nina Lee Aquino: one of the interim ADs who replaced Gass. It is directed by the other, Nigel Shawn Williams. But this is lobby talk. The play itself is the thing, they say, and Aquino is offering up her heart - a journey into her own past as the niece of the late Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino. There is an airport named after the beloved, murdered politician. How does one deal with the legacy? As Aquino told The Charlebois Post, "Open your hearts and your imagination. This isn't an autobiographical play, nor is it a bio drama of a national hero in the Philippines. It is deeper than that. " (Toronto) Read the entire interview with the playwright.
We suspect when Shadow Theatre programmed Evie's Waltz into their season, they had no idea just how explosive and even provocative the very idea of presenting it might be! Teenager Evie comes to a neighbourhood barbecue. Her boyfriend, Danny, has been suspended for bringing a gun to school and, we learn, is somewhere in the woods around the party and he is armed. Secrets come out - betrayals must be paid for. Critics across the States have loved this thriller which is getting its Canadian premiere. (Edmonton)
A thriller of a completely different sort plays itself out on the boards of Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre. However, don't look for kilts as Jonathan C. Dietrich's production is inspired by Kabuki theatre. The cast is young, the take is fresh and - into the bargain - the company's Tumblr is pretty damn interesting too. (Yes...it's THAT play.)
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