Lane's Week, March 18, 2013

AWeek in Theatre
by Chris Lane
@chrislanetweets

Continuing an ongoing discussion about the demise of the standing ovation as genuine audience feedback, Caleb McMullen of Mnemonic Theatre Productions has raised the stakes. His theatre company will offer a full money-back guarantee at intermission for all their shows, starting with their production of Proof in Vancouver this June. McMullen was challenged to put his money where is mouth is, and he’s certainly going for it. 

Speaking of money, the Stratford Festival announced it posted a deficit of $3.4 million in 2012. This is only their second deficit in 20 years. 

And the winner is … Krista Jackson. She has been awarded the Gina Wilkinson Prize, which goes to a Canadian woman successfully transitioning into directing. Jackson’s extensive acting career is being topped off with numerous director’s credits, and she is artistic director of zone41 theatre in Winnipeg. Also on the awards front, nominations are now open for the 2013 Arnold Edinborough Award. The prize recognizes young business professionals for their contributions to the arts.

Montreal’s Centaur Theatre has announced their 2013-2014 season. It includes some very local content, including David Fennario’s newest work, Motherhouse, and The St. Leonard Chronicles. 2 Pianos 4 Hands will also be stopping by – watch for my review of their Vancouver show later this week. Over in Toronto, Tarragon Theatre has also announced their next season. The ten plays include sounds from Stephen Sondheim and Hawksley Workman, as well as a couple of premieres from their playwrights-in-residence. And Ottawa opera lovers can look forward to two fully-staged operas, Carmen and Madama Butterfly, in Opera Lyra Ottawa’s next season.