WHERE YOU BELONG 2015-2016 Season WHERE YOU BELONG “On the cover of this season’s brochure, you’ll see audience members of ATP, at home in our beautiful theatre, the Martha Cohen. The photos that represent each of the plays were shot in various locations around Calgary. It’s as though the characters have wandered into our world, and we’ve wandered into theirs. We’re all in it together.” Vanessa Porteous Artistic Director 1. Grace Lu 2. Kenneth Peach 3. Terry MacKenzie 4. Jimmy-Lee Vennard 5. Jason Lewis 6. Terry Skrypnek 7. Leslie Gavel 8. Vince Kanasoot 9. Daniel Vera 10. Karen Hall 11. Terry Ann Powell 12. Lisha Hassanali 13. Sharanpal Ruprai 14. Alana Husband Thank you to all our friends who came out to our photo shoots. Cover & inside cover photos by Calgary photographer Sean Dennie A MESSAGE FROM VANESSA This year the plays in our season go deep, and they go wide. They’re all hot off the presses – they’re very contemporary – and they stretch from zany comedy, to toe-tapping music, to hard-hitting storytelling. We start with a comedy that’s totally over the top; premiere an exceptional young Calgary playwright; go on an unforgettable fantasy adventure; take you on a blues journey; bring a prize-winning Canadian novel to life on stage, and send you off with a giggle. The thread that pulls them together is that they’re all about finding a place to belong. Whether it’s by laughing till we can’t breathe, or by opening our minds and hearts in sympathy, theatre has the power to transform us. It gives us a new way of looking at the world and the people around us. These plays feed our curiosity for new experiences. They tickle our funny bone. They speak honestly about life as we live it. They are passionate, relevant, and engaging; funny, heartbreaking and thought provoking. I hope you’ll find a home with us. I hope you’ll feel you belong at Alberta Theatre Projects. Vanessa Porteous Artistic Director ARTISTIC VISION Our aim at Alberta Theatre Projects is to make life more beautiful, by creating and producing great contemporary theatre from Canada and beyond. Our work is about what’s now, what’s new and what’s next. In the welcoming oval of the Martha Cohen Theatre, right here in Calgary, we stretch as deep as life, as wide as the world. Core Season • Fall Show VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE by Christopher Durang directed by Glynis leyshon SEPTEMBER 15 - OCTOBER 3, 2015 Vanya and his sister Sonia live a humdrum existence in their family farmhouse. When their movie star sister Masha comes home unexpectedly, with her hunky boy toy Spike in tow, a madcap weekend of rivalry and raunchiness ensues. Will Vanya ever find happiness? Will Masha sell the family home? And will Spike ever put his shirt back on? Vanya Sonia Masha SPIKE and and and Photo by Sean Dennie Shot on location at Elbow Park SW Calgary Models: Hamish McNaughton Kerfoot, Karen Ball, Rita Sirignano, Blake Ball “This is the funniest script I’ve read in years – pure delirium. It won the Tony Award for Best Play, and was a sold out hit on Broadway. There’s no better way to start our season than with this hilarious tale of siblings gone wild.” - Vanessa ATPlive.com | 403-294-7402 Core Season • World Premiere THE CIRCLE by Geoffrey Simon Brown directed by ann-marie kerr OCTOBER 20 - NOVEMBER 7, 2015 It’s your typical high school garage party in the suburbs of Calgary, any night of the week. Amanda’s a genius. Ily’s a drug dealer. Daniel’s a good kid. Will has ADHD. Kitt is a runaway. Mutt is a mess. It’s an explosive combination. Youth is a dangerous time. Everyone’s just trying to fit in. Everyone’s just looking for a place to belong. “This is the kind of provocative new Canadian play ATP is known for premiering. The writer is 25, a Calgarian born and raised. I’m thrilled to introduce this blazing new theatrical voice to the world. I hope you will see the scary beauty that I see in this brave and honest piece of theatre. Maybe you’re a young adult. Maybe you remember being one. Maybe you’re a parent now. This important play brings something true and real to light, and opens us all up to compassion and understanding.” - Vanessa Audience advice: Violence, adult themes, mature content and strong language Photo by Sean Dennie Shot on location in Marlborough NE Calgary Models: Ryan Kennedy, Geoff Brown, Maya Green, Alan Sabir, Riley Cook ATPlive.com | 403-294-7402 Nexen Family Holiday Show LEGEND HAS IT created by Rebecca Northan with renÉe amber, bruce Horak and Jamie northan NOVEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 31, 2015 This is a funny, heartwarming fantasy adventure for the whole family, complete with powerful spells, magic swords and comic sidekicks. Plus: there’s a twist! Every show, the actors pick someone in the audience, child or adult, to go on a quest to save the world. The hero gets to pick their own journey. The performers, some of Canada’s top improvisational talent, guide them on a hilarious and life-affirming trip to uncover the hero within. It’s a different show every time. A great show for kids and adults alike. LEGEND HAS IT “You’ve never seen anything like this incredible show. When we first presented it, kids and grown-ups hooted and laughed so hard that the theatre rocked. People came again and again, some dressed up in fantasy costume. It’s entertainment that appeals to kids, families, adults and fantasy fans of all kinds. The show is uplifting, hilarious, and totally original.” - Vanessa Audience advice: For audiences 6 to 106! Audience participation not mandatory Photo of Rebecca Northan by Sean Dennie Shot on location at The Calgary Zoo ATPlive.com | 403-294-7402 High Performance Rodeo • Special Presentation LIFE, DEATH AND THE BLUES Theatre Passe muraille Production in association with hope and HELL theatre co. Written and conceived by Raoul Bhaneja directed by Eda Holmes A Presented by Alberta Theatre Projects & One Yellow Rabbit as part of the 30th Annual High Performance Rodeo. JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 31, 2016 Blues Jam meets an evening of theatre – and a whole lot of toe-tapping tunes. This is the true life tale of a typical Canadian kid from a South Asian / Irish background, who just can’t help lovin’ the Blues. Actor and musician Raoul Bhaneja LIFE, DEATH AND THE BLUES is joined on stage by Juno Award-winning R&B star Divine Brown, and some of the finest Blues musicians in Canada. Plus, every night, a different Calgary blues legend joins the show for a finale. “This show is so much fun. It’s so unique. Great tunes. Great stories. A great night out. Great Canadian performing at its best.” - Vanessa Photo of Raoul Bhaneja and Divine Brown by Michael Cooper ATPlive.com | 403-294-7402 Core Season • World Premiere COCKROACH by Jonathan Garfinkel based on the novel by Rawi Hage directed by Vanessa Porteous FEATURING Haysam kadri MARCH 1 - MARCH 19, 2016 A man from an unnamed Middle Eastern country hustles to survive in icy cold Montréal. He’s a charmingly treacherous liar, a thief with a haunted past. He’s got problems: sometimes he thinks he’s a cockroach. How can he escape the dark corners of his life, get beyond survival and start to thrive? When he meets the man who hurt the love of his life, he can’t help himself. He starts to plot revenge. H C A O R COCK “The best-selling novel upon which this brand new play is based was a finalist on Canada Reads, and one of the Globe and Mail’s top 100 Books. This is a modernday thriller, a gripping story that feels so relevant to me. Here’s a portrait of Canadian society that doesn’t avoid the shadows, told from such an unusual point of view. After all, a cockroach sees everything. I’m thrilled that we commissioned this theatrical adaptation, and that I’ll be directing it.” - Vanessa Audience advice: Strong language, mature content Photo of Haysam Kadri by Sean Dennie Shot on location on 7th Avenue SW ATPlive.com | 403-294-7402 Core Season • Spring Show BUYER & CELLAR by Jonathan Tolins directed by tracey flye APRIL 5 - APRIL 23, 2016 What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had? Well this guy’s got you beat. He’s an out of work actor in LA who takes a position as the sole employee in the private mall in Barbra Streisand’s basement. Yes, you read that right. When the star herself turns up, our hero hopes it may lead to show biz stardom. One actor plays all the parts in this smash hit comedy that gently, and hilariously, pokes fun at all our big screen dreams. & “This play is laugh out loud funny – a lighthearted way to end our season. Audiences across North America have adored this show, and so do I. It’s like spending the evening with a very entertaining friend who has a great story to tell.” - Vanessa Model: Shayne Johnson, Photo by Sean Dennie Shot on location at The CORE Shopping Centre ATPlive.com | 403-294-7402 JOIN US THIS SEASON! One of the best things about going to a play is the conversation you have around the show. What was my favourite part? Who did those characters remind me of? Why did that story seem so relevant to my life? It’s even better when you can share your feelings and questions with the artists involved, and hear what went into the making of the experience. That’s the whole point of The Exchange: a seasonlong series of fun, friendly and lively exchanges around our shows, that brings audience members and artists together to explore the themes of the plays and celebrate the art of live theatre. Check out The Exchange flyer, or ATPlive.com, for the full listing of events in 15/16. Come join us for some friendly, passionate, engaging conversations - and most of all, for a whole lot of fun. Photos by Jeff Yee BECOME AN 2015-2016 season at a glance Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike September 15 - October 3 • Core Season S U BSC RIB E R ! • • • • • • Tues & Wed Thursday Friday Tuesday Wednesday Sunday Sept. 15-16 Sept. 17 Sept. 18 Sept. 22 Sept. 23 Sept. 27 Previews Pizza Night Preview Opening Night Talk Back Tuesday Wines of ATP Afternoon Tea Matinée The Circle October 20 - November 7 • Core Season • Dramatic savings • • • • • • 10% off additional ticket purchases Cockroach Exclusive subscriber benefits Include • Priority seating • A chance to see your favourite show a second time, on us (during the core season) • Ticket donation options • First ticket exchange is always free HOW TO PURCHASE Call, email or visit our Ticket Office at: 403-294-7402 tickets@atplive.com 220 - 9th Avenue SE Need to stay flexible? Our Flex Pass includes 4 ticket vouchers to use in any combination for only $180. Single tickets go on sale April 15, 2015. Visit ATPlive.com for more information. Tues & Wed Thursday Friday Tuesday Sunday Oct. 20-21 Oct. 22 Oct. 23 Oct. 27 Nov. 1 Previews Pizza Night Preview Opening Night Talk Back Tuesday Afternoon Tea Matinée March 1 - March 19 • Core Season • • • • • Tues & Wed Thursday Friday Tuesday Sunday Mar. 1-2 Mar. 3 Mar. 4 Mar. 8 Mar. 13 Previews Pizza Night Preview Opening Night Talk Back Tuesday Afternoon Tea Matinée Buyer & Cellar April 5 - April 16 • Core Season • • • • • • Tues & Wed Thursday Friday Tuesday Wednesday Sunday Apr. 5-6 Apr. 7 Apr. 8 Apr. 12 Apr. 13 Apr. 17 Previews Pizza Night Preview Opening Night Talk Back Tuesday Cocktails with Babs! Afternoon Tea Matinée Legend Has It November 4 - December 31 • Nexen Family Holiday Show Ask about our family friendly Showtimes! • • • • Tuesday Thursday Friday Sunday Nov. 24 Nov. 26 Nov. 27 Dec. 13 Preview Pizza Night Preview Opening Night Afternoon Tea Matinée Life, Death and the Blues January 19 - January 31 • Special Presentation • • • • • Tues & Wed Thursday Friday Tuesday Sunday Jan. 19-20 Jan. 21 Jan. 22 Jan. 26 Jan. 31 Previews Pizza Night Preview Opening Night Talk Back Tuesday Afternoon Tea Matinée Core SEASON • 4 PLAY SUBSCRIPTION SEATING AREA Premiere Circle Zone A THURS-SAT EVENINGS $245 $173 TUES & WED $229 $165 Main floor Orchestra & Mezzanine PREVIEWS & MATINÉES $205 A $157 Zone B $141 $133 $125 Zone C $109 $109 $109 3 10 11 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 D 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 E 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 10 F 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A 1 AA 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 2 B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 bench seating Stage 1 11 12 G 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 bench seating 10 11 H 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 J 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Package includes: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, The Circle, Cockroach, and Buyer & Cellar Core SEASON + ONE • 5 PLAY SUBSCRIPTION K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 1 Box A A 3 2 3 4 2 5 1 2 Box B 4 5 4 18 17 16 Box 2 Premiere Circle 15 14 1 E 6 7 13 8 9 10 11 12 4 3 2 3 1 3 Box 1 2 3 6 D Box 4 5 6 4 C 5 6 1 1 SEATING AREA THURS-SAT EVENINGS Premiere Circle $305 PREVIEWS & TUES & WED MATINÉES $285 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 4 5 6 7 8 9 $255 10 FIRST BALCONY Zone A $215 $205 $195 11 12 13 14 Zone B $175 $165 $155 B Zone C $135 $135 $135 1 21 2 2 1 2 2 3 3 1 Package includes: All of the above Core Season + your choice of: Legend Has It -or- Life, Death and the Blues. 3 4 5 6 4 5 4 5 3 4 A 11 12 13 14 1 D-BAR STOOLS 10 Tier 1 A C 7 6 6 5 7 7 6 8 15 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 8 9 10 11 12 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 13 14 13 16 15 14 17 17 16 15 10 19 18 20 18 17 20 19 18 SEATING AREA Premiere Circle Zone A THURS-SAT EVENINGS TUES & WED $365 $341 $257 $245 PREVIEWS & MATINÉES $305 $233 Zone B $209 $197 $185 Zone C $161 $161 $161 (Prices include all taxes and fees) 15 14 13 16 11 20 19 12 1 1 2 2 FULL SEASON • 6 PLAY SUBSCRIPTION A 2 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 SECOND BALCONY Tier 2 11 12 13 14 A 1 22 21 20 2 3 B 1 2 4 3 12 13 14 19 18 20 17 19 16 8 9 18 14 15 10 13 11 12 4 17 16 5 6 7 15 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 A PRODUCTION AND LEAD SPONSORS MAJOR SPONSORS A TGS COMPANY GOVERNMENT AND FOUNDATION SUPPORT MEDIA SPONSORS AND OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS ATPlive.com Ticket Office Arts Commons Box Office ATP Administration Martha Cohen Theatre 215 - 8th Avenue SE Calgary, AB T2G 0K8 403-294-7402 403-294-9494 403-294-7475 ATP Office 220 - 9th Avenue SE Calgary, AB T2G 5C4 For exclusive news and contests follow us on: facebook.com/AlbertaTheatreProjects @contemporaryATP