Just the facts – Praxis Theatre

Just the facts: Moon Mission 3

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:22:00 +0000

Moon Mission 3
Who: Evan Webber, with actors Hannah Cheesman and Ker Wells, and design by Sherri Hay.
Where: The Rhubarb Festival at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Toronto, Canada.

When: February 11th-15th @ 8 pm.

What: A science-fiction romance play about the return of humans to the moon.
Why: Because the astronauts are praying for you.
Web: www.relativesafety.com
Buzz: The buzzing is because we’re running the contact mics directly into the PA. Don’t worry, it’s intentional.

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Just the Facts: Talking to Chris Dupuis

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:30:00 +0000

Talking to Chris Dupuis
Who: Chris Dupuis.
Where: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Toronto, Canada. Thursday Feb 5th, 12th, and 19th.

@ 7 pm!
What: Part interview, part performance, artist and journalist Chris Dupuis chats with artists presenting work at the 30th Rhubarb Festival.
Why: Do You Like Talking? Do You Like Art? Do You Like Chris Dupuis? If you answered YES to any of these questions, this show is for you.
Web: www.chrisdupuis.com
Buzz: May contain Nudity, Mature Content, Foul Language, Cigarette Smoke, Strobe Lights, Self Indulgence, General Wankery .

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Just the facts: Next Stage Theatre Festival Edition v3

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:38:00 +0000

The Rake’s Progress: Do You Know Where Tom Rakewell Is?

Who: MacKenzieRo
Where: Factory Theatre Mainspace, Toronto, Canada
What: Adapted from the opera by Igor Stravinsky and the original engravings by William Hogarth, this show charts the course of Tom Rakewell through a loutish and debauched London.
Why: The 18th century engravings of The Rake’s Progress alarmed and thrilled, the 20th century opera’s lustiness astonished the 1953 Edinburgh Festival, how will 21st century audiences react to this updated evolution?
Web: MacKenzieRo Website
Hype: MacKenzieRo’s previous production of DISCO PIGS was a hit at the 2007 Toronto Fringe, followed by a highly successful remount at Alchemy Theatre in 2008.

Reesor
Who: Reesor Collective
Where: Factory Studio Theatre, Toronto, Canada
What: Combines live music, performance, shadow-puppets, baking and a man in a bear suit to tell the story of a ghost town in Northern Ontario.
Why: In 1926, 400 people called Reesor, Ontario home. Now, all that remains is a pile of stone.
Web: Reesor Myspace Page
Hype: Toronto Fringe 2007 Best Overall Production, Best Music, Critic’s Pick – NOW Magazine, “Best of the Fringe Series” – Diesel Playhouse

Humans Anonymous
Who: The Anonymous Co-op
Where: Factory Theatre Mainspace, Toronto, Canada
What: One is afraid of loneliness. Two is afraid of happiness. Three is afraid of ignorance. Four is afraid of judgment. Five is afraid of gremlins – even the nice ones. One loves four; three loves one; five loves cats.
Why: Returns to Toronto with new material and a New York run under its belt with the Bridge Theatre Company.
Web: The Official Kate Hewlett Fansite.
Hype: Not only did this 2006 Fringe show garner enough attention to transfer to New York, but playwright Kate Hewlett’s subsequent fringe play, The Swearing Jar, was also a hit at the 2008 Toronto Fringe.

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Just the Facts: Next Stage Theatre Festival Edition v2

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:00:00 +0000

Take It Back
Who: Solid State Breakdance
Where: Factory Theatre Mainspace, Toronto, Canada
What: A combination of the high physicality of B-boying (Breakdance) with the partnering structures of Lindy Hop (Swing) and the aesthetics of Contemporary Dance.
Why: Asks the question: “Why don’t we dance in couples anymore?”
Web: Solid State Website.
Hype: “So organic and fun-loving that it manages to invent a dazzling new vocabulary, make statements on gender roles, and get the audience members whooping like they’re at a full-blown battle.” Straight.com

L’Ange Avec Les Fleurs
Who: Beth Marshall
Where: Factory Theatre Mainspace, Toronto, Canada
What A troupe of vagabond performers their band, tell the tale of a clown’s journey to become a real man through an explosion of song, dance, puppetry, clowning and use of a BIG FRENCH BEAR!
Why: It’s a clown show derived from a synthesis of Henry Miller and Herman Hesse.
Web: L’Ange Avec Les Fleurs MySpace Page.
Hype: WINNER: Best Production, Acting and Set – Orlando Fringe

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Just the facts: Next Stage Theatre Festival Edition v1

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:03:00 +0000

Theatre is Territory will be Just The Facts-ing all eight entries in the second edition of Toronto’s Next Stage Theatre Festival.

The highly competitive juried festival plays winter Ying to the un-juried Fringe Festival’s summer Yang. To be considered for The Next Stage you must have had a previous production in a Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals festival. It runs January 7th to 18th 2009, and takes place exclusively at the two venues of the Factory Theatre.

Practically speaking, all of the shows selected are either previous Fringe hits being remounted with increased resources and rehearsal, or new works by companies that have several Fringe hits under their belts. It’s easy to see why this all adds up to a very good idea for the independent theatre community to support.

Download the full pdf of the brochure for the festival by clicking here.

Buy tickets online by clicking here.

Yichud/Seclusion

Who: Convergence Theatre
Where: Factory Theatre Studio, Toronto, Canada
What: A one-act play in three parts that examines intimate moments surrounding the arranged wedding of a young Orthodox Jewish couple, and the impact their union has on their families.
Why: Three words: Live Klezmer Band
Web: Convergence Theatre Facebook page.
Hype: Previous fringe productions AutoShow and The Gladstone Variations were runaway must-see hits garnering numerous accolades.

First Hand Woman
Who: Fire Up Co-operative
Where: Factory Theatre Studio, Toronto, Canada
What: A play set within a woman’s heart and mind. It is a journey through heartache and healing told by the stages of grief: Denial, Bargaining, Anger, Depression and Acceptance.
Why: CAUTION: Show contains spontaneous simulated Orgasms!
Web: Playwright/Performer Sarah Michelle Brown’s website.
Hype: WINNER: Chapters “Best Text Award” Montreal Fringe

Don’t Look
Who: Steady State Theatre Project
Where: Factory Theatre Studio, Toronto, Canada
What: Daniel and Ariella, Star-of-David-crossed first cousins, whose innocent shiva makeout session forces them down a path of shame and regret. When they are finally pushed to the limits of their defenses, Daniel and Ariella find themselves face to face with everything they’ve been trying to avoid.
Why: Only play from the “incest-comedy-drama” genre in the festival.
Web: Don’t Look Facebook event page.
Hype: Toronto Fringe Outstanding Production: NOW Magazine

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Just the facts: Vinegar Tom

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:33:00 +0000

Vinegar Tom
Who: Royal Porcupine Productions
Where: Tank House Theatre, Young Centre For the Performing Arts, Toronto, Canada.
When: November 21st- 29th @ 8pm.
What: Vinegar Tom is the story of a small town whore, her mother and a married friend who gets an abortion, all set during the witch hunts, while making modern day parallels with the aid of contemporary music.
Why: Caryl Churchill wrote this play at the height of second-wave feminism. It’s still relevant. Come see why.
Web: Ticket info: www.youngcentre.ca

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Just the facts: Soulless

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:17:00 +0000

Soulless

Who: 505 Productions

Where: Factory Theatre Studio, Toronto, Canada

When: 4 Shows left. Wed Nov 18 – Sat Nov 22 @ 8pm

What: Soulless reflects the harsh realities of urban gentrification in a society already separated by materialism, self-centredness and general apathy towards the fellow human.
Why: It is current, accurate and cuts right to our souls… or what is left of them.

Web: http://www.soullessplay.com/

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Just the facts

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:03:00 +0000

Image by Vieux Bandit licensed under the Creative Commons.

Introducing a new standardized method for how independent theatre producers can promote their work on Theatre Is Territory:

If you would like your show info to be posted, provide the following info in the manner prescribed below. No promises that every project submitted will be posted, but there is no charge for this opportunity to increase the profile of your production. Although Theatre is Territory is Toronto-based, it has an increasingly global readership. Feel free to submit work from any location on earth.

The idea behind this project is that it will become a resource to independent producers to increase the profile of their shows. These producers are almost always working with razor thin budgets outside of any subscription series. They rarely have full page ads in weekly papers and posters on the way to every restaurant bathroom. They could really use a little free publicity.

Occasionally there will be a post about an exciting high-profile production, but in general this is an attempt to even the public awareness playing field, while letting our readership know about shows they might not be aware of.

Just the facts:

Send an email to: theatreisterritory (at) gmail.com
Subject heading: Praxis Blog: (Name of Your Show) Just The Facts

Attach two files to the email:

A single jpeg image no more than 300KB in size.
(Horizontal images work better in this format.)

A Microsoft Word document that has the following information in the order provided below:

* Show name

* Company name

* Performance location (name of theatre, city, country)

* Opening date and closing date

* What the show is about in 40 words or less

* Why someone should experience this production in 40 words or less

* Website for more info

* Phone # and/or website to purchase tickets

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