Segal Centre: 2016/17 Theatre Season

Montreal’s answer to Broadway

by Nancy Snipper

Seven hot shows are spotlighted at Segal Centre for its 2016/17 theatre season. Thought-provoking musical comedies, plays about Jewish family members in conflict and  fabulous music feasts, such as the show  that brings Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley in impromptu recording sessions – all inspired by a true story. This Tony-Award winner, Million Dollar Quartet is a boisterous vocal razzle-dazzle display. 
Read about the plays for its upcoming season (plus 2015's final two plays: Bad Jews – May 01-22 and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change – May 08-29) described below.

Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon. Having received critical acclaim internationally in the U.S., London, South Africa and Israel, Bad Jews will have its Montreal premiere at the Segal, May 1 through May 22, 2016. This play will mark the Segal Centre directorial debut for artistic and executive director Lisa Rubin.

Joshua Harmon's breakout hit play asks what you choose to believe, when you're chosen. When three cousins gather in a cramped Manhattan apartment to mourn the death of their beloved grandfather and fight over a precious family heirloom, they learn there is much more at stake than who gets what. Bursting with crisp, fast-paced dialogue, Bad Jews is an exciting exploration of faith, family and legacy that is as thought-provoking and poignant as it is viciously funny.  

The Segal has assembled a vibrant young Canadian cast featuring former Montrealer Jamie Elman (Mad Men, Frozen and the award-winning hit Yiddish web series YidLife Crisis) as Liam Haber, a hot-tempered intellectual, Victoria Diamond (The Demons, Nouvelle Adresse and most recently at the Centaur in Bus Stops) as Melody his "shiksa" girlfriend, lake Goldsbie (Degrassi: The Next Generation, Being Erica and Kids in the Hall) as Jonah Haber, his much more level-headed younger brother and Sarah Segal-Lazar (Talk Mackerel, In Memoriam and her recent debut album Two if by Sea) as their more traditional and fiery cousin Daphna Feygenbaum. The incredible cast will be supported by an impressive creative team including Brian Dudkiewicz (set and costume design), Rai Erdal (lighting design), and Dmitri Marine (sound design).

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change

Montreal premiere of the hit Off-Broadway musical

by Tony award-winning writer Joe Dipietro

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change with book and lyrics by Tony Award®-winning writer Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts. This hysterical exploration of love in all its many splendored forms is the second longest running off-Broadway show and will have its Montreal premiere at the Segal May 8 through May 29, 2016.

What Is Love?

This celebration of the mating game deftly lampoons the oh-so-many moods, stages and stumbling blocks of the contemporary conundrum known as "the relationship". From first date jitters to nursing home affections, this laugh-out-loud revue pays tribute to those who have loved and lost, those who have fallen on their face in the quest for romance and those who have dared to ask, "Say, what are you doing Saturday night?"

One of the Longest Running Shows In Off-Broadway History!

From prolific Broadway writer Joe DiPietro (All Shook Up, Memphis and Nice Work If You Can Get it), I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change opened in 1996 and ran for twelve years (5,003 performances) off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre. Since closing in 2008, the musical has had many revivals around the world. It has been translated into at least 18 languages, including French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese and Spanish. This will be its first time playing for Montreal audiences.

My Name Is Asher Lev

September 11 to October 2, 2016

Montreal Premiere!

By Aaron Posner

Adapted from the Book by Chaim Potok

Directed By Steven Schipper

Set Designer Martin Ferland

Costume Designer Louise Bourret

Sound Designer Emily Auc1elld

Lighting Designer Hugh Conacher

Starring Ellen David, Alex Poch-Goldin & David Reale as Asher Lev  

At a young age, Asher Lev discovers he has a mystifying artistic talent, but when his passion for painting conflicts with his traditionally religious family, Asher's gift threatens to divide his entire community. Is he willing to give up his faith to fulfill his destiny?  
ASL interpreted performances will be available.

Prom Queen: The Musical

October 27 to November 20, 2016

World Premiere!

Based on the book by Kent Staines – the true life story of Marc Hall

Lyrics by Akiva Romer-Segal

Music by Colleen Dauncey

Produced By Mary Young Leckie

Musical direction by Mark Camilleri

Directed by Marcia Kash

Choreographer Sean Cheesman

Set & costume designer John C. Dinning

Lighting designer Luc Prairie

Head of sound Peter Balov

One of the biggest news stories in Canadian history is now a musical!  Prom Queen: The Musical tells the incredible true story of Marc Hall, a small-town teenager who just wanted to take his boyfriend to prom, but ended up taking the Catholic School Board to court – all in the name of love!

Noises Off

January 29 to February 19, 2017

By Michael Frayn

Directed by Jacob Tierney

Set designer Pierre-Etienne Lucas

Lighting designer Nicolas Descoteaux

Costume designer Louise Bourret

Starring Chala Hunter, Marcel Jeannin, Daniel Lillford, Michael Must, Kaitlyn Riordan & Andrew Shaver   

A love letter to show business and all the chaos too crazy to stay in the wing, this hugely popular gem of a farce features an ambitious director and his ragtag group of actors who must pull their act together to put on a show. The shenanigans unfold both onstage and off in this classic play-within-a-play where lovers scheme, doors slam, clothes spontaneously fly off, and unbelievable hijinks ensue.   

Million Dollar Quartet

April 23 to May 14, 2017 

Montreal Premiere!

Book by Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux

Original concept and direction by Floyd Mutrux

Inspired by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins                

Directed by Lisa Rubin.

They came together to make music. They ended up making history. December 4th, 1956. Sam Phillips, the "Father of Rock ‘n' Roll”, brings together four music giants — Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley — for one of the greatest impromptu recording sessions ever. This Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical, inspired by a true story, features some of the 1950's most beloved hits including "Blue Suede Shoes," "Great Balls of Fire", "Walk the Line" and "Hound Dog." 

 

How to Disappear Completely 

April 30 - May 14, 2017 
Written, performed and lighting designed by Itai Erdal  
Written with James Long, Anita Rochon Emelia Symington-Fedy 
Directed by James Long 
Part documentary, part Memorial, all Heart. 
When award-winning lighting designer and raconteur ltai Erdal found out his mother had only months to live, he immediately flew to Israel to be with her. But a challenging request to help his mother die on her own terms sent him reeling. Combining powerful story-telling and the magic of stage lighting, this play is an unexpected lesson in loving, healing and finding the light.

It  Shoulda  Been You 

June 4 - 25, 2017 
World Yiddish Premiere!
In Yiddish with English and French supertitles 

Book and Lyrics by Brian Hargrove 
Music and concept by Barbara Anselmi Dwyt  
Artistic director Bryna Wasserman 
Directed and choreographed by Jim White 
Who said getting married was a "piece of cake"? Tempers flare and worlds collide in this uproarious ode to wedding day insanity. When an unexpected ex-boyfriend crashes the ceremony, an event already on the edge gets tipped right over itl RSVP to this unblissfully charming musical celebration and find out if the wacky wedding actually ends with an 'I do'. 

 

What's In A Name? (Le Prénom V.A.) 

July 9 - 30, 2017  
Canadian English Premiere 
by Matthieu Oelaporte & Alexandre De La Patelliere 
Adapted and translated by Jeremy Sams When Vincent reveals what he and his wife plan to name their unborn son, the shocking moniker causes a scandal among their friends. But what could be so objectionable about a name? A casual dinner erupts into an outrageous verbal slugfest where juicy secrets are served up and longstanding friendships might get cooked!