Where Edmonton Magazine September/October 2017 | Page 15

CATCH A ROMANTIC , HILARIOUS , OR DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE AT ONE OF THESE INSPIRING PLAYS GRACING THE CITY ’ S STAGES THIS FALL
BY JANELLE ESCOTT
PHOTOS COURTESY CITADEL THEATRE ; STOCK . ADOBE . COM ; TEATRO LA QUINDICINA ; U OF A STUDIO THEATRE
SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Sep 16 – Oct 8
The course of true love never did run smooth in this fictionalized tale of forbidden romance ! Up-andcoming playwright Will Shakespeare has a serious case of writer ’ s block and the deadline for his new play is fast approaching . When he falls in love with Viola , an engaged woman and his greatest admirer , their secret romance inspires the Bard to pen his most famous tragedy . You ’ re sure to enjoy good old-fashioned scheming and hilarious theatrics as this alternative Romeo & Juliet unfolds on-stage in a fresh and poignant comedy . Citadel Theatre , 9828-101A Ave ., 780- 425-1820 . citadeltheatre . com
SHOCKERS DELIGHT ! Sep 28 – Oct 14
From Edmonton playwright Stewart Lemoine comes an updated and bittersweet story of three university friends and their ever-evolving relationship . The comedy revolves around the struggles the friends face between emotional and intellectual attraction , with each of their perspectives influenced by their eclectic university studies : ballroom
dancing , golf , and 19th-century furniture design . Ron Pederson , a former MADtv star who starred in the 2004 revival of this show , will make his Teatro la Quindicina directing debut . Varscona Theatre , 10329- 83 Ave ., 780-433-3344 . teatroq . com
THE ALIENS Oct 10 – 22
This play from award-winning playwright Annie Baker follows the story of two 30-something drifters who spend their days discussing poetry and music behind a Vermont coffee shop . When they decide to take the coffee shop ’ s newest employee under their wing and “ teach him everything they know ,” an unlikely trio of friends forms . Offbeat and thoughtprovoking , The Aliens tells a story of humour , heartbreak , and the challenges of growing up . The Roxy on Gateway , 8529 Gateway Blvd ., 780-453- 2440 . theatrenetwork . ca
A DOLL ’ S HOUSE Oct 11 – 21
In Henrik Ibsen ’ s famous play , Nora Helmer has secretly committed fraud and is desperate to keep the truth from her husband . Though she slyly covers her tracks , her husband still stands in the way of her success . Once a controversial work , this drama realistically portrays the dichotomy between the masculine and the feminine in society , and explores the
disastrous results of social expectations . Be ready to watch on the edge of your seat : every scene builds tension until the iconic last moments of the play ! Walterdale Theatre , 10322-83 Ave ., 780-420-1757 . walterdaletheatre . com
UBUNTU ( THE CAPE TOWN PROJECT ) Oct 11 – 22
Twelve years ago , Daryl Cloran — the Citadel ’ s artistic director — travelled to Cape Town to work with artists from another culture and learn how theatre can be approached in different ways . The product of this collaboration was a play about the interconnectedness we share with one another , or ubuntu , which means “ I am because you are .” For the first time in Edmonton , Cloran will bring the show to the stage , and the original South African actors and project collaborators , Mbuelelo Grootbroom and Andile Nebulane , will return to their roles . Citadel Theatre , 9828- 101A Ave ., 780-425-1820 . citadeltheatre . com
A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY Oct 12 – 21
Politically driven and inspiring , the play juxtaposes
two different times in history when taking a stand against authoritarianism was at its most critical . Set in 1930s Germany , a group of friends struggle to make sense of the world as Hitler rises to power . The friends dream of a great resistance against Hitler , yet find themselves unwilling to take an active part . Simultaneously , the play follows the story of a 1980s Long Island activist who is unwavering in her fight against repression . Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner delivers an intense , realistic portrayal of the need for individual commitment in the face of adversity . Timms Centre for the Arts , 87 Ave . & 112 St ., 780-492-2495 . timmscentre . ca
CONSTELLATIONS Oct 25 – Nov 12
This is not your average love story ! Science and romance intertwine in this play about two lovers and the infinite possibilities in life and love . Told in a series of vignettes , the story unfolds with quick changes in space and time — and parallel universes ! This out-of-the-ordinary love story provides an intelligent and refreshing take on the fragile balance between our destiny and free will . Varscona Theatre , 10329-83 Ave ., 780- 433-3399 . teatroq . com w
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