Starring the wild animals who prowl Toronto’s backyards, ravines and city streets, COMMON BOOTS THEATRE (formerly Theatre Columbus) presents TAILS FROM THE CITY, a new play by award-winning playwright Marjorie Chan with the company, directed by Jennifer Brewin, outdoors at Toronto’s historic Evergreen Brick Works.
Six-year-old Billie (played by eight year old Eponine Lee) is having a lousy Christmas eveuntil she spies an unruly family of raccoons racing through her backyard. In following them, Billie unleashes a magical winter night adventure with raccoons riding bikes, squirrels throwing snowballs, and someone resembling . . . or is it really . . . Santa Claus.
TAILS FROM THE CITY, Common Boots’ 5th consecutive outdoor winter theatre experience presented on the natural setting of the Evergreen Brick Works, features 10 local choirs; City Choir, Eastminster United Church Choir, Echo Women’s Choir, The Queensmen, Singing Through Life, St. Simon’s Choir, We Are A Choir, World Songs, Toronto Song Lovers, VOCA, and stars Lucy Hill, Derek Kwan, Michael Rinaldi, Courtenay Stevens and Eponine Lee as Billie.
Playwright Marjorie Chan is a multi-disciplinary theatre artist and Artistic Director of Cahoots Theatre. China Doll, Chan’s playwriting debut, was nominated for several Dora Awards including Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Production, as well as the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama; and her opera Sanctuary Song won the Dora Award for Outstanding New Opera. Her other full-length plays and librettos include a nanking winter; The Madness of the Square; in the garden, two suns; Mother Everest; and The Lesson of Da Ji, which also won the Dora Award for Outstanding New Opera.
Director Jennifer Brewin, Artistic Director of Common Boots Theatre, is a multi-award-winning artist who specializes in the creation and development of new and site-specific work. She has co-authored and directed a number of collective creations including; The Public Servant (Theatre Columbus / GCTC), A Night in the Woods (Caravan Farm Theatre), The Great Frost of 1608 (with Peter Hinton / National Arts Centre) and The Attic, The Pearls and Three Fine Girls (Theatre Columbus). Jennifer’s work has been recognized with a Jesse Richardson Award, a Dora Mavor Moore Award, a Harold Award, and an Armstrong Award of Excellence.
Winter theatre is a combination of cross-country skiing, tobogganing and a pick-up hockey game. It is about moving and being together; marching into the darkness and generating light. Since 2011, these winter shows during the December holidays have explored the role of myths and fables in modern life; revisiting old traditions and creating news ones inspired by contemporary life. The show runs one hour and the audience travels with the cast approximately 1km across uneven terrain with bon fires along the way. Thick socks, a good hat and waterproof boots are key for the best experience. Hot chocolate will be available!
Written by Marjorie Chan in association with the Company
Directed by Jennifer Brewin
Starring Lucy Hill, Derek Kwan, Michael Rinaldi, Courtenay Stevens and Eponine Lee
Music Direction/Composition: John Millard
Set and Light Design: Glenn Davidson
Costume Design: Anna Treusch
Choirs: City Choir, Eastminster United Church Choir, Echo Women’s Choir,
The Queensmen, Singing Through Life, St. Simon’s Choir,
We Are A Choir, World Songs, Toronto Song Lovers, VOCA
Run Dates: December 10 – December 30, 2015
Opening Night: Monday, December 14, 2015 @ 7:30pm
December 10 – 30 @ 7:30pm • No shows December 13, 20, 24, 25, 26
Matinees December 19, 21, 23 @ 4:30pm
In the event of rain, the show will be performed indoors.
All Regular Tickets $30 • Arts Workers & Seniors $22 • Youth 25 & under $12
December 10-12 Previews ‘Pay-What-You-Can’
Early Bird – 25% off for groups of 4+ if booked by December 14
Free shuttle bus from Broadview Subway Station
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