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Show Announcement:

The Company Theatre’s John

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/ Nov 24, 2016
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The Company Theatre, helmed by co–artistic director and Intermission publisher Philip Riccio, is pleased to announce their next production: John, by Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Annie Baker. Slated for early 2017, this marks the play’s Canadian premiere.

John, the story about a young couple struggling to stay together, had its world premiere in New York in 2015 and was named as one of the top new plays of that year by Time and The Hollywood Reporter.

Directing will be acclaimed stage and screen actor Jonathan Goad (Stratford Festival, Republic of Doyle, Reign). This production will mark Jonathan’s professional directing debut. Casting for John will be announced in the coming weeks.

Jonathan Goad. Photo by Shaun Benson

Jonathan Goad. Photo by Shaun Benson

John defies expectation and categorization,” says Jonathan.“It’s deftly specific and somehow vast and free.” He calls the play “delicate,” one he couldn’t stop thinking about after his first read.

Of directing, Jonathan says, “You must be fascinated with humanity in the play and the humanity in the actor. You must love actors. You must love to co-create with them and be surprised by them.” And of his directorial debut, he says, “Hopefully we can provide the audience with an individual and collective experience as full, varied, mysterious, and human as the play itself. I’m scared and excited as hell.”

Three theatre experiences that left a mark on Jonathan, as told by Jonathan

1. I studied social work in university but spent most of my time as a stowaway in the drama department. I volunteered as an usher for the opening night of a production of The Bacchae (with an incredible Joel Harris as Dionysus). I went back every night until closing, experienced catharsis, and switched majors.

2. Among many great teachers, Michael Mawson holds a special place. A teacher, a friend, a Shakespeare wizard. A summary of his instruction might be: “Learn all you can then get the fuck out of the way.”

3. I heard Jason Byrne say this to an actor once: “I know it’s hard but you’re being very brave, and I will help you, I will hold your hand as long as I can. It takes balls of iron to act. You actors have balls of fuckin iron.” Sounds even better in a Dublin dialect. That’s a director.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.companytheatre.ca or by phone 416-368-3110.

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