COSÌ by Louis Nowra

Directed by Jane Carnwath
April 13 - 28, 2012

In 1970's Australia, as protests against the Vietnam War rage, Lewis, an enthusiastic young theatre director, works with patients in a Melbourne mental hospital. Despite the fact that none of them can speak Italian or sing, they are determined to perform Mozart's comic opera Cosi Fan Tutte. A touching and hilarious comedy that proves it helps to be crazy when chasing your dreams.

Read the Press Release: Così Press Release

TICKETS

Performance Dates
April 13 - 28, 2012
Talkback following 2nd Sunday matinée

Performance Times
Wednesday to Saturday: 8:00 pm
Sunday Matinée: 2:00 pm
(no performances Mon or Tue)
Box Office opens one hour before performance time

Admission Prices
Wednesday: 2-for-1
Thursday, Friday & Saturday: $20
Sunday Matinée: PWYC
CASH ONLY! Box Office does not accept credit or debit cards

Reservations
Purchase tickets for Thu/Fri/Sat online at www.totix.ca
For cash only reservations:
Email: reservations@alumnaetheatre.com
Phone: 416-364-4170 (Box 1)

COSÌ Cast Biographies

MATT BRIOUX , Doug
Matt's very new to the theatere scene. Seriously. Even though its been a passion of his throughout his entire childhood. He hopes to do more acting in all sorts of mediums in the future and is open to any and all offers, but is hoping that most offers include the provision of a private trailer and a retinue of personal assistants to see to his every need, and he has a lot of needs. Just ask his psychiatrist. A big thank you to Jane for giving him his very first role and to his excellent and supportive cast and crew. Love to his family as well.

JAMIESON CHILD, Lewis
Jamieson is an actor and graduate from Ryerson's Film Studies program. Recently he has co-written, directed and acted in No Commercial Interruptions, and Sister Sister, two original sleazy shows for the off-campus theatre group, OACT. Some past theatre credits include You Are Here (Alumnae Theatre), Orsino in Twelfth Night (Ruckus Magazine) and Alfred Noyes in The Highwayman (Art'Sake Theatre Comp.) He has studied consecutively at Meisner Toronto. Jamieson is sconged to return to the Alumnae stage.

PATRICIA HAMMOND, Cherry
Patricia acts, directs, produces (GuineaPigging, After Mrs. Rochester, The Trojan Women - all co-produced with Tabitha Keast for Alumnae Theatre) and often tears her hair out. She graduated from George Brown Theatre School an embarrassingly long time ago, and only recently got up the courage to step on stage again (A Delicate Balance, The Queens - Alumnae Theatre). She has a day job (which she loves), two cats (one of which she loves), and the theatre (which she loves loves loves). She thanks her friends (who tolerate the crazy), her family (who created the crazy) and Jane (who saw the crazy in her that she was trying to hide).

CHRISTOPHER KELK*, Henry
Last seen at Alumnae in Palace of the End, Christopher has found a pleasant niche with The Bard and has been lucky enough to play the title role in King Lear twice (so far!). Other favourite roles include Iago in Othello, Edward in Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet, Polonius in Hamlet, Prospero in The Tempest, Bri in A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, Ralph Waldo Emerson in Democracy and Vladimir in Waiting for Godot. He may be seen as Rollo the janitor in Universal's Billy Madison (with Adam Sandler). His verse translation of Juvenal's Satires was published by Edwin Mellen Press in 2010.

RYAN KOTACK, Nick
Ryan is an Honours Graduate of the Theatre Studies Program at the University of Guelph. Since his graduation, Ryan has starred in feature independent film throughout Ontario. Most recently, Ryan was cast in Let My Mind Run Dry for this year's New Ideas Festival. Recent film acting credits include In the House of Flies and Homages. Ryan is thrilled to be a part of such a talented cast and crew for his Alumnae Mainstage debut. He thanks his family and friends for their love and support. A fresh face in the Toronto theatre scene, Ryan is eager and excited for upcoming projects in summer 2012.

TINA McCULLOCH, Ruth
Most recently seen at Alumnae Theatre as the titular madwoman-in-Jane-Eyre's-attic in Polly Teale's drama After Mrs. Rochester; ten years ago, she was Jane in Amicus Production's Jane Eyre (also by Polly Teale). Other favourite roles include Rachel in the Toronto premiere of How To Hunt A Woolly Mammoth, Rose in Enchanted April (both at Village Playhouse), and the midwife Dawn in Having Hope At Home (Amicus). Tina has written several short plays that have been produced in various theatre festivals. She is pleased to bookend this Alumnae season playing crazy women, but hopes this is not typecasting.

JOANNE SARAZEN, Lucy
Joanne is a graduate of the Theatre Performance Program at Concordia University in Montreal and has recently moved to Toronto. Past roles include Denise in Problem Child/Risk Everything (Tableau D'Hote Theatre), Urban Tales (Centaur Theatre/Theatre Urbi et Orbi), Mae in Reefer Madness (Processed Theatre), and Tre in Sexy Dirty Bloody Scary (Mainline Theatre). Joanne is also a playwright and a founding member of Sheep In Fog Theatre in Montreal. She is so pleased to be working with the Alumnae Theatre and all these wonderful people for the first time. She would like to thank Jane, Margot, and all her fellow actors and crew.

SEAN SPEAKE, Justin
Sean is excited to be making his first appearance with Alumnae, as well as his first stage engagement in more than 15 years. He is thrilled to be part of such a mad cast playing close to type. Previous credits include appearances in Brigadoon, Play On!, Man of La Mancha, The Odd Couple and numerous short films.

LAURA VINCENT, Julie
Previous credits: Prudence in Beyond Therapy (Village Playhouse), multiple roles in The Dark Room (Socratic Theatre), Nikodike in Lysistrata (Canopy Theatre), Erin in Ismene (Socratic Theatre collective), Chris in GuineaPigging (Alumnae Theatre), Felicity in The Real Inspector Hound (Alumnae Theatre), Hamlet in Hamlet: Princess of Denmark (Socratic Theatre), Soldier in Palace of the End (Alumnae Theatre), Alice in Closer (Alumnae Theatre), Constance in Goodnight Desdemona: Good Morning Juliet (Players Academy). Laura was born in London, England, and studied at Queen's University (ON) and The Players Academy (Toronto).

MICHAEL VITOROVICH, Roy
Michael is excited to be back within the storied walls of the Alumnae Mainspace, having previously appeared in Guinea Pigging, You Are Here and Baby With the Bathwater. From the Toronto Fringe production of Through the Tulips (Branch Out Theatre), to taking his licks as a budding stand-up comic, Michael is excited about all that the current urban performance landscape has to offer. Big thanks to the cast and crew for the wild ride. And thank you, patron, for supporting this journey of performance. The next big challenge for Michael will be the Ride to Conquer Cancer from Toronto to Niagara Falls this June. Please support this epic battle through www.conquercancer.ca.

JAMES WARNER, Zac
Making his Alumnae Theatre debut, James is a graduate in Performing Arts at New College Nottingham, England, and Music at Trinity College London. He has appeared in London's West End in several musicals including Cats and Starlight Express, and for Clarendon Theatre in Showboat, The Winter's Tale, Twelfth Night and The Threepenny Opera. His own compositions, including three String Quartets, Vocal and other Chamber Works, have been performed both in Europe and North America. He is also the narrator of ten audio book titles and has enjoyed volunteering for talking newspapers and magazines, both in Canada and his native UK for nearly twenty years.

*With the permission of Canadian Actors Equity Association.

COSÌ Creative Team Biographies

PAUL BABIAK, Fight Director
Paul Babiak took his Certificate of Proficiency in Stage Fighting with the British Society of Fight Directors. A professional actor, director, playwright and clown, he is also a doctoral candidate at the Graduate Centre for Study of Drama at the University of Toronto. His major research interests include the relationship between comedy and aggression, and the history of popular performance, particularly in Toronto. His dissertation (in progress) is entitled Slapstick and Knockabout: Violent Comedy Enters the Modern Age.

LIONEL BOODLAL, Master Carpenter
From a very young age, Lionel was enamoured with carpentry and building. He grew up with the smell of wood and sawdust around him as his grandparents manufactured and sold their own furniture. His 'Little Tyke' toolkit, complete with hammer, wrench, screwdriver and the necessary hardware were indispensable and went with him everywhere. Later discovering the joys of Lego, he was tremendously proud of his first house, which was completely solid, as in filled with Lego bricks. It wasn't until his sister built a house with walls that created an empty space inside, that it dawned on Lionel, that he really didn't need to fill his house with Lego bricks. Fast forward to present day, where through his wit and charm, not necessarily his skill with a jigsaw, Lionel is proud to be Master Carpenter on the Alumnae Theatre's Così. You may also have seen him as an actor in GuineaPigging (Alumnae) and most recently in The Tale of the Allergist's Wife (Amicus Productions).

JANE CARNWATH*, Director
Jane has worked with Alumnae Theatre for more years than she really wants to admit to, as actor, director, lighting and sound operator, even (once) stage manager. Her most recent directing assignment was for last season's Hedda Gabler. Other productions include Pride & Prejudice, Homeward Bound (Elliot Hayes), two plays by Dave Carley (After You and A View From The Roof), The Gut Girls, On The Verge, The Madwoman of Chaillot, Eleemosynary, Wild Honey and The Art Of Dining. For the York University Drama Department she directed En Pièces Detachées and Jennie's Story. Among other productions she remembers with fondness are Not Wanted On The Voyage and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Jane adjudicates all over Canada, and leads workshops on acting and directing for Theatre Ontario. She recently left her teaching post with the Sheridan College Music Theatre Department, where she taught acting, to concentrate on directing and adjudicating. Currently she's enthusiastically involved in the Alumnae Theatre's New Play Development Group as dramaturg and director.

NATALYA DEMBERG, Producer
Natalya is new to the Alumnae, with Così. being her first attempt to transition from an audience member to a contributor to the creative process. She has immensely enjoyed being part of this production and is looking forward to many more to come!

ELLEN GREEN, Producer
Educated in English and Theatre at York University and the University of Toronto, Ellen taught Drama and Film Studies before finding a home at the Alumnae Theatre. Having worn many different hats for Alum shows including directing, assistant directing and assistant stage managing, Ellen now sports the producing chapeau for the second time. Thanks, cast and crew, working with the excellent Così team has been great fun!

JEN JOHNSON, Movement Coach
Jen Johnson has taught, created and performed across Canada and internationally for over 15 years. Her experience is extensive, having presented drama workshops, creative movement and choreography to all ages with varied levels of dance and theatre training. Jen is known for creating dance theatre pieces that seamlessly meld the elements of theatre and acting with movement. Recently she choreographed a new work for Motus O Dance Theatre, one of Canada's premiere dance companies. Having coached movement on several pieces for Alumnae previously, she is excited and honoured to have the opportunity again!

RICK JONES, Sound Designer
Rick is a regular contributor to sound design at the Alumnae, having created for Sylvia earlier this season. Previously: Hedda Gabler, The Queens, Pride and Prejudice, Lady Windermere's Fan, and Daughter of the House, as well as composing music for his own New Ideas Festival show The Meeting. He has also lent a hand with choreography for Hedda and After Magritte, and has appeared on the Alumnae stage in The Real Inspector Hound, Wit, and Pride and Prejudice, and in many NIF productions. Watch for his Toronto Fringe Festival production Life in the Raw, co-written and directed by Alumnae president and frequent director Barbara Larose, coming in July!

SEEMA LAKHANI, Assistant Director
Seema is thrilled to be back in a directing capacity for the first time since university. It's been an absolute pleasure to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from Jane. Previously she has acted at the Alumnae in You Are Here and The Abortion Monologues. Other past credits include: Arcadia, The Vagina Monologues and sketch comedy troupe, Warm Summer Hotness. Seema would like to thank the wonderfully talented cast and crew for making this such an enriching experience.

BARBARA LAROSE, Producer
Barbara Larose studied theatre at Concordia University and has worked extensively as an actor, director, dramaturge, and acting coach for many years. She has produced several productions for the Alumnae Theatre, including Closer and several seasons of the New Ideas Festival. Barbara is proud to be the current President of the Alumnae Theatre and is equally proud to have worked as part of the producing team to bring Così to the Alumnae stage. Her next project will be directing, writing and producing Life in the Raw with partner Rick Jones at this summer’s Toronto Fringe Festival.

LOUIS NOWRA, Playwright
Born in 1950 in Melbourne, Mark Doyle renamed himself Louis Nowra when he was in his 20's and his plays began to attract attention. He is now one of Australia's most acclaimed and prolific writers - a playwright (Byzantine Flowers, Summer of the Aliens, Radiance), screenwriter (Map of the Human Heart, The Matchmaker, Così), novelist (The Misery of Beauty, Red Nights) and librettist.
Così, which like the earlier Summer of the Aliens is semi-autobiographical and centres around a character called Lewis (in Nowra's words, “Summer was Lewis at 14, Così is Lewis at 21”) was a huge hit in Australia starting in 1992, and was adapted into a film starring Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, and former Men At Work singer Colin Hay four years later. Nowra wrote the screenplay for the film.

ED ROSING, Set & Lighting Designer
After getting his BA in English/Theatre, Ed studied Design at Yale Drama School, then went London to Central School of Arts and Crafts in the UK. Since then he has done everything but act . . . including TV sets, resident lighting designer for Act 2 Studio, directing at the Alumnae and Scarborough Theatre Guild. Selected favorites: Sweeney Todd (Alexander Singers - lighting), The Madwoman of Chaillot (Act 2 Studio - set and lighting), Of Mice and Men (Scarborough Theatre Guild - nominated for ACT-Co Best Design award), Baby With The Bathwater (Alumnae - set and lighting), Private Lives (Alumnae - director), Hedda Gabler (Alumnae - set), Willow Quartet (Greenwillow Productions at Papermill Theatre - set). Thanks to the awesome people who worked with me on Così to bring vision to reality - Mike V, Lionel, Doug, Bill, Cathy, Michael Spence and our incredible Margot.

MARGARET SPENCE, Costume Designer
Margaret has taken many off-stage roles at the Alumnae Theatre over a fifty-year association, but none exercise her creative bent as much as costume designing. Always up for period work, most recently she created a 1930's esthetic for Hedda Gabler (2010); and 19th century fashions for the 21-member cast of Pride and Prejudice (2009). Prior to that, her designs were seen in Noël Coward's Private Lives in 2008 and Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan (2007).

PONA TRAN, Assistant Stage Manager
Pona is currently a student at the University of Toronto Scarborough specializing in Arts Management with a focus on the performing arts. She also teaches violin. In 2010, she was a supernumerary for the Canadian Opera Company where she played a prostitute in their production of Carmen. She now interns for them in the Education and Outreach Department. This is her second show with Alumnae (the first was The Trojan Women in January) and she is very much enjoying working with so many wonderful people.

*With the permission of Canadian Actors Equity Association.

ALUMNAE THEATRE COMPANY
70 Berkeley Street
Toronto, Ontario • M5A 2W6
Phone: 416-364-4170
Email: contactus@alumnaetheatre.com

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