Centaur Theatre’s forty-eighth season comes to an end with the Quebec premiere of Bed and Breakfast, a new Canadian comedy written by Mark Crawford. The 2015 world premiere at the Thousand Islands Playhouse was an instant critical and box office success.
“Bed and Breakfast hits the all right notes” – Capital Critics’ Circle
In a bold move from urban Toronto to a tiny tourist town, two gay men decide to convert a recently inherited family residence into a Bed and Breakfast. Two actors each play eleven characters—from narrow-minded rednecks and chatty girlfriends to awkward school boys and retirees—as the real estate rat race, reno-hell, and small town prejudices test the couple’s resolve, with more than a few unexpected, comical twists along the way.
“pure magic […] an evening of good hearted fun” – AFreshNewStart.com
“Seeing Bed and Breakfast was a revelation. Not only is it funny, it’s deeply moving and full of surprises”, said Centaur’s outgoing Artistic and Executive Director, Roy Surette. “The story’s fast paced scenes and the actors’ versatility keep spectators engaged and highly entertained. It’s a sweet story with important messages about diversity and acceptance, illustrating that harmony can exist despite prejudice and people’s preconceptions can expand. Introducing a fresh Canadian voice and a play with such heart to Montreal is a win-win-win for Centaur, our patrons and this bright young playwright.”
“wonderfully creative […] the pace never lags” – North Country Public Radio
This is the second of four plays that Mark Crawford has written. He studied at the University of Toronto and Sheridan College and has performed in many theatres throughout Canada. When his first play, Stag and Doe, premiered at the Blyth Festival in 2014 as a second production of it ran simultaneously at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre, Mark considered himself “the luckiest rookie playwright in Canada”[i]. Though trained as an actor, Mark also fostered an interest in writing. “It took several years of working on plays of all kinds to figure out how to tell a story on stage. For me, being an actor was the best training for being a playwright.”
Paul Dunn, who originated the role of Drew in 2015, is the life partner to Mark’s character, Brett, however art imitates life as the two are also a couple in reality. Paul, a National Theatre School graduate who has performed at Toronto’s Buddies in Bad Times and the Tarragon Theatre as well as London Ontario’s Grand Theatre and Theatre New Brunswick, makes his Montreal and Centaur debut with this production.
Ashlie Corcoran, co-founder and Artistic Producer of Theatre Smash and Artistic Director of the Thousand Island Playhouse was the original director of Bed and Breakfast. This remount is directed by Krista Colosimo, who has seven Shaw Festivals to her credit as an actor and was last seen in Montreal at the Segal Centre in The Seagull. Set and costumes were created by Dana Osborne, who has designed for both Shaw and Stratford festivals as well as Soulpepper and Mirvish Productions. Three-time Dora winner who specializes in theatre and dance, Rebecca Picherack, makes her Centaur debut as the lighting designer. Sound design and original compositions were created by six-time Dora winner, John Gzowski. John will be working alongside Centaur’s incoming Artistic and Executive Director, Eda Holmes, in her Shaw production of Dracula this summer. Stage Manager, Michael Barrs, also makes his Centaur debut, and he is assisted by Apprentice Stage Manager, Marissa Ireland.
Media Call: Tuesday April 25th at 12:30pm
Sunday Chat-up: April 30th at 12:30pm prior to the matinée performance and presented in collaboration with the Montreal Gazette. Join Editor in Chief, Lucinda Chodan, in conversation with Anthony Francis Lombardi, English Services Committee President of Gai Écoute, a Canada-wide bilingual helpline and information centre for people concerned with questions related to sexual orientation and gender identity, providing support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their families, friends and co-workers. Admission is FREE and complimentary coffee and biscotti will be served, courtesy of Centaur Theatre’s Season Sponsor, Bonaparte Restaurant.
Talk Backs: From idea to page to stage as well as secrets behind the curtain, the audience have the opportunity to listen to and question playwright/actor, Mark Crawford and co-star, Paul Dunn following the evening performance on Thursday May 11th and the matinée presentation on Sunday May 14th.
Production Dates:
Previews: April 25 & 26 8:00 PM
Opening: April 27 8:00 PM
Evenings: Tues. through Sat. 8:00 PM
Matinées: Sat. and Sun. 2:00 PM
Wed. May 10 & 17 1:00 PM
Dark: Monday – – – – – – –
Closing: Sun. May 21 2:00 PM
