Necessary Angel Presents Divisadero: A Performance Thru 2/20

Necessary Angel, in association with The Film Farm, will present Divisadero: a performance from the Governor General's Award-winning novel by Michael Ondaatje; adapted by the author, Daniel Brooks, Liane Balaban, Maggie Huculak, Tom McCamus, Aviva Philipp-Muller, Amy Rutherford, Justin Rutledge and the company. Performances run through February 20 at Theatre Passe Muraille's Mainspace, 16 Ryerson Avenue.

Divisadero: a performance is directed by Necessary Angel's Artistic Director Daniel Brooks. Lighting design is by Andrea Lundy, sound design is by Alexander MacSween and set and costume design is by John Thompson.

Performing in Divisadero: a performance are Liane Balaban, Maggie Huculak, Tom McCamus, Aviva Philipp-Muller, Amy Rutherford and Justin Rutledge - the Juno-nominated musician who has created music specifically for the piece.

Divisadero: a performance tells a story of a family that is forever changed by a single, violent event and examines themes of memory, identity, love and the grip of the past on the present. The production combines music, performance and storytelling, exploring the intimacy between the speaker and the listener, and language's ability to weave a magical spell.

Necessary Angel welcomes Ondaatje's return to the stage with his first full-length work in over two decades since he co-adapted his novel Coming Through Slaughter with the company for its presentation at the Silver Dollar Tavern in 1989. Divisadero: a performance was performed last fall in a series of sold-out workshop presentations under the Working Title When My Name Was Anna.

Divisadero: a performance

Writer: Michael Ondaatje. Director: Daniel Brooks. Assistant Director: Stefan Dzeparoski. Cast: Liane Balaban, Maggie Huculak, Tom McCamus, Aviva Philipp-Muller, Amy Rutherford, Justin Rutledge. Designers: Andrea Lundy, Alexander MacSween, John Thompson. Stage Management: Elizabeth McDermott, Crystal Salverda.

Performances February 8-20, 2011 at Theatre Passe Muraille's Mainspace, 16 Ryerson Avenue

Tuesday-Saturday 8pm, Sunday 2pm

Tickets: Tuesday - Thursday $25, Friday $30, Saturday $35, Sunday Matinee - PWYC

For tickets and more information, visit www.necessaryangel.com/ or call Theatre Passe Muraille Arts Box Office at 416-504-7529 

BIOS:
Liane Balaban | Claire
For Necessary Angel: When My Name Was Anna (workshop, now titled Divisadero)

Other: TV: NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS), Covert Affairs (USA), Abroad (CBC - Gemini Award nomination), Numb3rs (CBS), St. Urbain's Horsemen (CBC), Above and Beyond (CBC), After the Harvest (Lifetime). Film: The Future is Now, The New Tenants (2010 Oscar, best live action short), One Week (Genie Award nomination), Coach, Last Chance Harvey, The Trotsky, You Might as Well Live, Definitely Maybe, Seven Times Lucky, World Traveler, New Waterford Girl (Canadian Comedy Award nomination, Jury Congratulation - Toronto International Film Festival).

Daniel Brooks | Director

For Necessary Angel: Half Life, Bigger Than Jesus, Insomnia, The Eco Show, HardSell, This Is What Happens Next

Artistic Director of Necessary Angel since 2003. Daniel Brooks is a prolific and versatile artist whose innovation and risk-taking have made him a leader within the Canadian cultural landscape. He has worked as a director, writer, actor, producer and teacher. Some of his creations include Red Tape and 86; An Autopsy (with Don McKellar and Tracy Wright); The Lorca Play, House, Here Lies Henry, Monster, Cul-de-sac and, most recently, This Is What Happens Next (all with Daniel MacIvor); The Noam Chomsky Lectures and Insomnia (with Guillermo Verdecchia); Bigger Than Jesus and HardSell (with Rick Miller); The Good Life and The Eco Show. His work as a director includes John Mighton's Possible Worlds and Half Life, Goethe's Faust, Beckett's Endgame and The Drowsy Chaperone. He was the first recipient of the prestigious Elinore and Lou Siminovitch Prize in Theatre for directing. His work has traveled across Canada and around the world.

More Articles by This Author...