TEATRON Toronto Jewish Theatre presents the winner of the New York Drama Critics' Circle award for best play, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, by Neil Simon at the Toronto Centre for the Arts Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge St., Toronto from November 11 - 22, 2009. A preview matinee performance will be held on November 11.
BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS is the story of 15-year-old Eugene Jerome, growing up in Brooklyn in 1937, fantasizing about becoming a baseball star while observing, in his witty, perceptive and funny way, his family's way of living and rising to the challenges that face them with pride, spirit and a marvellous sense of humour.
Ari Weisberg, TEATRON Theatre's Artistic Director, couldn't be more thrilled. "For years, I've wanted to produce BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, which I consider one of Neil Simon's best plays," he says. The New York Drama Critics' Circle agrees with this assessment, by giving the play the Best Play of the Year Award.
This play also marks several firsts for TEATRON Theatre, which is now in its seventh season. The group has newly joined the Toronto Centre for the Arts as a resident theatre company, having previously made its home at the Leah Posluns theatre. And for this inaugural production, TEATRON Theatre will also for the first time be collaborating with award winning art photographer Orah Buck for a multi-media presentation during the run of BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS. In this innovative partnership, Buck will present her exhibit examining the real-life Brighton Beach at the lobby of the theatre, to allow playgoers to learn more about the world of the play.
Buck's exhibits have toured different countries around the world. The current exhibition explores New York's Brighton Beach neighbourhood, a place where waves of immigrants have made their homes over the years. In photographs and video, she chronicles the changing atmosphere and nature of the neighbourhood.
Ari Weisberg, Artistic Director of TEATRON Theatre, is delighted for this opportunity to feature such an addition to the presentation. "Buck's photographs tell the story of the very same neighbourhood that our play is set in, adding to the understanding and enjoyment of all theatre goers."
The play, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, features an excellent cast of seasoned actors: B.J. Jeroy, Jeanette Tyzer, Nicole Fairbairn, Laella Saffer, Vanessa Graymason, Jordan Cohen, and Arnie Zweig. Several of the names will be familiar to TEATRON theatre-goers from such shows as CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FATHER, while others are new to TEATRON as we continue our goal of bringing you the best talent from across the city.
TEATRON Theatre, now in its seventh season, produces plays from Canada and the world's communities, unveiling the treasures of Jewish tradition, enriching and inspiring the Jewish experience of all theatregoers, leading to better understanding and harmony, while maintaining Jewish values.
Ari Weisberg, founder and Artistic Director of TEATRON Theatre, has a rich and varied career in theatre and television. His directing and design credits include THE MELVILLE BOYS, MURDER AMONG FRIENDS, THE AFFECTIONS OF MAY, THIS NIGHT, THE CHOSEN, THE SISTERS ROSENSWEIG, HOME OF THE BRAVE, THE TENTH MAN, THE GOD OF ISAAC, CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FATHER, CHAIM'S LOVE SONG, A GLIMPSE OF THE LIGHT and THE DYBBUK. A graduate of Queen's University, Ari spent 18 years directing and producing for television in Kingston, ON.
Performances:
Preview Wednesday November 11, 2009 at 1 pm.
Opening night Wednesday November 11, 2009 at 8 pm.
Runs evening performances at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm (dark on Friday) till November 22, 2009.
Ticket prices for mid-week and matinee performances are $29 -$34, saturday night show tickets are $33 - $44. To purchase tickets visit the Toronto Centre for the Arts box-office, call by phone 416-781-5527, or visit www.teatrontheatre.com.
