Alberta Theatre Projects Closes Its 2018/19 Season On The Button With THE NEW CANADIAN CURLING CLUB

Opening March 5 and running until March 23, Alberta Theatre Projects will present the fifth and final show of its 2018/19 season, The New Canadian Curling Club, in the Martha Cohen Theatre at Arts Commons. Written by Canadian playwright Mark Crawford and directed by ATP's Executive & Artistic Director Darcy Evans, The New Canadian Curling Club is a hilarious and inspiring reminder of what it means to be Canadian.

The New Canadian Curling Club tells the story of Chinese physician Mike Chang (Jonathan Ho), Jamaican Tim Horton's manager Charmaine Bailey (Jenni Burke), South Asian father Anoopjeet Singh (Richard Young), and 17-year-old Syrian refugee Fatima Al-Sayed (Sepidar Yeganeh Farid) who live in a rural Albertan town. In an effort to welcome newcomers to Canada, the community decides to offer a free, "Learn to Curl" program. But when its organizer slips on the ice and breaks her hip, the rink's ice custodian and former champion curler Stuart MacPhail (played by Duval Lang) is forced to step in as head coach. Trouble is, Stuart has some strong opinions about immigrants-opinions he has trouble keeping to himself. What follows is the laugh-out-loud and heartfelt story of a group of unlikely athletes who face off against local prejudice and become a true team.

A comedy that is "very funny... profound and diverse and encouraging" (London Fuse), The New Canadian Curling Club made its world premiere at Ontario's Blyth Festival in 2018, enjoying an extended, sold-out run. ATP is thrilled to welcome Crawford in his debut production with the company. Crawford is well-known across Canada and internationally for his comedic smash hits The Birds and the Bees, Bed and Breakfast, and Stag and Doe. ATP's production of The New Canadian Curling Club marks the show's western Canadian premiere.

With a set designed by Scott Reid (Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, The Last Wife) and lighting by Daniela Masellis, audiences will be quickly transported to the vivid familiarity of a brisk, small-town curling rink. Reid has created a functional strip of curling ice and a concession stand that allows audience members to tour the set, enjoy a drink, and watch curling demonstrations before the start of each performance. ATP's Head of Wardrobe Melissa Mitchell makes her costume design debut with ATP as she brings each character's storied history and personality to life. Peter Moller (Butcher) takes on sound design and music composition for The New Canadian Curling Club, creating a satisfying blend of original music and classic Canadian hits audiences know and love.

Evans is making his directorial debut at ATP following his appointment as the company's Executive and Artistic Director last June. "I'm ecstatic to bring The New Canadian Curling Club to Calgary audiences," says Evans. "The play tells the heartfelt story of a group of unique individuals who find a way to come together as a team, despite their differences. It will leave audiences laughing non-stop in its celebration of friendship and community."

As part of Evans' vision for the company to create immersive theatre experiences for its audience members, The New Canadian Curling Club will feature a pre-show onstage bar set to open one hour prior to each performance. Guests will be encouraged to visit the onstage bar and watch curling demonstrations performed in partnership with curling teams from Calgary and surrounding area. On March 5 and in partnership with Calgary craft brewery Village Brewery, for one night only the production's onstage bar will transform into a Village Brewery popup bar, offering a one-of-a-kind custom beer blend created in partnership with the brewery by the cast members of The New Canadian Curling Club.

Alberta Theatre Projects gives special thanks to Mobility Quotient, the lead sponsor for its production of The New Canadian Curling Club. ATP also thanks Village Brewery and The CB Family of Tim's (Tim Hortons) for their support for this production.

The New Canadian Curling Club runs from March 5 to 23, 2019 in the Martha Cohen Theatre at Arts Commons (215 8 Ave. SE). Tickets are available at www.albertatheatreprojects.com or 403-294-7402.

The New Canadian Curling Club contains some strong language, and is suggested for ages 13+.

Cast (Alphabetical)

Jenni Burke - Charmaine Bailey
Sepidar Yeganeh Farid - Fatima Al-Sayed
Jonathan Ho - Mike Chang
Duval Lang - Stuart MacPhail
Richard Young - Anoopjeet Singh

Creative Team

Mark Crawford - Playwright
Darcy Evans - Director
Constantine X. Anastasakis - Assistant Director
Scott Reid - Set Design
Daniela Masellis - Lighting Design
Melissa Mitchell - Costume Design
Peter Moller - Composition/Sound Design
Lisa Russell - Stage Manager
Amy Lippold - Stage Manager
Sandra Drag - Assistant Stage Manager

Follow the hashtag #ATPCurlingClub on Twitter and Instagram for the latest news about this production.

 

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