LO (OR DEAR MR. WELLS) Explores Uncomfortable Territory In Sex And Power

Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells) is a daring two-hander that asks whether an intimate relationship with glaring power imbalances can be anything but coercive. It depicts a relationship between a 15-year-old high school student and her English teacher, exploring questions of consent, sex and power. Written by Toronto-based playwright Rose Napoli, it was nominated in 2018 for a Dora Award for Best New Play, highlighting Napoli's unflinching honesty in difficult territory. It is on the GCTC main stage with two previews on April 30 and May 1 and an opening night on May 2. It runs until May 17, 2019.

Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells) stars two of Ottawa's most beloved actors: Geoff McBride (Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet) and Erica Anderson (Gracie). The production reunites Anderson and GCTC's Artistic Director, Eric Coates (Gracie, The Virgin Trial), who directs the play.

This is a play that demands a sensitive, skilled cast, and Coates could not be happier with the pairing of Anderson and McBride: "The material in this play demands a strong chemistry despite the large age gap of the two actors. Erica and Geoff are working on a highwire, of sorts, as they navigate the difficult emotional territory of their characters' relationship. I am humbled every day by their work," says Coates.

The play follows a young high school student, Laura (Anderson), and her English teacher, Alan Wells (McBride), as they fall into a dangerous sexual relationship. The story is told through the eyes of a now 25-year-old Laura as she looks back on what she thought at the time was love, critiquing her past from a feminist perspective.

After a wildly successful premiere in Toronto and subsequent production in Halifax, Lo is poised to make an impact in Ottawa. Reviewers have praised playwright Rose Napoli's skill as a playwright and noted the play's importance.

To ensure that the sexuality in the play is handled with the utmost sensitivity, respecting the boundaries of the actors and the audience, Megan Piercey Monafu has joined the team as Intimacy Coach. A relatively new role in the theatre world, intimacy coaches create choreography for sexual content and ensure that the safety of the actors is prioritized.

Performances begin at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Saturday performances take place at 4:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Sunday matinee performances begin at 2:00 p.m. There is a pay-what-you-decide performance on Sunday, May 5 at 2:00 p.m. and a post-performance talkback will take place on the main stage on Thursday, May 9.

Tickets are on sale now at GCTC's box office at 1233 Wellington West at Holland, 613-236-5196 or GCTC.ca. Regular ticket price range: $42 to $58; Rush Tickets $15 for students; $33 for adults.

Tickets can be purchased in person from the GCTC Box Office after noon on the day of performance. Valid student ID required for Student Rush.