The Segal Celebrates 10 Remarkable Years in its 2017-2018 Theatre Season

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts announced today a stellar lineup of programming for its 2017-2018 Season. In this year of celebration across Canada, and here at home with Montreal's 375th anniversary, the Segal is also observing important milestones of its own.

As the Centre enters its 50th year in the community and its 10th season since becoming the Segal Centre, it has planned an exciting season of must-see theatre that will have audiences reflecting on the past, reveling in the present, and fired up about the future. In pursuit of the Segal's mission to bring the best new musical theatre to its stage, the season will feature an adaptation of a classic Quebec story about one of our city's greatest passions, and the English language premiere of a tale drenched with classic songs that shines new light on two international icons. As well, the season will present thought-provoking, world class theatre to Montreal audiences with four plays, including a Tony Award-nominated hit that takes a look at one of history's most fascinating leaders portrayed by the outstanding Tovah Feldshuh.

"It is an honour to mark this milestone by continuing to bring you first-class theatre that audiences have come to expect from us. We are especially proud of where we've come from and we salute all the audiences and artists who have come through our doors. My hope for the 2017-2018 season is that every theatre experience is meaningful, enjoyable, and shared with someone special," says Artistic and Executive Director Lisa Rubin.

A Beloved Story Brought to Life as a New Musical Extravaganza!

The Segal is proud to have commissioned the world premiere of the musical adaptation of Roch Carrier's short story, The Hockey Sweater. The production will pay homage to this treasured Quebec story by reinventing the classic tale into a modern musical for the whole family. The spectacular Canadian creative team includes Book Writer and Co-Lyricist Emil Sher (Hana's Suitcase, The Boy in the Moon, and Beneath the Banyan Tree), Composer and Co-Lyricist Jonathan Monro (Composer of No Matter What, Variations on a Nervous Breakdown, and Music Supervisor on The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz: The Musical), and direction and choreography by Stratford Festival luminary Donna Feore (A Chorus Line, Guys and Dolls). The Hockey Sweater: A Musical will kick off the Segal season on October 19and runs until November 12 as part of the official program of Montréal's 375th anniversary celebrations. See below for the full list of cast and creative team!

2016's Sold Out Smash Hit Returns for a Limited Engagement

The original cast of the Segal's critically acclaimed production of Joshua Harmon's breakout hit Bad Jews returns to the Studio from November 8 to 26. Directed by Artistic and Executive Director Lisa Rubin and starring Jamie Elman, Victoria Diamond, Jake Goldsbie, and Sarah Segal-Lazar, this contemporary piece asks the biting question: what do you choose to believe, when you're chosen?

Masterful and Suspenseful Dramas That Will Leave You on the Edge of Your Seat

The Segal is honoured to present, in association with Black Theatre workshop, Athol Fugard's "Master Harold"... and the Boys, the celebrated Shaw Festival production in association with Obsidian Theatre, on the Mainstage from January 21 to February 11, 2018. First produced in 1982, this play about a young white man's relationship with his two black servants was initially banned in South Africa. It has since become an enduring, modern classic that continues to speak about to inequality and injustice.

Artistic and Executive Director Lisa Rubin will direct the Canadian premiere of JorDan Harrison's Marjorie Prime. This inquisitive contemporary science-fiction drama explores what we would remember and what we would forget, if given the chance. A 2015 Pulitzer Prize Finalist, the play will run on the Segal stage from February 25 to March 18, 2018.

Three Indomitable Women - Two Montreal Premieres

Produced for the first time in English from April 15 to May 6, The Angel and the Sparrow is a new play with music based on the true story of Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich. By Daniel Große Boymann and Thomas Kahry, this intimate portrait of the extraordinary friendship between two international legends features 20 of their immortal hits including "La vie en rose", "Milord", and "Just a Gigolo".

To culminate the season, Tony and Emmy Award-nominee Tovah Feldshuh (her many credits include television'sWalking Dead and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and Broadway's Yentl) will perform the Montreal Premiere of her breathtaking portrayal of one of history's most powerful leaders in William Gibson's Golda's Balcony. Following Golda Meir's journey as Israel's first female Prime Minister, this award-winning play is the longest-running one-woman show in Broadway history.

A Once-In-A-Lifetime Concert Event

The Segal is passionate about celebrating and exploring Jewish identity and culture through the arts. In honour of the centennial anniversary of Federation CJA, the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre will present a special limited engagement of A Century Songbook from November 26 to November 29, 2017. This multilingual celebration through song looks back on one hundred years of Jewish life in Montreal. This exclusive event can be added to your 2017-2018 season subscription for only $45.

In addition, the DWYT will also be bringing back their crowd-pleasing Lyrics & Latkes Chanukah sing-along on December 17, 2017, and the popular Jewish Film Series for 4 Sundays in April 2018. There will also be a staged reading of Sheindele, a DWYT classic play about a young woman's desperate struggle for love and truth, on May 6, 2018.

Go Beyond the Stage

Audience engagement plays a vital role in the Segal Centre's mission. To complement the productions being presented on stage, the Segal will continue to offer the highly attended Sunday @ The Segal pre-show lecture series, an opportunity to explore the history, themes and ideas behind each production, and Monday Night Talkbacks, a post-show chat with the creators and actors of the plays.

Celebrating a Diverse Theatre Community

In addition to our regular season programming, the Segal is a proud artistic resource and hub for Montreal's diverse theatre community of independent and emerging artists from among Montreal's many cultural communities to create, explore and grow.

This season welcomes back guest theatre companies Teesri Duniya Theatre, and Black Theatre Workshop, who will be announcing their programming at the Montreal Indie Theatre Virtual Launch on May 30, and Les Productions Pas de Panique, who will be producing L'ascension by Ariel Ifergan. These exciting productions are sure to speak to a wide-range of interests and points of view.

Broadway Café, the Segal's highly popular open mic night for musical theatre buffs, and Big Broadway Sing-Alongwith Nick Burgess will also return for the season and will feature many exciting special guest hosts from the Montreal musical theatre community. Patrons under 30 can take advantage of getting half off the price of admission by becoming Class Act Cardholders.

The Segal's Academy will continue to offer unique after-school courses for aspiring performers, running from October to May. "Ped Day" programs, performing arts camps, workshops and special events are back due to popular demand to entertain and educate students from grade 2 to 11 when school's out.

The Segal will also be announcing a new concert series this fall.

2017-2018 Theatre Season:

The Hockey Sweater: A Musical

October 19 - November 12, 2017 / World Premiere

Book and Lyrics by Emil Sher Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Monro Based on the short story The Hockey Sweater byRoch Carrier Translated into English by Sheila Fischman Published by House of Anansi Press Directed and Choreographed by Donna Feore Set and Costume by Michael Gianfrancesco Costume Co-Design by Louise Bourret Lighting Design by Luc Prairie Projections by Normal

Starring Gabe Mattka & Alessandro Gabrielli, Claire Lautier, Richard Jutras, Scott Beaudin, Kate Blackburn, Andréane Bouladier, Geneviève Dufour, Jean-François Poulin, BranDon Howard Roy, and Ian Simpson, featuring Drew Davis, Annelise Forbes, Jesse Noah Gruman, Lucas Kalechstein, Jocelyn Mattka, and Berkley Silverman

The story you know and love!

In 1946, Roch Carrier lived for one thing only: hockey. When his favourite hockey sweater-the glorious "tricolore"-becomes tattered and too small, his mother insists he get a new one. But when a mail-order mix-up leaves him dressed in enemy colours, Roch must learn the importance of what's in your heart, even when it's not on your sleeve.

A Segal Centre production presented as part of the official program of Montréal's 375th anniversary celebration

With the generous support from Molson Foundation

With additional support from MUSE

Bad Jews

November 8 - November 26, 2017

By Joshua Harmon Directed by Lisa Rubin Set and Costumes Designer Brian Dudkiewicz Lighting Designer Itai Erdal Sound Designer Dmitri Marine Assistant Director Caitlin Murphy Stage Manager Birdie Gregor Starring Jamie Elman, Victoria Diamond, Jake Goldsbie, and Sarah Segal-Lazar

2016's sold out production returns with the original cast!

When three cousins gather in a cramped Manhattan apartment to mourn the death of their beloved grandfather and fight over a precious family heirloom, they learn there is much more at stake than who gets what. Bursting with crisp, fast-paced dialogue, Bad Jews is an exciting exploration of faith, family and legacy that is as thought-provoking and poignant as it is viciously funny.

A Segal Centre Production

"Master Harold"... and the Boys

January 21-February 11, 2018

By Athol Fugard Directed by Philip Akin Starring James Daly, André Sills, and Allan Louis Set and Costumes Designer Peter Hartwell Lighting Designer Kevin Lamotte Dance Sequences Valerie Moore

The acclaimed Shaw Festival production

Port Elizabeth, South Africa - 1950. 17-year-old Harold does his homework while two black men, who have long worked as servants for his family, clean the floors. As the day unfolds, the three reminisce fondly about times spent together, but when news comes that Harold's alcoholic father is returning home, affections turn to anger, intimacies sour, and the personal becomes political.

The Segal Centre, in association with Black Theatre Workshop, presents a Shaw Festival production in association with Obsidian Theatre

Marjorie Prime

February 25-March 18, 2018 / Canadian Premiere

By JorDan Harrison Directed by Lisa Rubin

2015 Pulitzer Prize Finalist

85-year-old Marjorie, grappling with her fading memories, receives help from a handsome new companion who's programmed to feed only the best stories of her life back to her. But given the chance, what would we remember, and what would we forget? In this wondrous, touching, and clever new play, JorDan Harrison explores the mysteries of human identity, collective family memory, and the limits - if any - of what technology can replace.

A Segal Centre Production / Production Sponsor Delmar

The Angel and the Sparrow

April 15 - May 6, 2018 / English World Premiere

By Daniel Große Boymann and Thomas Kahry English translation by Sam Madwar Based on a concept by David Winterberg

A play with music, featuring 20 immortal hits by two international stars

Based on the true story of Marlene Dietrich and Edith Piaf, two indomitable women of incomparable talent. An intimate and entertaining portrait of a fascinating relationship between two show business giants that were so different yet so much alike. This new musical drama recounts how the amazing friendship of these unforgettable women began under the most unlikely of circumstances and lasted their entire lives.

Featuring 20 of their greatest hits including "La vie en rose", "Milord", and "Just a Gigolo".

A Segal Centre Production / Production Sponsor BMO

Golda's Balcony

May 22 - June 10, 2018

By William Gibson Starring Tovah Feldshuh

The longest running one-woman show in Broadway history!

A riveting portrait of one of the great trailblazing women in history, Golda Meir, and her journey from the pogroms of Russia to the halls of the Knesset, as Israel's first and only female Prime Minister. This award-winning play features four-time Tony® and two-time Emmy® Award-nominated Tovah Feldshuh. This one-woman tour de force promises to be a thrilling, deeply moving and unforgettable night of theatre.

Additional support from the Consulate General of Israel in Montreal

Subscribers Get The Full Segal Experience!

Segal Subscribers enjoy world-class theatre and many outstanding benefits, including free indoor parking, priority seating, free ticket exchange and exclusive savings at the Segal and our cultural partners.

The Segal Centre Young Leaders, a series of nights at the theatre for young professionals, will return. This discounted theatre ticket comes with dinner and a chance to mingle with the leaders of tomorrow.

The Class Act Card offers the under 30 crowd the ultimate flexibility to enjoy theatre at the Segal. For only $80, Class Act Cardholders get four credits that can be exchanged for tickets. On top of $20 tickets, cardholders also receive extra perks like discounts at the bar, savings on additional tickets, access to special contests, and much more!

2017-2018 Subscriptions are now on sale. See all six 2017-2018 productions and save up to $28 per show*!

Purchase a Segal Subscription before June 25th, 2017 for a chance to win your subscription for free.

Individual tickets go on sale August 7, 2017.

*Comparison based on regular full priced tickets vs. senior preview 6 play subscription.

5170 ch. de la Côte-Ste-Catherine

Montreal, Quebec, H3W-1M7

514.739.7944 / segalcentre.org

About the Segal Centre for Performing Arts

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts is a not-for-profit theatre company dedicated to nurturing, producing and presenting world-class English-language theatre and to showcasing the best professional artists from Montréal and beyond. A part of the community since 1967, the organization was reborn in 2007 as the Segal and has expanded to become a nationally recognized venue for the performing arts with a focus on creation, innovation, diversity and cross-cultural collaborations. Driven by a belief in the power of the arts to strengthen and connect communities, the Segal's programming emphasizes original interpretations of popular classic and contemporary works, new Canadian musicals and engaging productions with universal appeal. www.segalcentre.org

About the Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary

The Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary is a non-profit organization whose mission is to organize the festivities and socioeconomic initiatives that will mark Montréal's 375th anniversary in 2017. With a focus on promoting Montréal expertise, it acts as a catalyst for local forces to carry out its mandate: mobilize the community, implement a funding strategy, rigorously manage its financial resources, develop quality programming and ensure the visibility of the celebrations.

The Society receives financial support from the Ville de Montréal, the Québec government and the Canadian government, as well as private funding from 12 Great Montrealers. For more information, see 375mtl.com.

To learn more about the Québec government's contribution to Montréal's 375th anniversary, click here.

 

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