English-Language Première of Québecois Play MAESTRO Comes to The Gladstone Theatre

Plosive Productions presents the Ottawa premiere(s) of Maestro in English and en français at The Gladstone Theatre

The Gladstone's 2016-17 season concludes with an orchestral flourish as Plosive Productions presents the English-language première* of Québécois playwright Claude Montminy's hit comedy, Maestro, from May 25 to June 10, 2017, that hilariously depicts the offstage antics of members of the NAC Orchestra.

Directed by l'homme de théâtre Gilles Provost (former Artistic Director of Théâtre de l'Île), this new production will be performed by an illustrious trio of Ottawa-Gatineau actors Manon Lafrenière, Serge Paquette, and David Whiteley (last seen in The Gladstone's critically-acclaimed Finishing the Suit), alternating in both English and French.

"I learned of the living legend that is Gilles Provost the day after I moved to Ottawa, 20 years ago," says Whiteley, Co-Artistic Director of Plosive Productions. "Not only does he have an amazing six-decade career under his belt, he's one of those rare artists who bridges the English/French divide.

It's a thrill to finally be directed by him-in both languages, no less! And what better way to do it with a production that's at once an English-language première and a first French-language show for The Gladstone! On top of all this, it will be Gilles's last show before retiring, and it's a true honour for Plosive Productions to work on this, his parting gift."

The NAC Orchestra's principal second violin is gunning to be concertmaster, and invites her eccentric new conductor to her home to convince him to promote her, but the Maestro has something else in mind. To make matters worse, her ex-boyfriend composer shows up and insists on making himself a third wheel for the tête-à-tête. How low will they stoop to conquer the Maestro?

Gilles Provost (Director): In 1948, at the age of 10, Gilles Provost got hooked on theatre by a play in English-a language he couldn't speak or understand! But the audience reactions, alternating between laugher and tears, gave him a passion for theatre. A professional artist since 1958, he alternates between acting and directing: 10 seasons at the NAC followed by serving as Artistic Director of Théâtre de l'Île 1976 to 2007. Gilles is proud and happy to present, in both English and French, this comedy by Claude Montminy.

Manon Lafrenière has been treading the boards for over 30 years, having played over 2000 performances at the Théâtre de l'Île, the Théâtre des Lutins, Zazou and the Compagnie Marc Chartrand. She has appeared on screen in Magalie et Compagnie and is delighted to make her Gladstone debut.

Serge Paquette has been an actor, writer, director and theatre prof for over 40 years, over which time he has founded four summer theatres. He has acted in many Government of Canada videos as well as for Bell, Hydro Québec and many television commercials. He created and performed 'Zazou le magicien clown' with his own show on TVA for three years.

David Whiteley: Well known to Gladstone and Ottawa audiences as an English-language performer, David first dipped a toe into performing in French in the late 80s and has continued to do so in various performances in Montreal and a US tour of La Farce de Maître Pathelin. He is thrilled that this dual-language staging lets him present the English-language première of Montminy's farcical take on NACO shenanigans, while at the same time making his Ottawa début in "la langue de Molière".