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Centaur Theatre Company is proud to present the world premiere of With Bated Breath, a new play by Bryden MacDonald, author of Divinity Bash/Nine Lives, The Weekend Healer and Whale Riding Weather. 4/21-5/24
With Bated Breath is the sensual and provocative tale of Willy (Michael Sutherland-Young), a troubled but charismatic gay kid who flees Cape Breton Island for Montreal with the hopes of forgetting a newly broken heart. He finds momentary comfort with the denizens of the city's red light district, but soon goes missing without a trace. Willy, in one-way or another, has had a profound effect on the lives of the other characters. His presence lingers.
As rumors fly, secrets explode, and reality blurs with fantasy, Willy is both remembered and reinvented by his friend and protector, Esta (Sarah C. Carlsen); Float (Éloi Archambaudoin), the jaded young stripper who takes him under his wing in Montreal; Camilla (Felicia Shulman), the small-town gossip with a few secrets of her own; Bernie (Neil Napier), a man running from his past, and his wife, Ricotta (Danette Mackay), a flamboyant and outspoken fading party girl whose on-the-rocks relationship takes a drastic turn after they invite Willy into their home.
Imbued with equal measures of wit and warmth, MacDonald proves to be a master at merging the pedestrian with the highly theatrical. Richard Ouzanian of the Toronto Star said, "If Tennesee Williams were from the Maritimes and writing today, he'd sound a lot like Bryden MacDonald'. MacDonald, also a director and teacher, is the creator and director of theatrical interpretations of the words and music of Leonard Cohen - SINCERELY A FRIEND (Neptune, Belfry), Carol Pope & Rough Trade - SHAKING THE FOUNDATIONS (Buddies In Bad Times), and Joni Mitchell - WHEN ALL THE SLAVES ARE FREE (GCTC). Some of his other directing credits include CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, WHAT THE BUTLER SAW, SEDUCED, ENTERTAINING MR. SLOAN (Neptune Theatre); PERFECT PIE (GCTC); FIRE (Lighthouse Festival Theatre); OF THE FIELDS, LATELY (Live Bait); THE BUSINESS OF LIVING (Mulgrave Road); GLACE BAY MINERS' MUSEUM and ALBERTINE IN FIVE TIMES (Theatre Antigonish). He also coaches students at The National Theatre School, and conducts workshops regularly. Works in progress include, a new play, RESOLUTIONS FOR THE END OF TIME; and a collection of very short fiction, GAMBLE GAMBLE DIE.
With Bated Breath is directed by Bryden MacDonald and Roy Surette. The set and costume designs are by James Lavoie with lighting design by Spike Lyne and sound design by Peter Cerone. With Bated Breath is stage managed by Todd Bricker with apprentice stage manager Stephanie Link.
