ALICE THE MAGNET Comes to Toronto

Jay Turvey directs Alice the Magnet, an unsettling new comedy by Erin Courtney about a self-help guru whose vision for Utopia is threatened by an increasingly popular Trump-like demagogue. The Canadian Premiere of Alice the Magnet begins previews on November 28 at The Commons Theatre.

Starring in Alice the Magnet are acclaimed Shaw Festival ensemble members Catherine McGregor as a beloved self-help guru and her protegé, played by Julia Course, whose dog-eat-dog dogma finds viral levels of success that rivals and attempts to undermine her teacher. Jeff Irving and Cameron Grant play Alice's disciples and staff, who devote themselves to making Alice's visions a reality.

Christine Urquhart's design contrasts the emptiness of everyday corporate spaces against the vibrancy of Alice's vision for a utopian society, while Paul Sportelli's original music navigates these two worlds with meditative new age synths and chaotic string arrangements inspired by Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Mikael Kangas' lighting design illuminates the precarious relationship between follower and foe, conjuring adoring fans or an angry mob at the flick of a switch.

Alice the Magnet is on stage from November 28 to December 9 (opening November 29). Tickets are available online at www.theatreanimalco.com and at the door, $25 for the public, $20 for Arts Workers.