Canadian Stage TD Presents Dream in High Park, a Staycation Destination 6/26-9/6

Beat the recessionary blues with staycation destination Canadian Stage TD Dream in High Park. The popular Toronto summer tradition returns with a new gender-bending staging of William Shakespeare's The Tempest directed by Sue Miner. Dora Award-winning actress Karen Robinson stars as Prospera, the sorceress of an enchanted isle, in this tale of political intrigue, fantastical creatures, magic, comedy and romance. Previews begin June 26; opening night June 30; continuing to September 6, 2009 at the open-air theatre in High Park. Performances run Tuesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. Gate opens at 6 p.m. PWYC Admission at the gate (suggested minimum donation $20). Free for children 14 and under. Family Days at the Dream return Wednesday, July 1 and Sundays throughout the summer with free, all-ages, pre-show activities. For Dream information, contact 416-367-1652 or canstage.com.

Since 1983, over 1.3 million people have visited the Canadian Stage TD Dream in High Park to experience live professional theatre under the stars. The Dream has a long-standing tradition of providing accessible theatre to the public, featuring actors in non-traditional roles and advancing the development of young artists.

The Tempest is widely considered Shakespeare's last complete work. In this production, Prospero becomes Prospera, the banished Duchess of Milan, who develops her mystical powers while stranded on a remote and enchanted island. Using magic to conjure up a powerful storm, she shipwrecks her usurping brother and his accomplices on the island to exact her revenge. Estranged relatives collide and new love grows where hatred and vengeance once reigned.

Joining actor Karen Robinson (Canadian Stage's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Stratford's Harlem Duet and The Duchess of Malfi) as Prospera, The Tempest cast includes Karl Ang (Factory Theatre/Cahoots' The Madness of The Square) as Sebastian, Mark Crawford as Trinculo, Robert Dodds (Canadian Stage's Edward IV, Henry VI, Richard III) as King Alonso, Audrey Dwyer (Second City Touring Company) as Ariel, Tracey Ferencz (Canadian Stage's It's a Wonderful Life, Shaw's The Petrified Forest) as Antonia, Liz Gordon (Comedy Network's new hit sketch series Hotbox) as Gonzala, Jason Gray (Stratford's Macbeth) as Stephano, Ron Kennell (Canadian Stage's Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Romeo and Juliet) as Caliban, Patrick Kwok-Choon as Ferdinand and Taylor Trowbridge (Canadian Stage/Nightwood Theatre's Wild Dogs) as Miranda.

The creative team includes director Sue Miner, set & costume designer Robin Fisher, lighting designer Arun Srinivasan, sound designer and composition Thomas Ryder Payne, stage manager Isaac Thomas, assistant stage manager Sarah Bustard, production/stage management assistant Natalie Ireland, assistant director Jenny Salisbury, mask consultant Mimi Mekler and fight choreographer Daniel Levinson.

Family Days, the free, all-ages, pre-show program for children, parents and family members returns featuring fun-filled activities including a backstage tour of our unique outdoor set, theatre-inspired crafts, games and activities led by actors and an opportunity to meet the cast. Held at the TD Dream in High Park site on Wednesday, July 1, from 4 - 8 pm and Sundays, July 12 through to September 6, from 5 - 6:30 p.m., weather permitting. Registration is required. Contact 416-860-4685 to register.

The Canadian Stage Company is nationally and internationally acclaimed and Canada's leading not-for-profit contemporary theatre company. Founded in 1987 with the merger of CentreStage and Toronto Free Theatre, the Company is dedicated to programming international contemporary theatre and to developing and producing landmark Canadian works which have been awarded some of the country's most prestigious literary and performing arts honours, including the Governor General's, Chalmers and Dora Mavor Moore Awards. The Company presents the richest variety of Canadian and international plays and musicals - from edgy and provocative works at the Berkeley Street Theatre to productions with universal appeal at the Bluma Appel Theatre and a summer of Shakespeare at the TD Dream in High Park. Canadian Stage has a long-standing commitment to education and enhancement programs for the public, nurturing theatre professionals, and developing new Canadian plays, while producing thought-provoking theatre and high quality entertainment in Toronto, one of North America's largest theatre centres. For more information, refer to canstage.com.

TITLE SPONSOR: TD Bank Financial Group

COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAM SPONSOR: The Ontario Trillium Foundation

CONCESSION SPONSOR: Pizza Pizza

CANADIAN STAGE TD DREAM IN HIGH PARK PRESENTS THE TEMPEST

Previews: June 26 - 29; opening night June 30; continuing to September 6, 2009
Tuesday - Sunday at 8 p.m. Gate opens at 6 p.m. (No performances Monday.).

PWYC at the gate. Suggested min $20. Kids 14 + under free thanks to TD. 416-367-1652 or canstage.com

Please note, dogs and smoking are not permitted on the dream site

FAMILY DAYS: Free, all-ages, pre-show activities at the Dream site Monday, July 1, from 4 - 8 pm and Sundays, July 12 through to Sept. 6, from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Registration required. Call 416-860-4685 to register.

LOCATION: High Park at Bloor St. W.+ High Park Ave. Near High Park subway station. Enter park from Bloor St. Follow the road south to Grenadier Café. Continue east on path opposite Café parking lot marked by Dream sign

 

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