Martha Rose Productions to Stage Canadian Premiere of Neil LaBute's MISS JULIE

New York Magazine described Neil LaBute as, "the most legitimately provocative and polarizing playwright at work today." Tony and Olivier Award nominee LaBute, transports Miss Julie from August Strindberg's Sweden of the late 19th Century, to a Long Island estate, the idyllic playground of the wealthy, on the night of Labor Day, 1929. Set on the eve of the Stock Market Crash, Miss Julie reflects a world of possibilities, ambitions and opportunities to be taken to achieve the unthinkable.

Martha Rose Productions (MRP) has secured rights for the Canadian premiere of Mr. LaBute's work. Rafaela Lewis the Founder/Artistic Director of MRP, explains the choice of this adaptation: "After deciding that our first production would be Miss Julie, I read every version I could get my hands on. Neil's adaptation is so compelling, because it actually manages to enhance Strindberg's work. By setting the play in 1929, John has returned from fighting in WWI and is in fact, far worldlier than Julie. Also, there is an air of recklessness, youth and celebration in the piece, that contrasts beautifully with the impending Stock Market Crash."

Ms. Lewis returned to her native Toronto in 2014, after studying for three years in the 12- time Tony Award-winning Atlantic Theatre Company's Professional Conservatory program (NYC). She notes, "Atlantic is all about making your own work, and I want to emulate that model. As Millennials, we are about doing things for ourselves." As proof, this dynamic company of young artists is presenting this masterpiece, about social mobility and personal ambitions, set in a time of optimism and financial uncertainty. These themes parallel their own aspirations and they are championing their cultural values to exert the influence of their generation. "MRP is taking responsibility and risk into its own hands", says its founder.

Tim Chisholm directs Miss Julie, and it is co-produced by Ms. Lewis and Trevor Jablonowski. Mr. Jablonowski and Mr. Chisholm, both graduates of the UofT/University College Drama Program, are founding members of Shakespeare at Play, an innovative App that marries classical Shakespearian text with modern video, allowing users to experience the plays as full performances.

The cast are three exciting, accomplished, up and coming performers: Ms. Lewis (as Julie), and Ryerson Theatre School graduates Dan Mousseau as John (credits include Hamlet for Shakespeare at Play) and Jade O'Keeffe as Kristine (credits include 4th Line Theatre and Music of the Night: A Tribute to Colm Wilkinson).

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