UNHOLY Returns For Limited Engagement Live At Zoomer Hall

Following two hit runs as part of Nightwood Theatre's 2016/17 and 2017/18 mainstage seasons, Diane Flacks' Dora Award-nominated Unholy will be remounted in an exclusive return engagement from November 16-18, 2018, live at Zoomer Hall (70 Jefferson Ave.) in Liberty Village. Unholy will be shot in front of a live studio audience for an upcoming special on VisionTV, Canada's only multi-faith, multi-cultural television channel available in over 10 million homes.

Inspired by the YouTube debates of Christopher Hitchens, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and other pundits, Unholy sets up a similar conceit, where four female panellists face off in a wild, whip-smart public debate about religion and misogyny, posing the loaded question "Should women abandon religion?" With opinions flying from a progressive Muslim lawyer, an Orthodox Jewish spiritual leader, an excommunicated Catholic nun and a lesbian atheist pundit, Unholy delivers a hilarious, no-holds-barred look at contemporary women in organized religion.

Kelly Thornton, Artistic Director of Nightwood Theatre, says, "It's thrilling to perform the conceit of this "live debate" in front of an actual live studio audience and for them to see, up close, the making of Unholy for Vision TV. Right after seeing Unholy at Buddies in Bad Times, Moses Znaimer came on stage and suggested the idea to me. We agreed that the content was perfect for VisionTV and it's such an exciting opportunity for all of us!"

Nominated for a Dora Award for Outstanding New Play, Unholy is ultimately about love and asks its audience to envision a world beyond differences. Peering into the private lives of the characters in scenes outside the debate, Flacks exposes the tension between our private and public lives. With a brilliant ensemble led by Diane Flacks and joined by Bahareh Yaraghi, Niki Landau, Barbara Gordon, and Blair Williams, Unholy is "Brilliantly acted...at times moving and, at others, surprisingly steamy." - Kelly Nestruck, The Globe & Mail

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

Diane Flacks is an Emmy, Gemini and Dora Award nominated writer/performer, known for her theatre work, TV writing (Working the Engles for NBC, Baroness Von Sketch, Workin' Moms and Kids in the Hall for CBC), her featured columns in the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail, as well as her regular national CBC radio column on parenting. Diane has a long history of play development and performance with Nightwood Theatre, and Unholy marks her third production with the company (along with Random Acts and Bear with Me). Other noteworthy playwriting and performing credits include Waiting Room (Tarragon Theatre), and the award-winning Sibs and Care, co-written with Richard Greenblatt (Tarragon Theatre). Flacks' work is celebrated for confronting difficult issues with her unique brand of honesty, edge and humour.

Original designers for the theatrical production of Unholy include Lighting Design by Bonnie Beecher, Music and Sound Design by Richard Feren, Set and Costume Design by Lindsay C. Walker, Wardrobe Coordination by Christine Urquhart and Projection Design by Laura Warren.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Friday, November 16 at 7:00pm
Saturday, November 17 at 2:30pm and 7:00pm

Sunday, November 18 at 7:00pm

TICKETS: $25 + service fee, available at universe.com - Search 'Unholy' or click here:

https://www.universe.com/events/unholy-live-at-zoomer-hall-in-liberty-village-tickets-toronto-DBHZQY

For more information on Unholy or Nightwood Theatre visit nightwoodtheatre.net