It’s hard to catch every great show that comes through town, right? And sometimes you don’t even pick up on the hype until it’s too late and you’ve missed your chance. Well, the Gladstone Theatre’s Black Box Set Theatre Festival is all about second chances! They’re bringing you a few of the best one-act plays that toured this earlier year.
Here’s what the festival has in store:
Vernus Says SURPRISE was a huge hit at the 2012 Ottawa Fringe Festival. It won Best of Fest for its venue, as well as Outstanding Original Work. You can click through the link below to see what our reviewers Matthew Champ and Allan Mackey thought of it. [Spoiler Alert: They liked it.]
Vernus Says SURPRISE
by Ken Godmere
December 27 & 28 at 8pm, December 29 & 30 at 2pmVernus comes home to Ottawa after a sold-out national tour.
Vernus is an 89-year-old man who never gets the chance to speak. Today, he is determined to find the perfect gift for his granddaughter - even if he has a little trouble getting there. Vernus Says SURPRISE explores the experiences of the elderly in social and family relationships. In our busy, noisy, fast-paced world, sometimes it is the quietest characters who share the most.
Vernus Says SURPRISE is a comedy/drama/clown/mime adventure written and performed by Ken Godmere, directed by Rideau Award nominee Tania Levy. With a soundscape featuring the voice talents of 19 prominent Ottawa actors.
Production Ottawa’s review of Vernus Says SURPRISE at the 2012 Ottawa Fringe Festival
10 Minutes with Ken Godmere (Creator-Performer, Vernus Says SURPRISE)
Second on the list is a variety show and New Year’s Eve party:
Paul Hutcheson: New Year’s Eve
Featuring Paul Hutcheson, Sharon Nowlan, Jillian Thomas & Rachelle Elie
December 31 at 8pmSpend New Years Eve with Paul Hutcheson and friends…
Comic Paul Hutcheson and burlesque performer Sharon Nowlan, creators of the popular and provocative Canuck Cabaret, which has been produced across Canada and the United States, bring their particular mix of dance/monologue/cabaret/ performance. On New Year’s Eve, Paul and Sharon will be joined by dynamic performer Rachelle Elie and Comedian Jillian Thomas.
It’s New Years Eve: the Gladstone Theatre bar will stay open after the show, and into the new year.
And for those that survive New Year’s Eve parties, there is Jayson McDonald’s latest one-man show:
Underbelly
by Jayson McDonald
January 2-5 at 8pmA fevered hallucination inspired by the life and work of William S. Burroughs and The Beats. From the creator of Giant Invisible Robot, Boat Load and Gunpowder.
Individual tickets for each show are $20; $15 for students/artists/Gladstone subscribers. To purchase tickets, please contact the Gladstone Theatre via their website, phone 613-233-4523 or in person at the box office at 910 Gladstone Avenue.
Other Media
The Beat Machine (Review of Underbelly) (Visitorium)
(If you know of any press not listed here, leave us a comment or send us a note.)
What do you think? Have you or will you see the show? Tell us in the comments below.
Preview article prepared by Reena Belford with information and image from the Gladstone Theatre website.
