After bringing quality original theatre to Ottawa and Canada for a decade, Gruppo Rubato is celebrating their ten year anniversary with the world premiere of Snapshot, written by Karen Balcome and directed by Patrick Gauthier.
From their official press release:
Gruppo Rubato first appeared on the Ottawa theatre scene in 2002. Since that time the creation-company has premiered eight original productions, toured across Canada, produced and co-produced cabarets, readings, fundraisers, and small festivals, and received multiple awards and accolades, including a “Best New Creation” Prix Rideau Award in 2007. In 2012, we are still going strong, creating challenging, contemporary theatre by Ottawa artists. As part of our 10th anniversary celebrations Gruppo Rubato is thrilled to announce the world premiere of their newest creation: Snapshot, written by Karen Balcome, and directed by Gruppo Rubato Artistic Director Patrick Gauthier, playing at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre Studio Theatre for one week only from September 25-29, 2012.
Seventy-five year old Dalton and his 19 year-old granddaughter Charlie don’t see eye to eye. Facing the loss of a loved one, they find themselves thrown together and forced to confront their lives in crisis. Journeying between the humourous but tense negotiations of their two different generational worlds colliding, and the intimate, desperate dreamscapes of the characters’ imaginations, Snapshot follows Dalton and Charlie’s search for new meaning in their lives in a story about crossing divides and finding a connection where you least expect it.
“I’m thrilled to be producing Snapshot as our 10th anniversary production,” says Artistic Director Patrick Gauthier. “Karen is an important emerging local writer, and I’m honoured to be able to bring her story to life. Ten years ago we founded Gruppo Rubato to produce the work of emerging artists - ourselves. A decade later, I’m proud to provide Karen with the same opportunity. It’s a testament to not only how far we’ve come in ten years, but the entire Ottawa indie theatre community.”
Says Balcome: “With Snapshot, I wanted to explore a family whose members are separated by generational norms as much as by family dynamics laden with fear, heartache and mistrust. I was inspired by strong figures in my life who have been models of an older generation that continue to learn, love and take on new challenges as they age, as well as by observations of my own generation, taking on the difficult struggle to maintain the passion and purpose of youth in the face of the realities and responsibilities of an adult world. The play looks at how these two experiences could speak to each other and searches for their way to tell a new story. The results were funny, challenging, moving and often surprising. “
Snapshot features some of Ottawa’s best known artistic talent, headlined by audience favourite Peter Froehlich as Dalton, and also featuring Salamander Theatre for Young Audiences Artistic Director (and recent Prix Rideau Award nominee) Kate Smith, and newcomer Teddy Ivanova as Charlie. Set and costumes are designed by Sarah Waghorn, with Pierre Ducharme (lights), Andrew Alexander (projections and photography) and Chantal Hayman (stage manager) rounding out the crew.
“It’s a great creative team,” Gauthier continues. “I’ve known Peter for over a decade - in fact, he was my first professor at Ottawa U when I was an undergrad - and he’s been attached to the project since the first public reading of the script. His passion for Karen’s work is evident; audiences are going to be wowed by his performance.”
Snapshot is being presented in limited run - one week only from September 25-29 - so book your tickets in advance through the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre Box Office: 613.236.5196. Tickets are on sale now.
What do you think? Have you seen any of Gruppo Rubato’s previous shows? Will you be getting out to Snapshot? Let me know in the comments below.
Other Press
The Production Ottawa Review for Snapshot (plus audience rating)
Snapshot by Gruppo Rubato (Capital Critics Circle)
The Picture of Dalton and Charlie (Visitorium)
SNAPSHOT - Still Time Needed for Development (APT 613)
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