Production Ottawa takes a look at The Secret Mask, running at the Great Canadian Theatre Company.

Written by by Rick Chafe, The Secret Mask kicks off the Great Canadian Theatre Company’s 2012-13 season. It’s a play about an estranged father and son who get to know one another after the father has a stroke. The Secret Mask runs until September 30th.

Actors Paul Rainville and Michael Mancini talk about The Secret Mask along with director Ann Hodges:

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The Secret Mask is the story of an unexpected reunion between a father and his son. George was a toddler when Ernie walked out on his family. Thirty-eight years later, George is contacted out of the blue to come help his father. Ernie‘s stroke left him with aphasia (a speech disorder) and as a result he struggles with memory loss and frequently substitutes words with perplexing and often comical results.

“It’s not often that ‘heartbreaking’ and ‘very funny’ are used together to describe a play. But, that’s the best way to describe Rick Chafe’s brilliant, semi-autobiographical play”, says director Ann Hodges.

The Secret Mask runs at the Great Canadian Theatre Company from September 11th until September 30th. It stars Paul Rainville, Michael Mancini, and Kate Hurman. It was written by Rick Chafe and directed by Ann Hodges. Tickets are $45 with discounts for seniors and students. They can be purchased at the GCTC box office on 1233 wellington or online at gctc.ca

While you’re there, be sure to check out the Fritzi Gallery on the 2nd Floor of the GCTC. The exhibit curated for The Secret Mask (on display Sep 11-Oct 28) features works from sculpter and painter, Bruce Garner.

Sculpture by Bruce Garner, part of the collection on display through Oct 28th at the GCTC.

Ottawa scuplter and painter Bruce Garner knows what it’s like to feel trapped. While his speech is stifled and his ability to move thwarted, he still finds release through his paintings.

Bruce Garner’s work gives us a poignant glimpse into that world of entrapment and a resonation with the play, “The Secret Mask” by Rick Chafe.

“Being trapped in a body is something Bruce shares with the father in this play,” says his wife, Tamaya Garner. “His paintings reflect the torment of an illness that can rob you of your ability to speak or walk.But the irony is that in some ways, Bruce’s work since he became ill has a new depth, a greater sensitivity and great beauty.”