JONNO by Alix Sobler
Presented at Toronto's Next Stage Theatre Festival
Jan 3-14th, 2018 - Factory Theatre Mainspace
An angry comedy about a famous radio personality, the women he assaults, and Mr. Donkey Long-Ears, his only friend. Inspired by recent events, JONNO takes a disturbingly honest look at the violence perpetuated against women, and forces a light onto the men who engage in it. Fuelled by the current conversations on victim-blaming, consent, and how to do feminism ‘right’, JONNO finds the humour and hope in the challenging and the controversial.
Written by Alix Sobler
Directed by Paul Van Dyck
Parmida Vand as Dana
Erica Anderson as Marcy
Glenda Braganza as Bernadette
Alanis Peart as Maureen
Allan Michael Brunet as Mr Donkey Long Ears
Jason Deline as Jonno
Costume Designer: Christine Urquhart
Set Designer: Chandos Ross
Set Supervisor: Echo Zhou
Lighting Designer: Steve Vargo
Composer and Sound Designer: Richard Feren
Producer: Mirka Loiselle
Production Manager: Michael Panich
Stage Manager: Laura Lakatosh
JONNO is produced by special arrangement with THE GERSH AGENCY, 41 Madison Avenue,
33rd Floor, New York, NY 10010
THANK YOU for your support!
|
|
We launched an Indiegogo campaign to help us fund our production of JONNO and financially support the artists involved.
Huge thank you to Tony and Jennifer Barnes, Joan Davies, Echo Theatre, Scott Florence, Judy Haladay, Fran Hunt, Anne Lusby, Amanda Pieda, Patricia Wescome, and 3 anonymous donors for their support! |
Meet the Artists
Alanis Peart - "Maureen"
Alanis Peart is thrilled to return to the Next Stage Festival with Alix Sobler‘s timely and provocative piece, JONNO. Select Theatre Credits include: Next Stage’s Myth of the Ostrich by Matt Murray, Directed by Steven Gallagher; Upper Canada Playhouse’s There’s a Burglar In My Bed; and UK’s Lucy Bailey’s West End Production of Postman Always Rings Twice. Recent TV and Film Credits include: Frankie Drake, Yellow, Workin’ Moms, and Anne of Green Gables.Warm Thanks to all the Rabbits in a Jonno Hat!
Alanis Peart is thrilled to return to the Next Stage Festival with Alix Sobler‘s timely and provocative piece, JONNO. Select Theatre Credits include: Next Stage’s Myth of the Ostrich by Matt Murray, Directed by Steven Gallagher; Upper Canada Playhouse’s There’s a Burglar In My Bed; and UK’s Lucy Bailey’s West End Production of Postman Always Rings Twice. Recent TV and Film Credits include: Frankie Drake, Yellow, Workin’ Moms, and Anne of Green Gables.Warm Thanks to all the Rabbits in a Jonno Hat!
Alix Sobler - Playwright
Playwright and performer Alix Sobler has won the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition and the Canadian Jewish Playwriting Competition, and her plays have been finalists for the O’Neill New Play Conference, the Henley Rose Playwriting Competition and the Jane Chambers Award. She has had work read or produced at the Roundabout Theater Company (New York, NY), South Coast Repertory (Costa Mesa, CA), The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (Winnipeg, MB), the Finborough (London, UK), The Segal Centre (Montreal, QC), Brown Trinity Playwright’s Rep (Providence, RI), among others. Her play Sheltered will have it's world premiere in March at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA. BA: Brown University, MFA: Columbia University. Find more at alixsobler.com. PHOTO CREDIT: Matthew Dunivan.
Playwright and performer Alix Sobler has won the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition and the Canadian Jewish Playwriting Competition, and her plays have been finalists for the O’Neill New Play Conference, the Henley Rose Playwriting Competition and the Jane Chambers Award. She has had work read or produced at the Roundabout Theater Company (New York, NY), South Coast Repertory (Costa Mesa, CA), The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (Winnipeg, MB), the Finborough (London, UK), The Segal Centre (Montreal, QC), Brown Trinity Playwright’s Rep (Providence, RI), among others. Her play Sheltered will have it's world premiere in March at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA. BA: Brown University, MFA: Columbia University. Find more at alixsobler.com. PHOTO CREDIT: Matthew Dunivan.
Allan Michael Brunet - "Mr Donkey Long Ears"
Allan Michael Brunet (Actra/UdA) is a multifaceted artist working in all forms of the performing arts. A versatile character actor, he is also a respected lighting designer, puppeteer, translator, theatre director and improviser. His translations have been performed all over the world and he has toured extensively on the international stage as both performer and designer. Notable roles over the years: King Richard (Richard III, a Company of Fools), The Marquis de Sade (Marat/Sade, Soupcan Theatre), Tom O’Folliard (The Collected Works of Billy the Kid, The Great Canadian Theatre Co.) Mr. Brunet was nominated best actor at the 2017 Hamilton Film Festival for his performance in the comedy short Bully. Allan Michael is excited to be back on the Factory mainstage, he last appeared here in the 2009 Summerworks production of Apricots by Quiptake Theatre.
Allan Michael Brunet (Actra/UdA) is a multifaceted artist working in all forms of the performing arts. A versatile character actor, he is also a respected lighting designer, puppeteer, translator, theatre director and improviser. His translations have been performed all over the world and he has toured extensively on the international stage as both performer and designer. Notable roles over the years: King Richard (Richard III, a Company of Fools), The Marquis de Sade (Marat/Sade, Soupcan Theatre), Tom O’Folliard (The Collected Works of Billy the Kid, The Great Canadian Theatre Co.) Mr. Brunet was nominated best actor at the 2017 Hamilton Film Festival for his performance in the comedy short Bully. Allan Michael is excited to be back on the Factory mainstage, he last appeared here in the 2009 Summerworks production of Apricots by Quiptake Theatre.
Christine Urquhart - Costume Designer
Christine Urquhart has worked as a designer in the UK, Europe, New Zealand and Australia; an itinerant designer seeking to work with incredible collaborators. International favourites include: 'Medea' (Zen Zen Zo), 'The Wholehearted' and 'The Island' (Massive Company/ National Theatre Scotland), Die Fledermaus' (Welsh National Opera), 'Potatostamp Megalomaniac' (Pressure Point Theatre) and 'Call of the Sparrows' (Proudly Asian Theatre). In Toronto: 'Stupid f*cking Bird' (Bird Collective), 'Dancocks Dance' and 'Hogtown' (Hogtown Collective), 'The Good Doctor Holmes' (TPM), 'What Linda Said', 'The Nails,' 'Reality Theatre,' 'Rootless,' and 'Divine' (Summerworks) and 'Grimly Handsome' (Theatre Animal). This year she has designed in feature film; 'Language,' an experimental, multi lingual re-imagining of 'King Lear' and horror film 'Lifechanger.' Her designs have won awards ('Best Newcomer for Design' and 'Best Overall Production') for being a curious and inventive artist.
Christine Urquhart has worked as a designer in the UK, Europe, New Zealand and Australia; an itinerant designer seeking to work with incredible collaborators. International favourites include: 'Medea' (Zen Zen Zo), 'The Wholehearted' and 'The Island' (Massive Company/ National Theatre Scotland), Die Fledermaus' (Welsh National Opera), 'Potatostamp Megalomaniac' (Pressure Point Theatre) and 'Call of the Sparrows' (Proudly Asian Theatre). In Toronto: 'Stupid f*cking Bird' (Bird Collective), 'Dancocks Dance' and 'Hogtown' (Hogtown Collective), 'The Good Doctor Holmes' (TPM), 'What Linda Said', 'The Nails,' 'Reality Theatre,' 'Rootless,' and 'Divine' (Summerworks) and 'Grimly Handsome' (Theatre Animal). This year she has designed in feature film; 'Language,' an experimental, multi lingual re-imagining of 'King Lear' and horror film 'Lifechanger.' Her designs have won awards ('Best Newcomer for Design' and 'Best Overall Production') for being a curious and inventive artist.
Echo Zhou - Set Supervisor
Echo Zhou obtained her BFA at Ryerson University in their Theatre Production Program. Echo is a Toronto based set and lighting designer, and recent received 1st Class Award of the 25th Ukrainian and International Exhibit-Competition of the student thesis works in architecture and fine art for her Set Design The Possibilities directed by Brendan Healy in Ryerson University. Selected Credits: Cake (Theatre Passes Muraille, Lighting Designer), Permanence (Libby Brodie Production UK, Set, Costume and Props Designer), Spring Moon (Mixed Company Theatre), 1979 (Shaw Festival and GCTC, Assistant Set and Lighting Designer), How Black Mother Says I Love You (Trey Anthony Production, Lighting Coordinator), Stupid Fucking Bird (The Bird Collective, Assistant Set Designer), Agency (Yell Rebel, Set and Costume Design Assistant), The Possibilities (Ryerson School of Performance, Set Designer). She is also an associate member of Associate Designers of Canada.
Echo Zhou obtained her BFA at Ryerson University in their Theatre Production Program. Echo is a Toronto based set and lighting designer, and recent received 1st Class Award of the 25th Ukrainian and International Exhibit-Competition of the student thesis works in architecture and fine art for her Set Design The Possibilities directed by Brendan Healy in Ryerson University. Selected Credits: Cake (Theatre Passes Muraille, Lighting Designer), Permanence (Libby Brodie Production UK, Set, Costume and Props Designer), Spring Moon (Mixed Company Theatre), 1979 (Shaw Festival and GCTC, Assistant Set and Lighting Designer), How Black Mother Says I Love You (Trey Anthony Production, Lighting Coordinator), Stupid Fucking Bird (The Bird Collective, Assistant Set Designer), Agency (Yell Rebel, Set and Costume Design Assistant), The Possibilities (Ryerson School of Performance, Set Designer). She is also an associate member of Associate Designers of Canada.
Erica Anderson - "Marcy"
Erica Anderson is an acting graduate of The National Theatre School of Canada currently based in Toronto. Film/TV credits include: The Baroness Von Sketch Show (CBC), MAZ (Another City), 11.22.63 (Warner Bros.) Theatre credits include: Rose in Romeo & Juliet in Fair Verona (Lost & Gone), Young Patsy in Perfect Pie (Cart before the Horse) Upcoming: Gracie in Joan Macleod’s one woman show of the same name at The GCTC in Ottawa, her home ‘town’. When not acting you can find her sewing for her company @start.an.era and beginning to explore playwriting & producing. She hopes Jonno will help keep the volume up on this conversation. @erica_r_a
Erica Anderson is an acting graduate of The National Theatre School of Canada currently based in Toronto. Film/TV credits include: The Baroness Von Sketch Show (CBC), MAZ (Another City), 11.22.63 (Warner Bros.) Theatre credits include: Rose in Romeo & Juliet in Fair Verona (Lost & Gone), Young Patsy in Perfect Pie (Cart before the Horse) Upcoming: Gracie in Joan Macleod’s one woman show of the same name at The GCTC in Ottawa, her home ‘town’. When not acting you can find her sewing for her company @start.an.era and beginning to explore playwriting & producing. She hopes Jonno will help keep the volume up on this conversation. @erica_r_a
Glenda Braganza - "Bernadette"
Glenda is thrilled to be back on stage, working with this talented team and collaborating once again with Paul. Glenda is a theatre, voice, film and television actor with a Specialization in Theatre Performance BFA from Concordia University. Awarded multiple M.E.C.C.A.s (Montreal English Critics’ Circle Award, now METAs) for Best Actress and was included in The Montreal Mirror’s “Noisemakers” list; Glenda has performed on stages throughout Quebec and parts of the Maritimes, in Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver, including a co-production of Don Quixote with the Centaur Theatre and Granville Island's Arts Club. She is a founding member of Metachroma Theatre, a company focused on the normalization of actors of colour on stage. Screen credits include: Saving Hope (CTV), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), American Gothic (CBS), Incorporated (SyFy), Orphan Black (BBC America/Space), Designated Survivor (ABC/CTV) and Schitt's Creek (CBC).
Glenda is thrilled to be back on stage, working with this talented team and collaborating once again with Paul. Glenda is a theatre, voice, film and television actor with a Specialization in Theatre Performance BFA from Concordia University. Awarded multiple M.E.C.C.A.s (Montreal English Critics’ Circle Award, now METAs) for Best Actress and was included in The Montreal Mirror’s “Noisemakers” list; Glenda has performed on stages throughout Quebec and parts of the Maritimes, in Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver, including a co-production of Don Quixote with the Centaur Theatre and Granville Island's Arts Club. She is a founding member of Metachroma Theatre, a company focused on the normalization of actors of colour on stage. Screen credits include: Saving Hope (CTV), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), American Gothic (CBS), Incorporated (SyFy), Orphan Black (BBC America/Space), Designated Survivor (ABC/CTV) and Schitt's Creek (CBC).
Jason Deline - "Jonno"
On camera you’ve seen Jason in the movies X-Men: Days of Future Past, and the cult hit Monster Brawl. He’s also had roles in TV series such as Arrow, Beauty and The Beast and Star Trek: Discovery. Jason cast and voice directed the cartoon series Crack-Duck. A sought after coach, Jason is the creator and teacher of the Find Your Voice workshops, as well as the Voiceover for Improvisers class at The Second City. Soon you’ll hear Jason in both the animated movie Arctic Justice, and as two of the lead roles in the series Chop Chop Ninja.
On camera you’ve seen Jason in the movies X-Men: Days of Future Past, and the cult hit Monster Brawl. He’s also had roles in TV series such as Arrow, Beauty and The Beast and Star Trek: Discovery. Jason cast and voice directed the cartoon series Crack-Duck. A sought after coach, Jason is the creator and teacher of the Find Your Voice workshops, as well as the Voiceover for Improvisers class at The Second City. Soon you’ll hear Jason in both the animated movie Arctic Justice, and as two of the lead roles in the series Chop Chop Ninja.
Laura Lakatosh - Stage Manager
Laura is a Toronto-based stage manager and graduate of University of Toronto. Selected stage management credits include: Brimstone and Treacle (Precisely Peter Productions), Rukmini’s Gold (Red Betty Theatre, Toronto and Hamilton Fringe Festivals), Séance (at Theatre Passe Muraille), Talking Heads (Precisely Peter Productions), Port Authority (Fly on the Wall Theatre), and Hazel (Port Moresby Productions). Laura was also an assistant stage manager for all three productions of The Hogtown Experience (The Hogtown Collective) at Campbell House Museum as well as for Dancock’s Dance (The Hogtown Collective).
Laura is a Toronto-based stage manager and graduate of University of Toronto. Selected stage management credits include: Brimstone and Treacle (Precisely Peter Productions), Rukmini’s Gold (Red Betty Theatre, Toronto and Hamilton Fringe Festivals), Séance (at Theatre Passe Muraille), Talking Heads (Precisely Peter Productions), Port Authority (Fly on the Wall Theatre), and Hazel (Port Moresby Productions). Laura was also an assistant stage manager for all three productions of The Hogtown Experience (The Hogtown Collective) at Campbell House Museum as well as for Dancock’s Dance (The Hogtown Collective).
Michael Panich - Production Manager
Michael is a Toronto based production manager and stage manager and sometimes a light/set designer and an actor, originally from Montreal. He graduated from Concordia University in Montreal with a BFa in theatre in 2008. Since then he has worked throughout Canada and the United States. Previous production management credits include: The Reality of the Impossible Dream, which played at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. 3 Ways to Handle a Telemarketer with Edwin ate the World Productions/The St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival. Selected stage management credits include: Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery with Lighthouse Festival Theatre/Showboat Festival Theatre. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Munsch All Over, Munsch-o-Mania with George Brown Theatre School. Canada in Love, Remember that Song?, The Legend of Dan McGrew with Smile Theatre.
Michael is a Toronto based production manager and stage manager and sometimes a light/set designer and an actor, originally from Montreal. He graduated from Concordia University in Montreal with a BFa in theatre in 2008. Since then he has worked throughout Canada and the United States. Previous production management credits include: The Reality of the Impossible Dream, which played at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. 3 Ways to Handle a Telemarketer with Edwin ate the World Productions/The St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival. Selected stage management credits include: Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery with Lighthouse Festival Theatre/Showboat Festival Theatre. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Munsch All Over, Munsch-o-Mania with George Brown Theatre School. Canada in Love, Remember that Song?, The Legend of Dan McGrew with Smile Theatre.
Mirka Loiselle - Producer
A recent graduate of the University of Toronto, Mirka Loiselle now works in the city as a freelance producer, theatre artist, and illustrator. Mirka is the associate producer of Broadleaf Theatre, a company creating original works based on local, national and global environmental issues. She is also a member of Nightwood Theatre's 2017/18 Young Innovator's Program. Recent producing credits include: Tactile Maladies (Future Theatre Festival), The Chemival Valley Project (Broadleaf Theatre), and What Linda Said (Dr Up Productions, Summerworks Festival).
A recent graduate of the University of Toronto, Mirka Loiselle now works in the city as a freelance producer, theatre artist, and illustrator. Mirka is the associate producer of Broadleaf Theatre, a company creating original works based on local, national and global environmental issues. She is also a member of Nightwood Theatre's 2017/18 Young Innovator's Program. Recent producing credits include: Tactile Maladies (Future Theatre Festival), The Chemival Valley Project (Broadleaf Theatre), and What Linda Said (Dr Up Productions, Summerworks Festival).
Parmida Vand - "Dana"
Parmida is an emerging actor, singer and songwriter. Her favourite areas of theatre include Shakespeare reimagined and new works. She’s excited to be a part of the Toronto premiere of Jonno. Parmida is a graduate of George Brown Theatre School. Her credits include Monsters by Nature (Kindling Collective), A Moment of Silence (Nowadays Theatre), Bite-Sized (Broadleaf Theatre), As You Like It (George Brown Theatre School). Buckle up, it’s gonna be a wild ride.
Special thanks to Debora Joy, Voice Coach.
Parmida is an emerging actor, singer and songwriter. Her favourite areas of theatre include Shakespeare reimagined and new works. She’s excited to be a part of the Toronto premiere of Jonno. Parmida is a graduate of George Brown Theatre School. Her credits include Monsters by Nature (Kindling Collective), A Moment of Silence (Nowadays Theatre), Bite-Sized (Broadleaf Theatre), As You Like It (George Brown Theatre School). Buckle up, it’s gonna be a wild ride.
Special thanks to Debora Joy, Voice Coach.
Paul Van Dyck - Director
Paul Van Dyck is a Toronto based director, playwright, and performer. His work has been produced in the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and throughout Canada. He is a past participant of the Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival and was a National Forum Representative of Quebec for the Playwrights Guild of Canada. He has received numerous awards including; The Revelation Award, Montreal English Critics Circle; Outstanding Direction (Oroonoko), Montreal English Theatre Awards; Best Production (Paradise Lost), New York Frigid Festival; and was named one of Montreal’s top emerging artists by Nightlife Magazine. Paul will next direct the docudrama, When Memories Have Us, at Montreal’s Segal Centre followed by Aradia Ensemble’s opera Erwartung along with his own libretto, The Harvester. With support from the Ontario Arts Council, he is writing a play based on the life of Prime Minister Mackenzie King and has teamed up with Kidoons/WYRD Productions to head the creation of a new theatrical adaptation of Frankenstein.
Paul Van Dyck is a Toronto based director, playwright, and performer. His work has been produced in the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and throughout Canada. He is a past participant of the Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival and was a National Forum Representative of Quebec for the Playwrights Guild of Canada. He has received numerous awards including; The Revelation Award, Montreal English Critics Circle; Outstanding Direction (Oroonoko), Montreal English Theatre Awards; Best Production (Paradise Lost), New York Frigid Festival; and was named one of Montreal’s top emerging artists by Nightlife Magazine. Paul will next direct the docudrama, When Memories Have Us, at Montreal’s Segal Centre followed by Aradia Ensemble’s opera Erwartung along with his own libretto, The Harvester. With support from the Ontario Arts Council, he is writing a play based on the life of Prime Minister Mackenzie King and has teamed up with Kidoons/WYRD Productions to head the creation of a new theatrical adaptation of Frankenstein.
Richard Feren - Composer & Sound Designer
Richard has been composing music & sound designs for theatre, dance, and films since 1992.
Recently: DAUGHTER (QuipTake/Pandemic/Theatre Centre); ASKING FOR IT (Nightwood/Crow’s/Necessary Angel); WAITING FOR GODOT (Soulpepper); CONFEDERATION & RIEL, SCANDAL & REBELLION (VideoCabaret); LITTLE PRETTY AND THE EXCEPTIONAL (Factory Theatre); CAGE (Soulpepper); UNHOLY (Nightwood); THE MAGIC HOUR (Theatre Centre); TOMORROWLOVE (Outside The March); A DOLL’S HOUSE (Soulpepper); THE BODY POLITIC (Lemontree Creations); THE TESTAMENT OF MARY (Soulpepper); LIFE, DEATH AND THE BLUES (Theatre Passe Muraille); THE 20TH OF NOVEMBER (Buddies In Bad Times); 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (Kidoons/Wyrd Productions); THE OTHER PLACE (Canadian Stage). Other: composed scores for six feature films & numerous shorts; won seven Dora Awards; 1999 Pauline McGibbon Award; shortlisted for the 2012 Siminovitch Prize.
Richard has been composing music & sound designs for theatre, dance, and films since 1992.
Recently: DAUGHTER (QuipTake/Pandemic/Theatre Centre); ASKING FOR IT (Nightwood/Crow’s/Necessary Angel); WAITING FOR GODOT (Soulpepper); CONFEDERATION & RIEL, SCANDAL & REBELLION (VideoCabaret); LITTLE PRETTY AND THE EXCEPTIONAL (Factory Theatre); CAGE (Soulpepper); UNHOLY (Nightwood); THE MAGIC HOUR (Theatre Centre); TOMORROWLOVE (Outside The March); A DOLL’S HOUSE (Soulpepper); THE BODY POLITIC (Lemontree Creations); THE TESTAMENT OF MARY (Soulpepper); LIFE, DEATH AND THE BLUES (Theatre Passe Muraille); THE 20TH OF NOVEMBER (Buddies In Bad Times); 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (Kidoons/Wyrd Productions); THE OTHER PLACE (Canadian Stage). Other: composed scores for six feature films & numerous shorts; won seven Dora Awards; 1999 Pauline McGibbon Award; shortlisted for the 2012 Siminovitch Prize.
Steve Vargo - Lighting Designer
Steve is a graduate of the Theatre Production program at Humber College, and his credits as a Lighting Designer include: Wake Up And Smell The Coffee, The Chance, Miss, For The Love Of Pie, Post No Bills, Blue Remembered Hills, The Queen's Conjurer, Old Times (MyTheatreAwards Winner - Lighting Design 2016), The Harvester, The Goat, Of Mice and Men, Twelfth Night, The Bitch of the Baskervilles, Red Light Winter, The Winter’s Tale, Seams, Deepest Darkest, The War of the Clowns, A Midsummer Nightmare, The Julius Caesar Project, The Deliverance of Juliet and Her Romeo, Lady Julie, Teach Me, and Something Unspoken.
Steve is a graduate of the Theatre Production program at Humber College, and his credits as a Lighting Designer include: Wake Up And Smell The Coffee, The Chance, Miss, For The Love Of Pie, Post No Bills, Blue Remembered Hills, The Queen's Conjurer, Old Times (MyTheatreAwards Winner - Lighting Design 2016), The Harvester, The Goat, Of Mice and Men, Twelfth Night, The Bitch of the Baskervilles, Red Light Winter, The Winter’s Tale, Seams, Deepest Darkest, The War of the Clowns, A Midsummer Nightmare, The Julius Caesar Project, The Deliverance of Juliet and Her Romeo, Lady Julie, Teach Me, and Something Unspoken.
@RabbitinHatProd
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
