September 07, 2005 -

Ottawa -- Make summer last a little longer with After the Orchard, the funny, reflective, quirky new play by acclaimed Canadian playwright Jason Sherman.  This world premiere production, is directed by outgoing NAC English Theatre Artistic Director, Marti Maraden in her final directorial project as Artistic Director.  Ms. Maraden will step down as Artistic Director of NAC English Theatre at the end of October 2005.  After the Orchard runs September 15 to October 1 (Preview September 14), with performances in the NAC Theatre at 19:30, Tuesday through Saturday.  Saturday matinees on September 17, 24 and October 1 begin at 14:00 and a student/senior matinee will take place on Wednesday, September 28 at 12:30.

Inspired by the playwright’s love of Chekhov and by his desire to write a very personal play, After the Orchard is at once a tribute to its namesake The Cherry Orchard and a beautifully contemporary departure from the original.  The play, commissioned by the National Arts Centre English Theatre, centers around the intimate negotiations that take place within a Toronto Jewish family, when a decision has to be made about whether or not to sell the family cottage near Peterborough.  Perceptive, elegant, funny and very touching, this play is a timely, eloquent look at family, fathers and farewells.

Critically acclaimed playwright Jason Sherman's plays include Remnants (A Fable); An Acre of Time; It's All True; Patience; Reading Hebron; The Retreat; and Three in the Back, Two in the Head. He has received the Governor General's Literary Award for Drama (and been nominated three other times) and the Chalmers Canadian Play Award (twice, along with three other nominations). Sherman’s work is uncompromising, challenging, and driven by an unerring sense of dialogue and theatricality. His plays, always political to some degree, encompass characters rarely seen in today's drama, characters who face the tough questions, the big issues, and the difficult journeys many dramatists shy from. In the words of the late Canadian theatrical legend, Urjo Kareda, "The theatrical vitality of Jason Sherman's plays starts from the sheer size of his central characters: the size of their desires, the size of their imagination, the size of their intelligence."

NAC Artistic Director Marti Maraden has assembled a fine cast of twelve actors from across the country to bring the play very much to life.  Ellen David plays Caroline, Paul Dunn plays Jeremy, Jerry Franken plays Jack, Peter Froehlich plays Len, Carolyn Hetherington is Aunt Faye, Niki Landau is Donna, Nicola Lipman plays Rose, Patrick McManus is David, Michelle Monteith is Trish, Harry Nelken is Morris, Alex Poch-Goldin is Sasha and Philip Warren Sarsons is Andrew. 

Christina Poddubiuk is the designer for this beautiful production set in cottage country.  John (Jock) Munro has designed the lighting, Peter McBoyle is the sound designer and Abebe Addis is the Assistant Director.  Laurie Champagne Stage Manages with Assistant Stage Manager Jane Vanstone Osborn.

The Artists are available for interviews.  Please contact NAC Publicist Laura Denker at coordinates below to make arrangements.

After the Orchard was commissioned and developed by the NAC English Theatre's Play Development Programme.  The NAC is committed to the development and production of new Canadian works, and we do this in English Theatre through a national programme of commissioning, dramaturgy, workshops and readings with both established and emerging playwrights.  Later in this season, the NAC will stage another world premiere production, Greg MacArthur's Recovery.  The Play Development programme is made possible in part by donations to the National Arts Centre Foundation.

Subscriptions to the NAC English Theatre Main Stage series are on sale now. Redeem your ticket stub for After the Orchard to enjoy a discount on great theatre all year long.

Tickets for After the Orchard are available at the NAC Box Office in person or through Ticketmaster at (613) 755-1111, and on-line through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s web site at www.nac-cna.ca  (a service charge applies to all purchases made through Ticketmaster). Students (with a valid student card) may purchase half-price tickets at the NAC Box Office only. Ticket prices are from $28.00 to $61.00.  Full-time students ages 13 to 29 should visit the Live Rush™ page online at www.liverush.ca to find out how to obtain Live Rush seats ($10.00) available on a first-come, first-served basis after 18:00 on the day of performance (2hrs. before a matinee performance.

NEW for 05/06 – NAC English Theatre is proud to offer two special subscription programmes for younger audiences attending the Mainstage Series.  The new Student Club, held on the first Friday of each play is designed specifically to enrich the theatre-going experience of 16-22 year olds.  Also new this season – 20-29 year-olds can sign up for Twenty-Somethings Friday Nights Out and enjoy significant savings on tickets and on dinner at Darcy McGees Pub on Sparks Street.  For more information on these programmes, please contact Martina Kuska at (613) 947-7000 ext. 522.

NEW for 05/06! Groups of 10+ save 15% - 20% off of the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances, to reserve your seats call 947-7000 ext. 384 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca

The NAC English Theatre is pleased to have The Ottawa Citizen as its media partner for the English Theatre Main Stage 2004-2005 Season.  This production of After the Orchard is made possible in part by gifts from the NAC Donors’ Circle.

After the Orchard-  Listings Info.

• September 15 to October 1 (Preview September 14).  No performances Sundays or Mondays
• NAC Theatre
• 19:30 Tuesday through Saturday; Wednesday matinee for schools and seniors at 12:30, September 28
  Saturday matinees 14:00, September 17, 24 and October 1
• Tickets available at NAC Box Office in person; through Ticketmaster 755-1111 or on-line through Ticketmaster link www.nac-cna.ca
• Tickets from $28.00 to $61.00; Students (with valid student card) may purchase half-price tickets in person at the Box Office.

Other activities related to After the Orchard are:

• Pre-Show Chat – An informal discussion before the Saturday Matinee performance – Saturday, September 17 at 13:00 in the NAC Panorama Room  Guest Speaker: Marti Maraden, Director
• Thursday Talkbacks –  A Post-Performance Question and Answer session with performers - Thursday, September 22 and 29
• Shop Talk – Subscribers Only – Behind the scenes gathering with members of the production team or artists.  Sunday, September 24 at 14:00 in Rehearsal Hall B at the NAC.
• NEW!  Student Club – Ages 16-22.  Friday, September 17.  For info. Call (613) 947-7000 ext. 522

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For more information contact:
Laura Denker, Publicity and Media Relations Coordinator,
NAC English Theatre
(613) 947 7000 ext. 389;
ldenker@nac-cna.ca