September 18, 2006 -

An NAC English Theatre production in collaboration with the Arraymusic Ensemble (Toronto)

Ottawa -- Sultry dames, wisecracking fellas, a murder, a fugitive and an appointment with destiny! Allen Cole’s brilliant new jazz thriller in the glorious film noir style, The Wrong Son, directed by Peter Hinton, opens at the National Arts Centre English Theatre on Friday, September 22 at 19:30. The Wrong Son runs in the Theatre until October 7, with performances at 19:30 Tuesday through Saturday, and matinees at 14:00 on Saturdays. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at (613) 755-1111, in person at the NAC Box Office, or through the Ticketmaster link at www.nac-cna.ca (a surcharge applies to all purchases made through Ticketmaster.)

Inspired by the film noir novels of the 1940s, writer and composer Allen Cole began working on this exciting jazz thriller almost ten years ago. It took the vision of and resources available to Peter Hinton, in his new position as Artistic Director at the NAC English Theatre, to realize a long-standing dream to bring the sumptuous Canadian musical to the stage. With its lush musical score soaring from songs in the style of classic jazz standards, to the edgier syncopations of more contemporary jazz and points in between and set and costume designs inspired by film noir, the glamour of the 1940s, and the art of Christopher Pratt, and a set that makes the most of the extraordinary size of the NAC theatre stage, The Wrong Son promises to be a truly memorable production and a fitting start to the 2006-2007 season.

The Story:

Ryle Rawlins has returned from the war and is working as a piano player in a dockside bar in Halifax in 1949. His singer girlfriend Maggie has the kind of voice that melts butter. Things are looking up for the couple – the gigs are good, they have a hit song on their hands, and their romance is still sizzling. One dark night, at the end of their set, Ryle’s ex-wife shows up, having left town almost a decade before, and she wants her man back! Before you know it, a murder has been committed and Ryle is thumbing a ride on the highway running from a crime he may or may not have committed.

The hugely talented and eclectic company for The Wrong Son is:

• Tamara Bernier (Mamma Mia on Broadway) as sultry songstress Maggie Lennox;
• Randi Helmers (most recently seen at the NAC in The Danish Play) as one half of the detective duo on the case, Sergeant Douglas (and chorus);
• Martin Julien (playwright of The Unanswered Question featured in the 2006-2007 English Theatre season) as Cornell Tremble II;
• David Keeley (Urinetown in Toronto, Mamma Mia on Broadway) as Ryle Rawlins, our hero;
• Corrine Koslo (Mamma Mia) as Peg Rawlins, troublemaking dame;
• John Millard (of John Millard and Happy Day fame) as the other half of the detective duo (and chorus); and
• Frank Moore (The Drowsy Chaperone, Urinetown) as Mr. Tremble.

The Design team for the project is:

• Dany Lyne (Into the Woods, Stratford Festival), Set and Costume Design
• John (Jock) Munro (NAC/Stratford Festival etc.), Lighting Design
• Peter McBoyle (NAC/Stratford Festival etc.), Sound Design

Jo Leslie, veteran movement director, choreographer, is the Movement Director for this production and John Koensgen, local favourite, is taking on a slightly different role from his normal ones, offstage as Fight Director. Vocal Music Director and principal rehearsal pianist is Richard Evans (Assistant Conductor, Mamma Mia on Broadway), and Ottawa University MFA in Directing for the Theatre candidate Amanda Kellock, is the Assistant to the Director.

Toronto’s acclaimed new music ensemble, Arraymusic, led by Artistic Director Bob Stevenson, Orchestra Music Director for this production, will appear on stage throughout the performance, performing the original jazz score, with new orchestrations by Allen Cole. Members of the ensemble are:

• Bob Stevenson, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet
• Stephen Clarke, Piano
• Blair Mackay, Percussion 2
• Peter Pavlovsky, Contrabass
• Richard M Sacks, Percussion 1
• Rebecca van der Post, Violin
• Amy Horvey, Trumpet

The stage management team for The Wrong Son is headed by Laurie Champagne, ably assisted by Stéfanie Séguin.

For more information about The Wrong Son, to read essays by writer and composer, Allen Cole, hear audio clips of the artists, see design sketches, photos of the set maquette, and to learn more about film noir, visit www.nac-cna.ca/en/theatre and follow the links to The Wrong Son. To learn more about the Arraymusic ensemble, visit www.arraymusic.com. Production photographs for The Wrong Son will be available on September 22 on the NAC English Theatre media page. Just click on the media button at the bottom of the English Theatre home page.

More More More!

• Opening Night Party - Please join us after the performance on opening night, Friday, September 22 for a post-show party with the cast at the luxurious Metropolitan Brasserie, located at 700 Sussex Avenue.
• Hinterview: Join Peter Hinton and guest Allen Cole, writer and composer of The Wrong Son, at the first Hinterview of the season. Saturday, September 23 at 13:00 in the Panorama Room. This event is free
• Talkbacks: in the Theatre Sept. 27 & 28 and Oct. 4 & 5 – remain in your seat following the performance to enjoy a question and answer session with the actors or members of the production team.
• Bartoks: post show bars at the NAC with the artists – Fri. Sept. 29 and Fri. Oct. 6 – Miss the crush in the parking lot, enjoy a glass of wine, and get to know members of the company.
• Don’t forget, the NAC English Theatre Student Club is still taking members!: Join the NAC Student Club on Friday nights. If you’re between 16 and 22 years of age, become a club member and enjoy discounted ticket prices to all the productions, and all kinds of behind-the-scene events. Contact Martina Kuska at (613) 947 7000 ext. 522

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For more information, or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Laura Denker, Communications Officer,
NAC English Theatre
(613) 947 7000 ext. 389
ldenker@nac-cna.ca

Listings information for The Wrong Son

Tickets for The Wrong Son 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 $30.00 to $63.00. 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.)

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 Theatre5 series. The Wrong Son is supported in part by A&E; and Clearwater.

Quick reference listings info.

Running dates:
September 22 to October 7

Pay What You Can:
Monday, September 19, 19:30 (recommended donation $10)

Previews:
Tuesday, September 20, 19:30
Wednesday, September 21, 19:30

School/Senior Matinee:
Wednesday, October 4 at 12:30

Performances:
19:30 Tuesday through Saturday

Saturday matinees:
14:00, Sept. 23; 30 and Oct. 7

Tickets:
from $28.00 to $61.00; Students (with valid student card) may purchase half-price tickets in person at the Box Office.