A Look at Speed-the-Plow

Luis Fernandes, Jesse Ryder Hughes and Jenny Westoby in the Parkdale Players’ production of David Mamet’s Speed-the-Plow. Photos by Tom Sokalski.

A Hint of the West

A clip from the Parkdale Players’ production of True West featuring Christian McKenna, Scott Walker, and Conall Pendergast.  Directed by Luis Fernandes.  Videography by Tom Sokalski.

True West Photo Gallery

Christian McKenna, Scott Walker, and Conall Pendergast in the Parkdale Players’ production of Sam Shepard’s True West, directed by Luis Fernandes.  Photos by Tom Sokalski.

Speed-the-Plow Premieres Tomorrow

Jesse Ryder-Hughes, Luis Fernandes, and Jenny Westoby star in David Mamet’s Speed-the-Plow starting tomorrow, June 14, at the Unit 102 Theatre in Toronto.

Hollywood power brokers Bobby Gould and Charlie Fox are hungry to impress the studio head with their next big blockbuster. High on their expectations of success, Bobby bets that he can seduce Karen, his new secretary. But Bobby’s about to get more than he bargained for: Karen has a few plans of her own, and she just might change Bobby’s life forever. It’s the story of a man ambushed by the warring forces of sex, friendship, and love – all under the perpetual stink of money.

Shows run nightly at 8pm June 15-19 and June 22-26, 2010.  Admission is $15, $12 for students.

All shows take place at The Unit 102 Theatre, 46 Noble St. Unit 102 in Toronto, just west of Queen West & Dufferin.

See the production Arts Notebook Montreal called “a great play” and was a pick of the week in The Hour.

For more, please visit us on Facebook.

Plow Shares

Please be aware that there are two productions of Speed-the-Plow running in Toronto, both starting on June 15!  (For the confused: some info about the other one).

The Parkdale Players’ production runs at the Unit 102 Theatre and stars Luis Fernandes, Jesse Ryder-Hughes, and Jenny Westoby, and is directed by Conall Pendergast.  It ran previously in Montreal.

Get full info on the PP production here, and visit our Facebook page here.

True West: The Final Night!

Catch the final show of True West tonight, June 5, at 8pm at the Unit 102 Theatre.

The bristling, intense production has been electrifying audiences and receiving nightly standing ovations.  Scott Walker and Christian McKenna deliver explosive performances as two brothers locked in a violent showdown.

Co-starring Conall Pendergast and Christina McLain, directed by Luis Fernandes, assistant directed by Katie McTavish.

Don’t miss this great show!

“… clear, funny, naturalistic. It’s also opaque, terrifying, surrealistic. If that sounds contradictory, you’re on to one aspect of Shepard’s winning genius; the ability to make you think you’re watching one thing while at the same time he’s presenting another.”

- The San Francisco Chronicle

True West enters Second Smash Week

Christian McKenna and Scott Walker return for a second week of shows.  Catch True West playing nightly at 8pm from June 1-5 at The Unit 102 Theatre.

“Shepard’s masterwork…. It tells us a truth, as glimpsed by a 37 year old genius.”

– New York Post

♣ ◊ ♣

True West premieres Tomorrow

The Parkdale Players’ inaugural production, True West, premieres tomorrow, Tuesday May 24, at 8pm at the Unit 102 Theatre in Toronto.

Sam Shepard’s harrowing drama tells the tale of two brothers locked in perpetual struggle who stagger towards a violent confrontation between art and money, society and freedom.

Shepard’s masterwork . . . It tells us a truth, as glimpsed by a 37 year old genius.

– The New York Post

“It’s clear, funny, naturalistic. It’s also opaque, terrifying, surrealistic. If that sounds contradictory, you’re on to one aspect of Shepard’s winning genius; the ability to make you think you’re watching one thing while at the same time he’s presenting another.

– The San Francisco Chronicle

Christian McKenna and Scott Walker star.  The Unit 102 theatre is located at 46 Noble St., Unit 102, just west of Queen and Dufferin streets in Toronto (map).  All shows are $15, $8 for students.

The Parkdale Players announce 2010 season

This summer, eight emerging artists from different theatrical backgrounds will come together to present a season of intimate, raw, and engaging theatre in Toronto’s most eclectic neighbourhood.

The Parkdale Players are adopting the recently renovated Unit 102 Theatre, dubbed a Rising Star venue by Now Magazine, to showcase three hard-hitting, actor-driven plays: Sam Shepard’s True West, Patrick Marber’s Closer, and, fresh from a successful run in Montreal, David Mamet’s Speed-the-Plow.

Taking a collaborative approach borne from experiences with the Column 13 Actors Company, the Parkdale Players will engage the community with intense and gripping plays in an up-close and intimate setting.

Prepare for a summer of unforgettable theatre.

TRUE WEST

by Sam Shepard
Directed by Luis Fernandes
Starring Christian McKenna, Scott Walker, Conall Pendergast, and Christina McClain

Two brothers war over art, freedom, and family in Sam Shepard’s harrowing drama.

True West runs May 25-29 and June 1-5, 2010

SPEED-THE-PLOW

by David Mamet
Directed by Conall Pendergast
Starring Luis Fernandes, Jenny Westoby, and Jesse Ryder Hughes

Pulitzer Prize Winner and two-time Academy Award nominee David Mamet pulls no punches in this vicious ride through the highs and lows of the American film industry.

Speed-the-Plow runs June 15-19 and June 22-26, 2010

CLOSER

by Patrick Marber
Directed by Brandon Thomas
Starring Dave Lafontaine and Scott Walker

Two London couples engage in the ultimate game of partner swapping and self-destruction.

Closer runs September 22-25 and September 29-October 1, 2010

All shows start at 8pm
$15/$12 students