The Caucasian Chalk Circle is one of Brecht’s finest works and acknowledged as being one of the great plays of the 20th century. The play is a unique blend of high theatricality, folk storytelling, music and even dialectical inquiry. This production will be the first full production of a new Canadian translation of the play by the award-winning Ross Manson, and has original music by John Millard. The play is directed by guest director Alex Fallis.
The play tells the story of a young woman, Grusha, who finds a helpless child and gradually becomes the child’s ‘mother’. "Brecht asks us to examine our ideas of motherhood, usefulness, and morality through this brilliantly constructed series of episodes, guided by a group of singers who narrate and comment on the story. We meet many memorable characters during Grusha’s journey — among them her questioning fiancé Simon, the imperious Natella Abashwili, and the extremely idiosyncratic judge, Azdak.
Ross Manson’s translation was straightforward, muscular and Canadian, while maintaining the sly wit and love of ambiguity that is an important part of Brecht’s greatness. John Millard’s music was a witty mix of musical languages, with folk, country, jazz, German cabaret and even the Oktoberfest bands of his Kitchener childhood coming together to make a totally individual and wonderful whole.
Winter 2007 Production
Written by Bertolt Brecht, translated by Ross Manson
Directed by: Alex Fallis
Original Score Composed by: John Millard
Performances: March 15-17, 22-24, 2007
Venue: Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages Building
Cast
Michael Albert (Singer, Rider, Cook, Peasant Husband, Monk, Farmer)
Whitney Allen (Grusha Vachnadze)
John Cormier (Bert, Shalva, Lavrenti, Fugitive, Blackmailer)
Lynne Craven (Singer, Woman Trader, Child 3)
Amy Cruickshank (Margaret, Natella Abashwilli, Invalid)
Gordon Ford (Michael, Child 1)
Jason Garramone (Man, Soldier 1, Yussup)
Nathanael Gibbs (Governor, Trader 1, Shauva)
Garth Graham (Doctor 1, Architect 2, Young Soldier, Party Peasant, Nephew, Lawyer 2)
Julie Kern (Singer, Nina, Dust Covered Rider)
Michael Klein (Simon Chachava, Fight Captain)
Peter Mabrucco (Walter, Kazbeki, Corporal, Man of Old Couple)
Anna McWebb (Michael, Child 1)
Jessica Rose (Singer, Young Servant, Child 2, Farmer 3)
Marc Rowley (Singer, Stableman, Servant, Party Peasent, Irakli)
Karen So (Woman, Maro, Party Peasant, Old Woman, Woman of Old Couple)
Johnny Trinh (Singer, Azdak)
Jocelyn Urquhart (Young Woman 2, Soldier, Person with Milk, Party Peasant, Trader 2, Movement Coach)
Aimee Villapando (Young Woman 1, Doctor 2, Architect 1, Aniko, Person with Limo, Lawyer 1)
Sarah Widmeyer (Ruth, Peasant Wife, Party Peasant, Farmer 2)
Courtney Wilson (Elisabeth, Masha, Mother-in-law, Doctor)
Musicians
Cheryl Duvall - Rehearsal pianist / keyboard
Peter Mabrucco - Accordian
Evan Mitchell - Conductor / Percussionist
Corey Rempel - Tuba
Magda Tomsinka - Banjo / Guitar
Creative Crew
Director - Alex Fallis
Musical Director - Anne-Marie Donovan
Fight Director - Joel Harris
Production Manager - Scott Spidell
Set Designer - William Chesney (Assisted by Scott Spidell)
Costume Designer - Jocelyn Sobeski
Lighting Designer - Andrew Lakin
Sound Designer - Fraser Smith
Production Crew
Stage Manager - Amy Tait
Assistant Stage Managers: Shelby Barker (Wardrobe), Michelle Horel (Props), Brenda Pilatzke (Book)
Production Manager - Melissa Runhart
Carpentry: Gill Lesperance (Staff), Michael Albert, Garth Graham, Alisha Kocher, Derek Lindman, John Wideman, Leonard Zgrablic
Wardrobe: Calla Churchward, Dan Christofori, Kelly McNeely, Nick Peppiat, Jocelyn Urquhart, Janna Youngblut
Props/Scenic Painting: Kendra Marr (Paint Head), Jessica Moore (Props Head), Miranda Francis, Montgomery Martin, Ciaran Myers, Heather Muir, Amy O'Grady, Aimee Villapando
Lighting: Steven Chen (Head), Peter Mabrucco, Lexie Mitchell, Katrina Sauve,Travis Sewchan, Carly Verhoeven
Publicity: Robin Atchison (Staff), Keriece Harris, Sarah Widmeyer
Sound - David Couture
Production Dramaturgy
Website: Miroki Tong (Head), John Cormier, Jason Garramone, Rachel Kelly, Alisha Kocher, Monty Martin, Aimee Villapando, Media Outreach, Narsa Chelluri, Dan Cristofori, Gil, Garratt, Derek Lindman
Program: Melissa Runhart (Head), Michael Albert, Shelby Barker, Carina Gaspar, Jenna Kennedy, Wendy La, Alex Lekawski, John Wideman
Lobby Display: Michelle Foster (Head), Emily Howard (Head), Julie Kern (Head), Larissa Koniuk, Whitney Allen, Kendra Marr, Steven Chen, Kelly McNeely, David Couture, Amy O' Grady, Steve Ferraro, Brenda Pilatzke, Garth Graham, Ryan Stickney, Michelle Horel, Jocelyn Urquart
Media Outreach: Narsa Chelluri, Dan Christofori, Gil Garratt, Derek Lindman
Special Thanks
Richard Greenblatt