True West

True West

by Sam Shepard

February 9– 26, 1006

Raucous, menacing, savagely funny! - Los Angeles Times
True West

“What they don’t know is that each one of ‘em is afraid. And the one who’s chasin’ doesn’t know where the other one is taking him. And the one who’s being chased doesn’t know where he’s going.”

By Sam Shepard
Previews February 07 and 08, Opens February 09, runs until February 26, 2006

Brothers aren’t always alike. Austin is a family man and wealthy Ivy-League graduate; his brother Lee is a desert-drifter and petty thief. Under the scorching California sun, in their mother’s sweet suburban home, they face off. Austin is intent on selling his screenplay to Saul, a big-time Hollywood producer, but Lee is sure that his “true” American Western would suit Saul better. As the brothers battle over their screenplays, downing bottles of whisky, they push each other into a riveting role-reversal, realizing they might not be as different as they once thought.

The explosive foursome, featuring veteran Edmonton actors David McNally, Jeff Page, Maralyn Ryan and, from the hit TV show Corner Gas, Lorne Cardinal, team up with award-winning director Bradley Moss in this wildly funny, yet terrifying glimpse into brotherhood. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Sam Shepard, True West has been heralded as one of Shepard’s most engaging and darkly hilarious plays.

Starring: Lorne Cardinal, David McNally, Jeff Page and Maralyn Ryan
Director: Bradley Moss
Set and Costume Designer: Marissa Kochanski
Lighting Designer: Scott Peters
Sound Designer: Lane Arndt
Stage Manager: Betty Hushlak

READ: History of True West

READ: Getting to Know Sam Shepard

READ: Dramaturgical Notes

READ: Director’s Note

WATCH: Trailer for True West


February 9– 26, 1006

Times
Previews February 7
Opening February 9

CAST & CREW

AUSTIN

DAVID MCNALLY

David is miserable to be back at Theatre Network under Moss’s cruelty. If you think Annie is bad you should try Betty H. as a SM. The only saving grace is the sweet opportunity of working with Nancy on this well-known story. Recent Film/TV credits include, THE SECRET OF THE NUTCRACKER, BLOOD TIES, EMPTY ARMS, and THE ENGLISHMAN’S BOY. Theatre credits include, THE GOAT, TRUE WEST, ANNA IN THE TROPICS, ENIGIMA VARIATIONS and TANGO. After this show, if I survive I promise never to drink & drive in a snowstorm, in Colorado, EVER, (not even if I finish a novel) EVER!

SAUL

JEFF PAGE

Jeff returns to Theatre Network for his seventh collaboration with Bradley Moss. They have previously worked together on HOSANNA, EXCAVATIONS, FOR THE PLEASURE OF SEEING HER AGAIN, LAWRENCE AND HOLLOMAN, PILEDRIVER, and A GUIDE TO MOURNING. For the past three seasons, Jeff has worked at the Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon, where he played Torvald Helmer in A DOLL’S HOUSE, Mr. Dussel in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, and Caliban in THE TEMPEST. Locally, he has recently appeared in SEE HOW THEY RUN at the Mayfield Dinner Theatre, LOVE’S LABOURS LOST, ROMEO AND JULIET, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE and TWELFTH NIGHT with the River City Shakespeare Festival, and will be seen later this spring in PRIVATE LIVES at Northern Light Theatre.

MOM

MARALYN RYAN

A 28-year veteran of the Canadian Stage, Maralyn has appeared across the country from New Brunswick to Victoria. Selected acting credits include: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF and HAMLET for The Citadel Theatre; WIT for Globe Theatre; HOMEWORD BOUND for Grand Theatre and the National Arts Centre; JOY and SHOP AT SLY CORNER for Shaw Festival; LEND ME A TENOR for Manitoba Theatre Centre; THE WOMAN WHO COOKED HER HUSBAND and PRIVATE LIVES for Northern Light Theatre; TRUE WEST and HABITAT for Theatre Network. Ms. Ryan has received 3 Sterling Nominations for Outstanding Performance, and founded the St. Albert Children’s Theatre. This past summer Maralyn travelled to Turnin, Italy where she performed in SHOULD’VE, a play written by Noble Prize winner, Dr. Ronald Huffman. Next up, Maralyn can be seen in A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Citadel Theatre where she will be happily performing with Kevin, Chris and her two daughters.

DIRECTOR

BRADLEY MOSS

Bradley is an MFA graduate in directing from the University Alberta. He joined Theatre Network in 1996 to create the multidisciplinary emerging artist festival – Nextfest. In 2014 Bradley accepted the dual role of Artistic & Executive Director for Theatre Network. Some recent productions include: BED AND BREAKFAST, THE EMPRESS & THE PRIME MINISTER, MINERVA – QUEEN OF THE HANDCUFFS, INFINITY, The Sterling Award Winning Production IRMA VOTH, BUST, GORDON, RED, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ARMSTRONG’S WAR, the Governor General Nominated THE GRAVITATIONAL PULL OF BERNICE TRIMBLE, the Sterling Award Winning LITTLE ONE, DRIVING MISS DAISY, the Governor General Award Winning PIG GIRL, the Sterling Award Winning LET THE LIGHT OF DAY THROUGH, WHERE THE BLOOD MIXES, IN ON IT, MOVING ALONG, TWELFTH NIGHT, PUBLIC SPEAKING, DOG, THUNDERSTICK, BUDDY, ALIAS GODOT, MISERY, CLOSER AND CLOSER APART, the Sterling Award Winning SUMMER OF MY AMAZING LUCK, TRUE WEST, GIRL IN THE GOLDFISH BOWL, HOSANNA, MARION BRIDGE, A SKULL IN CONNEMARA, the Sterling Award Winning glam rock musical HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, and HIGH LIFE.

PRODUCTION DRAMATURG

ELIZABETH LUDWIG

Elizabeth is thrilled to be back at Theatre Network for her second experience as a production dramaturg after last season’s HOSANNA. Recent theatrical credits include directing APOCALYPSO! (Nextfest 2005), and acting in THE TEMPEST (University of Alberta), THE CHRONOLOGUES (Edmonton Fringe), and ART SHOW (Mostly Water). She recently made her film debut in FRAN CHEWS (Last Night Productions), and will be directing HOSPITALITY SUITE at this year’s Fringe. She is currently finishing up her Master of Arts in Drama at the University of Alberta. Thanks to the cast and crew for a great experience, thanks to Bradley for his continued support and mentorship, and thanks to everyone at Network for being so warm and welcoming.

SET/COSTUME DESIGNER

MARISSA KOCHANSKI

Marissa has worked in Edmonton as a freelance set/costume designer for the past twelve years, with over ninety theatrical productions to her credit.  She won a 2004 Sterling Award for her set design of Theatre Network’s Marion Bridge, and a 2004 Bettie Mitchell Award (Calgary) for her costume design of November Theatre’s The Black RiderThunderstick marked her first design for the Persephone stage and she is now thrilled to be back at Theatre Network!

LIGHTING DESIGNER

SCOTT PETERS

“Now is a time to storm; Why dost thou laugh? It fits not with this hour.” Recent Design credits include BED AND BREAKFAST (Theatre Network), EDAY (Serial Collective), Minerva Queen of the Handcuffs (Ghost-writer Theatre), THE EMPRESS & THE PRIME MINISTER, WHAT A YOUNG WIFE OUGHT TO KNOW, INFINITY (Theatre Network), TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, THE WINTER’S TALE, HAMLET, A COMEDY OF ERRORS (Freewill Players), 9-5, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Grant MacEwan University). Scott is resident Production Manager for Theatre Network and Nextfest, and is a founding member of Edmonton band Captain Tractor. “Why, I have not another tear to shed.”

SOUND DESIGNER

LANE ARNDT

An ardent pursuit of music led multi-instrumentalist/composer/improviser Lane Arndt through the usual self-indulgent-guitarist’s development into the post-secondary musical academic process.

Emerging after seven years with a head full of ideas/ideals, a nearly-complete Masters degree in music theory from the University of Western Ontario as well as an undergraduate degree in Jazz studies from St. Francis Xavier University, the last nine years of gestation, assimilation and voracious creative output have formed the heart of Mr. Arndt’s musical focus.

As an everyday composer, player, teacher and producer, Lane Arndt’s commitment to the art, style and practice of music is singularly determined. Ranging from experimental sound design to jazz-/free-improvisational styles to pop/contemporary/indie/roots songwriting, recording and production projects, there is a unique vision of musical development which unites the disparate genres of his interest. Lane Arndt is above all else committed to making music that stirs the imagination, the soul, the intellect and especially the heart.

STAGE MANAGER

BETTY HUSHLAK

Betty is very pleased to be part of the company of WHAT A YOUNG WIFE OUGHT TO KNOW. Betty has stage managed Workshop West Playwrights’ Theatre’s production of CAFE DAUGHTER in Belgrade, Serbia, Herceg Novi, Montenegro, at the sPARK Festival/ Belfry Theatre, Victoria, BC, the National Arts and Cultural Centre, Yellowknife, NWT, and at CANADA SCENE at the National Arts Centre, Ottawa, ON.  Other credits include: producer; WiLDLIFE — a video installation at River Valley Crossing in Edmonton, assistant stage manager; DON GIOVANNI, Edmonton Opera, stage manager for the Alberta Ballet.  She goes onto co-produce and stage manage Conni Massing’s, OH! CHRISTMAS TREE, as part of the Roxy Performance Series this December.

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