Israel Horovitz’s
My Old Lady
Directed by Daniel Roussel

April 23 - May 14, 2006

Horovitz’s valentine to Paris

MONTREAL April 2006 – In a year that sees The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre working in partnership with three respected theatre companies, The Segal’s AD, Bryna Wasserman, is pleased to conclude this English theatre season in collaboration with La Compagnie Jean Duceppe. “This opportunity to work with La Compagnie Jean Duceppe and such venerated artists from the Francophone side as Daniel Roussel, Béatrice Picard and Marthe Turgeon, as well as welcoming back Chip Chuipka, is an especially rewarding relationship,” she says.

In My Old Lady, Mathias Gold arrives in Paris from New York, intent on starting a new life by selling his recently inherited apartment. However, he discovers that his father has bequeathed the highly valued apartment to him complete with perpetual tenants: the wily and very commanding ninety-something, Mathilde and her headstrong daughter, Chloé. Mysteries and histories unravel when these three learn how radically lives can change in one short week as events from the past unfold to affect the present. Here, themes of compassion, forgiveness and loss are expertly woven into a funny, poignant and moving drama.

Director Daniel Roussel is based in Montreal and Paris. He has worked extensively in theatre and television, both in English and French, with many international credits to his name. Mr. Roussel is taken by the depth of the script. He elaborates, “What is given to us by fate might hide a better surprise than that which is obvious.”

La Compagnie Jean Duceppe, one of the most important theatres reaching the largest audience in Quebec, is looking forward to this first-ever collaboration with The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre. Permanently housed at Place des Arts in Théâtre Jean Duceppe, the company also tours the province. They are known for their award-winning productions of mostly contemporary dramatists.

The strong cast is made up of Chip Chuipka as Mathias Gold (last seen as Krogstad in The Segal’s A Doll House), Béatrice Picard as Mathilde Giffard (a distinguished Québec actor, she is also the French voice of Marge on The Simpsons) and Marthe Turgeon as Chloé Giffard (a highly sought-after performer for many of this city’s companies). The inspired creative team bringing this grand-style Paris apartment to life comprises set designer John Dinning, costume designer François Barbeau, lighting designer Spike Lyne, sound designer Rob Denton and props designer Normand Blais. Stage management includes Elaine Normandeau and Merissa Tordjman.

88.5 CBC Radio One proudly presents Sunday-@-the-Saidye with Israel Horovitz
Join us for another season of intimate conversation and riveting lectures as The Segal excitedly welcomes award-winning playwright, screenwriter and director Israel Horovitz, who will speak about his play My Old Lady and his life in the theatre. Beginning just a few short years ago, Sunday-@-the-Saidye has evolved into a must experience event. Make Sunday mornings a day to really look forward to in the weekly calendar.

Monday Night Talkbacks presented by Pratt and Whitney Canada
As usual following the play, some of the actors and/or designers will remain on stage to take questions from the audience. Monday Night Talkbacks provides an intimate opportunity for audiences to engage up close and personal with the personalities bringing first class professional English language theatre to Montreal. Combined with lower rates for this evening, Monday night performances have become an outstanding package that true theatre buffs cannot resist.

Tickets and Media Information:

Previews: April 23 1:30 pm
April 24, 25, 26 8:00 pm

Sunday-@-the-Saidye: April 23, 11:00 am

Opening Night: Thursday, April 27, 8:00pm

Run: April 23- May 14

Performances:
Monday-Thursday, 8:00pm
Saturday, 9:00pm
Sunday, 7:00 pm
Matinées: Wednesdays, 1:00pm / Sundays, 2:00 pm

BOX OFFICE: (514) 739-7944
5170 Cote St. Catherine Rd.
Admission 790-1245 www.admission.com