yes theatre completes merger with sudbury theatre centre
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resident choreographer janie pinard, left, artistic and managing director alessandro costantini and associate artistic director ruthie nkut, of yes theatre, were on hand for the theatreÕs 2024 season launch at the sudbury theatre centre in sudbury, ont. on thursday november 9, 2023. john lappa/sudbury star/postmedia network
john lappa
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john lappa/sudbury star
yes theatre unveiled its 2024 season lineup on thursday, along with details of its amalgamation with sudbury theatre centre.
the sudbury theatre centre as a theatre company no longer exists; however, its name remains as yes theatre’s main stage location, one of the two venues yes operates; the second venue being the outdoor theatre space, the refettorio located on durham street.
on oct. 16, the amalgamation agreement drafted between yes and stc was presented to the membership of both entities.
“we had an amalgamation meeting and at that meeting, we discussed the amalgamation agreement and moved to a vote,” said alessandro costantini, artistic director of yes. “it was unanimously accepted, which is really thrilling. we went through some of the successes of the last year and the direction we are going. now we are one unified entity.”
costantini said that in 2023, the theatre generated $1.7 million in ticket sales while drawing 50,000 people to see productions at both of its venues.
in the last two years, the theatre company has seen subscriptions grow from 90 to 500 — and that’s without selling 2024 season passes yet, costantini added.
the last year also provided a creative space for 250 children and teens involved in youth programs, with some graduating to mainstage productions through training and mentorship.
the 2024 season opens march 15 with the play 1939, written by canadian writers jani lauzon and kaitlyn riordan, which tells the story of five indigenous children in a northern ontario residential school.
the season continues with the young company (formerly students on stage) show one small step, a backstage comedy from dora-nominated canadian writers anika johnson and barbara johnson.
then, opening at the refettorio on june 12 is a concert celebrating the music of the beatles, here comes the sun: the music of the beatles.
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july 9 sees the opening of chicago at the stc mainstage, followed by bad hat theatre’s peter pan (aug. 8) and then every brilliant thing (sept. 11), both at the refettorio.
the charles dicken’s classic and tony award-winning musical oliver takes the stage as the holiday show and closes the season starting nov. 21.
the 2024 season, like 2023, is inspired by american pop artist keith haring’s slogan ‘art is for everybody’, which is similar to yes’s belief that ‘life is with people,’ said ruthie knut, associate artistic director.
“we really loved that because it’s not just about doing highbrow avant-garde things, it’s about doing what people love and want to see, and what will create a relationship with the space and cause them to come back,” she said.
costantini said yes is focused on building relationships between the artist, the creative work and the audience.
“this tagline that ‘art is for everybody’ or ‘life is with people’ is really the catalyst for our selections,” he said. “how do we find pieces that engage audiences in a thrilling way and also make them think, question and examine their lives and the context in which we all exist as a community.”
he said the 2024 season features some “really heavy-hitting prominent issues.”
“(the play) 1939 explores the residential school system with themes of indigenous resiliency, reconciliation,” said costantini. “chicago is this big flashy musical but at its core is incarceration and about this insane pursuit of fame that is amplified even more in a contemporary context.
“every brilliant thing is this beautiful piece that principally explores mental health. it is the story of this boy whose mother tries to commit suicide at age seven and in response writes this list of everything that is worth living for. it’s a gentle but life-affirming work and gorgeous meditation as to why life is wonderful.
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“oliver is another one of those fantastic pieces but it’s dickens, who is the master of themes of social politics and socio-economic issues. we are going to do a fiercely contemporary take on oliver, recontextualizing it in its design.”
the adaptation of peter pan is “remarkable” and “wildly inventive”, he said.
costantini said that most importantly, he wants the theatre to be a community space, with artists honing their craft, new work in development and multiple projects simultaneously happening.
for 2024, yes will offer a subscriber-exclusive event: a night on broadway: series. available only to season pass and believer pass holders, the sudbury theatre centre stage will welcome cast members from the broadway casts of book of mormon, mean girls, dear evan hansen, hamilton, caroline or change and more.
season passes are available now and single tickets go on sale nov. 27, all available online through yestheatre.com.
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x: @sudburystar
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