How it Works presented by Touchstone Theatre and Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad
By Cynnamon Schreinert on February 20, 2008 - 4:33pm
Touchstone Theatre and Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad presents the Western Canadian premiere of Daniel MacIvor’s play How it Works, directed by Touchstone’s Artistic Director Katrina Dunn. Al (Andrew Wheeler) is a cop whose teenage daughter (Anna Cummer) is hitting the drugs hard. It's not an ideal time for dating, but after a messy divorce from Donna (Katharine Venour), he needs a new start. Christine (Kerry Sandomirsky) arrives in his life with an antidote to all things ordinary, and some strange medicine for the girl with the angry heart. In this delicate puzzle of a play MacIvor approaches the family with characteristic honesty and inventiveness. The picture that emerges combines deeply human moments with East Coast humour and a surprising rethinking of themes we know well. Touchstone’s production brings some of Vancouver’s finest actors and designers to the interpretation of this important new work.
"…heartfelt, funny... beautifully crafted drama."
— The Chronicle Herald, Halifax
”…wise, witty and warm family drama, shot through with insights about the human condition.”
— The Toronto Star, Ontario
Playwright Daniel MacIvor is one of Canada's most distinctive and celebrated theatrical voices. His plays have been presented and acclaimed internationally, and have won a gamut of awards in Canada, the US and Europe including the Governor General's Award for Drama in 2006. His solo works are well known to Vancouver audiences and include House, Here Lies Henry, Monster, and Cul de Sac. Recently the Arts Club Theatre premiered his critically acclaimed play His Greatness, loosely based on Tennessee Williams.
How it Works is directed by Touchstone’s Artistic Director Katrina Dunn and features four of Vancouver’s top theatre actors; Anna Cummer (Hecuba, Having Hope at Home), Kerry Sandomirsky (Life After God, The Wars), Katharine Venour (Shadowlands, St. Joan) and Andrew Wheeler (Homechild, Gypsy). Set Design for How It Works is by Yvan Morissette, lighting design by John Webber, costume design by Sheila White, sound design by Paul Moniz de Sá and Joanne P.B. Smith as stage manager.
How it Works runs from February 29 to March 9 at Performance Works (Tues – Sat 8pm, Sat & Sun 2pm). Tickets are $26 adults, $24 seniors, $20 students from Tickets Tonight at 604-631-2872 or visit www.ticketstonight.ca.
Special Performances include:
Thursday 28 February - Free Performance - tickets at the door, first-come first-served
Friday 29 February - Opening Night
Saturday 1 March, 2pm - Two-for-One - all tickets $13, includes service charges
Sunday 2 March - Pre-show BMO Director’s Chat 3:15pm
Tuesday 4 March - Post-show BMO Talkback
How It Works also runs from March 12 to 15 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. Shows are 8pm Wed-Sat, with a 2pm matinee Sunday March 15. Tickets are available for $25 adults, $20 seniors/students, and $12 youth 15 & under from the Shadbolt Centre. Call 604-205-3000 for tickets.
