LSM Newswire

Friday, September 25, 2009

Till We Meet Again, Oct. 16-18 & Nov. 21, 22, at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall


Exclusive & Limited Run! A Must-see Musical!


To see an inspired clip from Till We Meet Again please go to: Till We Meet Again

"Ladies and Gentlemen, you are listening to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation coming to you from the Normandy Roof in Montreal this Tuesday, June 4, 1940. Welcome to 'Music of the Stars', a programme of music, news and light entertainment brought to you by Lucky Strike."

MONTREAL, September 2009 - No onstage sex or violence, but lots of love, hope and connections! The wartime musical production Till We Meet Again offers a true account of how a live CBC-based radio show connected a nation during the uncertainty and emotion of World War II. Based on playwright David Langlois' months of careful research, dozens of interviews with veterans, and analysing old radio recordings and letters, Till We Meet Again authentically recreates life in Canada in the 1940's; much of the dialogue doesn't just ring true, it is true. This musical brings audiences back to an era of live radio entertainment typical of what was presented at the Mount Royal Hotel, starting every night at 8:00 o'clock, Bulova timeĶ.

Directed by Heather Markgraf Lowe and presented in the beautiful Oscar Peterson Concert Hall on Concordia University's Loyola Campus, the outstanding cast includes Pierre Lenoir, Amanda LeBlanc and Marian Siminski, who have been part of the show since it's first incarnation in 2003, Stephanie McNamara, Jane Hackett, Michael Daniel Murphy and Dan Jeannotte.

Split into three acts based in 1940, 1942 and 1944, Till We Meet Again is an historical journey. In each segment the audience experiences an entertaining and honest portrayal of the era through lively songs, dance, and ad jingles, contrasted with live news of the day, reports from the front and actual letters to and from the soldiers.

This timeless production is as relevant today as it was more than 60 years ago. For audience members who have experienced the early 1940's first hand, the story conjures up familiar refrains and heart-warming nostalgia. For those who haven't, Till We Meet Again provides a time capsule that gives insight to what it was like to live in this unique wartime era and spend an exquisite hour lost in radioland.

More than nostalgia however, for David Langlois the currency is palpable in our present day-to-day lives, "We've had young women and men going off to war in Afghanistan for the past 6 years. They have felt the thrill of the voyage there, the fear of the unknown, the terror of combat, the grief of losing a comrade in arms, and the angst, anger and ennui which comes once they return to Canada." He continues, "They too have dealt with families and friends who no longer know them or who don't understand why they jump at the slightest sound."

Heather Markgraf Lowe concurs, "The Canadian people hear of death and injury on the news almost every day and the toll it takes on our military is heartbreaking." Hope, however, is what ties the two eras together. Markgraf Lowe adds another angle connecting the show to today's audiences, "Till We Meet Again is set in the 1940's when thrift was important. I think we have come full circle and our throwaway society has realized that there are serious repercussions to consumerism. We are finally taking a page from their book and again reduce, reuse and recycle."

This production also brings families together as witnessed in the excitement of kids putting their grandparents into a context while watching them sing along to the songs. Till We Meet Again includes performances of nearly 30 of the most popular hits of the 1940's. Each one beautifully evokes the sounds and emotions of the World War II era. Songs like Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and Lilli Marlene instantly bring back the struggle of Canadians trying to make sense out of a world in turmoil. The list also includes: White Cliffs of Dover, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, Bei Mir Bist Du Schn, There'll Always be an England and It's a Long Way to Tipperary; made famous by popular artists including Vera Lynn (whose We'll Meet Again is on Britain's Top 20 again!) and The Andrews Sisters. Filled with songs of romance, comedy, army life and hope, this musical leaves audience members feeling proud and inspired.

The Montreal Gazette named the musical one of the "10 Best Productions in 2005." Theatre Panache's Artistic Director Heather Markgraf Lowe (also founder of Hudson Village Theatre) is thrilled to restage Till We Meet Again, with a 36-performance tour beginning October 16th in Montreal, including a run in Mississauga, Ottawa, Markham and Oakville, before returning to Montreal to close out the tour on November 21st he performances in Ottawa will mark a memorable return to the Canadian War Museum. The all-Canadian cast and creative team will proudly perform there again this year following Remembrance Day. The talented team behind the show includes lighting designer Eric Mongerson, set designer Chris Brown, choreographer Lorna Wayne and costume designer Karen Pearce. Theatre Panache's entire company is excited to travel their home country with the largest tour to date for this professional production.

"The play provides an important message of hope and understanding at a time when despair is again on the rise." - Director Heather Markgraf Lowe

For background info on the play please visit www.tillwemeetagain.ca

Till We Meet Again 8 shows only
Theatre Panache
At Oscar Peterson Concert Hall on Concordia University's Loyola Campus
7141 Rue Sherbrooke OuestĮ(514) 848-4848 oscar.concordia.ca
Tickets available at the box office and from Admission - 514 790-1245 www.admission.com

Showtimes: Oct. 16, 17, Nov. 21 at 8:00 pm
Matinees: Oct. 16, 17, 18, Nov. 21, 22 at 2:00 pm
Regular price: $35-$65, taxes included
Seniors/students: $31.50-$58.50, taxes included
Veterans/military: $26.25-$48.75, taxes included
Group discounts available
(Service charges applicable- save money by purchasing tickets directly at the box office.

Directions (by public transportation or car) as well as the parking map to the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall: http://oscar.concordia.ca/en/index.htm

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