Cat on Hot Tin Roof, The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre- Oct. 26- Nov. 16

October 26- November 16, 2008

"You know we just got to love each other an' stay together, all of us, just as close as we can, especially now that such a black thing has come and moved into this place without invitation."- Big Mama

MONTREAL October 2008- The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre is excited to offer this anticipated production marking the third chapter of the Segal mounting the great plays of Tennessee Williams. Beginning with A Streetcar Named Desire, a historic first co-production with Soulpepper Theatre Company, it continued with Chris Abraham's award-winning production of The Glass Menagerie. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is Williams' iconic tale of passion and dispassion in the heat of a 1950's Southern night, where poetry, bourbon and desire hang in the air. Directed by the much-respected Greg Kramer.

In this story, Brick, the former star athlete, and his wife Maggie 'The Cat', have returned to his father's Mississippi cotton plantation to celebrate the ailing Big Daddy's birthday. Daughter-in-law Maggie fights to save her marriage to the alcoholic and despairing Brick who blames her for his best friend's suicide. Rivalry and intrigue flourish as the conflict escalates over who will finally gain control over the property. Through all the bickering and fighting, Big Mama tries desperately to hold onto whatever happiness and dignity the family still possesses. However, a storm of confrontations is brewing, and she is powerless to stop it.

Subjects such as cancer and the idea of "mendacity" reverberate through the lies told to protect and ease each other's pain. Societal rules of conduct are examined, as the old world explodes against the new. Kramer sees this mirrored today, "We are split into puritans, libertines and prudes." He also comments first-hand on how illness can take its toll, "As a cancer survivor myself, I understand only too well how the disease can affect a family. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof deals with this issue in a brutally honest way."

Beautifully placed in the arc of the season, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof fits perfectly between Dangerous Liaisons and Buried Child, following the former work as a game of smouldering sexual politics with strong women taking the lead role in the match, and preceding the later play in its examination of the breakdown of the traditional North American family. "One of the key aspects of our theatre's mandate is to produce classics that remain socially relevant today," Wasserman explained. Director Greg Kramer concurs, "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is a gloriously human work, celebrating both the joys and pains of love, and is probably one of the finest works for the stage ever written, as astonishingly true and powerful today as it ever was."

The established, powerhouse Canadian cast includes Todd Sandomirsky (Stratford Festival) as Brick, Severn Thompson (Stratford and Shaw) as Maggie, Sharon Bakker (the original Paper Wheat and Saskatchewan Theatre Hall of Fame) as Big Mama and Barry Flatman (The Donnellys and multi-award nominee) as Big Daddy. Completing the extended family and friends are Bill Croft, Paula Jean Hixson, Jesse Todd, Gordon Masten, Bill Corday and Lindsay Owen Pierre.

The design team, including the always-creative John C. Dinning, set; Luc Prairie, lighting; James Lavoie costumes, Troy Slocum, sound and George Allister, video design, will turn the plantation home around and expose all to the outside elements. Todd Bricker is the stage manager and Lori Allen completes the team as assistant stage manager.

"Nothing's more determined than a cat on a hot tin roof. Is there? Is there, baby?"- Maggie

88.5 CBC Radio One proudly presents Sunday-@-the-Segal with Diana Leblanc

Sunday, October 26, 11am. Admission is free.

Join us for another season of intimate conversation and riveting lectures as we welcome Diana Leblanc talking about

the various approaches to directing American classics.

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.

Run:

October 26-November 16

Previews:

October 26 1:30 pm

October 27-29 8:00 pm

October 29 1:00pm

Sunday-@-the-Segal:

October 26 11:00 am

Media Opening Night:
Thursday, October 30 8:00 pm

Performances:

Monday - Thursday, 8:00 pm

Saturday 8:30 pm

Sunday 7:00 pm

Matinˆ©es:

Wednesdays 1:00 pm

Sundays 2:00 pm

Box Office:

(514) 739-7944

www.segalcentre.org

Segal Centre for Performing Arts at the Saidye

5170 cote St. Catherine Rd.

Admission (514) 790-1245 www.admission.com

Greg Kramer- Director

Previously for the Segal, Greg appeared in The Tempest and Amadeus as well as being the magic consultant for Houdini. An award-winning novelist, actor and director, Greg has made Montreal his home since 1999. His credits now cover twenty-five years and well over 100 productions across the country, including work at the Vancouver Playhouse, Arts Club Theatres, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Imago, Buddies-in-Bad-Times, Native Earth and the National Arts Centre. He most recently directed Have a Heart at the Centaur Theatre and The Gut Girls for Concordia University, and was seen this summer as Prospero in The Tempest in Montreal parks for Repercussion Theatre. His fourth book, Wally, is published by Riverbank Press and he is working on his latest, a medical dystopia.

Todd Sandomirsky ’ÄìBrick

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof marks Todd's Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre debut. Recent credits: Agent Kohn in XIII starring Stephen Dorff on NBC this fall, Shishkebab in Outlander with Jim Caviziel, Glaring Man in The Tracey Fragments starring Ellen Page, Terry Bennett in the Golden Globe-nominated The State Within starring Jason Isaacs, and at Stratford Festival he appeared in Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, and Treasure Island. Todd co-founded Toronto's Shakespeare in the Rough, playing Berowne in Love's Labour Lost and Cloten in Cymbeline.

Severn Thompson- Maggie

Severn is very happy to be making her first appearance at the Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre. She has just finished her third season at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival where she was in the Spanish classic Fuente Ovejuna, the Greek classic Trojan Woman and a new play, Palmer Park. The season before she played Portia in Merchant of Venice. Severn has also spent several seasons at the Shaw Festival and has worked at a number of theatres across the country, such as Theatre Passe Muraille, Tarragon, the Globe, Theatre Calgary and the Piggery. Severn is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada.

Barry Flatman- Big Daddy

Barry has worked as a professional actor, across North America, for over 40 years. He also produced, wrote, directed and taught for stage, TV, film, and radio, and was nominated for both Juno and Gemini awards. Recent credits include Guns (CBC), The Andromeda Strain for A&E, Saw III (Lion's Gate), The Company (TNT), The State Within (BBC/Shaftesbury), Fatal Error (TBS), and This is Wonderland (CBC). Barry starred in Kevin McCollum's production of White Christmas and in the Toronto premiere of David Hare's Stuff Happens.

Sharon Bakker - Big Mama

Sharon is back in Montreal where she last appeared at the Centaur in Paper Wheat. She has performed across Canada, at Native Earth Performing Arts (Dreary and Izzy); the Blythe Festival (Thirteen Hands, Yesteryear, Quiet in the Land); Alberta Theatre Projects (For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again); Persephone Theatre (Humanity and No, Waiting for the Parade, The Stone Angel); Sunshine Theatre (The Plum Tree); Rosthern Station Arts Centre (Anne of Green Gable, Dry Streak, The Tomorrow Box); and Manitoba Theatre Centre (Shakespeare's Dog). Sharon was inducted into the Saskatchewan Theatre Hall of Fame in 2003.

Tennessee Williams- Playwright

Tennessee Williams (1911 ’Äì 1983) is regarded as one of America's greatest playwrights. He wrote fiction and motion picture screenplays, but he is acclaimed primarily for his plays’Äînearly all of which are set in the South, but which rise above regionalism to approach universal themes. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for A Streetcar Named Desire in 1948 and for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1955. In addition, The Glass Menagerie (1945) and The Night of the Iguana (1961) received New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards. His 1952 play, The Rose Tattoo, received the Tony Award for best play.

Free lecture- Sunday-@-the-Segal, before Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Sunday-@-the-Segal

A series of intimate conversation and riveting lectures at

The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre

Diana LeBlanc

Don't miss the always-interesting Sunday-@-the-Segal for the upcoming production, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, as we welcome acclaimed director, Diana LeBlanc. Ms LeBlanc will talk about Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and the various approaches to directing American classics.

Ms Leblanc is an actor as well as a theatre and opera director with numerous awards and nominations to her credit. For the Segal Theatre, directing credits include: The Odd Couple, Fallen Angels and Rose. At the Stratford Festival of Canada, credits include: A Delicate Balance, Ghosts, The Seagull, Macbeth, The Cherry Orchard, Death of a Salesman, Romeo and Juliet, Sweet Bird of Youth and the renowned Long Day's Journey into Night. A founding member of Soulpepper, directing credits include: The Real Thing, Zoo Story, The Maids and A Streetcar Named Desire. Recent projects include: Assorted Candies at Thousand Island Playhouse and On ne badine pas avec l'amour for Thˆ©ˆ¢tre franˆßais de Toronto. Ms. Leblanc is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada, a recipient of the Prix Alliance Franˆßais and a former artistic director of Thˆ©ˆ¢tre franˆßais de Toronto.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

11 AM

Coffee and refreshments will be served in the lobby afterwards

(Tickets on sale now for the first preview of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at 1:30 pm)

At the Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre, 5170 Cote Ste. Catherine Rd.

FREE ADMISSION!! No reservations necessary, general admission

The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre and Ernst & Young present

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, October 26-November 16, 2008

For tickets call (514) 739-7944 or log on to www.segalcentre.org

Hold the dates: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Hold the Dates!

The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre
and Ernst & Young Present
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
By Tennessee Williams
Directed by Greg Kramer

Mark these dates in your fall calendar
Sunday, October 26- Sunday, November 16, 2008

88.5 CBC Radio One presents the Sunday-@-the-Segal lecture for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on Sunday, October 26, 11am with acclaimed director Diana Leblanc.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre
At The Segal Centre for the Performing Arts at the Saidye
5170 Cote St. Catherine Rd.
Monday to Thursday at 8:00 p.m. Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Matinˆ©es: Wednesdays, 1:00pm and Sundays, 2:00 pm

Reservations: (514) 739-7944

Another fall theatre event

SideMart THEATRICAL GROCERY
Is thrilled to announce the English Language World Premiere of

Oooo!
by Gerard Vasquez

Translated by Elisabet Rafols and Michael Bantjes

directed by Andrew Shaver

September 10 - 21, 2008

The Studio

Segal Centre for Performing Arts at the Saidye

5170 ch. de la Cote-Ste-Catherine Road

Montreal (Quebec)

(514) 739 - 7944

Oooo! is a touching and powerful comedy about the lives of a group of clowns in Nazi Germany. Charlie Rivel, the most tender of clowns is forced to perform for Hitler, the most barbaric of dictators. Can art be guiltless? Does it have to submit to power? Can an artist remain apolitical in the midst of such political mayhem?

Starring Alain Goulem as Charlie Rivel (CBC's The Tournament and 18 to Life)

With Patrick Costello, Graham Cuthbertson, Tobias Goulem and Jesse Todd.

SideMart is pleased to return to The Studio as the Segal Centre's Resident Company for a second year in row. Previous SideMart productions include the Mecca Award-Winning American Buffalo; the "must-see...runaway hit" (Matt Radz, Montreal Gazette) The Dishwashers in the Basement of BU: Bar-a-Vin; the Canadian premiere of Trad, "two of the best performances you'll see all year" (Brett Hooton, Montreal Hour); and most recently a musical adaptation of Derek McCormack's The Haunted Hillbilly, "the best show I've seen in years" (Neil Boyce, Montreal Mirror).

Regular Ticket: $20

Students & Seniors: $15
Directed by Andrew Shaver (American Buffalo, The Dishwashers, Haunted Hillbilly...)
Production Design by Sarah Yaffe
Sound by Jesse Peter Ash

Stage Managed by Seamus Ryan

Dangerous Liaisons, The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre- Sept. 7-28

As overheard in various salons and bedrooms’Ķ

The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre

and BMO FINANCIAL GROUP

Present

Dangerous Liaisons

By Christopher Hampton

Directed by Alexandre Marine

September 7-28, 2008

Valmont: "I want the excitement of watching her betray everything that's most important to her. I thought betrayal was your favourite word."

Merteuil: "No, no, cruelty. I always think that has a nobler ring to it."

MONTREAL August 2008- The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre kicks off a sizzling season of passion and seduction with Dangerous Liaisons, Christopher Hampton's adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' 1782 French novel about lust, greed, deception and romance. Don't miss what promises to be an exciting production, led by award-winning director, Alexandre Marine and featuring a handpicked, mostly Montreal cast of 16.

The Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont are a pair of schemers (and former lovers) who take pleasure in coolly manipulating and seducing those around them, leaving scandal, dishonour and outrage in their wake. The Marquise challenges the Vicomte to seduce the virtuous Madame de Tourvel, but when the latter breaks the rules and finds himself genuinely falling in love with his intended prey, the game quickly turns fatal--with devastating consequences for everyone involved. Here, sex is a game and death is but a means of keeping score.

Director Marine's previous production at the Segal, the Prix de la Critique award winning Amadeus, was an unqualified success and demonstrated his unique creativity in staging large scale period plays, particularly the decadent period of the late eighteenth century. Dangerous Liaisons will offer audiences another opportunity to experience Marine's directorial talent. Bryna Wasserman, the Segal Centre's Artistic and Executive Director, was never in doubt as to who should direct this opening play of the Segal's 08-09 season. "I couldn't be more confident in having Sasha leading this production, she said. It's a large scale, challenging play, but with his innovative eye and mastery of the physical aspect of the theatre, I'm certain his perspective will bring it to life in the most distinct and imaginative ways."

"This play and its themes of sex, power and manipulation are universal, we're still playing by the same rules as two centuries ago," said Marine in expressing the timelessness of the play. "You need look no further than today's news, at how little time is taken up by actual news versus tabloid sex scandals." As well, this late twentieth century stage adaptation of a late eighteenth century novel will astonish today's audience with how powerful and liberated the women are in the play. Madame de Merteuil matches her adversary Valmont move for move in this game of love, passion and domination.

As part of a truly international cast, Brett Christopher (a one man tour-de-force in the Segal's I Am My Own Wife) stars as the Vicomte de Valmont. Catherine de Sevˆ® (hugely popular for L'auberge du chien noir on SRC, here in her first English stage role) enthralls as the Marquise de Merteuil. The highly respected cast also includes Jake Epstein (De Grassi: The Next Generation, Gemini Award), Anthousa Harris (Centaur's Romeo and Juliet), Gemma James-Smith (Sidemart's The Haunted Hillbilly), Vitali Makarov (Thˆ©ˆ¢tre Deuxiˆ®me Realitˆ©'s Hamlet), Tara Nicodemo (The Segal's The Diary of Anne Frank), Jillian Niedoba (Not Wanted on the Voyage), Igor Ovadis (Minuit le soir) and Moira Wylie (The Segal's Hedda Gabler). Rounding out the company is Maud Desbois, Adam Driscoll, Alexandre Gorchkov, Lauren Roy, Kristina Sandev and David Sklar.

The design team has conceived a stage where reality reflects fantasy, desire and dreams- a space mirroring brooding narcissism. Mastermind creators include Yannik Larivˆ©e, set and props; Spike Lyne, lighting; Jessica Poirier-Chang, costumes and Dmitri Marine, sound and original music. Elaine Normandeau is the stage manager and Merissa Tordjman completes the team as assistant stage manager. Expect this to be the flagship show of the season.

"Le Vicomte de Valmont is conspicuously charming and never opens his mouth without first calculating what damage he can do."

- Mme. De Volanges

88.5 CBC Radio One proudly presents Sunday-@-the-Segal

Sunday, September 7, 11am. Admission is free.

Join us for another season of intimate conversation and riveting lectures.

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.

Building audiences for the future

Everyone in this field knows that what matters most is the creation and fostering of new audiences. To this extent, the Segal Centre is offering fantastic savings for those under 30. The hope is to see full advantage of this taken, from full-time college and university students to young professionals just starting out.

Tickets and Media Information

Run:

September 7-28

Previews:

September 7 1:30 pm

September 8-10 8:00 pm

Sunday-@-the-Segal:

September 7 11:00 am

Media Opening Night:
Thursday, September 11 8:00 pm

Performances:

Monday - Thursday, 8:00 pm

Saturday 8:30 pm

Sunday 7:00 pm

Matinˆ©es:

Wednesdays 1:00 pm

Sundays 2:00 pm

Box Office:

(514) 739-7944

www.segalcentre.org

Admission

(514) 790-1245

www.admission.com

Segal Centre for Performing Arts at the Saidye

5170 cote St. Catherine Rd.

Alexandre Marine- Director

Mr. Marine is a founding member of the Tabakov Theatre in Moscow, founding artistic director of his company, Thˆ©ˆ¢tre Deuxiˆ®me Rˆ©alitˆ© (T2R) and a faculty member at the Institute of Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University. He has directed over 60 shows in Moscow, Montreal, Boston, New York and Tokyo. His 1997 production of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale at Centaur Theatre was rewarded at the Soirˆ©e des Masques, while T2R's Hamlet was awarded the critics' prize (AQCT) for best Montreal show in 1999. The Segal production of Amadeus, which he directed, was also noted by the AQCT prize for best English-language production, as well as a MECCA for best director.

Brett Christopher- Le Vicomte de Valmont

Brett is known to Segal audiences for his performance in the solo show I Am My Own Wife (Masques Award: Best English Production, Mecca Award: Best Actor.) Other notable theatre credits include: The Gladstone Variations; Autoshow (Convergence Theatre); Antony & Cleopatra (Shakespeare in the Rough); Much Ado About Nothing (CanStage); Family Stories: Belgrade, The Sea (ARC); Romeo & Juliet; As You Like It (Theatre by the Bay); Mary's Wedding (Theatre & Co.) Brett is also the General Manager of Theatre Kingston and a graduate of the George Brown Theatre School.

Catherine de Seve- La Marquise de Merteuil

Catherine De Sˆ®ve shares her time and versatile talent between theatre and television. On stage: La Marea (FTA), Le Silence (Omnibus), Le Comte de Monte-Cristo and Scaramouche (Thˆ©ˆ¢tre Denise-Pelletier). She also took part in Brigitte Haentjens's creation Tout comme elle (Usine C). She made a name for herself on Quebec television in Sketch Show (Gˆ©meaux nomination for Best Actress in comedy). Since 2003, she has been a part of the prime-time program L'auberge du chien noir, broadcast on the SRC.

Christopher Hampton ’Äì Playwright

Dangerous Liaisons is Mr. Hampton's 1985 Royal Shakespeare Company adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos 1782 French epistolary novel. Other plays include The Talking Cure, White Chameleon, Tales from Hollywood, Treats, Savages, The Philanthropist and Total Eclipse. He co-wrote the book and lyrics for the musicals Sunset Boulevard and Dracula and the libretto for the Philip Glass operas Waiting for the Barbarians and Appomattox. He has translated extensively from Chekhov, Ibsen, Moliere, Odon von Horvath and Yasmina Reza. Screenplays include The Quiet American, Dangerous Liaisons (for which he won as Oscar), Carrington Atonement and most recently Cheri.

Pierre Choderlos de Laclos- Novelist

Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, (1741-1803), was a French soldier and novelist. His masterpiece Les Liaisons dangereuses is one of the earliest examples of the psychological novel. Written in epistolary form, it explores the amorous intrigues of French aristocracy. It combines searching psychological analysis in the manner of 17th-century drama, the assumptions of 18th-century philosophical sensationalism and suggestions of demonic Romantic revolt. The novel has inspired a large number of critical and analytic commentaries, plays and films.

Segal Centre Gala

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts to be officially inaugurated with ribbon cutting ceremony August 19^th.

Mayor Tremblay to attend event co chaired by Isabelle Hudon and Simon Brault

Montreal, August 11 2008 - On June 1, 2007, the Segal Centre for Performing Arts officially came into existence. Just over a year later renovations are now complete and final touches are being made to the new facility. On August 19^th, at 8:30 pm, the Centre will officially open its doors to the community with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by Isabelle Hudon, President and CEO of the Montreal Board of Trade and Simon Brault, President, Culture Montreal and Vice-Chair, the Canada Council for the Arts, in the presence of Mr. Alvin and Mrs. Leanor Segal and Mayor Gerald Tremblay,

’ÄúFor Simon and myself, it is a great honour to be co chairing this gala event,’Äù said Ms. Hudon. ’Äú The gala is not only a celebration of culture itself but also an important occasion at which to honour the support of the arts by the business community in particular, something that is so vital to the continued vibrancy of arts and culture in our city.’Äù

Simon Brault echoed Hudon’Äôs sentiments, saying ’Äúwe are very fortunate that a new trend has emerged in our city whereby the private sector has become more engaged with the arts and culture milieu, not just as givers, but as active participants in what our artists of today and tomorrow are proposing for our city’Äôs future. It is truly a unique and timely event.’Äù

Indeed, the foundation of the new Segal Centre is built upon the belief and vision of Alvin and Leanor Segal that the arts and culture are not an option. ’ÄúA thriving arts and culture milieu are proof that a community is alive and well and looking to the future,’Äù they said.

’ÄúLeanor and Alvin Segal have blazed a trail that allows those of us working in the arts and culture milieu the opportunity to dream big,’Äù said Bryna Wasserman, Artistic and Executive Director of the Segal Centre. ’ÄúIt is our wish to have the Segal Centre become a home for arts and culture as diverse as our community itself,’Äù she added, ’Äú and it is only by joining together with the community at large, with the business community in particular, that our wishes can be realized.’Äù

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts is built upon a structure of five pillars: The award-winning Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre, producing six professional English language plays per season to which 3500 patrons are currently subscribing; The world renowned Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre, now celebrating it’Äôs fiftieth season; The Academy, where acclaimed professionals are nurturing talent in music, dance, theatre, media and circus arts; the Studio, a flexible multi-purpose venue to serve as a home for the diversity of Montreal artists; and the CinemaSpace and ArtLounge, Montreal’Äôs newest boutique arts venue and oasis for artists.

Hold the dates: Dangerous Liaisons, The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre, Sept. 7-28

Hold the Dates!

The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre and BMO Bank of Montreal

Present

Dangerous Liaisons

By Christopher Hampton

Directed by Alexandre Marine

Mark these dates in your fall calendar

Sunday, September 7-Sunday, September 28, 2008

88.5 CBC Radio One presents the Sunday-@-the-Segal lecture for Dangerous Liaisons on Sunday, September 7, 11 a.m.

Dangerous Liaisons

The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre

At The Segal Centre for the Performing Arts at the Saidye

5170 Cote St. Catherine Rd.

Monday to Thursday at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Sunday at 7:00 p.m.

Matinˆ©es: Wednesdays, 1:00pm and Sundays, 2:00 pm

Reservations: (514) 739-7944

[Montreal] CinemaSpace at The Segal Centre for Performing Arts announces busy start to Spring

Canadian premiere of Anne and the Reverend (Apr. 30/May 1); Ralph Benmergui to appear live, May 3

April, 2008 ’Äì As a spring awakening returns to Montreal after a record setting winter, so too is the new CinemaSpace at the Segal Centre coming to life with an invigorating schedule of films that includes both the Canadian premiere of Anne and the Reverend and an appearance by Ralph Benmergui to promote his new documentary television series, My Israel.

’ÄúWe got started at CinemaSpace this winter with a successful collaboration with Les Rendez-vous du cinˆ©ma Quˆ©bˆ©cois and the Montreal Human Rights Film Festival and then we got very busy watching a lot of new material to pick what we felt would truly inspire Montrealers to come to the Centre and our brand new CinemaSpace in the spring.’Äù says CinemaSpace director Ezra Soiferman. ’ÄúWe’Äôve got wonderful films and events to share.’Äù

Indeed, the early spring schedule is highlighted by the screening of a film that could be called the next Paper Clips: Anne and the Reverend (April 30^th, May1st). ’ÄúA reverend from Hiroshima who speaks Hebrew fluently’Ķ A museum about the Shoah lost in the middle of the Japanese countryside’Ķ Anne and the Reverend is a documentary about Makoto Otsuka, a reverend from Hiroshima, who met Anne Frank's father Otto Frank 30 years ago and ever since then has shared the memory of the Holocaust to Japanese children. Through the portrayal of this man, both funny and moving, Anne and the Reverend presents an unexpected approach to the Shoah and an unknown side of Japan.’Äù Filmmaker Francois Uzan, flying in from France, will be present for a post film Q&A on both nights. This is the Canadian premiere of Anne and the Reverend.

’ÄúI'm very excited to share my film with the audience: introducing people to Reverend Otsuka and his amazing work is always a thrill,’Äù said Uzan. ’ÄúActually, when I first met him I promised I'd do my best to let as many people as possible know about his museum about Anne Frank and whenever I screen "Anne and the Reverend", I feel like I'm keeping this promise.’Äù

On Saturday, May 3^rd, journalist Ralph Benmergui offers a sneak peek at video clips from his new TV series and shares stories of his recent experiences in Israel. ’ÄúRalph Benmergui: My Israel, coming to VisionTV on May 5, 6 and 7, is a new, five-part documentary series that looks at the past, present and future of Israel through the eyes of one of Canada’Äôs most renowned journalists. The series brings Ralph, a Moroccan-Canadian Jew, face to face with Israelis from every stratum of society, and shows the Holy Land in ways that few Canadians have been privileged to experience. Broadcast in honour of Israel’Äôs 60th anniversary, the program is a heartfelt exploration of belief and values, ethnicity and identity, conflict and reconciliation in a country coming of age in the 21st Century.’Äù

"I'm very excited about this series and feel that in true Jewish style I've given everyone on this journey a hard time,’Äù Benmergui quipped. ’ÄúWe as Canadians need to talk about Judaism, Israel, and Ashkenazi/Sephardic dialogue. I can't wait to see you all."

Also coming up at CinemaSpace are:

Esti Mayer: Artist. A live lecture on The Holocaust Suite (May 1^st at 7pm; Entry is free. Must RSVP for tickets 514-739-7944)

Fundraiser screening of award-winning shorts by students from Tel Aviv University (May 4^th, 7:30PM, Must RSVP to Cdn Friends of Tel Aviv U. at 514-344-3417).

S&M: Short and Male - Sneak Preview of Howard Goldberg’Äôs new documentary about short men Tuesday, May 6^th, 7pm and 9pm

Six Days in June ’Äì Doc produced by Ina Fichman about 1947 Israeli Six Day War. Thursday, May 8^th at 8:30PM.

Baghdad Twist ’Äì NFB documentary by Joe Balass about his mother’Äôs reminiscences of growing up Jewish in Iraq. May 14^th and 15^th, 7pm.

Please see the attached full schedule for dates and times, address and more information.

About CinemaSpace:

CinemaSpace is the Segal Centre’Äôs brand new state-of-the-art screening room. Featuring surround-sound, a high definition projector and 77 plush cinema seats covered in hemp eco-fabric, CinemaSpace is Montreal's brand new boutique film venue. It will host independent film screenings, collaborations with existing film festivals, and much more.

Ben Gonshor

Director, Marketing and Communications

bgonshor@segalcentre.org

www.segalcentre.org