Nov 3 -13, 2004
graphic design by Eric Dyck
Alberta's DeKlein
Onstage in Calgary
(Calgary) Sex, politics, and the antics of an Alberta politician
conspire onstage in Calgary in November 2004, to tell the story of one of
Canada's most explosive human rights battles.
DEAR MR. KLEIN,
a new play written by Bruce Chambers, receives its world premiere Nov 3 - 13,
2004 from The Stubble Jumpers' Quartet (in association with Teatro
Berdache, Calgary's gay and lesbian theatre ensemble) at Calgary's Pumphouse
Theatre. Set against the notorious Delwin Vriend vs. Alberta case of 1998, where
the Supreme Court of Canada ordered protection for gays and lesbians in
Alberta's Human Right Code, Chambers' play tells the story of two men caught in
the bigotry and misunderstandings following the court verdict. Vriend, an openly
gay lab instructor at Edmonton's King's College, had been fired from his job six
years earlier because of his sexual orientation, only to discover there was no
protection for him in Alberta's Human Rights Code.
The play is loosely based upon a chance encounter the playwright had in 1998.
Chambers had written to Premier Ralph Klein, urging him to support the court's
decision. At the same time, a rural Albertan had written to the Klein, urging
him to use the "Notwithstanding Clause" to override the ruling. Personalized
responses from the Premier's office were sent to both Chambers and the rural
Albertan - but they fell into exactly opposite hands.
Calgary director Chris Cinnamon directs DEAR MR. KLEIN, with local actors Chad
Nobert and Steve Gin appearing as "Roy" and "Christopher." Mandy Clarke stage
manages.
DEAR MR. KLEIN is even more timely after the 2003 - 04 announcements from
Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and the Yukon, where the provinces' highest
courts ruled bans on same sex marriage must be considered unconstitutional. The
response from Alberta has once again been a threat to invoke the infamous
"Notwithstanding Clause" to exempt itself from the decision. The issue is
expected to be hotly debated during Alberta's anticipated fall election, where
Ralph Klein will be seeking re-election as Alberta Premier.
For more information on the production, please contact us at (403) 245-0127, or
via email at tberdache@aol.com. Advance tickets for DEAR MR. KLEIN may be
purchased through the Pumphouse Theatre box office line at (403) 263-0079,
through the website
www.pumphousetheatres.ca, or at the theatre itself
at 2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW. Performances run at 8 p.m. nightly, with the
exception of Monday November 8. Tickets are $15, or $12 for students seniors and
the unwaged.
SPECIAL NOTICE
During the weekends of our run, Teatro Berdache is proud to share
our performance space with All Nations Theatre in their Forum Theatre
production of SHOWDOWN,
written by Luciano Iogna and presented in cooperation
with Toronto's Mixed Company Theatre. The production is a vital,
thought provoking and interactive exploration on the topic of bullying. Though
designed for teen audiences, SHOWDOWN is guaranteed to have profound resonance
for audience members of all ages. Don't miss it!
SHOWDOWN,
directed by Simon Malbogat,
plays at 2 p.m on Saturday November 06, Sunday November 07,
and Saturday November 13 at the Pumphouse Theatre. Tickets for the
production may also be purchased through The Pumphouse Theatre box office at
(403) 263-0079, while information on the production may be found on the All
Nations Theatre website at
www.allnationstheatre.ab.ca.