Champlain Theatre to Present "Strawberries in January"

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Strawberries in January will be presented by Champlain Theatre at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont in Sept., 9-12 and Sept. 17-19. For tickets call 802-651-5962.

Champlain Theatre will open its 2009-10 season with "Strawberries in January," a fresh, new comedy about four romantically challenged singletons who stumble through contemporary Montréal in search of love.

The play, originally written in Quebec French by Evelyn de la Chenelière, and translated by Morwyn Brebner, will be presented Sept. 9-12 and 17-19 at 8 p.m. at Champlain College's Alumni Auditorium. General admission is $20. Reserve tickets by calling 651-5962 or at the door. Admission for Champlain College students is free with ID.

The story unfolds as François wishes life could be more like the movies. A frustrated screenwriter, he uses every event in his life as inspiration. He casts Sophie, his ex-flatmate-turned-lover-turned-friend, opposite Robert - a university professor. Outside Montréal, Sophie's childhood friend Léa, who runs a B & B, claims she's drowning in 'too much fresh air and boredom.' A surprising, passionate encounter provokes her to seek out Sophie for a reunion. Their stories collide and interweave with intriguing serendipity.

Strawberries in January, won the Masque Award for best original script, and is directed by Canadian Gordon McCall, whose 30-year career as an award-winning director includes recognition as one of the major contributors to the creation, development and dissemination of a Canadian theatrical voice on the national and international stage. Under Gordon's leadership as the Artistic/Executive Director, Montréal's renowned Centaur Theatre won 10 Les Masques awards, 12 Mecca awards, and the coveted Grand Prix award in Theatre.

Members of the cast include, John D. Alexander of Burlington, most recently seen in Champlain Theatre's "The Beauty Queen of Leenane"; Seth Jarvis of Burlington, who appeared in Champlain Theatre's "All My Sons"; Heather Nielsen of Burlington, most recently seen in Lost Nation Theatre's "The Miracle Worker"; and Maria Souza of New Jersey, a member of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Joanne Farrell is artistic director for the production.

A Calgary Herald reviewer described the play: "Watching Strawberries in January is like listening to music. The orchestration is rich, and the lines dance with ease, precision and clarity - and above all, wit." The Calgary Sun said it is "A wonderfully witty and unquestionably lovely piece of theatre." According to the Montreal Mirror, "The script turns on a lot of bizarre coincidences, missed encounters and even hidden identities, without ever turning into one of those frantic farces beloved by 'summer theatre'."

FOR CALENDAR LISTINGS

"Strawberries in January," Sept. 9-12 and Sept. 17-19, 8 p.m., Champlain College Alumni Auditorium, 163 So. Willard St., Burlington, Vt. Champlain Theatre presents Quebec playwright Evelyne de la Chenelière's Strawberries in January translated by Morwyn Brebner and directed by Canada's Gordon McCall. De la Chenelière's fresh new comedy tells the tale of four romantically challenged singletons who stumble through contemporary Montréal in search of love. The play won the Masque Award for best original script. General admission $20, Champlain College students free with ID; Reserve tickets by calling 651-5962. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. Wheelchair accessible and some shows are audio described.

MEDIA: For more information or reviewer passes, contact Joanne Farrell, Artistic Director Champlain Theatre(802) 865-5468, farrell@champlain.edu