{"id":62981,"date":"2019-10-07T16:57:15","date_gmt":"2019-10-07T20:57:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=62981"},"modified":"2019-10-08T16:43:26","modified_gmt":"2019-10-08T20:43:26","slug":"preview-delving-grain-theatres-remount-national-tour-la-boheme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2019\/10\/07\/preview-delving-grain-theatres-remount-national-tour-la-boheme\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | Delving Into Against The Grain Theatre\u2019s Remount and National Tour Of \u2018La Boh\u00e8me\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new English text, creative staging, and overcoming other challenges of a national pub tour of\u00a0La Boh\u00e8me, <\/em>including 11 days in Toronto\u2019s Tranzac Bar, from AtG\u2019s Joel Ivany and others.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cast
Cast of Against the Grain Theatre’s ‘La Boh\u00e8me’ on tour (Photo: Against the Grain Theatre)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

W<\/span>here do you go to see live music? Fortunately, in Hogtown, it’s as easy as walking down to a local joint and sitting down with a choice beverage to see anything from rock, jazz, folk and punk, to world music. Even international scale productions at the Canadian Opera Company can be accessed for as little as 12 dollars (for a spot in the standing room) in Toronto, but it\u2019s not so easy in some places \u2014 especially in a country as big as Canada. So what’s to be done? Take the Opera<\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span> across the country, of course.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be honest, it\u2019s been a goal for some time to tour a show. We\u2019ve had so many people say, ‘When are you going to come out here?’,\u201d says Joel Ivany, Artistic Director of Against the Grain Theatre. AtG has never been afraid to try new things, and have created real successes, including the wildly popular monthly Opera Pub<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span> at the Amsterdam Bicycle Club. AtG first presented La Boh\u00e8me<\/em> in 2011, and its lasting popularity \u2014 <\/i>especially for non-opera heads (yet!), made it a great choice for the tour<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI entertained the thought of doing La Boh\u00e8me<\/em> in a theatre for about 2 seconds,\u201d says Joel. Traditional theatre opera production is expensive \u2014 space rental, costumes, surtitles, etc., so AtG turned the situation around: What if the art influences the venue? With a whole new world of choices, AtG, with the help of Nelson MacDougall, started to plot their first national tour. For the Toronto run, AtG chose the Tranzac<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span>. Located in the Annex, the Tranzac has been known to host small-scale experimental events, and its vibes being far from the traditional glitzy Opera theatres, made a great match for La Boh\u00e8me<\/a><\/em><\/span>,<\/i><\/u><\/span><\/span> its plot thick with young artists struggling in the world, facing poverty, illness, love, jealousy \u2014 everything that makes up life, including death and loss.<\/p>\n

An additional twist to this production is Joel\u2019s new text, now set in English. \u201cI understand that opera is an import. I have great respect for the languages that birthed opera\u2026 but if the mandate of a company is to intersect with your community, then it can\u2019t hurt to at times provide them with something different\u2014 it\u2019s still opera,\u201d says Joel. The entire team is behind the new vision.<\/p>\n

\"Joel
Joel Ivany (Photo : Against the Grain Theatre)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cJ<\/span>oel\u2019s interpretation of the story brings such a cohesive balance of hilarious entertainment and beautifully tender moments throughout the show,\u201d says David Eliakis<\/a>.<\/u><\/span><\/span> David\u2019s a familiar face, as the presenter-pianist for the Opera Pub sessions. The new English translaptation<\/i> is a challenge for everyone; for David, getting away from the traditional Italian version, despite its difficulty, gave new incentives. \u201cThe new English text allows a certain musical freedom, so that we can play around with the rhythm and tempi to suit our version.\u201d<\/p>\n

Being the one-man orchestra isn\u2019t an easy job, and travelling through different bars \u2014 including a hamburger joint, is certainly atypical for opera. But the love for his team makes it all worth it for David. \u201cThere is a genuine camaraderie amongst our group, which doesn\u2019t always happen \u2014 I couldn\u2019t have asked for a better group.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the touring aspect, AtG faces a few new challenges. For Joel, it\u2019s to do with building up the show in the new communities. \u201cWe haven\u2019t established ourselves in those communities, and so what reason would anyone have to go see an opera in a bar? It\u2019s weird. But, for those that do take a chance, they\u2019ll experience something that probably hasn\u2019t ever happened,\u201d he says. \u201cWe\u2019re creating new audiences, but we\u2019re also building the artistic ecosystem for emerging singers and those who have been doing this for a while. I don\u2019t believe there\u2019s a gap. As Nike says, Just Do It<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n

The ever-changing logistics of the tour dates falls heavily on Imogen Wilson, the Creative Manager of the tour. When Imogen looked at the tour schedule, she realized that she must come up with the most flexible setup she could imagine. \u201cThe most challenging factor is the extremely different venues, with quick load-in times. I had to come up with something simple, effective, low power and flexible. I\u2019ve gone with fully LED technology to reduce power consumption. The spaces are so different the design concept is more about setting a mood than any sort of precise cueing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most of the scenes are set in a run-down apartment, so Imogen chose key elements to show that, but for the bar scene, she senses lots of fun in the future. \u201cOne act actually takes place in the bar \u2014 this will be very fun and immersive for the audience, because the performers are really taking over the bar. I want to support these plot-arches with atmosphere and mood through the design.\u201d<\/p>\n

And what about all the challenges of the road vs. a long run at the Tranzac? \u201cThe tour is quick, there\u2019s even a stint where we do three shows in three provinces in three nights \u2014 there isn\u2019t much time to source or add things while on the road,\u201d says Imogen. And the Tranzac<\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span> would be a welcome spot for the team. \u201cAtG has done La Boh\u00e8me<\/em> in Tranzac, I believe, three times, so I know the piece works in that space. The design will be significantly fleshed out for the Toronto run. Larger stage, larger, more dressed set, and more precise and set lighting cues. Why not? It\u2019s the benefit of sitting down in one place for two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Marcel
Marcel d\u2019Entremont and Jonelle Sills in AtG ‘La Boh\u00e8me’ on tour (Photo : Against the Grain Theatre)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

F<\/span>or Jonelle Sills, tragic Mim\u00ec of this La Boh\u00e8me<\/em>, <\/i>she remembers falling in love with the opera as a teenager. A native of Markham, she first got to work with Joel on Glenn Gould School\u2019s production of Cendrillon<\/em> and Die Fledermaus<\/em>, and when she was approached for the tour, she was ecstatic. \u201cI was instantly in love with everything about it. I love that this tour tears down many of the intimidating walls that opera culture is built on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEven as an opera singer, the opera world can be a little scary,\u201d <\/span>Jonelle adds. \u201c<\/span>The fancy buildings, fancy people, fancy costumes, fancy outfits\u2026it\u2019s a lot. And as much as we like to say anyone can come to the opera, it can feel pretty exclusive. But we take that all away! Nothing is really fancy about this tour and I love that. I hope that our audience members feel welcomed and see themselves in our characters.\u201d<\/span> <\/i><\/p>\n

Jonelle readily readjusted to the new text, though she isn\u2019t entirely sure what to call such a process. \u201cI\u2019m not sure if difficulty is the right word, but I think adapting my voice to English has had a lot to do with the phrasing. Puccini was a smart man, and set the Italian text beautifully with his music. With English, you can\u2019t always phrase the text the same way,\u201d she says. \u201cIn our rehearsals, we have been finding ways to stay true to what Puccini has given us, but still make it understandable. That has been the biggest adjustment.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Andrew Adridge, in the role of Schaunard, the opportunity came with a hint of humour. La Boh\u00e8me\u2019s<\/em> plot was drawn from Louis-Henri Murger\u2019s collection of stories, La vie de <\/u><\/span>b<\/u><\/span>oh\u00e8me<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/em><\/span> and for Murger, it wasn\u2019t just a fantasy, but a real day-to-day life portrayal of the free-spirited young Parisians from the 1840s. Rodolphe is based on Murger himself, and he built the character of Schaunard the singer on one of his friends, Alexandre Schanne.<\/p>\n

In Act 1, Schaunard bursts into the scene with food, wine, cigars, wood and money to share with his freezing, destitute, hungry friends \u2014 finally, some riches for the young artists facing the reality of hunger. As a recent graduate, Andrew completely understands the joy his character brings to the scene. \u201cHonestly, I was very nervous about leaving school in 2018. I hadn’t gotten into the programs I wanted, and I felt lost as to what this career looked like, outside of what feels like the traditional route of a young opera singer. I took a serving job at a catering company and worked on my singing with all my spare time.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Andrew\u2019s currently going through it, his awareness of the world that includes arts is an interesting one; there isn\u2019t much to encourage the young person beyond the traditional school\/institutional apprenticeship programs, and this can be quite destructive. \u201cThe opera world for a young artist is a narrow scope,\u201d he says. \u201cIf you aren\u2019t on that path, it seems like you are failing, and if you are, you\u2019re in constant fear of deviating from it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gently coerced by the circumstances to face his fear, Andrew had to look outside the opera mold. \u201cOnce I left school, I made myself available not just to opera, but to art that fueled me \u2014 chorus work, choral singing, straight theatre, all were things I looked into as long as the art inspired me,\u201d he says. \u201cWhat I am most proud of is the amount my mentality has changed since leaving school. In April 2018, I was terrified. Today, I see a path to prosperity of my own measure, and it\u2019s a constant reminder that no one can determine my success but myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrew is now a full-time venue manager, and his musical world is on a good momentum. As the youngest of the cast, this is the second time he sings this role, and it is a different experience once again. \u201cSchaunard was the first role I ever performed (Opera Nuova, 2016), and because of that, he holds a special place with me,\u201d he says. \u201cThis time around, I\u2019m taking a more youthful approach with Schaunard. Experiencing the death of Mim\u00ec in 2016, for example, was more assured and definite. This time, I see Schaunard as much more anxious and somewhat juvenile, which has informed the rest of the show for me.\u201d Interestingly, the real Schanne, the son of a wealthy toy manufacturer, was only a temporary Bohemian, making Andrew\u2019s insight for a tender, young character even more entertaining.<\/p>\n

The tour is exciting for Andrew, but he is hyped especially for the Toronto dates. \u201cI\u2019m super thrilled to be doing such a long run in Toronto, as I will be able to sing for lots of friends and family. My mama\u2019s my biggest support and biggest fan, and she is bringing all her ladies out for opening in Toronto. Toronto is home for me, and it means family.\u201d<\/p>\n

The enthusiasm for the Toronto dates, despite the excitement of the grand tour<\/em>, is undeniable for David as well. \u201cI can\u2019t wait for the Tranzac shows \u2014 not only will I be back in the comfort of my home with my family, but I get to perform this wonderful piece for all my friends and colleagues. We\u2019re performing eleven shows in Toronto (a few dates are sold-out already), so there\u2019s no excuse to not see it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Andrew
Andrew Aldridge, Danika Lor\u00e8n, and cast in AtG ‘La Boh\u00e8me’ on tour (Photo : Against the Grain Theatre)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

F<\/span>or our full-blooded Musetta, Danika Lor\u00e8n<\/span><\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span>, performing in Toronto\u2019s quite special. Originally from Saskatchewan, Danika moved to Toronto to study voice at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto in 2010. Since then, her artistic charm has created a royal following in the city. \u201cI really benefited from the fan base that surrounds U of T musicians,\u201d she says. \u201cI started to realize that the scene in Toronto was eager to support young talent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Danika became a force to be recognized during her time in the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, and it is interesting to see how she looks at Musetta, having been in the both productions of COC and AtG\u2019s La Boh\u00e8me<\/em>. <\/i>\u201cMy Musetta debut with the COC was so beautifully tradition, and true testament to what Puccini wrote. I was so happy to learn and perform the role this way.\u201d And what does she think of the AtG production, especially with its new English text? \u201cThe most noticeable difference is the use of modernized English text. I love to sing in English, and it is so rewarding to have audience be able to keep up with the drama as it happens, instead of whenever the punchline is projected in a surtitle,\u201d says Danika.<\/p>\n

Changes often accentuate what is still true, and for Danika, it made her own understanding of Musetta even more precise. \u201cI definitely relate to Musetta as a character in any era. At first glance, she is the wild party girl that I definitely was in my early twenties: searching for validation, emboldened by my sexuality, and much more sure of what I didn\u2019t want than what I did. But there are layers to every lovable character\u2026 she is openly emotional, and honest about her intentions and way of living. She\u2019s the sexiest feminist in town!\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an interesting time for opera enthusiasts, as two of Puccini’s most beloved operas are happening in October simultaneously: Canadian Opera Company\u2019s season opener, Turandot<\/em>, and AtG\u2019s La Boh\u00e8me<\/em>. <\/i>Premiered 30 years apart, Puccini chose two quite different subjects for these two operas \u2014 one of his own time, and another from a fantasy of ancient China. COC\u2019s Turandot<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span>, with its minimalist set (no Zeffirelli<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span> here) and some attempt to update and address certain cultural issues<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/span>, has been ruffling a few feathers amongst traditionalists \u2014 even from ring five, up in the gods.<\/p>\n

AtG\u2019s La Boh\u00e8me<\/em> couldn\u2019t be any more different; its plot intertwined with our own time, spoken and sung to us in our own language, and served with beer in the house (with that unmistakable perfume of past spilled drinks on the Tranzac carpet). And you are literally on the set \u2014 Tranzac\u2019s fully licensed bar, and you will be in the show.<\/p>\n

Ever wondered if opera can be real? The chance is here now, and it\u2019s time be curious. Circle a date, and walk in with your own daily get-up, whether it be a high-viz vest and bike helmet, or fancy new shoes to update that old, worn and comfortable everyday clothing. La Boh\u00e8me<\/em> couldn\u2019t get more real here and now \u2014 especially with a pint from Collective Arts Brewing, or Steam Whistle.<\/p>\n

Against the Grain Theatre present: La Boh\u00e8me<\/em>, <\/i>11-25 October 2019, at the Tranzac Club, Toronto. Details here<\/a><\/u><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

#LUDWIGVAN<\/em><\/h3>\n

Want more updates on classical music and opera news and reviews? Follow us\u00a0on <\/em>Facebook<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/em>, <\/em>Instagram<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/em> <\/b>or <\/em>Twitter<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/em> for all the latest.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A new English text, creative staging, and overcoming other challenges of a national pub tour of\u00a0La Boh\u00e8me, including 11 days in Toronto\u2019s Tranzac Bar, from AtG\u2019s Joel Ivany and others.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":63017,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[25164,29,43,4557],"tags":[31193,186,3964,2722,3368],"yst_prominent_words":[31944,31942,31930,26490,31943,31941,6871,31932,10965,11977,16877,31940,31938,31931,6886,31937,31936,6741,11884,31939],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/10\/AGAINST-THE-GRAIN-THEATRE2019.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9bakr-gnP","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62981"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62981"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62981\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63021,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62981\/revisions\/63021"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62981"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=62981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}