NEWS

Theatre Patrons Encouraged To Go Green

July 4, 2008 - News Release, Resurgence Theatre Company

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Making a socially conscious choice becomes easy at this year’s 2008 YORK SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL. York Region's Premier Outdoor Summer Theatre Festival Fairy Lake, Newmarket, ON

Newmarket, ON, July 4, 2008 - To commemorate their TENTH SEASON of producing professional outdoor theatre on the shores of Fairy Lake in Newmarket, Ontario, Resurgence Theatre Company and iPLANcorp are inviting theatre patrons everywhere to take one small step towards ensuring a healthier planet. In turn, Resurgence will honour their good deed by naming the York Shakespeare Festival Tent after each and every one of them.

A list of twenty ways you can GO GREEN WITH RESURGENCE will be posted online. Those who pledge to carry out environmentally friendly acts such as installing a low flow shower head or washing their laundry with cold water will have their names displayed at the entrance of the Festival Tent as a Co-Tent Sponsor in addition to being recognized online.

"Since 1999, the Festival has attracted thousands of visitors each year to what is probably Canada’s most bucolic outdoor theatre setting", says Resurgence co-Founder, Anthony Leo, "It only seems fit to honour that ten year tradition with a vehicle that allows all of us who have enjoyed this stunning natural backdrop to give back."

This year’s Festival line up kicks off with the Canadian premiere adaptation of THE SECRET GARDEN by Dan Danson. Based on the classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett and set in early 1900’s Yorkshire, England, the play presents a moving reaffirmation of love and life as young Mary Lennox brings her Uncle’s long forgotten garden back to life. Directed by Ashlie Corcoran, the play promises to be a rewarding experience for audience members of any age. THE SECRET GARDEN performances run from July 15 to August 21, 2008.

From August 4 to 24 is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comic tales of mistaken identity and mischief, TWELFTH NIGHT. Directed by Lee Wilson, co-founder of Resurgence Theatre Company, the play will spotlight rising star and Aurora, Ontario native Christine Horne in role of Viola.

Mr. Wilson is the only artist in Canada to have participated in the Shaw Festival Director’s Project, the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre at the Stratford Festival as Resident Director and the Urjo Kareda Residency at the Tarragon Theatre under director Richard Rose. Already compared to a young Audrey Hepburn in Variety Magazine, Christine Horne recently moved international audiences appearing alongside Academy Award winner Ellen Burstyn and Academy Award nominee Ellen Page in the feature film adaptation of Margaret Laurence’s The Stone Angel which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this past Fall.

The Acting Company for both productions also includes Stratford Festival veterans Don Carrier and Ian Deakin, Soulpepper Theatre Company member Derek Boyes, Lara Jean Chorostecki, Alison Deon, Anthony Leo, Shaun McComb, Philip Riccio, Nathalie Toriel and Kevin Walker.

And echoing the GREEN theme, Resurgence will also present the world premiere of BEWARE THE FALLING TREES! Lorraine and the Great Moraine Adventure playing from July 29 to August 14. Adapted from Loon Laughter: Ecological Fables & Nature Tales by Paul Leet Aird and written by Amy Henkel & Anthony Leo, BEWARE is a fun and interactive play that will educate young audiences about the Oak Ridges Moraine and environmental stewardship in an entertaining format. Produced in cooperation with the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation and featuring members of Resurgence’s Senior Youth Theatre Conservatory.

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RESURGENCE THEATRE COMPANY was founded in March 1999 to resurge the classics and ignite new and contemporary works within York Region and beyond with a strong focus on utilizing the surging energy of emerging professional artists. In addition to the annual York Shakespeare Festival, Resurgence offers the Senior Youth Theatre Conservatory - a six-week intensive theatre training program for high school students for which participants receive two credits towards their diploma upon successful completion.

2008 York Shakespeare Festival

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