The Sudbury Theatre Centre will launch its audience into the far reaches of space with its latest Young Company production, "Celestial Being."
On stage Jan. 20 and 21, the play stars local actors Sidney Cassidy and Camil Rochon as Celeste and Martin, a pair of nine-year-old terrestrial misfits.
Written by Dave Deveau and directed by Meredith Zwicker, the play pairs the science of the stars with the childhood sense of wonder and imagination into a touching story of friendship.
Celeste, who is diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, is teased as a “space case,” while Martin struggles to adjust after moving from Sudbury to Vancouver following the death of his father. Together, they hatch a plan to build a rocket so they can find a home among the stars.
"I will say that the nine-year-old characters, Celeste and Martin, know far more science than I do," said Zwicker. "I had to do a lot of catch-up."
But Zwicker's astronomical learning curve was offset by what she calls "one of the most lovely pairings I've ever cast," referring to her actors. "I don't think I could've found a better Martin and Celeste."
For the actors themselves, the friendship between their characters is the crux of the play.
"The friendship between the two is a very organic one," said Rochon. "It's not forced. Martin walks into Celeste's backyard says basically 'you're my friend now'. And she's like 'okay'. And from there, they discover how much they have in common."
"The show is pretty much about having a friend there to help you through things," said Cassidy. "Because of her bullying, Celeste doesn't have any friends at school and Martin becomes her only friend, who she didn't expect to find, but he came along. He supports her even through her crazy decision to try to blast off to this planet."
The play begins in Celeste's backyard with a big object under a tarp, eventually revealed to be a colourful spaceship clad in tinfoil and topped with a rainbow umbrella, an imaginative set design by Zwicker and Katherine Smith.
"We wanted it to have the look of something a nine-year-old could have possibly built," said Zwicker.
As the characters blast off into space, the audience, too, is transported along with them thanks to lighting designer Tim Stenabaugh and a sound design by frequent STC collaborator, Michael Doherty.
STC is teaming up with Science North in a first-time collaboration for the two organizations. STC will be running a draw for each of its public performances, giving people a chance to win two tickets to see Science North’s renovated planetarium and feature film, "Passport to the Universe," narrated by Tom Hanks.
"Celestial Being" is on stage Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 21, with a 2 p.m. pay-what-you-can relaxed performance and a regular 7:30 p.m. performance.
Relaxed performances are specifically designed to welcome those who would benefit from a more tranquil environment, such as individuals on the Autism Spectrum, or those with sensory and communication disorders, or learning disabilities. STC will host post-show discussion with members of the cast, production team and representatives from Autism Ontario.
General tickets are $20 (+HST) and $12 (+HST) for students. STC is offering a special promotional code, "ROCKET", which allows adults purchase their tickets at the student price.
Tickets are available at STC's DiBrina Box Office by visiting 170 Shaughnessy St. in downtown Sudbury, by calling 705 674 8381, online at www.sudburytheatre.ca.
"I hope very much that the audience gets to experience the wonder and amazement the characters experience, and the pride of what you can do with your imagination," said Zwicker. "But the resounding message for me really is the aspect of friendship and that being unique and different is a positive thing, that people will admire you for that."
