The new play “1939,” which opens at the Sudbury Theatre Centre March 15, welcomes home Richard Comeau from stages across Canada.
Directed and co-written by iconic Indigenous artist Jani Lauzon, “1939” is not to be missed.
At a fictional residential school in Northern Ontario, which is preparing for a visit by King George VI, students are tasked with staging a production of Shakespeare's "All’s Well That Ends Well.” While a traditional and rigid approach to Shakespeare clashes with their perspectives, the Indigenous students begin to draw parallels between their own lives and the characters in the play.
Discover alongside them themes of resilience and defiance against colonial expectations. As Shakespeare's bittersweet comedy is dissected, “1939” evolves into a powerful statement of self-determination and a bold reclaiming of cultural identity.
Comeau, who is originally from Sudbury, performed in the world premiere production of 1939 at Stratford. He joins a star studded cast, including Sarah Gartshore, Jake Deeth, Kelsey Tyson, Lisa Cromarty, MacKenzie Wojcik, Katie Wise and Deborah Drakeford.
In recent years, Comeau was seen in “King Lear,” “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Hamlet-911” at Stratford Festival, one of the most prestigious theatre festivals in North America.
“I'm super excited to be back home. It's been nearly 20 years since I've stepped foot on this stage, and to do so while telling this incredible and important story is very special,” said Comeau.
“I get to work with extremely talented friends, old and new, under the guidance of Jani once again who is such a Rockstar, and seeing family every day too. I feel like the luckiest person in the world.”
“When we began our partnership with the STC, I began to look throughout the country for artists who had a connection to Northern Ontario,” said YES Theatre artistic director Alessandro Costantini.
“I had heard about Richard and his work at the Stratford Festival, then miraculously received a Facebook message from him asking to connect. We spoke about different projects and his unique skill set. He then told me about 1939, the production he was recently in at Stratford.
“I immediately was curious and Richard connected me with playwrights Jani Lauzon and Kaitlyn Riordan which then began the glorious process of bringing this piece here to the stage at the STC. It’s a tremendous privilege, and an honour to be welcoming Richard back to Sudbury to reprise his role in this prolific work.
“Like all of my most memorable experiences in the theatre, this project has so far been full of deep love and intention. Richard is a great artist and I’m so grateful to have made the connection.”
“1939” opens at the Sudbury Theatre Centre March 15. Tickets are available at $35 (+tax) for Youth and $53 (+HST) for adults. “1939” is also included in the 2024 Season Pass which offers patrons 20 per cent off the entire season and access to the Pass Holder only event “A Night of Broadway '' featuring stars straight from the Broadway Stage.
Head to yestheatre.com or call the FCR Sudbury Theatre Centre Box Office.
