Oedipus Rex

Sophocles' classic tale of a King's disastrous quest for the truth he needs to save his people

Canopy Theatre Company celebrates its 6th Season of
Outdoor Theatre for Downtown Toronto

Sophocles'
Oedipus Rex

at Philosopher’s Stage at Philosopher’s Walk

Celebrating its 6th anniversary of presenting Classical Works in an outdoor environment for downtown Toronto audiences, Canopy Theatre Company, in association with Hart House Theatre, is proud to announce its 2006 Summer Season. Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex will be presented at one of Toronto’s most unique outdoor performance spaces, Philosopher’s Stage at Philosopher’s Walk, from Wednesday, July 19th through Saturday, August 5th, 2006.

Philosopher’s Stage at Philosopher’s Walk provides the ideal venue for a classical staging of Sophocles’ greatest tragedy being open to the air and the stars; perfect for characters to deal with worldly questions of fate and to beg for guidance from the Gods.

Canopy’s staging maintains classic elements of choral unison, mask artistry and sensationally melodramatic dialogue while connecting with the modern audience through Sophocles’ universal themes: questioning the meaning of life, love versus passion, fate and destiny versus free will.

The Canopy Theatre Company is one of Toronto’s premiere showcases for young professionals. This upcoming production marks Canopy’s 6th Season of producing Outdoor Theatre for Downtown Toronto.


Directed by Andrea Wasserman
Associate Director – Jamie Burnett

Philosopher’s Stage at Philosopher’s Walk
80 Queen’s Park
(just steps South from the Museum Subway station)

July 19 to August 5
TUESDAYS to SATURDAYS at 8pm
(House Opens at 7:30pm)
Preview on Tuesday, July 18 (PWYC)

Tickets
Adults $10
Students & Seniors $8
Pay What You Can Tuesdays (July 18 & 25 & August 1)

BYOB - Bring Your Own Blanket
This is an outdoor performance.
Lawn chairs are also welcome around the edge of the seating area.

Sophocles's Oedipus Rex is probably the most famous tragedy ever
written. Canopy's Company of young professionals tackles the Classic at
one of Toronto's most unique outdoor theatre environments.


SYNOPSIS

In the years before the action of the play, Oedipus of Corinth frees the people of Thebes by answering the Sphinx’s riddle and banishing her and the pestilence she brought upon the city. In gratitude for his actions, the people award Oedipus with the title of King and the hand of their recently widowed Queen, Jocasta.

Now another plague has captured the city and its people call on Oedipus to help as he did before. Creon, Oedipus’ brother-in-law, visits the oracle at Delphi and returns with Apollo’s answer; in order to lift the plague from the city, the murderer of the former King, Laios, must be found out and banished from the city.

In his quest for the truth that will save his people, Oedipus speaks with prophets, priests and witnesses and discovers his own involvement in the crime. Through his efforts to trick fate and fortune he has, in fact, placed himself directly in line with dreadful destiny.


CANOPY'S TAKE ON IT ALL

Philosopher’s Stage on Philosopher’s Walk provides the ideal venue for a classical staging of Sophocles’ greatest tragedy. The stage is open to the air and the stars; perfect for characters to deal with worldly questions of fate and beg for guidance from the gods.

As in previous seasons, Canopy Theatre has developed a unique adaptation of this classic. The text holds true to the timeless story, but by bringing in the element of modern poetry the text becomes more accessible to our audience and performers.

Canopy’s staging maintains classic elements of choral unison, mask artistry and sensationally melodramatic dialogue while connecting with the modern audience through Sophocles’ universal themes: questioning the meaning of life, love versus passion, fate and destiny versus free will.


ABOUT THE COMPANY

The Canopy Theatre Company is one of Toronto’s premiere showcases for young professionals. Its mandate for its summer Season is to produce Classical Works in an outdoor environment for downtown Toronto audiences. This upcoming production marks Canopy’s 6th Season of producing Outdoor Theatre for Downtown Toronto.

Canopy Theatre Company has had the pleasure of seeing its actors and company members move onto the Stratford Festival of Canada, Halifax’s Shakespeare by the Sea and American Theatre MFA Programs such as Penn State and the University of Virginia.

Canopy’s Summer Season is co-produced with Hart House Theatre.


DIRECTIONS TO PHILOSOPHER'S STAGE

Philosopher's Stage is located on the Campus of the University of Toronto. Situated between the Edward Johnson Building and the Law Faculty Buildings the stage is only accessed by Philosopher's Walk on performance dates.

BY SUBWAY

Museum Subway - exit on the West side of Queen's Park, walk south and follow signs located at 80 Queen's Park. To gain access to the audience entrance either walk through the Edward Johnson building or around the building (follow signs).

St. George Subway - exit at the Bedford Ave. exit, cross Bloor St so that you are on the South side, walk east past the Royal Conservatory of Music until you have reached the gated entrance to Philosopher's Walk (see signs), walk south along the pathway and see large staircase - follow signs.

Philosopher's Walk can also be accessed by Hoskin Avenue.

BY CAR

Metered parking can be found on Hoskin Avenue, Devonshire Place and Bloor St. For underground parking there is a Green P parking lot on the east side of Bedford Avenue at Bloor St.


WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

For patrons attending in a wheelchair or who cannot climb the staircase at the main entrance:

- You may enter through the backstage area (actor's entrance) from 7:30pm up until two minutes prior to curtain.
- The backstage entrance is located at 80 Queen's Park - at the Edward Johnson Building.
- Please inform the backstage personel when you arrive that you are there to see the performance and you will be escorted through the backstage area to the audience area.
- As with lawn chairs, patrons in wheelchairs will be asked to sit around the edge of the audince area by the wheelchair ramp.

For any accessability issue or concerns please contact info@canopytheatre.ca


WEATHER & CANCELLATIONS

As our productions are performed outdoors, weather dictates if a performance can take place. Every effort will be made to start and/or complete every performance. In the event of rain a 15 minute intermission will be taken. If rain persists the performance will be cancelled. All sales are final however patrons who attend a performance that is cancelled or partially cancelled will be given complimentary tickets to another performance is Canopy Theatre Company's Summer Season.

Oedipus Rex

Philosopher's Stage at Philosopher's Walk
Tue Jul 18 2006, 8:00pm
Wed Jul 19 2006, 8:00pm
Thu Jul 20 2006, 8:00pm
Fri Jul 21 2006, 8:00pm
Sat Jul 22 2006, 8:00pm
Tue Jul 25 2006, 8:00pm
Wed Jul 26 2006, 8:00pm
Thu Jul 27 2006, 8:00pm
Fri Jul 28 2006, 8:00pm
Sat Jul 29 2006, 8:00pm
Tue Aug 01 2006, 8:00pm
Wed Aug 02 2006, 8:00pm
Thu Aug 03 2006, 8:00pm
Fri Aug 04 2006, 8:00pm
Sat Aug 05 2006, 8:00pm


Ticket Sales Begin:
Mon Jun 05 2006, 11:00am

Ticket Prices:
adult - $10.00
student - $8.00
senior - $8.00

For More Information:
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E-mail: N/A
Phone: (416) 978-8849
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Venue information, including seating plans & maps.