Are you familiar with the term POTUS? Yep, that stands for President of the United States. It also the title of the next production to hit the stage at The Segal Centre for Performing Arts . The Canadian premiere of POTUS Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive will be at the Sylvan Adams Theatre from May 12 to June 2.
This outrageous comedy by Selina Fillinger is directed by Segal Centre Artistic and Executive Director Lisa Rubin.
Here is the plotline.
The President has unwittingly spun a PR nightmare into a global crisis with the use of one four-letter word. Now it’s up to the brilliant and beleaguered women he relies upon most risk life, liberty, and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief, the country, and possibly, the whole dang world, out of trouble. Veep meets House of Cards in this hysterical, side-splitting, and riotous comedy featuring seven high-flying and audacious performances.
“The ingredients: seven badass women, jaw-dropping performances, non-stop laughter, gutsy and provocative content,” says Artistic and Executive Director Lisa Rubin. “The result is a recipe for the most buzzworthy show of our season. Not for the faint of heart! This play pulls no punches.”
Playing the President’s closest allies are Kayleigh Choiniere (known for The Bold Type) as his mistress, Rachael Crawford (winner of Best Supporting Actor Genie and Gemini nominee for Traders) as the First Lady, Catherine Fitch (10 seasons at the Blyth Festival) as his secretary, Elvira Kurt (acclaimed Canadian comedian with multiple standup specials) as his sister, Cherissa Richards (RMTC’s The Mountaintop) as a journalist, Astrid Van Wieren (Germaine in Segal Centre’s Belles Soeurs: The Musical and original Beulah in Come From Away on Broadway) as his chief of staff, and Jennifer Villaverde (Stratford’s Les Belles Soeurs) as his press secretary.
The run of POTUS features two audio-described performances scheduled for Sunday, May 26 and one ASL-interpreted performance on Saturday, June 1. The audio-described performances are preceded by a Tactile Visit (or Touch Tour), a guided hands-on exploration of the set and costumes providing descriptive information about the elements of the play, for the visually impaired. The Segal Centre is committed to providing accessibility tools and resources, such as Braille bar menus and visual stories, to enhance the theatregoing experience for all patrons.
Tickets are on sale now at 514-739-7944 or at www.segalcentre.org.
SEGAL CENTRE’S NEXT SEASON: The Segal Centre for Performing Arts launched their 2024-2025 Theatre season recently with a celebratory toast in their lobby surrounded by Montreal theatre lovers. The Segal Centre has put together their most musical season yet with a slate of hit productions filled with music. The 2024-2025 season includes tributes to two Quebec music icons, two brand new musicals from exciting young Canadian talent, and a soon-to-be-announced surprise show. Following theatre-going trends, this season also features earlier start times of 7:30 p.m. to offer patrons the best experience.
Kicking off the season, it’s all aboard the Ship of Dreams in an all-Canadian cast production of Titanique. NYC’s must-sea musical comedy is set to slay Canada, the mother country of the O.G. Quebecois international sensation, Céline Dion. Titanique will make its Canadian premiere in Céline’s home of Montreal (or 24 km from her hometown of Charlemagne) at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts (October 27 – November 24, 2024), followed by an engagement at Toronto’s CAA Theatre (December 3, 2024 – January 12, 2025). This co-production of the off-Broadway hit of titanic proportions will star an authentique real-life Quebec star – Véronique Claveau – as Céline Dion. The remainder of the 13-member cast will be announced soon. Originally produced off-Broadway by Eva Price, the Canadian production will be co-produced by the Segal Centre for Performing Arts in Montreal and Mirvish Productions in Toronto by special arrangement with Maximum Entertainment Productions.
For the holiday season, the Segal Centre presents a Soulpepper concert tribute to one of the city’s most beloved figures, the late Leonard Cohen. The Secret Chord: A Leonard Cohen Experience, which played to sold-out audiences in Toronto, will play in Montreal from December 8, 2024 to January 12, 2025, and features some of his greatest hits.
In the spring, the Segal Centre produces the world premiere of Our Little Secret: The 23andMe® Musical based on an unbelievably true story from Noam Tomaschoff. This new musical, a hit at the Toronto Fringe Festival, recounts Tomaschoff’s discovery that he was not an only child but rather had 35 siblings. This completely engrossing tale takes the stage from April 27 to May 18, 2025.
Capping off the season in June is an exciting soon-to-be-announced production.
The Segal Centre also offers up an irresistible add-on to the subscription season: the world premiere of Max and Aaron Write a Musical, a new show by Montrealer Trevor Barrette. Presented as a sold-out out public workshop at the Segal Centre in 2023, this full production tells the story of two best friends trying to beat the clock on an important writing deadline.
Francis Choinière
MUSIC AT THE MOVIES: The FILMharmonique Orchestra, under the direction of talented conductor Francis Choinière, returns for the fourth installment of their spectacular concert series Music at the Movies, with a special edition paying tribute to the masterful scores of John Williams. After its premiere at the Place des Arts on May 17 and 18, the orchestra will take the show to Trois-Rivières, Quebec City and then Toronto. This exceptional concert promises an unforgettable journey through the illustrious career of one of the most celebrated composers in film history. Bringing together an impressive ensemble of 78 musicians and 100 choristers, ready to deliver stirring renditions of Williams’ most beloved compositions, this show will transport audiences from the ominous depths of Jaws to the epic adventures of Star Wars, via the thrilling excitement of Superman and the magical realm of Harry Potter. Audiences will rediscover the enchanting world of John Williams through four decades of cinematic excellence.
“With this edition of Music at the Movies, we want to pay homage to the incomparable talent of John Williams and celebrate the enduring magic of his cinematic masterpieces,” said Choinière. “Williams has contributed so much to the world of film music, from the development and influence of the symphony orchestra to the deep connection between audiences and the films themselves.”
The FILMharmonique Orchestra, composed of world-class Canadian musicians, is Canada’s premier film music orchestra. Since its founding in 2015 by Denis Chabot, the FILMharmonique Orchestra has presented sold-out film concerts every year at Place des Arts’ Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. Among the films presented in concert are Harry Potter, Amadeus, Star Wars, The Godfather, Gladiator, Titanic, Fantasia, La Passion d’Augustine, Bugs Bunny and Lord of the Rings. The FILMharmonique Orchestra has also accompanied many internationally renowned artists, including Hans Zimmer, Andrea Bocelli, Stevie Wonder, Ramin Djawadi (Game of Thrones), Ute Lemper, Patrick Bruel and Stacey Kent.
The Orchestra’s mission is to make classical music accessible to a wider audience. For some members of its audience, FILMharmonique concerts are their first experience of live classical music. Its goal is both to attract existing audiences and to cultivate a new, inclusive audience of classical concertgoers across Canada. The FILMharmonique is committed to promoting Canadian artists, cultural exchange, music education and accessibility. Since their creation, they have also recorded several albums on the GFN Classics label: L’univers symphonique du cinéma, Vivaldi and Piazolla’s Four Seasons, François Dompierre’s Requiem, Phonèmes (François Dompierre), Arise (Clann), Noël à l’Opéra (Lyrico), and Hidden Assets (Michel Corriveau). Info: https://placedesarts.com/en/event/lunivers-symphonique-du-cinema-hommage-john-williams
LASALLE COLLEGE FASHION: The prestigious LaSalle College Signature Fashion Show returns in force for its new edition on Thursday, May 16, at the Pavillon du Grand Quai in the Port of Montreal. For the occasion, hundreds of original creations will be presented during the three evening shows, at 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.The event, eagerly awaited each year by all fashion enthusiasts, celebrates the talent and creativity of fashion design graduates from LaSalle College, Canada’s leading fashion school. This year, actress and singer Éléonore Lagacé has agreed to be spokesperson for the event. “I like to play with clothes, wear something new, surprise,” she said. “ What we wear is an expression of ourselves, so we might as well enjoy it and have fun! I’m impressed by the talent, the creative innovation and the know-how of these young graduate designers, who will be dressing me soon… hopefully!”
For the very first time, a pop-up store will be selling one-of-a-kind upcycled and eco-responsible pieces from the new SGNTR collection, designed by graduates in collaboration with Reitmans. This will be the perfect opportunity for the public to purchase original, eco-friendly pieces designed by tomorrow’s designers! What’s more, 90% of the accessories used during the show will be upcycled. Encouraging the College’s sustainable development approach, two local companies organized contests for graduates. Cashmere Outfitter generously donated 50 cashmere coats to 12 graduates, who upcycled them to create exceptional pieces. Similarly, the Télio Impact Prize, awarded by Télio, will recognize a student who has integrated at least one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into every stage of his or her project.
Signature 2024 is part of the new Festival LaSalle College, taking place from May 14 to 18 at the Grand Quay. This event will kick off the celebrations for the College’s 65th anniversary. For the occasion, fashion designers from LCI Education institutions in Barcelona, Vancouver, Melbourne, and Morocco will also present their creations in one of the runway segments.
THE SPINDELLS AT GEEZ: Dimo James and The Spindells will perform Sat. May 11 (9 pm) at Geez Resto-Bar Café on St. Jacques. The group will play tunes from the 50’s to the 90’s with James accompanied by Maro Lytra, Dan Brasloff and Peter Korbis. Make sure to enjoy one of the terrific Geez burgers.
Have an item for my Entertainment Notebook? E-mail mcohen@thesuburban.com
