MONTREAL January 2008 - The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre, in association with The Montreal Highlights Festival and Ernst & Young, proudly presents Houdini – a world premiere musical about the life and magic of America’s first great popular entertainer. For the first time in the Festival’s nine-year history, a Segal Theatre production will be one of the showcased productions.

Houdini features some of the legendary escape artist’s most famous routines. Don’t miss this entertaining, musical ride through Houdini’s life- from his humble vaudeville beginnings to the heights of his fame.

Director Bryna Wasserman, recognized for her staging of large-scale musicals, was eager to bring Harry Houdini’s story to a bigger audience after the success of the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre’s The Great Houdini in 2000. The book for this all-new production is by Ben Gonshor, with music and lyrics by Elan Kunin. For Wasserman, the story speaks to modern audiences: “This is a throwback to the turn of the twentieth century, a time when theatre was there to involve and engage the public.” She continues, “The idea of the world and technologies changing and moving forward was also prevalent at that time. People were moving away from live entertainment and seeking out the newer inventions, like movies.” Playwright Ben Gonshor understands the complexities of mounting a musical of this scale: “It’s one hell of a challenge but we’re committed to making magic happen for you on stage. In a sense, we’re “pulling a Houdini!”

For this very physical production, Wasserman is joined by a dazzling cast comprising Kevin Kraft in the title role, along with Valerie Boyle, Rod Campbell, Gab Desmond, Gabrielle Maes, Paul McQuillan, Christopher Ryan and Lauren Stanford. The ensemble features Paul Cagelet, Francois Dagenais, Claire Duncan, Rachel Gauthier, Holly Gauthier-Frankel, Alison Gelinas, Jason Noel, Brad Picken, Holly Raye, Lauren Roy and Jake Smith.

This production will present a live, six-piece band with such well-known Montreal musicians as Chet Doxas, Jim Doxas, Dave Martin, Morgan Moore and bandleader, John Roney. Albin Konopka is the music supervisor and John Gilbert is the music consultant.

The creative design team includes Yannik Larivée, set; Luc Prairie, lighting; Sara Brians, choreography; Sarah Armstrong, costumes and Rob Denton, sound. The magic consultant is Greg Kramer and Yves Neveu is the artistic/circus consultant. Lorna Wayne is the assistant director, Merissa Tordjman is the stage manager and Melanie St-Jacques completes the team as assistant stage manager.

“What does he mean, "be careful?!” I hang myself upside down in straight jackets one hundred feet in the air and he's telling me to be careful!” - Houdini

88.5 CBC Radio One Presents Sunday-@-the Segal with Dr. Joe Schwarcz
Sunday, February 10th, 11am. Admission is free.
Join us for another season of intimate conversation and riveting lectures. Dr. Joe will be sharing his insight and passion about Houdini in his lecture, Houdini: The Man and the Myth.

Monday Night Talkbacks presented by Pratt and Whitney Canada
As usual following the play, some of the actors and/or designers will remain on stage to take questions from the audience. Monday Night Talkbacks provides an intimate opportunity for audiences to engage up close and personal with the personalities bringing first class professional English language theatre to Montreal.

TICKETS AND MEDIA INFORMATION

Run:
February 10 - March 2, 2008

Previews:
February 10, 1:30 pm
February 11 - 18, 8:00 pm (Feb. 16 at 8:30 pm)

Sunday-@-the-Segal:
February 10, 11:00 am

Media Opening Night:
Tuesday, February 19 8:00 pm

Performances:
Monday - Thursday, 8:00 pm
Saturday 8:30 pm
Sunday 7:00 pm

Matinées:
Wednesdays 1:00 pm
Sundays 2:00 pm

Box Office:
(514) 739-7944

Admission
(514) 790-1245
www.admission.com

Segal Centre for Performing Arts at the Saidye
5170 Cote St. Catherine Rd.

Bryna Wasserman - Director
Bryna is Artistic and Executive Director of The Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre. A graduate of New York University’s prestigious Tisch School of Fine Arts, her extensive career includes work at the American Place Theatre, The Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Centre, the Mercer Street Theatre, the Vancouver Opera Company and the Folksbiene Playhouse. Recent credits with the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre include God of Vengeance, Lies My Father Told Me, Fiddler on The Roof, The Golden Land, Double Identity, The Dybbuk, On Second Avenue (the Drama Desk Award-nominated, historic co-production with New York’s Folksbiene Yiddish Theatre) and most recently Those Were The Days. In 2000 she was awarded the Montreal English Critics Circle Award (MECCA) of Distinction for her contribution to the development of the Montreal theatre scene.

Ben Gonshor - Playwright
Ben Gonshor is a writer, actor and musician. A native Montrealer, he has performed bass guitar with various local artists for over fifteen years and been a contributing writer to numerous local publications. A lifelong member of The Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre, he most recently starred in the company’s original musical production of Lies My Father Told Me and performed in the orchestra for Those Were The Days. He holds an M.F.A. in Motion Picture Producing from the prestigious Peter Stark Producing Program of the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California. He currently serves as Director of Marketing and Communications & Executive Producer of Online and New Media for the Segal Centre. Houdini is his first play.

Elan Kunin - Music and lyrics
Elan Kunin began his professional musical career as the star and orchestrator in The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz for the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre. He subsequently went on to become the lead actor, music director, composer and arranger for numerous plays including On Second Avenue, Old Wicked Songs, The Threepenny Opera, Double Identity, Fiddler on the Roof, Lies My Father Told Me (music and lyrics) and The Great Houdini which won the Masque award for best semi-professional production. Elan was last seen in the Drama Desk nominated On Second Avenue Off-Broadway in New York and later in Los Angeles.

Kevin Kraft - Houdini
Kevin has performed extensively across the U.S. and has appeared on Broadway in Forum and off-Broadway in Johnny Guitar, American Dreams and The Fartiste. Other theatre credits include She Loves Me (Arena Stage), Floyd Collins (Actors Theatre of Louisville), As You Like It (The Acting Company) and The Full Monty (West Virginia Public). TV and film credits include: The Nanny Diaries, All My Children, Ed and Duston Checks In.