BELLES SOEURS: THE MUSICAL to Debut in Montreal at the Segal Centre, Oct 19-Nov 9
By: BWW News Desk Feb. 27, 2014
Copa de Oro Productions and the Segal Centre for Performing Arts have secured the rights to the English-language adaptation of Belles-Sœurs, the Quebec musical sensation based on the play by Michel Tremblay. BELLES SŒURS: THE MUSICAL will premiere to Montreal audiences as part of the Segal Centre's 2014-2015 Season from October 19 - November 9, 2014.
With book, lyrics and direction by René Richard Cyr and music by Juno Award-winning recording artist Daniel Bélanger, Belles-Soeurs took Quebec by storm after its premiere at the Théâtre d'Aujourd'hui in 2010, garnering unanimous critical acclaim and touring throughout the province and to Paris in 2012. Cyr and Bélanger have joined forces with award-winning Canadian composers Neil Bartram and Brian Hill (English adaptation of Book & Lyrics) to adapt this enormous Quebec hit for English audiences.
"Our task in adapting the French musical to English has been to combine the essence of our original production with the structure of the Broadway-style musical while ensuring that the story and the characters remain quintessentially Quebecois," stated René Richard Cyr, who makes his English theatre directorial debut at the Segal Centre with this exciting new production.
"We've always admired Michel Tremblay's play Les Belles-soeurs and we were stunned by how powerful René Richard's and Daniel's musical adaptation was when we saw it. Our task has been to retain the essence of these iconic women and tap into their universality for an English-speaking audience. It's been a fascinating and joyful challenge getting inside their heads and finding a counterpart for their unique voices," said Neil Bartram and Brian Hill, New York-based composers of multiple musical theatre hits including Broadway's The Story of My Life (nominated for four Drama Desk Awards).
Belles Sœurs: The Musical is the brainchild of Allan Sandler, CEO of Montreal's Copa de Oro Productions, the well-known Quebec producer of highly successful theatrical productions in both the English and French languages, including Chicago: The Musical, Grease, and the Mirvish production of War Horse.
"After four years of hard work we have succeeded in adapting and structuring this musical for the English market, while still holding on to the wonderful spirit of the Michel Tremblay play. Neil and Brian have worked closely with Cyr and Bélanger to update the music and lyrics and make them accessible to all musical theatre lovers. We look forward to seeing our creation take flight at the Segal Centre with Michel Tremblay's blessing," said Sandler.
"Forty six years ago, Les Belles-soeurs began speaking in joual in Montreal. A few years later they spoke English in Toronto and, after that, over twenty-five languages around the world. And yes even in Yiddish... Four years ago they began singing in joual in Montreal and soon they will sing in English for you. These fifteen women will never cease to amaze me!" stated Michel Tremblay, celebrated playwright of Les Belles-soeurs and over 26 published plays.
Tremblay's 1968 tragicomedy about a working-class Montreal housewife whose life is turned upside down after winning one million trading stamps takes on a whole new dimension in this outrageously fun musical celebration.
"We have the really exciting opportunity to take this beloved local tale and make it resonate on in a fresh and modern musical format. Audiences will delight in this new adaptation featuring the same characters, stories and even the set they fell in love with in the original production," said Lisa Rubin, Artistic and Executive Director of the Segal Centre.
Belles Sœurs: The Musical is born out of the Segal Centre's longstanding association with Copa de Oro Productions (Ain't Misbehavin', The Mahalia Jackson Musical) and the Segal's continuing efforts to adapt Francophone productions for its audiences. The Segal partnered with Théâtre du Rideau Vert in 2010 to produce Old Wicked Songs/Une musique inquiétante by Jon Marans, whose English version won the Association québécoise des critiques de théâtre award, and again in 2012 with Morris Panych's Vigil.
Belles Sœurs: The Musical is currently in its final stages of completion. Casting has been completed and will be announced at the unveiling of the Segal Centre's full 2014-2015 Season on March 27th.
For tickets, call 514.739.7944 or visit www.segalcentre.org. The Segal Centre is located at 5170 chemin de la Côte-Ste-Catherine, Montreal, H3W 1M7. Belles Sœurs: The Musical is presented by arrangement with B-14 Productions and Agence Goodwin.
About the Segal Centre for Performing Arts: The Segal Centre is a meeting place for all of the performing arts, showcasing the best professional artists from here and abroad and playing a leading role in the artistic development of Montreal's youth and the creation of its cultural legacy. Through theatre, music, dance, cinema and the Academy, the Segal Centre is setting a broad vision by recognizing the importance of building bridges through the arts and supporting multicultural projects in Montreal. The Centre's commitment is to ensure that creativity resonates within our community and that it remains accessible and inspiring each and every day. segalcentre.org
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