BWW Interviews: STANDING ON CEREMONY Brings Something New

Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays brings to life the often forgotten, yet astoundingly important issue of equality and the effects it has on the lives of human beings living under its restrictions.

Brave New Productions is bringing these provocative yet lighthearted stories to life for a special one-weekend engagement at the Theatre Ste Catherine.

The multiple pieces written for Standing on Ceremony combine together to put into context the rapidly changing landscape of human equality. Mo Gaffney, Moises Kaufman, and Paul Raudnick are among the prize-winning authors that have contributed to this show.

"It's 9 different pieces written by 9 different amazing authors that tackle the subject of gay marriage," explains Donald Rees, who is acting in the show as well as producing it. "[the views] are not necessarily expressed in a political way but rather it's more about the experiences that gay people have in this society."

The show starts with a couple working on their wedding vows. They are reassessing what to say because nothing in traditional wedding vows really applies to them. From there on in each piece brings something different and gives the show momentum. The pieces are very different ranging from comedies to ones that are perhaps a bit heavier, although overall the tone is light.

"I think it's amazing that we even get to tell these stories in this time," says Rees. "You could tell it in 100 years from now when it's no longer an issue but right now it is extremely relevant. We're going through a time of social awakening. These are stories that really apply to the now. That's probably one of the main reasons why we picked it. It feels right, it feels now."

Each piece is directed by a different director who has worked with Brave New Productions in the past. Each has their own unique cast and holds separate rehearsals. In fact, the directors haven't even seen each other's pieces. The pieces are being overseen by artistic director Emma McQueen to ensure the separate styles aren't too jarring for the audience.

"This was something we wanted to do so that the directors could just work on their piece and make it the best it could be without worrying what comes before or what comes after theirs," says Rees. "The pieces kind of reflect their directors. They've kind of infused them with their own personalities a bit."

One of the main reasons Brave New Productions decided to do Standing on Ceremony was to meet and foster more Montreal actors and expand from their smaller, tight-knit acting community to incorporate more people.

Out of their cast of 21, half of the actors are brand new to Brave New Productions as they are trying something new after celebrating their 10th anniversary this year.

Standing on Ceremony plays from June 28-29 at the Théâtre Ste-Catherine. Tickets are $20. For more information click here.

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