Toronto gets 'A New Brain'

Acting Up Stage Theatre Company presents the Toronto premiere of A New Brain running February 12-March 1, 2009 at the Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs in Toronto.

Frogs, sail boats, kiddie TV, overbearing Jewish mothers, and arterial venous malformations. When a frustrated children's television composer is struck with a rare brain disorder he faces the possibility of his own mortality in the hospital with his friends, family and nurses. As the doctors race to save his life, Gordon realizes that his greatest fear is dying with his best songs still inside of him; and so, from his hospital bed, they come to life in his room. Both zany and heartbreaking, A New Brain looks at celebrating life through heart and music.

A New Brain boasts a cast that includes:  Steven Gallagher (CanStage's Rocky Horror Show), Barbara Barsky (Dora Award winner; six time nominee), Thom Allison (Dora Award nominee for Acting Up Stage's Elegies: A Song Cycle), and Juan Chioran (Broadway and Stratford vet). Also featured are Allie Hughes (How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?), Steve Ross (Toronto's The Producers), Paula Wolfson (Dora Award winner) and Patricia Zentilli (Dora Award nominee.) Rounding out the cast are newcomers Parris Greaves and Jonathan Tan. Joining director Daryl Cloran (2000 Toronto Theatre Emerging Theatre Artist Award Winner) is a team that includes musical director Wayne Gwillim (Shaw Festival), choreographer Marc Kimelman (Stratford Festival), stage manager Stephanie Nakamura, set designer Lindsay Anne Black (2007 Pauline McGibbon award winner), and lighting designer Michael Walton (Stratford Festival). Artistic Producer Mitchell Marcus brings the show to Toronto.

TICKETS:              $25 to $40 (Discounted Tickets: Student tickets $22. Arts Worker tickets $22)

LOCATION:          Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs - 26 Berkeley Street

 BOX OFFICE:       By phone (416) 368-3110

                         Online www.actingupstage.com

 WEBSITE:           www.actingupstage.com