Downstage to Present BENEFIT by Matthew MacKenzie, 4/13-30

BENEFIT is a riveting drama that wrestles with what trade-offs, big and small, we are willing to accept in order to do good. Downstage is proud to present Matthew MacKenzie's World Premiere production from April 13 - April 30, 2016, at Motel Theatre in Arts Commons.

"Benefit engages with some challenging topics around moral compromise and forgiveness in a way that I think will really stimulate some engaging discussions in our post-performance talks," said Simon Mallett, Artistic Director of Downstage, who is also directing this production.

An Albertan charitable foundation that supports young girls' education around the world is holding a glittering gala in the Rockies. At the centre of the event is Srey, a beneficiary of the Foundation's work and their official spokesperson since she immigrated from Cambodia years before.

Her husband Greg sits in the dark in a room off the main hall, having discovered traces of an explosive secret that threatens to destroy both their relationship and the future of the thousands of girls who benefit from the Foundation's work.

"We are excited to be working with Matthew MacKenzie once again, the talented playwright behind the critically acclaimed Sia, which we produced in 2012. MacKenzie is one of the most exciting young playwrights in Canada, and to be producing the World Premiere of his newest play is an honour," added Mallett, "and we've assembled a top-notch cast from across the country to give this play a truly dynamic inaugural production."

Cast and Creative Team

Duval Lang - Fred MacDonald

Barbara Gordon - Cynthia MacDonald

Tyrell Crews - Greg Norris

Donna Soares - Srey Norris

Simon Mallett - Director

Deitra Kalyn - Set & Costume Design

Allison Lynch - Sound Design & Composition

Kathryn Smith - Lighting Design

Downstage's next step in creating theatre that welcomes all Calgarians is also being explored with this production through their Pay-It-Forward program, where 25% of tickets for each performance are available at no cost at the door.

"We're hoping that this barrier-reducing initiative, coupled with invitations to a number of community partners, will help us to foster an audience that is as diverse as the City of Calgary."

Downstage is an award-winning Calgary-based theatre company dedicated to producing plays that create meaningful conversation around social issues. Their plays provoke vibrant dialogue between Calgarians, both informally and through nightly post-performance discussions. For more information on Downstage, please visit www.downstage.ca.

Performance Times - Motel Theatre at Arts Commons

• April 13 - 16; April 20 - 24; April 27 - 30 at 7:30 PM
• April 22 & April 30 2:00 PM Matinees
• April 26; Special Stay-After-Work Performance 6:30 PM

TICKETS are on sale at www.downstage.ca/benefit.shtml OR at 403.294.9494 OR in person at the Arts Commons Box Office.

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