Pacific Theatre to Stage COMMON GRACE This Winter

It's hard to run from your past if you have to go back home. Pacific Theatre is proud to present the world premiere of Shauna Johannesen's COMMON GRACE. After spending six months running from her past, Colleen is forced to return home for her father's funeral. Between the flowered cards, casseroles, over-priced caskets, and hidden bottles of wine, her past secrets are revealed and she must decide not only if she can live with herself, but if she can fit into the world she left behind.

"I wrote this play because I was interested in exploring what happens when someone does something that she never thought she would do," says playwright Shauna Johannesen, "What happens to your sense of self? What happens to the way you move forward?" Johannesen is an actress and writer whose work has been produced across Canada. Her short film Bed Bugs: A Musical Love Story has garnered several awards including a Leo Award for Best Screenwriting of a Short Drama and for Johannesen's performance in the film.

COMMON GRACE is the first play to receive a fully mounted production out of Pacific Theatre's unique play development program, Working With. Twice a month for over two years, a handful of selected playwrights met with Artistic Director Ron Reed to read and provide feedback on each others' work, all with the intention of moving towards a staging at Pacific Theatre. "Working With turned out to be a perfect kind of playwriting haven", says Johannesen on the process, "Not only did I get fantastic notes and insight that helped me grow the play, but I also got the encouragement and support I needed to keep going."

Artistic Team: Directed by Ron Reed. Featuring Shauna Johannesen, Robert Salvador, Kerri Norris, Carl Kennedy, Cara Cunningham, and Julie Lynn Mortensen. Set Design by Carolyn Rapanos. Lighting Design by Matt Frankish. Sound Design by Rick Colhoun. Costume Design by Amy McDougall. Stage Management by Tanya Schwaerzle.

Details: COMMONG GRACE by Shauna Johannesen When: Jan 29-Feb 14, Weds-Sat at 8pm with 2pm matinees Sat. Additional matinees at 2pm on Feb 7 and 14 at Pacific Theatre (1440 W 12th Ave) Where: Pacific Theatre, 1440 W 12th Ave (at Hemlock), Vancouver, BC Tickets: $29.99 (not incl. taxes or fee), to book visit pacifictheatre.org or call 604.731.5518.