# **The Grand Theatre, Covent Garden Productions, and David Mirvish Present the North American premiere of *Room*** By Emma Donoghue Adapted for the stage by Emma Donoghue Music & Lyrics by Cora Bissett and Kathryn Joseph **On the Spriet Stage March 10 to March 28** **Opening Night: March 13** **LONDON, ONTARIO, March 4, 2020—** This March, the Grand Theatre, in partnership with Covent Garden Productions and David Mirvish, proudly presents the North American premiere of the stage adaptation of **Emma Donoghue’s** internationally successful story *Room*. The novel, which tells the breath-taking story of five-year-old Jack and his mother, won the 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and was short-listed for numerous additional literary awards. **Donoghue** adapted the story for a film version which was released in 2015 and was nominated for four Academy Awards. She subsequently adapted it for the stage, and it was first presented in the UK. “It is an extraordinary honour to be presenting the North American premiere of the stage version of *Room,*” said Artistic Director **Dennis Garnhum**. “Grand audiences are privileged to have a first-look at this beautiful production, before it moves on to Mirvish at the CAA Theatre in Toronto.” From the beginning, **Emma Donoghue** envisioned the story as a stage production, “It always felt as if retelling Jack and Ma’s story in the language of theatre made obvious sense.” After reading the novel herself, Scottish director, **Cora Bissett**, also felt the urge to have the story appear on stage, with one added feature—music. The songs featured in ROOM were written by Bissett, along with singer-songwriter **Kathryn Joseph**, and stand as a powerful presence in the production. Starring as Ma is Stratford Festival favourite, **Alexis Gordon**, who returns to the Grand after appearing as Mrs. Banks in the successful holiday show, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s MARY POPPINS. Joining her in this premiere are **Stewart Arnott** as Grandpa/Doctor, **Brandon Michael Arrington as SuperJack, Tracey Ferencz** as Grandma, **Shannon Taylor** as Interviewer/Police Officer/Popcorn Seller, **Ashley Wright** as Old Nick, and **Hayden Baertsoen** and **Quinsley Edison** who share the role of Jack. The Grand Theatre gratefully acknowledges its Season Sponsor - BMO Financial Group. ### Open Caption Performance Dates The Grand Theatre continues its commitment to accessibility initiatives for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing theatre patrons. Open Caption performances for ROOM will be held Friday, March 27, at 8:00pm and Saturday, March 28, at 2:00pm. To book tickets, please email boxoffice \[at\] grandtheatre.com (boxoffice\[at\]grandtheatre\[dot\]com). ### ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE **The Wednesday Speak Easy** Returning to the Grand this season is the Wednesday Speak Easy series. Following each Wednesday performance on the Spriet and McManus Stages, patrons can extend their theatre experience and get closer to the artists with exclusive talks, casual conversations, and spontaneous happenings in the relaxed atmosphere of the Poster Lounge or the McManus Lounge. Our Wednesday Speak Easy series will continue for ROOM on March 11th, 18th,, and 25th. **Pre-Show Reaney Talks** Join host James Stewart Reaney on Wednesday, March 18th at 12pm, as he sparks creative conversations about the production. ## About the Grand Theatre – World Curious. London Proud. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum and Executive Director Deb Harvey, the Grand is a leading cultural hub located in the heart of downtown London, Ontario. The Grand offers diverse, relevant, and original stories from around the globe through collaborations with national and international performing arts organizations, and is committed to developing, producing, and premiering original stories through COMPASS New Play Development program. The Grand supports educational programming with The High School Project, the only program of its kind in North America, and 100 Schools, a community initiative that brings professional theatre to London-area schools at no cost. The Grand’s season runs from September to May. Tickets are available at grandtheatre.com, by phone at 519.672.8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street. ## ROOM MEDIA CALL **When:** Tuesday, March 10, at 1:00pm (cameras, please arrive at 12:45 to set up) **Where:** Grand Theatre, Spriet Stage, 471 Richmond Street **What**: ROOM photo, video, and interview opportunities for media **RSVP**: To jmatthews \[at\] grandtheatre.com (jmatthews\[at\]grandtheatre\[dot\]com) **For more information, including guest artists’ bios, please contact**: Jennifer Matthews, Communications Manager, Grand Theatre jmatthews \[at\] grandtheatre.com (jmatthews\[at\]grandtheatre\[dot\]com) 519.672.9030 ext. 411 Grand Theatre, Covent Garden Productions, and David Mirvish present: ## ROOM By Emma Donoghue Adapted for the stage by Emma Donoghue Music & Lyrics by Cora Bissett & Kathryn Joseph Directed by Cora Bissett March 10 to March 28 ### CAST GRANDPA/DOCTOR Stewart Arnott SUPERJACK Brandon Michael Arrington* JACK Hayden Baertsoen JACK Quinsley Edison GRANDMA Tracey Ferencz MA Alexis Gordon POLICE/INTERVIEWER/POPCORN SELLER Shannon Taylor OLD NICK Ashley Wright \*Fight Captain ### PRODUCTION TEAM DIRECTOR Cora Bissett MOVEMENT COACH Linda Garneau SET & COSTUME DESIGNER Lily Arnold PROJECTION DESIGNER Andrzej Goulding LIGHTING DESIGNER Bonnie Beecher SOUND DESIGNER John Gzowski MUSIC DIRECTOR Gavin Whitworth ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Charlotte Gowdy FIGHT & INTIMACY DIRECTOR Siobhan Richardson STAGE MANAGER Beatrice Campbell ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Suzanne McArthur ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Cole Vincent APPRENTICE STAGE MANAGER Cody Burns ASSOCIATE LIGHTING DESIGNER Nick Andison REHEARSAL PIANIST Andrew Petrasiunas CHILD SUPERVISOR Linda Martin CHILD SUPERVISOR Cassandra Di Felice Originally produced by Theatre Royal Stratford East, National Theatre of Scotland, and Abbey Theatre in Dublin. .cast-grid {display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; grid-column-gap: 20px;}