Back to Artword Productions 1999-2000

Thorablöt Productions and Vertical Management Group present

Que Sera

Written by Claudette Williams • Directed by Rebecca Cann
Featuring Morgonn Ewen as Doris Day

with Phi Bulani, David Frisch, Stephen Reich, Kathryn Romanow, Claudette Williams
Music Trio: Steve Smith (Musical Director/Piano)
Set Design by Wendy Akerboom • Lighting Design by Toomas Kilp
Costume Design by Shannah Davison • Sound Design by J.R. Rudge
Choreography by Michelle Hubert • Stage Management by Toomas Kilp

Artword Theatre
, 75 Portland Street (1 Block E. of Bathurst, just South of King St.)
Previews January 25, runs January 26 to February 13, 2000
Tuesday to Saturday 8:00 pm; Sunday matinee 2:30 pm
Tickets: $20, $15 Student/Senior, 2 for 1 Tuesdays, $7 Sundays. Box Office: 416.408.ARTD (2783)

Toronto, ON… Thorablöt Productions and Vertical Management Group are proud to present the full-length version of their 1997 Fringe of Toronto hit, Que Sera. Constructed around a framework of 16 of her most popular songs, Que Sera charts the career and often troubled life of American screen darling and songstress, Doris Day.

Much like the Hollywood sex comedies with Rock Hudson, the behind the scenes reality of Day’s private life was often in complete contradiction to the wholesome, spirited woman the public knew. From her start as a Big Band singer to the height of her movie and recording career, Doris Day’s private life was fraught with a series of doomed marriages and emotional hardships. Yet despite these difficulties, she emerged a triumphant survivor still adored by a massive legion of fans today.

 Repeating the role she originated and which garnered her an "Excellence in Performance" award at the 1999 New York International Fringe, Morgonn Ewen portrays Doris. An actor, musical performer and composer, Morgonn has performed in the Toronto Downtown du Maurier Jazz Festival, the Beaches International Jazz Festival and at the Guelph Jazz Festival. As an actor, her credits include Lillian in Apart (Tarragon Mainspace), Lydia Languish in The Rivals (Alumnae Theatre), and Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing (Tempest Theatre).

 A chorus of talented performers including Phi Bulani, David Frisch, Stephen Reich, Kathryn Romanow, and Claudette Williams, plays an ever-shifting myriad of friends, co-workers, husbands and admirers that swirl around Day. Providing musical accompaniment for the piece is a trio of established Toronto musicians under musical director Steve Smith.

 This is the first full-length play by Claudette Williams who also performs a variety of roles as a member of the chorus. As well as being a seasoned performer, Claudette is the former Executive Director of the New Ideas Festival of Toronto. Ms. Williams’ script garnered media acclaim at the 1999 New York Fringe. David Roberts of Theatre Reviews wrote, "The power of Ms. Williams script is in its disclosure of Doris Day’s life in its fulness, its many joys and its many disappointments."

Que Sera is directed by Rebecca Cann whose previous credits include The Illusion (Alumnae), Shirley Valentine (Classic Theatre), Life Sentences (Factory Theatre/Jewel Productions) and Cause Unknown (Tarragon Theatre/G&T Productions). She is also co-founder of Jewel Productions and directed Joan McLeod’s Jewel. The production has received critical and audience acclaim across the country and was seen this past spring at Theatre Aquarius.