Our Story

We are a group of Toronto based artists self-producing the play OTHER PEOPLE by Pulitzer Prize Finalist and writer of Dying City, Christopher Shinn. We have assembled a team of award winning artists and rising stars to tell this incredibly honest and moving story about the struggle to connect and make art. Please become a "Friend" to the Mutual Friends Co-op and help us make our dream of this play a reality.

Mutual Friends Co-op in collaboration with Mercedes Grundy will perform the play in a limited engagement January 18th to January 28th, 2012 at the beautiful Tank House Theatre in the Young Centre for Performing Arts in the Distillery Historic District.

The Play

OTHER PEOPLE tells the story of three ambitious young New Yorkers who struggle with sex, desire and their art over Christmas in the East Village. Stephen is a frustrated "blurb writer" and aspiring playwright waiting to hear about a grant. Petra is Stephen's roommate, a wannabe writer who has recently returned from working as a stripper in Japan. Mark is Stephen's ex, a successful screenwriter fresh out of rehab, now a born again Christian crashing on Stephen and Petra's couch and struggling with his attraction to a mysterious young hustler named Tan. What ensues is a heartfelt and hilarious look at love, sex and friendship.

"Shinn writes with graceful compassion about people trapped inside their own skins unable to make sense of their lives."- The Guardian

 

"Edgy, troubled characters, sharply realistic dialogue, and a distinctive milieu."- Times of London

 

"Writing like this is rare."- Independent

The Artists

The production is directed by Dora Nominee Aaron Willis, one of the creators of the hit shows Yichud and The Gladstone Variations, who, together with Julie Tepperman, was named one of "Toronto's most respected theatre duos" by NOW Magazine.

Leading the cast is Genie nominee and two time Gemini Winner Tatiana Maslany in the role of Petra. In 2010, Maslany won the World Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival for "Breakout Performance" for her performance in the Canadian coming of age drama "Grown Up Movie Star". Maslany was last seen on stage in the Dora nominated Canadian premiere of Bert V. Royal's Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead.

The cast of OTHER PEOPLE also features Ben Lewis as Stephen (Dog Sees God, "Degrassi", "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World"), Dora nominated Brendan McMurtry-Howlett as Tan (The Overwhelming, Sia), Indrit Kasapi as Mark (Boys in the Band, Still Life), two-time Dora winner Mike McPhaden as Man (Poochwater, Requiem for A Hotel), and Dora winner Richard Lee as Darren (Forbidden Phoenix, Banana Boys).

Mercedes Grundy is producing the show in collaboration with Mutual Friends Co-op.

The show will be stage managed by Monika Seiler with Technical Director Suzie Balogh, Lighting Design by Jennifer Lennon, Set and Costume Design by Kat Misztal-McCubbing and Sound Design by Lindsay Naft.

 

What We Need & What You Get

This play requires a big enough stage to accommodate the various locations outlined in the script. The Tank House Theatre is the perfect venue to realize our vision for this piece as well as to ensure the comfort of our patrons. The theatre is very costly and ambitious given our modest budget, which is funded by our Co-op members and generous supporters. That's where you come in! Any amount you can spare will help us offset the costs of the theatre rental, and allow us to give you the best show possible.

In exchange for your generous donations, we are offering a variety of exciting "Perks"!

Other Ways You Can Help

Please help us spread the word about our show and this campaign on FACEBOOK and TWITTER. Check out our easy-to-use sharing tools at the top of this page!

*PLEASE NOTE: Your donation will appear on your Paypal/ Credit Card Statement as "Lemontree Theatre Creations"