“Saint Carmen of The Main is a welcome revival, one that looks back in historical and dramatic terms yet is firmly anchored in examining what it means to be Canadian today.” – Now Magazine

Carmen is a Country & Western singer who returns to Montreal from Nashville and begins to write her own songs —about real people and real problems, all in a language they understand. Soon she becomes an inspiration for the oppressed; their sun, their idol, their voice. However, a question arises. While it may be good to "wake people up,"
what do you do with them once they are awake?

Created in 1976 on the eve of the referendum, Saint Carmen of The Main is one of Michel Tremblay’s most important plays. The NAC/Canadian Stage revival with a new translation by Linda Gaboriau, marks the first English language production of the play since 1978. Set in the nightclubs on Montreal’s infamous St. Laurent Boulevard, known locally as "The Main", the play unfolds as a twentieth century "Greek tragedy" with its underworld goddesses and heroes, monsters and myths, exploring the nature of rebellion and cultural identity.

With over 36 plays translated into 30 languages, Michel Tremblay is the best known and most translated playwright in Quebec. He has received some 60 awards and honours, including nine Chalmers Awards, Officer of Order of Arts and Letters of France, the Prix du Québec (Athanase-David Literary Award), five Grand Literary Prizes from the Salon du Livre de Montreal and, in 1999, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award.

"Michel Tremblay has steeled his courage and done that which lesser writers dare not do: written a classical tragedy... a powerful playwright... a formidable accomplishment." – The Globe and Mail

Saint Carmen of The Main
by Michel Tremblay
Translated by Linda Gaboriau

Starring the NAC English Theatre Company featuring Patricia Cano, Réjean Cournoyer, Diane D’Aquila, Nicolas Di Gaetano, John Doucet, Randi Helmers, Ron Kennell, Jani Lauzon, Jean Leclerc, Kevin Loring, James Stuart Macdonald, Alex McCooeye, Robert Persichini, Jackie Richardson, Karen Robinson, Laara Sadiq, Katie Swift, Dayna Tekatch, Joey Tremblay.

Working with Director Peter Hinton on this production are: Assistant Director Todd Duckworth; Musical Director/Composer Allen Cole; Set and Costume Designer Eo Sharp; Lighting Designer Bonnie Beecher; Sound Designer Emily C. Porter; Production Dramaturg Paula Danckert; Production Stage Manager Michael Hart; Assistant Stage Manager Samira Rose.

March 16 – April 2, 2011 in the NAC Theatre
Previews:   
Wednesday, March 16 and Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Opening:    
Friday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Saint Carmen of The Main played February 7 - March 5 in Toronto at Canadian Stage in the Bluma Appel Theatre.

Hinterview:
Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m. in the NAC Panorama Room.
NAC English Theatre Artistic Director Peter Hinton will be speaking with Saint Carmen of The Main Translator Linda Gaboriau. Free to the public.

Talkbacks:
Wednesday, March 23 and 30 and Thursday, March 24 and 31.

Stay in your seats for a post-show question-and-answer session with artists from Saint Carmen of The Main.

Evening performances Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. (no performances on Sunday or Monday)

Tickets start at $22
Groups of 10+ receive great discounts! For more information contact grp@nac-cna.ca or
visit our webpage.

Tickets are available for purchase:
In person at the NAC Box Office
At all Ticketmaster outlets
By telephone from Ticketmaster, 1-888-991-2787 New!
Online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s website (www.nac-cna.ca).
A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster.

Find out more about NAC English Theatre on Facebook and YouTube. To learn about Saint Carmen of The Main and the NAC English Theatre click www.nac-cna.ca/en/theatre.

This production is eligible for the Live Rush program.
Full-time students age 13-29 with valid Live Rush membership may buy up to two tickets per performance at the discounted price of only $12 per ticket. Live Rush tickets are available from 10 a.m. on the day before the performance to 6 p.m. the day of the performance. This includes all available seats, including the best seats in the house.
Check out liverush.ca for information on the Live Rush program.

Embassy Hotel & Suites is proud to be the Official Hotel Partner for the National Arts Centre English Theatre.

Made possible in part by the NAC Foundation Donors’ Circle.

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For any information, please call:
Sean Fitzpatrick, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre English Theatre
613-947-7000 ext. 389; e-mail: sfitzpat@nac-cna.ca
or visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca