The Segal Centre’s Prayer for the French Republic will feature two audio-described shows

From April 23 to May 14, The Segal Centre for Performing Arts will present the Canadian Premiere of Prayer for the French Republic by Joshua Harmon, writer of the smash hit play Bad Jews, and directed by Segal Centre Artistic and Executive Director Lisa Rubin. Taking home the top prize at both the 2022 Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award, Prayer for the French Republic, for the first time, this production will also be performed with French surtitles at every performance.

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Show accessibility

On Wednesday, May 10 at 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., the Segal Centre will present two audio-described performances in collaboration with Connec-T, an organization aiming to make culture accessible to all. These special performances will allow patrons with vision loss to use the “Sennheiser Mobile Connect” app on their personal phone to hear enhanced sound and a detailed audio-description of the performance narrated live. Other accessibility initiatives include a French program book available digitally and Braille menus and program books available on site.

In addition, to make this show as accessible to as many audiences as possible, the Segal Centre will be displaying French surtitles for the entire run of the production. “We hope this French translation will allow more French speakers to come see this important, hit play and to visit our wonderful venue,” said Lisa Rubin.

What’s the play about?

In this latest play from multi-award-winning playwright Joshua Harmon, a Jewish couple in 1944 Paris faces the impact of the Holocaust and awaits news of their family. More than 70 years later in 2016, their great-grandchildren’s lives are upended by a rise in antisemitic attacks near their home and they find themselves facing the same question as their ancestors: "Are we safe?"

Rife with Harmon’s signature biting dialogue and cutting wit, Prayer for the French Republic is a sweeping look at history, home, and the effects of an ancient hatred. “Future generations will study Joshua Harmon’s works the way we do Mordecai Richler and Leonard Cohen for his white-hot commentary on contemporary Jewish lives. If you loved Bad Jews, this play is a must-see!” said Artistic and Executive Director Lisa Rubin.

“★★★★★. Brave, articulate, moving and necessary new play.” – New York Stage Review

“Ambitious and maddening, thought-provoking and schematic.’’ – The New York Times

The star-studded ensemble cast includes Jeff Seymour who originated his role Off-Broadway, along with Montreal darlings Ellen David (Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors), Richard Jutras (The Hockey Sweater: A Musical), Felicia Shulman (Indecent), Maurice Podbrey (legendary actor and co-founder/first Artistic Director of the Centaur), Arielle Shiri (Segal Centre Jewish Arts Mentorship Alum, 18 to Life), and international talent Eyal Galli (Israeli-born actor). They are joined by Canadian actors Madison Graves (Gen V), Daniel Greenberg (Accused), and Wade Lynch (former Associate Artistic Director of the Charlottetown Festival) and making his professional debut is Bialik graduate Michael Kreyzerman. 

Building Bridges and Opening Doors

This story is set in France and speaks to topics Montrealers are all too familiar with, such as identity politics, antisemitic attacks, and immigration.  To enhance the experience, Segal has collaborated with the Montreal Holocaust Museum to enable educational support and expanded outreach for the spring production. The collaboration involves a full curriculum developed around the production, including study guides, talkbacks, free museum admission for all ticket buyers, and supplemental program planning that underscores Holocaust education and contemporary antisemitism today. This is made possible by Federation CJA’s Working Together: Community Impact Grant.

Mandatory Masked-Performances on Sundays and Tuesdays

The Segal Centre continues to abide by health and safety best practices and guidelines. Mask-wearing is recommended, and masks will continue to be available free of charge at the entrances. For Prayer for the French Republic, patrons will have the opportunity to attend performances with mandatory masking to welcome patrons who may be more comfortable around others who are masked on every Sunday Matinée and Tuesday evening of the run. In this ever-evolving context, these policies are subject to change. For information about the COVID protocols in place at the Segal Centre, please visit segalcentre.org/en/coronavirus.

Running time for the production is two hours and 50 minutes including two intermissions. For this reason, the Segal Centre has altered their regular production schedule by making the start time one-hour earlier than usual. The performance will be staged in the Sylvan Adams Theatre.

TICKETS: $62 - $67
Group, Senior, Student, Under 30 discounts are available. Subject to availability.
Tickets are on sale now at 514-739-7944 or at www.segalcentre.org
WHERE: 5170 chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, H3W 1M7

PERFORMANCES

April 23 to May 14, 2023
*Note the earlier start times to accommodate the length of the show

Previews:
Sunday, April 23 (Masked Performance) – 1:30 p.m.
Monday, April 24 – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 25 (Masked Performance) – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 26 – 7:00 p.m.

Regular Run:  
Saturday, April 29 – 7:00 p.m.    
Sunday, April 30 – 1:00 p.m. (Masked Performance) & 7:00 p.m.
Monday, May 1 – 7:00 p.m.        
Tuesday, May 2 – 7:00 p.m. (Masked Performance)
Wednesday, May 3 – 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.         
Thursday, May 4 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 6 – 7:00 p.m
Sunday, May 7 – 1:00 p.m. (Masked Performance) & 7:00 p.m.   
Monday, May 8 – 7:00 p.m.        
Tuesday, May 9 – 7:00 p.m. (Masked Performance)
Wednesday, May 10 – 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. (2 Audio-Described Performances)             
Thursday, May 11 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 13 – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 14 – 1:00 p.m. (Masked Performance) & 7:00 p.m.

BEYOND THE STAGE – ANCILLIARY EVENTS:

SUNDAY @ THE SEGAL – BACK IN PERSON!
A free and enriching pre-show panel discussion on the themes of the play. Sunday @ the Segal is presented in-person at the theatre.
Sunday, April 23 – 11:00 a.m.

PRE-SHOW DISCUSSION WITH A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR
Holocaust survivor Muguette Myers will speak about her life in France during WWII.
Mondays, May 2 and 8 – 6:00 p.m.

MONDAY NIGHT TALKBACK
A chance to interact with the creators and actors of the play after the curtain goes down on Mondays, May 1 and 8. This production will also offer a moderated post-show discussion after each performance.

TNL
The ideal night out for theatre-lovers!
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Tickets: $88 (includes dinner and a drink)

THE REAL LIFE ACTOR ACTING INTENSIVE WITH JEFF SEYMOUR 
A chance for artists to train and learn from Jeff Seymour, an award-winning actor with over 40 years of experience in both performance and teaching, host of the top-rated podcast The Real Life Actor which has 156 episodes, and author of the popular book, The Real Life Actor: A comprehensive discussion about the best approach to acting, working professionally, flying a plane, and being a champion. Choose between 4 weekly Scene Study Sessions or a One-Day Intensive Session. Please visit our website for more information.

WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF: Azrieli Family Foundation, Federation CJA, and the Cole Foundation  

About the Segal Centre for Performing Arts

Driven by a belief in the transformative power of the arts to connect communities, the Segal Centre for Performing Arts is a not-for-profit theatre company with the unique mission to program high quality professional English-language theatre, celebrate and explore Jewish cultural identity, and promote the diversity of voices and perspectives in society at-large via our artists, staff, content, and other programming. The Segal Centre is dedicated to creating, developing, producing, and presenting high quality theatre that is accessible to all. The Segal Centre is a nationally recognized institution with an emphasis on programming original interpretations of popular classic and contemporary works, and invests in new Canadian musicals. www.segalcentre.org

For interviews and media inquiries:

Segal Centre for Performing Arts

Melanie Thompson
Head of Communications
514 739-2301 ext. 8363
mthompson@segalcentre.org