1002 NIGHTS
The Shed Co.
THE DEATH OF SOCRATES
Alianak Theatre Productions
RIGMAROLE
Danceworks
PLAY
inDANCE
MERNIE!
Maryem & Ernie Tollar
LISTME
New Music Coalition
CYPRESS, FLOTSAM ANDJETSAM
Princess Productions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 23, 2002
Media Refer: Dianne Weinrib / Amy Stewart DW Communications 416-703-5479
Fax: 416-703-5465 E-mail: dwc@total.net
Alianak Theatre Productions and Mainstage
Productions
present
The Death of Socrates
based on Plato’s Apology
Adapted and performed by Nick Mancuso
Alianak Theatre Productions (triple
Dora winner for The Walls of Africa last season) and Mainstage
Productions are proud to present noted veteran film and television
star Nick Mancuso in the world premiere of The
Death of Socrates, Mancuso’s own
adaptation of the famous Apology, a report of Socrates’
final speech to the Senate at his trial, as remembered by his pupil Plato.
Socrates’ defense of his right to free thought and free speech is
as riveting and as relevant today as it was over 2400 years ago. Directed
by Alianak Theatre Productions’ Artistic Director Hrant
Alianak, The Death of Socrates previews from November
13, opens Friday November 15 and runs to December 1 at
Artword Theatre, 75 Portland Street. Box Office: 416-504-PLAY
(7529)
400 years before the birth of Christ,
a man was executed for speaking the truth. A poor stonemason, a soldier,
a father to three children, a husband; a human being whose only crime
was the ability to think for himself. Socrates was condemned to death
by a jury of 600 Athenians by only 30 votes for heresy against the city
gods and the corruption of the youth. 2400 years later, his execution
continues to reverberate in the history of the world. Mancuso’s
adaptation gives a fresh and modern insight into the first-ever recorded
courtroom drama, a courtroom drama at its suspenseful finest.
“I became fascinated by the philosopher
Socrates as a very young man, when as a student of sculpture I made a
bust of him as I imagined him to be. A man who claimed to know nothing
– a humble and simple stonemason whose mind shot a beam of white
light into the darkness of the world. Who was he? What was he like? Why
was he murdered by the enlightened Athenian State? These questions have
haunted me; how human freedom and the ability to be a free-thinking, unfettered
and fearless man of enquiry is at the core of the Living experience."
- Nick Mancuso
In The Death of Socrates
we witness the stirring and moving presence of a great and human mind
that revolutionized the way we think about the world. What is at stake
here is not only whether a man will die, but whether human freedom can
be destroyed by the dark forces of dishonesty and brutality. The Death
of Socrates queries the very nature of what it means to be a human
being. It is the story of whether the light of civilization can continue
in a world that is swayed by propaganda, lies, and the bottom-line of
unabashed greed.
Nick Mancuso
is an internationally recognized face and name that spans a thirty-year
career in film, television and on stage. A member of the original “underground
theatre” of Toronto in the early 70’s, his talent shot him
to prominence in Hollywood, landing him his first leading role for Columbia
Pictures, Nightwing, directed by Arthur Hiller. He has worked
steadily since then, garnering along the way several prestigious acting
awards including Italy’s Polifemo F’argento at the Taormina
Film Festival, the Canadian Genie for Ticket to Heaven and best
actor award from the Houston Film Festival. In the mid 80’s, Mr.
Mancuso starred in his own prime time series for NBC, in the popular action
show Stingray, which made him a household name. He later starred
in another series, Matrix. Other credits include Heartbreakers,
Wild Palms, Under Siege, Motherlode, Nightmagic and the tv series
Call of the Wild. Although primarily known as an actor, Mr. Mancuso
is also a writer and director. He recently directed True West
at the Alumnae Theatre and was last seen on stage in Toronto in 1999 in
his own play Hotel Praha, co-produced by Alianak Theatre Productions.
Mancuso is soon to be seen starring in the film A Time Of Fear,
to be released in the spring.
The Death of Socrates
set and lighting design is by the acclaimed Droege Designs,
music is composed by Dennis Patrick, sound design is
by Terry Crack, sound effects is by Joe Mancuso
(Dora Award for The Walls of Africa) and costume design is by
Angela Thomas. The stage manager is Karen O’Brien.
Alianak Theatre Productions
continues to push the envelope of innovative and thought-provoking theatre
with an all-Canadian season. The rest of the line-up includes the world
premiere of Adam Nashman’s explosive new play Crimes
in January 2003; and the remount of the triple Dora Award winning 2001
production of The Walls of Africa by Hrant
Alianak in March, 2003.
The Death of Socrates, adapted and performed by Nick Mancuso, directed by Hrant Alianak, previews from Nov. 13, opens Friday, November 15 and runs to Dec. 1 at Artword Theatre, 75 Portland Street. Performances: Tuesday - Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 2:30pm. Prices: Previews: $15; Tues.-Thurs. $21; Fri.-Sat. $28; Sun. mat: first 30 people are PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN, the rest are $15. ($2 Discount for Students, seniors, Equity members) Box Office: 416-504-PLAY (7529).
-30-