Entertainment Notebook: CBC's Gem's new teen drama Near or Far; Fifteen Dogs at the Segal Centre; Nelisse's new Holocaust film

Laval resident Brendon Tremblay is one the stars of a new CBC Gem drama debuting on March 29 called Near or Far. I got a sneak peek of the first three episodes.

The storyline revolves around twin sisters Sadie and Lauren Mustafa. When Lauren moves to Montréal for university (the fictiously named Gatineau University), the sisters start to hide things from one another –accidentally at first, and then on purpose. As cracks in their family tree are revealed, the twins begin to realize that their memories of shared moments bear no resemblance to one another, with one crucial conflict threatening to tear them apart forever. Tremblay’s character Jeremy Cortland plays a critical role in this plot. As a bilingual actor, he has worked in both English and French productions in the theatre and television spaces.

Tremblay, who attended Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount and is presently studying theatre at Dawson College, played Marc Lemieux in the mini-series The Night Logan Woke Up. Most recently he was in the Fox series Alert: Missing Persons Unit as Oliver. He has done workshops at the National Theatre School of Canada, as well as worked with award-winning actor/director Xavier Dolan and world-renowned stage director Serge Denoncourt. He recently played Laurent in Premier trio, Antoine in Gang de hockey, Nico in l’effet secondaire, and Sam in Comme des têtes pas de poule.

There is no question that this series will appeal to teens. “It’s cool to be on CBC Gem,” Tremblay told me. “You can get it for free on your computer or device. That is definitely a teen thing so I hope people tune in. I also think the storyline for our show will also be attractive to teens. The love triangle depicts a realistic situation"

For the show, Tremblay’s character has some steamy scenes with Sadie (Chloe Avakian). “We had an intimacy coordinator on set,” he revealed. “It was very helpful.”

FIFTEEN DOGS AT THE SEGAL: The Segal Centre for Performing Arts will present a captivating and thought-provoking stage adaptation of the Giller® Prize-winning novel Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis. Commissioned and originally produced by Crow’s Theatre, the Segal production of this modern-day fable about what it truly means to be human is set to hit the Sylvan Adams Theatre stage from March 31 to April 21.  Adapted and directed by Marie Farsi, the story follows 15 canines who are granted human consciousness by the gods Hermes and Apollo. As the dogs navigate the complexities of thought and emotion, they must confront questions of morality, mortality, and their relationships with humans. In addition to its compelling narrative, Fifteen Dogs offers a unique audience experience as the story is transposed to Montreal, offering an intimate, dog’s eye view of many beloved locations around the city. The cast features Amy Rutherford (Soulpepper’s A Streetcar Named Desire), Lucinda Davis (appeared in the Segal’s production of The Angel and the Sparrow), Davinder Malhi (Soulpepper and Stratford’s Casey and Diana), Oliver Dennis (Next Stage Festival’s Bremen Town), David Reale (last seen at the Segal Centre in My Name Is Asher Lev)  and Mirabella Sundar Singh (originated her role in the world premiere of Fifteen Dogs at Crow’s Theatre) in a range of captivating roles, of both the four and two-legged variety.

The run of Fifteen Dogs will feature one ASL-interpreted performance on Sat., April 13, and two audio-described performances scheduled for Sun. April 14. The Segal Centre is committed to providing accessibility tools and resources, such as Braille bar menus and visual stories, to enhance the theatergoing experience for all patrons.

“There’s a reason this play was completely sold out in Toronto,” says Artistic and Executive Director Lisa Rubin. “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Fun Home, The Kite Runner… as far as adaptations of contemporary novels into plays goes, count Fifteen Dogs among the best. It will take you entirely by surprise while leaving your heart and mind very full. This play is about so much more than dogs, it’s a powerful reflection on our shared human experience.”

Tickets are on sale now at 514-739-7944 or at www.segalcentre.org.

The regular run will be Sunday and Mondays (7pm), Tuesday to Thursdays and Saturday ( 8 p.m.) and matinees on Sunday (2 p.m.) and Wednesday (1 p.m.). A special Tuesday matinée, April 16 will include a noon show and no 8 pm performance.

NELISSE'S NEW HOLOCAUST MOVIE: Back in 2013 Montreal actress Sophie Nélisse shot to fame when she played the lead role of a German girl in the English-language Holocaust feature film The Book Thief. She landed the part and starred alongside Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson. I interviewed her last year for her Showtime thriller series (Crave in Canada) Yellowjackets we talked about what it was like and how the film provided her with a firsthand education about the Holocaust. She told me that every student should be learning about the Holocaust in class. Now, lo and behold, comes the news that she is starring on a major film on the topic in Irena’s Vow. Nelisse plays a former nurse named Irene Gut  in occupied Poland who risks her own life to shelter a dozen Jewish men and women from the Nazi war machine. When the Nazis invade Poland in 1939, Irena is displaced and forced to work in support of the German war effort, eventually assigned to run the home of a Nazi commandant (Dougray Scott). Instead of following the path of least resistance and gambling on her status and ethnicity to keep her safe, Irena risks everything to save a dozen Jewish refugees from persecution and murder, sheltering them under her boss’s nose. There was a press screening this past week, with a red carpet premiere April 2 at Cinéma du Musée. Montrealer Louise Archambault is the director. It hits theatres on April 19.

You can see the trailer here  

PLURAL ARTS EXHIBIT: The Association des galeries d'art contemporain (AGAC) has welcomed Karine Vanasse back as spokesperson for Plural, which takes place from April 12 to 14 at Grand Quay, Port of Montreal (200 de la Commune St. W). Plural celebrates the best of contemporary art in Canada. Created by and for the galleries, the fair presents and brings together the plurality of voices and works in contemporary art from across the country. It elevates art market practices through a rigorous selection of galleries presenting thoughtfully chosen artists and artworks; and through accessible programming that addresses current issues and questions in the field of art. Plural fosters the discovery of new voices and forms of expression in leading contemporary art and cultivates a sense of collectivity within the Canadian art community.

For the past 10 years, Montreal actress Karine Vanasse has been a spokesperson for the Plural fair (formerly known as Papier), promoting the event, and contemporary art in general, to the public. An art and culture enthusiast, the Canadian actress is currently at the helm of the French and English TV show The Traitors.

"Contemporary art in Canada is abundant, varied and touching,” said Vanasse. “The range of emotions you can experience by browsing through all its works by established and emerging artists is limitless. To have access to all this, and even more, in one place, is an opportunity, a real window on the art world. Info: https://www.plural.art 

TURGEON UNVEILS NEW ALBUM: The renowned pianist and composer Jonathan Turgeon has announced his latest solo project, Colorum Temporis, an album of experimental electroacoustic compositions, set for release on April 5. Known for his contemporary compostions that blend groove with influences from jazz, rock, and classical, Turgeon has made a significant mark with a series of compelling albums, including "Au fil des feuilles qui craquent" (2015), "Les rêves errants" (2017), "Jonction" (2018), and "L’abîme" (2021). On his new solo venture, Colorum Temporis, Turgeon ventures into new musical territory, merging elements of electro, musique concrète, lo-fi jazz, and hip-hop, drawing inspiration from artists like J3PO and Knower. The album showcases a dynamic exploration of sound, featuring synthesizers, drum machines, and effects pedals, with Turgeon responsible for the conception, performance, recording, and arrangement. The project was co-produced with Jean-Philippe Godbout (Gazoline), and features a notable contribution from saxophonist Alex Dodier on the single "Au crépuscule, un étang" (At dusk, a pond).

Beyond his solo work, Turgeon is also recognized for his collaborations on various musical projects, including Sport National (2023), and volumes 1 (2018) and 2 (2022) of "Charbonneau ou les valeurs à bonne place" by composer Hugo Blouin. Additionally, he contributed to the classical album "Flûte Passion: Suite 1" by Claude Bolling, alongside flutist Nadia Labrie.

Turgeon's ongoing journey into new musical realms continues to inspire and captivate audiences, offering the listener unique and immersive auditory experiences.

DANCE SHOW: Rhodnie Désir, winner of the 2020 Dance Grand Prix and Associate Artist of Place des Arts, will take on the challenge of a large-scale show involving 11 performers and the 60 musicians of the Orchestre Métropolitain April 4 to 6 2024, at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. Presented by Danse Danse, this new ambitious work was conceived in partnership with three philharmonic orchestras: the Orchestre Métropolitain in Montreal (which will be conducted for the occasion by Naomi Woo, a rising star of the Canadian classical music scene), the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, and the Orchestra della Svizzera italiana in Lugano, Switzerland. Entitled Symphony of Hearts, this will be one of those rare and audacious performances that dares to combine arts and sciences. With the aim of addressing issues related to the heart and the cardiovascular system, Désir embarked on a choreographic-documentary approach with the Montreal Heart Institute and the Istituto Cardiocentro Ticino de Lugano, Switzerland. The research, supported by the Fonds de recherche du Québec, was also enriched by testimonies from staff members and students from Collège Jean Eudes, as well as from patient-partners living with heart diseases. The heart, its imbalances, its upheavals, fascinate the choreographer who has undertaken to draw inspiration from the collected testimonies to transpose them into her movements. The pulsations of the heart, its tumults and its flaws, echoing societal flaws, are danced here between the heart, the body, the object, the video, the light, the music, and Afro-contemporary rhythms.

BEYRIS AND DAFFODIL CAMPAIGN: The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) officially marked the kickoff of Daffodil Month, held every spring, with a touching concert at the Place-des-Arts metro station. This campaign aims to raise essential donations to fund research projects, support services and public health policies that improve the quality of life of people living with cancer. Wednesday afternoon, talented singer-songwriter Amélie Beyries, herself a breast cancer survivor, joined her voice to the cancer cause by delivering an unforgettable surprise performance. “We’re delighted to launch our Daffodil Campaign this year with such a touching performance from Amélie Beyries,” said Isabelle Girard, Director of Communications for Quebec and French Canada at the CCS. “Her commitment as a breast cancer survivor and her support for our cause is an inspiration to us all.”

The CCS is also delighted to announce that Amélie has chosen to share her talent and musical poetry to promote the CCS’s efforts by agreeing to be Ambassador of the Daffodil Campaign.”

Said Beyries: "When I was 28, I received a cancer diagnosis that changed my life. This year, I’ve decided to speak for the Canadian Cancer Society because now more than ever, we need each other to face this disease. We all know someone who has or has had cancer, or who sadly passed away from it. People with cancer are surrounded by healers, caretakers and consolers. Then there are the researchers who rack their brains and pour their hearts into their work, and all the supporters and donors. It takes a world. It takes a society. Let's come together to take on cancer."

In 2023, there were an estimated 59,500 new cancer cases and 22,500 deaths in Quebec alone. These numbers highlight the severity of this disease and the critical importance of supporting the CCS's research and awareness efforts. Among the researchers supported by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), Dr. Guy Sauvageau from the Université de Montréal stands out for his innovative cancer research work. In October 2023, Dr. Sauvageau received a grant from the CCS for his groundbreaking research project to develop an innovative cancer treatment which specifically targets cancer cells without harming normal cells. Based on the use of two compounds, this innovative treatment could transform current therapeutic approaches by providing a non-toxic and effective alternative for a wide range of cancers. Like various other projects funded through donations, the latter could revolutionize cancer treatments by delivering promising outcomes without the harmful side effects of conventional treatments. This cutting-edge work would also propel Canadian innovation to the forefront of cancer research worldwide.

Go to www.cancer.ca/daffodil to donate and help save lives.

Have an item for my Notebook? E-mail mcohen@thesuburban.com