January 6, 2010

Fredericton – The public will have a rare chance to see a sneak peek of a new musical, when the Fredericton Playhouse hosts a workshop presentation of its commissioned play “Bricklin” later this month.

In July, the Fredericton Playhouse announced that it had commissioned a new musical play depicting the story of the Bricklin -- the failed automobile manufacturing venture headed by American promoter Malcolm Bricklin and financed by the Hatfield government of the early-mid seventies. “It’s a made-in-New Brunswick story about optimism, individual determination, and good old fashioned ego; and it takes place at a very interesting time in our history,” claims Playhouse Executive Director Tim Yerxa. “It has all the trappings of a great piece of theatre -- there are big dreams, risk takers, a sexy sports car, heated political controversy, and pulsating disco music. What else could you ask for in a musical?”

Since then, playwrights Paul Ledoux and Allen Cole have delved deep in the creative process, and have resurfaced, ready to present a workshop reading of kitschy dialogue and laugh-out-loud musical numbers. “We’ve taken the glamour and intensity of power and politics and combined it with hindsight humour and some lurid overtones,” said Paul Ledoux, an award winning writer for stage and screen. Ledoux has been collaborating with composer/lyricist Allen Cole, who spent his boyhood in Fredericton during the Bricklin era. Together, they are creating a brassy work that recalls the flamboyant premier, the controversial entrepreneur, and their shared dream of an innovative new sports car being produced in New Brunswick. The public workshop is scheduled for Friday, January 29 at 7pm.

The Playhouse has partnered with Theatre New Brunswick to produce both the workshop and the world premiere of the play in summer 2010. Caleb Marshall, TNB’s Artistic Producer, will team up with Playhouse Executive Director Tim Yerxa as Co-Executive Producers. “We really needed the expertise and relationships that a professional producing company would bring to this project,” explained Yerxa. “Theatre New Brunswick’s reputation for professionalism and quality made them an obvious choice as a co-producing partner. We’re excited to be working with Mr. Marshall and his team.”

The workshop is a major step in the development of “Bricklin” and will consist of a script reading and songs from the first act of the musical, with Cole and Ledoux on hand to observe the on-stage dynamic and audience response. The process is an opportunity for the writers to see an early version of their work performed in front of an audience, to incorporate new ideas, and to rewrite any parts that don’t work as intended. For the audience, it is a rare opportunity to see a work in the process of being created. A full band will accompany five professional actors to deliver the presentation. Fredericton actors Tania Breen (Michelle) and Tony Lepage (Richard Hatfield) are among those appearing in the workshop.

Tickets for the Bricklin workshop are available now at the Playhouse box office, 458-8344 or www.theplayhouse.ca.