Preview: HARDSELL 2.0

Opening this weekend at the Factory Theatre is the final show in the trilogy of plays from Rick Miller this autumn.

Show Description:
HARDSELL 2.0 is an adaptation of HARDSELL, a 2009 play co-created by Daniel Brooks and Rick Miller. “HARDSELL 2.0 explores the issue of 'control',” says Miller, “how our behaviour can be controlled by marketing forces, and how difficult it is to maintain a semblance of control in an out-of-control world. To that end, Daniel Brooks has agreed to allow me to take full control of this current evolution of HARDSELL.” HARDSELL 2.0 is a completely new theatrical experience: part lecture, part circus sideshow, part multimedia extravaganza. Miller strikes at the heart of the dominant stories of today: the global financial crisis, Occupy Wall Street, the mass rebellion against greed, the commodification of everything and the lies inherent in advertising.

HARDSELL 2.0 plays Tuesday - Saturday, 8 p.m., and Sunday, 2 p.m., October 13 – 23 in the Mainspace Theatre.

For more info on the show and to purchase tickets please do click the header!

Preview: Bigger Than Jesus

Rick Miller in Bigger Than Jesus. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann.

Opening this evening on the Factory Theatre's mainspace is the second show in the trilogy of Rick Miller pieces being put on by Factory this fall. This second piece runs until October 9th.

For tickets please click the header! and for a great article on Rick Miller published by the Torontoist please click here.

Show Description:
Rick Miller and Daniel Brooks spent 3 years writing Bigger Than Jesus. The play premiered in 2003, and it has since become an international success story, having been performed in 5 countries and in 4 languages. In 2005, Bigger Than Jesus was nominated for 7 DORA Mavor Moore Awards, and won 3, including Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role (Rick Miller), and Outstanding Lighting Design (Beth Kates). There are currently 3 productions of Bigger Than Jesus on tour worldwide (in English, French, and German), making it one of Canada’s most far-reaching theatrical hits. Interest has been shown in countries as diverse as Israel and Iran! Given the universality and potency of the subject matter, we expect touring to continue well into the next decade.

Bigger Than Jesus is a “sinfully funny” and poignant multi-media ‘mass’ that questions the mysteries of life and historical and modern viewpoints on Christianity. Weaving together the Catholic liturgy, the gospels, and some good old-fashioned bible-thumpin’, Bigger Than Jesus is a truly unique theatrical experience. Director Daniel Brooks and performer Rick Miller carefully juggle reverence and irreverence, creating a show that has played equally well to commercial and avant-garde markets. At times educational, at times enlightening, Bigger Than Jesus is always entertaining. (Courtesy of biggerthanj.com)

Created by Rick Miller and Daniel Brooks
Performed by Rick Miller
Directed by Daniel Brooks
Designed by Beth Kates and Ben Chaisson

Preview: What's on at Factory

On now until September 25th, at the Factory Theatre, is MacHomer, starring creator Rick Miller. Billed as a one man show featuring over 50 voices, from Shakespeare to The Simpsons. MacHomer has run for 14 years and been seen in over 150 cities, worldwide. This show gets audiences laughing out loud at Rick's spot on impressions. Don't miss this imaginatively staged comedic version of the famous tragedy, MacBeth.

MacHomer

starring: Rick Miller

direction by: Sean Lynch

sets, lighting and costume: Beth Kates

sound design: Rick Miller

at Factory till September 25th

click here for ticket info.

Rick Miller can also be seen in this seasons' Bigger Than Jesus and Hardsell

call 416.504.9971 to find out how you can subscribe to all three Rick Miller productions.

Starting next week at Factory is independent Artists Repertory Theatre, (iART)'s production of His Greatness. This is iART's inaugural production, and a Toronto premiere for His Greatness. Daniel MacIvor's award winning play, about a potentially true story centres around the great American playwright Tennessee Williams.

His Greatness is directed by: Edward Roy

starring: Richard Donat as the Playwright, Daniel MacIvor as the Assistant and Greg Gale as the Young Man

His Greatness runs at the Factory's Studio Theatre from September 20th - Oct 23rd.

Click here for specific ticket information.