Detective Haunted by Unsolved Case and Unforgettable Love in Dead Bear
(Cast members of Post Productions presentation of the 2020 Windsor-Essex Playwriting Contest award winner, Dead Bear by John Gavey, from left, Joey Ouellette as Detective Scott Easton, Nina Fasullo as Kasara Porumbel, Simon Du Toit as Detective Miles Mallow, Cindy Pastorius as Captain Susan Hemmin, and Nikolas Prsa as Charles “Corky” Porumbel. Photo above by Anthony Sheardown Photography.)
Post Productions will stage the world premiere of John Gavey’s Dead Bear from 26 November to 11 December at The Shadowbox Theatre.
The new play – which won the 2020 Windsor-Essex Playwriting Contest – is about Det. Miles Mallow (played by Simon du Toit) who, the day before he retires, gets the opportunity to solve a case that’s haunted him for 30 years: the murder of his neighbour Kasara (played by Nina Fasullo).
“This script grabbed our attention right away,” says Post Productions managing director and contest co ordinator Michael K. Potter. “It’s a dreamy, riveting mystery tale reminiscent of classic film noir but it feels contemporary at the same time. The contest judges were fascinated by it because it’s utterly unique and totally compelling from start to finish.” As directed by Fay Lynn (Nothing But the Truth, Negatunity), the story moves between past and present, taking place in a variety of locations that look and feel real (thanks to set designer Matthew Burgess) but exist inside Miles’ head. Along the way, questions are raised and answered – most importantly: does Miles have the courage to face the truth?
In addition to du Toit and Fasullo, the all-star cast of Windsor-based actors in Dead Bear includes Cindy Pastorius (Pry It From My Cold Dead Hands, The Beauty Queen of Leenane), Joey Ouellette (American Buffalo, Criminal Genius), and Nikolas Prsa (Blasted, Equus). Cast and crew have been working on the play since fall 2020, as it was originally scheduled to open in February 2021 before being delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Windsor-Essex Playwriting Contest was founded in 2018 to provide writers with an opportunity to receive detailed feedback about their work from a panel of dedicated, conscientious judges. Each year, the winning playwright(s) has their script produced by Post Productions, is invited to contribute to auditions and rehearsals, and receives 10% of the gross ticket revenue from the production of their work. Dead Bear is the first play by John Gavey, a Windsor native who took to playwriting during the pandemic. Gavey sat down with Potter for a wide-ranging interview about the play and his writing process, which can be found here: http://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/blog/dead-bear-an-interview-with-playwright-john-gavey
Dead Bear by John Gavey will be presented by Post Productions at The Shadowbox Theatre (103b – 1501 Howard Ave, corner of Howard and Shepherd) Nov 26, 27; Dec 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11. Showtime 8:00 PM (doors open 7:30). Tickets can be purchased for $25 through postproductionswindsor.ca. All patrons must be masked and will be required to provide proof of double vaccination against Covid-19. Presented in association with Waawiiyaatanong Feminist Theatre.
To learn more about the playwright and cast, see: http://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/blog/meet-john-gavey-and-the-cast-of-dead-bear
To learn more about the Windsor-Essex Playwriting Contest, see:
http://www.postproductionswindsor.ca/play-contest.html
Article submitted by Post Productions
Photo by Anthony Sheardown Photography
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