JC & JC at the 2012 Edmonton Fringe
In an exciting change of programming, Cowardly Kiss Theatre will be producing Michelle Kennedy's new work, JC & JC, at the 2012 Edmonton Fringe Festival. Happy Homes, Perfect Children has been postponed to a later date to allow for further research. Please see the full show details for JC & JC below. See you at the Fringe!
Cowardly Kiss Theatre Announces Inaugural 2011/2012 Season
Cowardly Kiss Theatre is thrilled to announce its first multiple show season, which is comprised of four plays that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. From a woman on a white sofa looking for help to two sisters whose playacting takes a dark turn and two women who have nothing and everything to say to one another, this season promises to move, provoke, and challenge. We hope you’ll join us for a year of risk, reaction, relationships, and a marriage of disciplines as Artistic Director Andrea Beça brings pieces of her European inspiration to Edmonton audiences.
The Maids
- Catalyst Theatre
- April 13 - 21, 2012
Written by Jean Genet; Translated by Bernard Frechtman; Directed by Andrea Beça
When Madame is away, Claire and Solange act out sadomasochistic mistress-servant scenarios, dreaming of destroying their employer and getting revenge against the society that has trapped them in an inferior class. The more they playact, however, the more the lines between fantasy and reality blur, resulting in jealousy, resentment, and death. Inspired by the Papin sisters, who notoriously murdered their employers in 1933, Jean Genet, known for his absurdist style of theatre, tackles a virtually endless list of subject matter in The Maids, including pain and performativity.
“Now, here are the two maids, the faithful servants! They’re standing in front of you. Despise them. Look more beautiful—we no longer fear you.”
Cast
- Sarah Horsman
- Louise Large
- Zachary Parsons-Lozinski
- Stage Manager: Erin Valentine
A System of Pulleys
- Edmonton Fringe
- Venue and Dates to be announced
Written and Directed by Andrea Beça
Two women meet. These two women know each other. These two women hoped to never see one another again. Now they’re spending an indeterminable amount of time together. Together. What did you say? Two women meet… These two women—know each other? These two women sure as hell never want to lay eyes on one another again. Now they’re—shit. Stuck? With her? Two wo— WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!
“I know people say this all the time, but this—this is actually the last thing I need today.”
Cast
- Kristen Padayas
- Janine Hodder
- Dramaturg: Margaret Eleanor McCall
JC & JC
- Edmonton Fringe
- Venue and Dates to be announced
Written by Michelle Kennedy; Directed by Andrea Beça
JC & JC is a little ditty about a girl so destroyed by love that she takes herself hostage in a sweltering Miami hotel room waiting to be saved...by John Cusack. Part rom-com, part Waiting for Godot, JC & JC is all about the search for hope when hope has flown for the orange trees and all we need is a gun or a boom box to rescue us.
“If you’re doing the math that means I’ve been here about 5 days. It’s sort of an awkward situation but I think I’ve got it under control. I’m not worried.”
Cast
- Adrianne Salmon
- Dramaturg: Andrea Beça
Cowardly Kiss Theatre was founded in 2006 by Artistic Director Andrea Beça in order to produce her works at the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival. Since then, it has expanded to independent productions and beyond. It is Andrea’s aim to move, provoke, and challenge audiences with each Cowardly Kiss production, whether a new or old work.
The company's name is inspired by The Ballad of Reading Gaol,a poem by Oscar Wilde.
Night Time
- Catalyst Theatre
- November 4 - 12, 2011, 7:30pm
- November 5, 2011, 2:00pm and 7:30pm
Written by Selma Dimitrijevic; Directed by Andrea Beça
Late at night, Chris steps away from her home and her husband, looking for help. She meets men: one who knows too much, one who’s willing to listen, and one she can’t escape. What will happen when morning comes? Was it a dream or a dark reality? This haunting psychological thriller, which premiered at the Traverse Theatre in the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, is presented by Cowardly Kiss as a fusion of movement and theatre that will envelop you in its stirring and hypnotic story.
“i’m telling you the truth. after we
after you
–
i just couldn’t stay here.
i had to get out.”
Starring
- Nicole Schafenacker
- Brennan Campbell
- Patrick Errington
- Cody Porter
- Choreographer: Ainsley Hillyard
- Stage Manager: Trent Crosby
- Graphic Designer: Bryan Beça
(Real) Gone (Girl)
- 2011 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
Written and Directed by Andrea Beça
Joan. Edie. Carolyn. Hettie. Diane. Joyce. Elise... Inspired by the lives of the women of the Beat Generation, (Real) Gone (Girl) is unlike any play you've ever seen. Six actresses. Six performances. A one-woman show in which the one woman has never and will never see the script. Get immersed in a story that may initially seem so far away, but soon feel all too familiar.
Starring
- Sarah Horsman
- Elisa Benzer
- Mari Chartier
- Georgia Irwin
- Louise Large
- Delia Barnett
- Dramaturg: Margaret Eleanor McCall
- Choreographer: Raena Waddell
- Stage Manager: Ryan McKinley
- Graphic Designer: Bryan Beça
Sponsors
Carlos & Helena Beça, Ryan Byrne, Bryan Beça, Laura Wood, Lisa & Bryan Clarke, Ruth-Ann Pagliaroli, Leona Waddell, Giorgia Severini, Katy Yachimec, Delia Barnett, Bruce Barnett, Cheri & Gregory Barnett, Jodi Morris, Aristides Guillen, Scott Garland, Mary McCall, Jacqueline Secret, Robert Reilly, Nicole Moeller, Carissa Ibert, Jozel Campbell-Lemire, Helen Postill, Ruth Harle, Marlene Heitmanis, and all of our anonymous donors.
BUNBURYING
- April 29 - May 8, 2011
- Studio B in the Transalta Arts Barns
Written and Directed by Andrea Beça
BUNBURYING is a Deconstructionist rewriting of the Wildean favourite, The Importance of Being Earnest. Watch unfamiliarly familiar characters play and vie for your attention in an unstable, uncontrollable world controlled by your favourite non-existent character, Mr. Bunbury — you'll never meet the same people twice!
A twisted take on the decadent and (un)glamorous world of melodrama, comedy of manners, and reality television, complete with Shropshire, swooning, smoking, sex(ual innuendo), scandal, sport, and snacks – lots and lots of snacks.
ALGERNON: My Aunt said that I was self-involved coming here.
JACK: (Not listening) Do you think I should grow a beard?
Starring
- Delia Barnett
- Sarah Horsman
- David Johnston
- Ryan McKinley
- Zachary Parsons-Lozinski
- Dramaturg: Margaret Eleanor McCall
- Stage Manager: Nonnie Lagerweij
- Graphic Designer: Bryan Beça
Reviews
"Impressively audacious" —Edmonton Journal
"Cheeky, energetic...BUNBURYING more than adequately reflects the absurdity of phoniness and insincerity." —St. Albert Gazette
She Came From Planet X!
- 2009 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
Written and Directed by Andrea Beça
What strange and seductive creature originates on Planet X? A UFO has just crashed outside of scientist George Jenkins’ laboratory window! Will he be prepared to make such a discovery? The Jenkins family will be forever changed by her extra terrestrial presence!
Starring
- Paul Bezaire
- Catherine Walsh
- Louise Casemore
- Zachary Parsons-Lozinksi
- And Featuring the Vocal Talent of Chris Craddock and the Charm of Miss Sarah Studmuffin.
- Stage Manager: Kandice Laurie
- Designer: Paul Bezaire
- Photographer: Meryl Smith Lawton
- Graphic Designer: Bryan Beça
Reviews
"All roles are well played and the comedic timing is so excellent the audience is made to actually sound like a “Live Studio Audience” laugh track. This creates a believable atmosphere of actually being in the audience of a sitcom taping, and I find that impressive." —goestoshow Fringelog 2009
"Everything about the play is painfully over-the-top, but in the best sense possible." —VUE Weekly
"This 50's TV show-inspired-play with a 2009 relevance is really, really clever in its simplicity. **** Stars!" —CBC
***1/2 Stars! —Edmonton Journal
00:00AM (Zero Ante Meridiem)
- 2009 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
Written and Directed by Andrea Beça
Aya and Fionn are on a road trip:
"It's like there's a person—the real you—and you walk around, going about your day-to-day life, and that person sits inside of you, slowly clawing their way out. And that person has had a long time to grow some serious claws."
Starring
- Julia Guy
- Nathan Coppens
- Matthew Schuurman
- Stage Manager: Lester Lee
- Designer: Paul Bezaire
- Photographer: Meryl Smith Lawton
- Graphic Designer: Bryan Beça
Reviews
"A sassy, sprightly adventure." —SEE Magazine
**** Stars! —Edmonton Journal
Sylvie
- 2008 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
Written and Directed by Andrea Beça
Inspired by a True Story
In a rather unusual version of girl meets boy, Anna travels to Scotland, where she meets Jamie, the new love of her life. Their chance meeting changes everything; Jamie propels Anna into her future, while she resurrects his past.
Starring
- Kevin Shipalesky
- Elisa Benzer
- Torstein Colyer
- Stage Manager: Paul Bassett
- Designer: Paul Bezaire
- Photographer: Meryl Smith Lawton
- Graphic Designer: Bryan Beça
Reviews
"The urge to create complex, multi-character plays, instead of more lucrative monologues, at the Fringe, also defies explanation. Why do Bohdan Tarasenko and Andrea Beca, two local playwrights, do what they do? It doesn't matter. As long as they continue doing it. ***1/2 Stars." —Edmonton Journal
B, or, Unless You Steal Her Pen!
- 2007 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
Written and Directed by Andrea Beça
Mystery! Mayhem! Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Have women strayed too far from the kitchen? Bixler Incorporated will never be the same again!
Starring
- Elisa Benzer
- Anika Loewen
- Justen Bennett
- Kevin Shipalesky
- Matthew Schuurman
- Stage Manager: Kandice Laurie
- Painter: Karly Lagore
- Photographer: Ellen Lagore
- Graphic Designer: Bryan Beça
Reviews
"Here's a little company that's definitely got something going on. This humorous homage to '50s film noir presents both a young playwright and a pistol of a lead who bear watching down the line. *** Stars." —Edmonton Journal
Andrea is available to assist you in the development of your script, whether you’re looking for a one-time dramaturgy session, a series of meetings from draft to draft, or a production dramaturg to help in the page-to-stage process.
To discuss a project or request a CV or quote, please contact Andrea directly at andrea@cowardlykiss.com or 780.271.0975.
Andrea Beça has a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Alberta and an MLitt in Playwriting and Dramaturgy from the University of Glasgow. She has been and will be writing for her whole life. In addition to drama, she writes short fiction and non-fiction; she has been published in Freefall (Calgary), Odeum (Brampton), and on Suite101.com, where she was a contributing writer from 2008-2010. Her work has been nominated for a number of awards, including the Alberta Writer’s Guild awards and the national Journey Prize (2009). In 2011, she started her own freelance writing company, Comma Dot Dash.
In her free time, Andrea likes to sing at the top of her lungs in her car (or anywhere, really), read, and watch British TV. She has two puppies, Oscar Wilde Beça and Lucille Ball Beça, with whom she loves spending any and all of her time. Though she’s not one to get star struck, Andrea knows she would lose her cool if she met any of the following people: Tom Waits, Oscar Wilde (once time travel is invented), Belle and Sebastian, and Prince.