November 24 - December 3, 2011
BRAVE NEW LOOKS
Four Minutes If You Bleed
A Power Play Production
Written by Alexandria Haber & Ned Cox
Directed by Ned Cox
WARNING: Abundant bad hockey language!
After the success of their one-act version at the Just for Laughs Zoofest in 2009, Power Play Productions is delighted to present a new and improved, full-on, full-length version of Four Minutes if you Bleed, a comedy of manners about hockey, weddings and Christmas miracles.
An exuberant collaboration between two of Montreal's most exciting playwrights, Ned Cox (Hellavator, Duplicity Girls, Book Club) and Alexandria Haber (Housekeeping/Homewrecking, Life Here After), Four Minutes if you Bleed will be performed at Centaur Theatre from November 24 to December 3 as part of their Brave New Looks series for 2011, the perfect antidote to the stress of holiday shopping (or wedding planning)…
Set in Montreal and the Eastern Townships, Four Minutes if you Bleed explores aspects of human frailty that often drive us to hurt each other. But, according to director and co-writer Ned Cox, “The awareness of our own failings allows us to forgive the flaws in those we care about most. Through the interlinking relationships of the four Dickenson sisters and their friends and lovers, we understand that there is always a way through the maze of misunderstandings - even if it takes a miracle or two to get there… ”
For co-writer Alexandria Haber, who also plays one of the Dickenson sisters, the show is a bit of a rom-com on a stage instead of in a movie theatre, “It has something for everyone: men, women, families, Christmas lovers, wedding haters and Habs fans.” She continues, “I enjoy that it’s funny, heartfelt and not cynical; offering a wink and a nudge to the audience, but still theatrical and magical.” Haber sees the show as being a bit like life itself, “It's romantic but just silly enough to not be mushy, and doesn't take itself too seriously. Not everything’s wrapped up perfectly in a pretty box with a bow on top, but still ends happily enough ever after.”
Four Minutes if you Bleed is first and foremost a comedy. Often splitting up the writing duties, Haber and Cox challenged each other to see who could come up with the funniest scenes. If one could make the other laugh, they knew they were onto something good. But the funniest moments of all came when the two playwrights simply sat across a table from each other, Macs at the ready, and riffed back and forth.
Cox and Haber have assembled an ensemble dream cast, many reprising their original roles, for what will no doubt prove to be the hit of the Christmas season: Shawn Campbell, K.C. Coombs, Paula Costain, Paula Jean Hixson, Neil Napier and Amelia Sargisson. Alexandria Haber performs the role of Beth, the ‘prodigal daughter’ of the family. Carlo Mestroni will take the role of Randy for three performances.
Cast members are looking forward to sharing the play with an audience. This from Paula Jean Hixson, reprising her role as Jane, “Not only will audiences recognize their own personal and family dynamics at play - the good, the bad and the hilariously dysfunctional - but there is so much fun hockey stuff that it will make the perfect date-night, whether it's an awkward first get-to-know-you attempt or a golden anniversary outing.” And, from Amelia Sargisson, recreating the youngest Dickenson sister, “Anyone who's a younger sibling will totally ‘get’ Sabina. Four Minutes if you Bleed is like Stewart McLean's beloved Vinyl Cafe Christmas saga, 'Dave Cooks the Turkey' - but for the stage.”
Featuring sets by Jonathon Stredeski, costumes by Meriza Martel-Bryden, lighting by Sarah Yaffe, sound design by Deena Aziz and photography by Julian Haber.
“Isn’t it funny how men hug so much in sports and so little in real life?” - Marie