The Segal centre kicked off their new season on Sunday with it’s premiere of The Graduate. The play is an adaptation by Terry Johnson based on the novel by Charles Webb and the iconic motion picture screenplay by Calder Williams and Buck Henry. As you may know, it is the story of Benjamin Braddock, a young man that, after graduation, finds himself in the middle of what will end up being one of the most defining moments of his young adult life. This sad, precarious and very significant moment involves being entangled in a dangerous love triangle and being torn between the mother and daughter of his father’s business partner. Seduced by the magnetism of experience, but mesmerized by a hopeful future, Benjamin is caught in a tidal wave of events that will shape the course of his life.
The play is dropping the audience directly into the universe of the ‘60s. In this era of social, political and cultural transformation, the young brave baby boomers seek to break from the old monotony and the plastic facade of happiness of the post-war Silent Generation. From its kitschy-looking carpeted floors to it’s glamorous jungle-like dresses, The Graduate evokes this liberated generation. It also portrays an earlier world surfing on beautiful revolutions and personal discoveries which successfully relate to today’s issues. A stellar cast and crew are included in the play, notably Stratford’s young leading man Luke Humphrey as Benjamin and Shaw Festival’s favourite Brigitte Robinson as Mrs. Robinson. Also, an original score of live music composed by Matthew Barber and Justin Rutledge and inspired by Simon and Garfunkel’s soundtrack of the famous motion picture will surely charm the audience. Andrew Shaver’s direction also gives the play a promising value.
The Graduate will be presented from Aug. 31 to Sept. 21 at the Segal Center for Performing Arts. Also, for you theatre lovers out there, on Aug. 31 at 11 a.m., the Segal Theatre will be hosting Sunday-@-The Segal: Talkin’ ’bout my generation The Graduate, with guests Andrew Shaver, Justin Rutledge and Matthew Barber. Furthermore, you should check out Class Act Theatre Club, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m., a pre-show conversation with Andrew Shaver, and Monday Night Talkbacks, Sept. 8 and 15 after the 7 p.m. performances, with members of the cast.
