Hammertheatre’s NAKED HAMILTON

WORLD PREMIERE OF SKY GILBERT’S NAKED HAMILTON AT THE ARTWORD ARTBAR

Hamilton, Ontario (Saturday, September 22, 2012) For Immediate Release – NAKED HAMILTON is the seventh Sky Gilbert work presented by Hammertheatre to have its World Premiere in Hamilton, Ontario. Gilbert’s newest one-act play stars Elley-Ray Hennessy (HAMILTON BUS STOP) and Scott McCord (SCOTT MCCORD AND THE BONAFIDE TRUTH). The production will be presented at the Artword Artbar, located at 15 Colbourne Street, in Hamilton, Ontario, from November 15-25, 2012.

THE PLAY: Hamilton’s changing. And yes, when things change, much remains the same. Sure there are forces of gentrification — as thousands turn up for the James Street Art Crawl. But as the so-called ‘economic downturn’ hits home, jobs can be scarce and the non-working poor can get plenty pissed off. In NAKED HAMILTON, Sky Gillbert’s newest play, issues of class are revealed as the forces of Hamilton old and Hamilton new confront each other. Elley-Ray Hennessy and Scott McCord play your friends and neighbours – including the young entrepreneur on James Street North, the older drunk couple who close the bar every night – and let’s not forget that prim housewife down the street who seems to disapprove of everything you do. They’re all here. It’s Hamilton! And you get to see them naked! With their clothes on!

SHOW DATES AND TIMES: All performances of NAKED HAMILTON will take place at the Artword Artbar, located at 15 Colbourne Street, in Hamilton, Ontario. Tickets are $15 with Pay-What-You-Can Sunday Matinees and a $5 Preview. Cash only. Tickets can be purchased one hour before the show. Ticket reservations can be made by e-mailing artword@artword.net or phoning 905-543-8512. Limited seating.

Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 8:00pm (Preview)
Friday, November 16, 2012 at 8:00pm (Opening)
Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 8:00pm
Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 2:30pm

Thursday, November 22, 2012 at 8:00pm
Friday, November 23, 2012 at 8:00pm
Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 8:00pm
Sunday, November 25, 2012 at 2:30pm (Closing)

THE PERFORMANCE SPACE: A licensed café-bar in the James North arts district, hosted by Ronald Weihs and Judith Sandiford (of Artword Theatre). Artword Artbar is a “listening room”, seating 60 at café tables and bar stools, with a small stage, providing an intimate cabaret environment for live music and performance. Website: www.artword.net/artbar

THE COMPANY: Hammertheatre is devoted to plays written by Sky Gilbert, which deal with sexuality and/or the realities of city living in Hamilton Ontario’s downtown core. NAKED HAMILTON is no exception. Previous critically acclaimed Hammertheatre productions by Sky Gilbert include CRACK (2007), LADYLIKE (2007), STEVEN AND CHRIS DESIGN YOUR MIND (2009), WHY WE TORTURED HIM (2009), HAMILTON BUS STOP (2010), and BACKSTAGE (2011).

CREATIVE TEAM BIOS:

SKY GILBERT (WRITER/DIRECTOR): Sky Gilbert is a writer, director, and drag queen extraordinaire. He was co-founder and artistic director of North America’s largest gay and lesbian theatre, Buddies in Bad Times, for 18 years where he produced over 25 of his own plays. He has received three Dora Mavor Moore Awards, the Pauline McGibbon Award for theatre directing, the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Margo Bindhardt Award, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts’ Silver Ticket Award, and the ReLit Award for his novel AN ENGLISH GENTLEMAN. Dr. Gilbert is an Associate Professor and holds a University Research Chair in Creative Writing and Theatre Studies at The School of English and Theatre Studies at the University of Guelph. Sky is working on his seventh novel, as well as a collection of Hamilton murder mystery stories. His next play, A FEW BRITTLE LEAVES, starring Gavin Crawford and Edward Roy will premiere at Buddies in April 2013. Website: home.istar.ca/~anita

ELLEY-RAY HENNESSY (TEE/CYNTHIA): Elley-Ray, a bon vivant, one of a kind, peerless, force of nature, has over 34 award-winning years internationally in theatre, television, film and radio. This is her 18th play with the wonderful Sky Gilbert. She recently played Ruby to standing ovations every night in Sky Gilbert’s ST. FRANCIS OF MILLBROOK at 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook, Ontario. Elley-Ray had the distinct pleasure of being a VIP presenter at the Voice 2012 conference at Disney Land Resort in Anaheim, California. Elley-Ray was a proud member of the voice talent jury for the 2012 Emmy Awards. She is currently writing her third animated feature film, PAPAGIORGIO THE GREAT, for Imagination Films and directing another, ALLEY OF DREAMS, due for release December 2012. As well as writing a book on voice acting, Elley-Ray will be giving voice over workshops in Tokyo, Atlanta, Dallas, Calgary, and Vancouver. Elley-Ray delights in the profound opportunity to story tell and change the resonation of the planet. This show is dedicated to the ever-constant support of Stinky! Website: elleyray.com

SCOTT MCCORD (TOM/LAWLOR): Scott McCord is an actor, musician, voice actor and filmmaker. He is the bandleader and key songwriter for the soul rock band SCOTT MCCORD AND THE BONAFIDE TRUTH (Best New Artist of the Year Nominee – 2010 Maple Blues Awards). Featured on CBC Radio 2’s CANADA LIVE, their latest album has received overwhelming critical acclaim and generous radio play. Scott recently appeared on stage in Rosa Laborde’s new work MARINE LIFE (Aluna Theatre). Film and TV credits include 16 BLOCKS, SHOOT EM UP, and THE ELEVENTH HOUR. Animated TV series voice talent credits include TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND, BAKUGAN BATTLE BRAWLERS, JUSTIN TIME, BIG BIG FRIEND, YIN YANG YO, and SIDEKICK. Scott’s voice acting talents led to him being invited to New Zealand and Australia as a celebrity guest for ARMAGEDDON FAN EXPO 2011. This is Scott’s first play with Sky. He is thrilled to be a part of the NAKED HAMILTON team. The last time he shared the stage with Elley-Ray, she played his father! Website: scottmccordmusic.com

STEPHEN NEWMAN (STAGE MANAGER): Steve is very excited to be working with Sky and a very talented cast on this original production. Steve spent 35 seasons with Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton as Stage Manager and Production Director. He served on the boards of Arts Hamilton and the inaugural Hamilton Fringe Festival. Steve stage-managed the Hamilton International Tattoo and the Rochester Marine Tattoo working with casts of over 700 military and civilian performers. In 2008 Steve received The Hamilton Arts award in the production category. For the past four summers he has had the privilege of working with the Brott Music Festival and The National Academy Orchestra.

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