Chris talks to Paolo Santalucia about his hit show "Prodigal" and how his experience as an actor and the collaborative nature of theatre helped him find the courage to write his first play. He touches on how audiences have changed since the pandemic and why their slow return to the theatre can be a unique opportunity for artists to embrace. He shares how his Toronto roots drew him to write about class and systems of power and why he loves to write characters who aren't afraid to compromise themselves and those around them to achieve their ambitions.

Edmund, the estranged gay alcoholic son of Rowan and Marilyn, returns to his family after a five-year absence. But he’s not seeking reconciliation. He’s looking for revenge after being cut off from the family trust. His arrival inconveniently coincides with Rowan's career breakthrough, sparking a clash of interests. As tensions rise, Edmund discovers a dirty little secret his father has been keeping and threatens to expose him, igniting a power struggle and putting the Clarks' bonds at risk of unravelling. Prodigal by Paolo Santalucia.

An explosive family drama about power and privilege  Rowan Clark is a rich man about to have his dreams come true - he’s about to get a prestigious job. But dark family secrets are lurking that could jeopardize his coveted new position. At the engagement party of his son Henry, the family gathers at their home to celebrate the impending nuptials, but one guest is missing. Their other queer alcoholic son Edmund isn’t invited. And despite Rowan and his wife Marilyn’s attempts to keep their troubled son at a distance, a party crasher shows up at their door, threatening to expose their hidden truths. Prodigal by Paolo Santalucia.

Laura talks with writers and performers Matthew Mackenzie, a Canadian playwright and Mariya Khomutova, a Ukrainian artist who met in Kiyv during Matthew’s theatre research trip in Ukraine. There, they sparked up a romance and found themselves expecting a baby on the eve of the global pandemic and invasion of Ukraine. The couple shared what it was like turning their very personal love story into an award-winning play and how writing helped strengthen their relationship and saved their mental health during their most challenging times.

Amid a whirlwind long-distance romance, Mariya from Ukraine and Matt from Canada learn they will soon become parents. They plan to marry but find themselves unexpectedly separated for months due to a travel ban amid the pandemic. After Matt embarks on a heroic journey to Odesa to reunite with Mariya, they believe their happily ever after is finally within reach. Their fairytale takes an unsettling turn when Russia invades Ukraine. How can they embark on their new life in Canada when Mariya’s loved ones confront death and devastation back home? First Metis Man of Odesa is by Matthew MacKenzie and Mariya Khomutova.

A real-life love story that spans continents, a pandemic and an invasion Matt, a Canadian Metis playwright, falls for Mariya, a Ukrainian actor, during a theatre workshop in Kyiv. They kindle a year-long romance through emails before meeting in Toronto, igniting a whirlwind love affair. But as they face the challenges of a long-distance relationship, doubts creep in for both. Just before the pandemic hits, they receive life-altering news, testing the strength of their bond and the viability of their future together. First Metis Man of Odesa is by Matthew MacKenzie and Mariya Khomutova.

The Play On Podcasts are audio adventures reimagining timeless tales featuring original music compositions and the voices of extraordinarily gifted artists. More episodes and information are available at: https://ncpodcasts.com/othello

Chris talks with writer Trey Anthony about the evolution of her revolutionary show, Da Kink In Hair, from a Fringe sensation to a highly-regarded TV series. Trey candidly discusses her experiences as a queer Black artist navigating the entertainment industry, her drive to portray authentic narratives of Black women in her work, and the profound impact of her childhood relocation from England to Canada at the age of 12 on her journey as an artist.

Much-in-demand hairdresser Novellette sees into the souls of several of her clients. She knows from her profession that If you want to know about a woman – a Black woman – touch her hair. She discovers joys like the sexual awakening in her elderly customer, Miss Endid, following the death of her husband. She untangles dark secrets like the painful past of Stacey-Anne, who travelled from Jamaica to Canada in the middle of the winter to live with her mother and her new partner. Da Kink In My Hair is by Trey Anthony

Novellette is a busy hairdresser at her West Indian hair salon. And while she’s a much sought-after stylist, she possesses gifts beyond her ability to tame locks. She believes that the hair she works on sends her messages about her clients’ lives. Sometimes, the information she receives makes her want to laugh. Other times, it tells her things she doesn’t want to know. When Novellette places her hands in her client Patsy’s tresses, she helps untangle a painful past while discovering a secret buried in the thick and growing hair. Da Kink In My Hair is by Trey Anthony

Laura talks with writer/performer Liisa Repo-Martell about what compelled her to adapt one of Anton Chekhov’s most famous plays, “Uncle Vanya,” for a contemporary audience. Liisa shares why she thinks Chekhov’s work is so enduring and how he gets to the heart of our darkest, most petty selves while shedding light on our desires to have more and to be seen. She talks about how she adapted a play written over 100 years ago in Russian and why she has a crush on this famous writer.

After Sonya reveals her love for Astrov, Yelena volunteers to determine if the doctor shares her feelings for him. When Yelena gets him alone, he surprises her with a frightening secret. Reeling from his confession, Yelena convinces her husband, Alexandre, to leave the estate immediately, throwing Vanya and Sonya’s future into question. Upon hearing the news of the couple’s impending exit, an enraged Vanya unleashes his fury on the professor, throwing the household into chaos. Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov, Adapted by Liisa Repo-Martell.

A dazzling adaptation of the masterpiece. In the twilight of Czarist Russia, Vanya and his niece, Sonya, work tirelessly to manage the rural estate. Their quiet routine is shattered when Sonya's father, Alexandre, a renowned professor, arrives with his glamorous young wife, Yelena. The household succumbs to waves of fury, jealousy, and intoxicated yearning with the presence of the new guests. Amidst the turmoil, the country doctor Astrov arrives to attend to the ailing professor. Sonya confides in Yelena about her profound feelings for the enigmatic doctor. Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov, Adapted by Liisa Repo-Martell.

Your free ticket to dozens of shows by talented writers from across Canada returns on Jan 10, 2024! Join hosts Laura Mullin and Chris Tolley for the latest season of PlayME featuring five contemporary plays: Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekov (adapted by Liisa Repo-Martell), Da Kink In My Hair by Trey Anthony, First Metis Man of Odesa by Matthew MacKenzie and Mariya Khomutova, PRODIGAL by Paolo Santalucia, and Guilt: A Love Story by Diane Flacks.

Chris talks with Marcia, who shares how she was inspired to write her hit play “Serving Elizabeth” after binging the Netflix series “The Crown.” She was livid when she noticed how only white characters were featured while others, the Black voices, were left out of the narrative. She confides how she was obsessed with princesses and queens as a little girl, but her feelings changed as she grew up and became aware of colonialization and the harm caused by the British Monarchy. Serving Elizabeth by Marcia Johnson

A drama that explores issues of colonialism and who gets to have a voice. It’s 1952, and Mercy and her daughter Faith run a well-regarded restaurant in Kenya that prepares excellent local dishes like maharagwe and matoke but is struggling due to a family health crisis draining their finances. When a white tourist arrives at the establishment and offers them a lucrative opportunity to cook for secret VIPs, Faith is eager to take the job, but Mercy is suspicious. Serving Elizabeth by Marcia Johnson

A drama that explores issues of colonialism and who gets to have a voice. When Mercy discovers she will cook for the young Princess Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Phillip, she refuses the job due to her anger at King George and his interference with Kenyan politics. But her daughter isn’t about to pass up an opportunity that could change her life. Seventy years later, Tia, a young Kenyan-Canadian screenwriter, works as an intern production team in London, UK, preparing an episode for a TV series based on Princess Elizabeth’s historic 1952 visit to Kenya. Serving Elizabeth by Marcia Johnson

A drama that explores issues of colonialism and who gets to have a voice. Mercy finds herself with an unexpected opportunity to be alone with Princess Elizabeth but finds herself in an awkward situation with the young royal. And Tia has a face-to-face with the creator of the British TV series and gets a chance to challenge him about the treatment of the characters in his script. Serving Elizabeth by Marcia Johnson

Chris talks to writer Kevin Loring about his play that explores the intergenerational effects of the residential school system set in his hometown of Lytton, BC. He shares how one of the actors during a workshop reading of his play challenged him to dig deeper into his character’s alcoholism and why it ultimately shaped the development of his award-winning show. He also describes the emotional moment when his play was first performed in front of his community and his thoughts on the meaning of the word “survivor.” Where The Blood Mixes by Kevin Loring

A funny and honest play about loss and redemption Floyd and Mooch are best buds. They like to hang together at George’s bar in the village of Lytton, BC, where Mooch can usually be found “mooching” drinks from his friend Floyd. Mooch is unemployed, troubled and usually steals his girlfriend June’s money to buy beer. She’s saving the money either to buy groceries or pay bills. When a letter arrives for Floyd from his long-lost family member, he grows anxious about the reunion and the circumstances that separated them all these years ago. Where the Blood Mixes by Kevin Loring