In Gods We Trust – Toronto Fringe 2016 Press Release

“Because nobody wants another Trojan war!”

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From press release:

The Gods of Ancient Greece didn’t just fade away – they relocated! The Olympians have been hanging out in the New World after emigrating in hopes of staging a glorious comeback. But the bizarre circus that is the 2016 Presidential Election is causing no small amount of alarm. They convene for a “Special Emergency Meeting Of The Gods,” charged to impose a divine decision on the American mortals. Will they be able to reach a decision without unleashing an apocalypse?

A sharp and topical political comedy, IN GODS WE TRUST stars nine real-life lawyers, doing what they do best — playing God(s)! IN GODS WE TRUST runs July 1-9 at the Al Green Theatre as part of the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival. Tickets are available beginning June 9 via www.fringetoronto.com, by phone at 416-966-1062 ext. 1, or at the door.

The Premise:  The Gods of Ancient Olympus moved to the New World at the birth of the United States, lured by the prospect of a bountiful source of worship, offerings, and glory. Instead, they’ve spent the past two hundred years hanging out on “New Olympus” (aka Mount Rushmore) as the US both evolves, revolves, and revolts — while they themselves quarrel, squabble, and occasionally interfere. Now, as the 2016 Presidential Election unfolds below, Zeus commands they intervene to bring this earthly political chaos to an end. Who will the Gods declare to be the next American president, and why? And – Gods help us! – what will happen once they do?

The creation of IN GODS WE TRUST has been an example of lawyerly and writerly cooperation. The original treatment for the play was written by practising lawyers Satinder Besrai and Kerri Salata, with further material written by Gavin Magrath and Diane Baker Mason, with much creative and writing input from all the Company. Based on an idea by Chris Leafloor. Directed by E. Llana Nakonechny. All of the performers are veterans of Nightwood’s Lawyer Show productions, as well as the 2014 Fringe hit, Watching Seana McKenna Watch Paint Dry.

Showtimes:

  • Friday July 1st, 03:00 pm
  • Saturday July 2nd, 08:45 pm
  • Sunday July 3rd, 06:45 pm
  • Tuesday July 5th, 08:45 pm
  • Thursday July 7th, 01:45 pm
  • Friday July 8th, 11:30 pm
  • Saturday July 9th, 04:00 pm

Venue: Al Green Theatre (750 Spadina Ave)

Details:

  • Tickets for all Fringe productions are $12. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone (416-966-1062, business hours only), in-person from the festival box office located in the parking lot behind Honest Ed’s, (581 Bloor West), or — if any remain — from the venue box office (cash-only), starting one hour before showtime.
  • The festival offers a range of money-saving passes for committed Fringers; see website for details.
  • Be advised that Fringe shows always start exactly on time, and latecomers are never admitted.

Photo: Peter Hamiwka as Bacchus, Brent Vickar as Zeus, Diane Baker Mason as Hera, Melanie Herbin as Eris, Ajay Krishnan as Apollo, Kerri Salata as Aphrodite, Gavin Magrath as Poseidon.

Photo by Jason Crowtz.