Canadian hit crosses the border
Time magazine listed The Drawer Boy by Michael Healey as one of the Ten Best Plays of 2001. Among other honors, this play received four Dora Awards, including the nod for Best Play from the Canadian equivalent of the Tony.
Set in 1972, The Drawer Boy tells a story about Morgan and Angus, World War II veterans who live together on a farm in the Canadian countryside where they were born and raised. Angus, a buddy architect who loved to draw, hence the nickname “draw-er boy,” suffered a war injury that resulted in permanent loss of his short-term memory. After the war, the seemingly gruff Morgan became his caretaker, helping Angus manage his memories. Miles, a young theatre artist, comes to live with them temporarily to research a play. When Miles unwittingly stumbles upon the truth of the farmers’ past, the lives of the three men are forever altered.
“It’s a play about people who are not living the lives they expected to lead. They’ve known loss and sorrow, but they do not pity themselves,” said David Grapes, the producing artistic director of Tennessee Rep, who will play the role of Angus.
The concept of The Drawer Boy was, in fact, inspired by a chapter in Canadian theatre history. In 1972, a Toronto theatre company received government funding to study an Ontario farming community. Actors lived and worked with farm families and recorded stories from the people they encountered. These stories were later developed into a collective theatrical production called The Farm Show, which toured throughout Canada and was later made into both a successful film and television special.
There are a limited number of seats still available. To make reservations for up to two tickets, call or e-mail Melissa Cantrell at 615/782-4095 or [email protected].