Empire of the Son First Tour
Empire of the Son went on its First tour from November 2016 – January 2017
“Empire of the Son is exquisite. It’s also painstakingly honest… the storytelling is poetic, associative—and often funny. I can’t say enough good things about Empire of the Son… one of the best shows of the year.”
– Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight
Tour Dates
November 22 – December 3, 2016 | National Arts Centre, Ottawa, ON
January 10 – January 14, 2017 | Centaur Theatre, Montreal, QB
January 18 – January 29, 2017 | Factory Theatre, Toronto, ON
About the Show
The first tour of the original, multi-disciplinary play by former CBC broadcaster Tetsuro Shigetmatsu who discovers vast worlds contained within his emotionally remote father – from the ashes of World War II and Hiroshima, to swinging London in the 1960s. As he learns about how his own father was once a son, Tetsuro realizes all the ways in which he himself needs to step up and become a better dad. Empire of the Son is a funny, emotional portrayal of parent/child relationships, and a reminder of no matter how far we journey out into the world to find ourselves – across decades and continents – we never stop being our parents’ children.
Empire of the Son originally premiered at The Cultch in October 2015. The show was completely sold out before it even opened – unprecedented for the premiere of a new Canadian play. Its subsequent extension was also completely sold out.
Playwright & Performer: Tetsuro Shigematsu*
Artistic Producer: Donna Yamamoto
Director/Original Concept Dramaturgy: Richard Wolfe*
Set Design: Pam Johnson
Dramaturg: Heidi Taylor (Playwrights Theatre Centre)
Lighting Design: Gerald King
Costume Design: Barbara Clayden
Sound Design: Steve Charles
Audio Dramaturg: Yvonne Gall
Stage Manager: Susan Miyagishima*
Technical Director/Production Manager: Andrew Pye
Props Master: Carol Macdonald
Video Design Consultant: Remy Siu
Apprentice Lighting Designer: Tory Ip
Production Manager: Adrian Muir
Documentary Audio: Yoshiko & Akira Shigematsu
*With permission of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.
Partners
PTC
Press Coverage
“Tetsuro Shigematsu’s Empire of the Son is a lovely stage memoir” – J. Kelly Nestruck, The Globe and Mail
“Empire of the Son extraordinary in its ordinariness” – Patrick Langston, Ottawa Citizen
“Empire Of The Son makes a strong solo outing” – Glen Sumi, NOW Toronto
“Tetsuro Shigematsu’s Empire of the Son is exquisite” – Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight
“Empire of the Son is understated perfection” – Cecilia Lu, VanCity Buzz
