Michel(The)

Name: Michel(The)
Start: 2024-06-27T19:30:00-06:00
End: 2024-06-29T21:00:00-06:00
Location: Servus Credit Union Theater – La Cité Francophone

June 27 @ 7:30 pm – June 29 @ 9:00 pm MDT

A production of Théâtre la Seizième

TEXT AND INTERPRETATION: Joey Lspérance
DIRECTED: Esther Duquette

As children, Joey and Michel loved to put on shows for their family and friends. It was otherwise difficult to show their true colors in the working-class Quebec of the 60s and 70s where they grew up. To free themselves from this harsh reality, Michel and his brother Joey found their way in the artistic scene. The latter pursued a prolific acting career in Vancouver, while Michel shone on the Montreal drag scene. Then came the ultimate liberation: Michel became Michelle, the woman she had always been, deep down. Until the day when external forces got the better of her true identity. Is it possible to truly flourish when we don’t fit the roles that society imposes on us?

This first autobiographical solo by actor Joey Lespérance paints a portrait of a courageous and marginal journey full of contrasts. In a refined staging by Esther Duquette, this powerful speech by the Vancouver artist brings to life the lost dream of his “brother” Michel(le), who always wanted to do theater.