A STRANGE LOOP
Co-Produced by The Musical Stage Company, Soulpepper Theatre, Crow’s Theatre & TO Live
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Michael R. Jackson
Directed by Ray Hogg
The internationally renowned big, Black, queer-ass Broadway show is getting its Canadian Premiere! Join us on an exhilarating ride through the mind of a Black gay man who’s writing a musical about a Black gay man…who’s also writing a musical about a Black gay man.
Meet Usher. He’s dreaming of one day having a full-time career as a successful playwright, but currently he’s working front-of-house at Broadway’s The Lion King while grappling with his own artistic aspirations and personal identity. As he navigates the challenges of societal expectations, internalized racism, body image issues, self-doubt, and the complexities of his own desires, Usher confronts the “strange loop” of his existence all the while trying to write the very musical the audience is watching.
Joined by a hilarious chorus who personify Usher’s larger-than-life ‘Thoughts’, such as ‘Daily Self-Loathing’, ‘Sexual Ambivalence’, and caricatured depictions of his parents, A STRANGE LOOP is bursting with unforgettable melodies and metatheatrical storytelling. This musical promises to leave audiences thoroughly entertained and equally spellbound by its poignant, subversive, and unflinching exploration of identity, sexuality, self-expression, and the power of art to transcend barriers.
Winner of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, two Tony Awards including Best New Musical, five Drama Desk Awards, two Obie Awards, and nominated for seven Lucille Lortel Awards, A STRANGE LOOP is “a one-of-a-kind masterpiece” (Vogue Magazine).
BOOK A STRANGE LOOP GROUP
Book 10 – 14 tickets and receive 10% off
or
15+ tickets for 20% off (and every 20th ticket is complimentary).
Contact the Box Office to book at boxoffice@youngcentre.ca
A THE MUSICAL STAGE COMPANY, SOULPEPPER THEATRE, CROW'S THEATRE & TO LIVE PRODUCTION
OUR SUPPORTERS
A STRANGE LOOP is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
Credits
CANADIAN PREMIERE
A The Musical Stage Company, Soulpepper Theatre, Crow's Theatre & TO Live Co-Production
A STRANGE LOOP is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
Bookwriter, Composer, & Lyricist
Michael R. Jackson
Director
Ray Hogg
Choreographer
Rodney Diverlus
Music Director
Chris Tsujiuchi
Assistant to the Music Director
Jonah Nung
Set Designer
Brian Dudkiewicz
Costume Designer
Ming Wong
Lighting Designer
Michelle Ramsay
Assisant Director
Peter Fernandes
Associate Lighting Designer
Za Hughes
Sound Designer
Brian Kenny
Intimacy Director
Lisa Karen Cox
Stage Manager
Sarah Miller
Assistant Stage Manager
Farnoosh Talebpour
Apprentice Stage Manager
Evan Reid
Apprentice Director
Ludmylla Reis
USHER
Malachi McCaskill
THOUGHT 1
Sierra Holder
THOUGHT 5
Nathanael Judah
SWING
David Lopez
THOUGHT 6
Marcus Nance
THOUGHT 3, UNDERSTUDY THOUGHT 2
Matt Nethersole
THOUGHT 4
David Andrew Reid
THOUGHT 2, UNDERSTUDY THOUGHT 1
Amaka Umeh
USHER ALTERNATE, UNDERSTUDY THOUGHT 3
Charlie Clark
Piano-Conductor
Chris Tsujiuchi
Keys, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Mike Henley-Dunbar
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar
Joseph Martel
Electric Bass
Duncan Stan
Drums, SPD Pads
Aubrey Dayle
Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax
Conrad Gluch
Venue
Frequently Asked Questions
Show Calendar
Join us on Tuesday, April 29 for Pride Night, a special event celebrating the Canadian premiere of Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize–winning musical, A STRANGE LOOP. This unforgettable evening will bring together theatre lovers, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and allies for a pre- and post-show celebration centered around queer artistry and representation.
Featuring a Big Black Queer Market, surprise guests, and a post-show talkback with A STRANGE LOOP’s Bookwriter, Composer, & Lyricist Michael R. Jackson.
Interested in being a market vendor? Click here to fill out our form by April 16 to be considered!
The Musical Stage Company, Soulpepper Theatre, Crow’s Theatre, and TO Live will host a Black Out Night during the Friday May 2 performance of A STRANGE LOOP.
Black Out Night is an opportunity for Black audiences and their guests to come together and engage with works by Black artists. A post-show talkback will be hosted to discuss Black experiences as they relate to A STRANGE LOOP with Bookwriter, Composer, & Lyricist Michael R. Jackson.
No one will be turned away from attending Black Out Night. Exclusivity is not the intention of the evening, and this event, like all theatre events available for general sale, is open to any member of the public who wishes to purchase a ticket.