The Arts Club Theatre Company has pulled back the curtain once again to welcome audience back to the Newmont Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre for I, Claudia. The first play in the 2021 Summer Series, the one-performer, multiple-character play written by Kirsten Thomson, and directed by Marie Farsi, runs until August 15th.
Through the use of a series of masks, designed by Melody Anderson, star Lili Beaudoin brings Claudia, and a collection of people from her anecdotes to life. Claudia, a precocious 12 going on 13 year old student, is navigating a tricky time in her life that includes; the hostile world of middle school with its associated cliques and bullies, her parents recent divorce, splitting time between two homes, her father’s new girlfriend > fiancé > bride, and on top of all that…puberty is bringing its own wild ride to her life. While we’ve all been on similar journeys or known someone like Claudia, I’m sure parents of similar aged children will especially recognize some of her angst and attitude.
Lili Beaudoin brilliantly captures the nuances and unique characteristics of the whole cast of characters, from 12 years old Claudia, to the vivacious Leslie – her soon to be step-mother, to her elderly, recently-widowed Grandfather. As well we meet Drachman, the immigrant custodian of her school, from the fictional ‘Bulgonia’, who watches over Claudia, as she seeks haven, from the complication of her life, in his boiler room. Even though the audience watches her slip in and out of the masks and costumes (by Barbara Clayden) while on stage, Lili so completely transforms for each character that it’s easy to forget this is a one-person show.
I, Claudia runs at The Arts Club’s Newmont Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre until August 15, 2021. Tickets are on sale, with Covid-19 restrictions allowing for seating at 50% capacity, spaced throughout the theatre. The play runs approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. For all covid-19 safety measures visit artsclub.com/visit/covid-19-safety-measures