Sometimes despised and belittled, year after year the summer theater seduces audiences wanting to laugh and thirst for entertainment. People you don’t necessarily see in the cinema during the regular season.
Photo courtesy of Nicola-Frank Vachon
Emmanuel Bedard
“It’s like good business. It’s just fun,” introduced Claude Montminy, author and co-director of the Nouveau Théâtre de l’île d’Orléans and producer at La Roche à Veillon in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli.
In his opinion, summer theater in Quebec is something of a tradition.
“It’s also often an excuse to go out with friends. People come as couples, with friends and with family. We have groups of 15 people, the whole family. They go out to eat, visit us and end the day with comedy. It’s their annual activity,” he noted in an interview.
Photo archive, Yves Leclerc
Emmanuel Bedard
Emmanuel Bédard has been producing summer theater with his company Théâtre Voix d’Accès for 20 years. The actor and producer says summer theater is healthy. He combines the success of what he calls summer theater with humor, which is extremely strong in Quebec. The goal is to make people laugh.
“It’s going well everywhere and that’s what I’m hearing. There was a little dip once when people said it wasn’t really theatre. There’s also the fact that people eventually got tired of “Ah Ciel, my man!” and “pouet pouet,” he explained.
The same work
Emmanuel Bédard, whom we saw in Stat, points out that in recent years producers have redoubled their efforts to ensure quality and a minimum of seriousness.
“The summer theater is carried out with the same care as the productions staged in the other months of the year. I approach the task with the same seriousness as I would a play at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde. It’s not relaxed,” said the one we’ll see on the stages of the Théâtre Petit Champlain this summer in The Last Scissors.
For his part, Claude Montminy believes that summer productions should one day be supported by funding agencies. Which is not the case.
“These are the same actors, the same writers and the same directors. We’re keeping that at bay and I think we’ve done it,” he said.
Photo courtesy of Andréanne Gauthier
Danielle Proulx
Danielle Proulx will be appearing in the play at the Théâtre du Bic in Rimouski throughout the summer. And then through the window we can see the fields.
“What I like about summer theater is that the plays last longer than a regular season performance. We start having the piece in the body, legs and heart and it stops. It’s frustrating at times. It’s different in the summer,” she said in an interview.
The summer theater also allows him to spend time in beautiful corners.
“It’s a kind of trip where I don’t go home at night. It’s a holiday feeling,” she said, adding that laughter is also part of the equation.
Photo courtesy of Patrick Bourque Photographer
Henry Chasse
Henri Chassé, also part of the cast, will be playing at the Théâtre du Bic for the third time this summer.
“I really like the style of creative theater presented there. “I love comedy, but I also really enjoy taking part in something new,” he said, hinting that the play will tour in 2024.
do good
Claude Montminy, who has written about fifteen comedies, lists some of the ingredients that a good summer play needs.
The comedies Curling, Bébé à bord, Un pied dans la bouche and À la folie, which he co-wrote with Guy Richer, will be screened in Quebec this summer.
“It needs a good story, lovable characters who go on adventures. It has to be fun and positive. People – and the pandemic has shown this – need a break, good entertainment and not only think about the negative things in their lives. The recipe is to do yourself good,” he concluded.
On the way to the summer theater
Summer theater is primarily comedy and entertainment oriented and is different from what is seen in cinemas during the regular season. Here are 20 plays that will be shown in different regions of Quebec over the next few months.
Madness!
Photo from the Espace Diffusion website
- Cowansville Broadcasting Area
- July 14th to August 19th
Charles, an immature, unconventional party animal entertainer, is horrified to find he is being forced to take care of his grumpy elderly mother, who has Alzheimer’s, against his will. The magic of the music and its imitations by Jean-Pierre Ferland, Julien Clerc, Joe Dassin, Cat Stevens, Tom Jones and others will work wonders.
► Guy Richer, Francine Ruel, Genevieve Brouillette and Marilou Morin
► Espacediffusion.ca
And then through the window we can see the fields
Photo from the Théâtre du Bic Facebook page
- Bic Theater
- Rimouski
- July 2nd to August 12th
This play for all generations tells the story of a family who chats, argues and loves each other dearly in a country in the region in an atmosphere of the beginning of the end of the world. Grown children have to live with their father’s disappearance and the fear of being next in line.
► Henri Chassé, Marie-Hélène Gendreau, Nicolas Gendron, Stéphanie Labbé, Michel-Maxime Legault and Danielle Proulx
► theatredubic.com
BABY ON BOARD
Photo from the Facebook page of La Roche à Veillon
- The Rock of Veillon
- Saint Jean Port Joli
- June 16th to September 2nd
Philippe only has one thing in mind. He wants to have children, but his partner Christine isn’t ready yet. He tries to convince her. Christine’s sister and her new lover Alain come up with an amazing proposal. To what extent does Philipe want children?
► Lauréanne Dumoulin, Jocelyn Paré, Sébastien Dorval and Catherine Côté
► rocheaveillon.com
HI-FI
Photo from the Beaumont-St-Michel Theater Facebook page
- Beaumont St Michel Theatre
- Saint Michel de Bellechasse
- From June 23rd
A taxi driver who has married two women cleverly leads a double life. The victim of an attack that forces him to be hospitalized, he must use shenanigans and pirouettes to get out of the situation with the help of a clumsy neighbor.
► Marc Bélanger, Jonathan Gagnon, Gabriel Simard, Véronique Savoie, Caroline Dardenne and Jacques Girard.
► theatrebeaumontstmichel.com
YANNICKO’S KITCHEN
Photo courtesy of Pierre Manning – Shoot Studio
- Old Terrebonne Theater
- From June 28th
Created by Louis Saia and Pierre Huet, La Cuisine de Yannicko tells the adventures of a chef-turned-media star. He has his own TV show, his own cookbook, his own brand of kettle and an inflated ego. A new producer arrives with the intention of her son taking over the reins of the show.
► Bobby Beshro, Sylvie Moreau, Joanie Guérin, France Parent, Claude Tremblay and Émile Dufour.
► theatreduvieuxterrebonne.com
Open Day 2.0
Photo from the Facebook page of the Théâtre des Hirondelles
- swallow theatre
- Saint Mathieu de Beloeil
- June 16th to August 26th
Robert Belisle’s couple are struggling. Joyal Lapage’s real estate agent works too much and his spouse realizes he isn’t investing enough in their relationship. Robert will find himself in a house on a Sunday in June waiting for his free visit to begin. He promised the owners that the sale should be quick. Will he succeed?
► Marcel Leboeuf, Stéphan Allard, Monika Pilon, Rose-Anne Déry and Jean-Alexandre Giguère
► theatredeshirondelles.com
NEWTON AND THE CELESTIAL BODIES
Photo from the Facebook page of the Théâtre la Marjolaine
- Marjolaine Theater
- Eastman
- June 21 to August 19
Photo from the Facebook page of the Théâtre la Marjolaine
Inspired by the British invasion, this musical is set in London in 1684. It tells of Edmond Halley’s bitter struggle to publish the greatest scientific book of all time, written by Isaac Newton. It’s about betrayed love, the courage to reconcile, madness alongside genius, plagiarism and superstition. There will be a “Theater Description” performance for the visually impaired on July 29 at 3pm.
► Jean-François Poulin, Jean Maheux, Dominic St-Laurent and Frédéric Desager
► lamarjolaine.info
curling
Photo from the Facebook page of the New Theater of the Île d’Orléans
- The new theater on the Île d’Orléans
- June 27 to September 3rd
Benoît and Julie’s curling team did not survive their divorce. They continue to play, each for themselves, in a men’s and a women’s team. In the men’s tournament, a player will be lost on the day of the big regional tournament. The ex-spouses must decide whether to give up or reunite. The ground is slippery and the grudge is persistent.
► Dominic Desnoyers, Dominique Grenier, Maxime Perron, Lucie M. Constantineau and Samuel Corbeil
► newtheatredelile.com
WARDROBE
Photo from the Facebook page of the Théâtre de Rougemont
- Rougemont Theater
- June 29th to August 5th
The famous accountant François Pignon from Dîner de cons is about to be fired. To avoid the axe, he decides to spread the rumor that he is gay. He hopes that this situation will spark a controversy that will prevent his dismissal.
► Élodie Bégin, Raymond Bouchard, Sébastien Dodge, Hugo Giroux, Jean-Bernard Hébert, Myriam Poirier and Marc-André Poliquin
► theatrederougemont.com
Santa Claus is garbage
Photo from the Maison des arts Desjardins Drummondville website
- Desjardin’s Drummondville Arts Center
- June 30th to August 19th
Successful on stage and in the cinema: The French comedy “Santa Claus is a Junk” will be on stage this summer. Pierre and Thérèse, two volunteers from the organization SOS Détresse Amitié, have their hands full on Christmas Eve when a bevy of marginal and eccentric characters gather in their premises. Visits that will trigger a series of chain disasters. The magic of Christmas will burst into a thousand pieces.
► Jean-Michel Anctil, Josée Deschênes, Mario Jean, Brigitte Lafleur, Pierre-François Legendre and Claude Prégent.
► Artsdrummondville.com
BOEING BOEING
Photo from the Dam-en-Terre Facebook page
- Dam-en-Terre Theater
- alma
- July 6th to August 26th
Charles, a businessman, maintains parallel contacts with flight attendants who work in different time zones. Everything is going smoothly until delays and flight schedule changes disrupt the various flights of the three women he has promised to marry. Suddenly they find themselves in the same place at the same time and everything goes wrong.
► Gabrielle Ferron, Jeanne Gionet-Lavigne, Simon C. Lepage, Joanie Lehoux, Jérémie Michaud and Élie St-Cyr.
► dainterre.qc.ca/fr/theatre-summer
A FOOT IN THE MOUTH
Photo from the Facebook page of the Théâtre Les Bâtisseurs de montagne
- Mountain Builder’s Theater
- Thetford mines
- June 30th to August 25th
Isabelle, a pastor’s advisor, notices as she is about to fill her grandmother’s refrigerator that it is in very bad shape and that she may have a week to live. She makes him believe she is expecting a child so she can leave in peace. Two days later her grandmother is alive and fine as always.
► Myriam Breton, Réal Poulin, Carole Émond and Samuel Lamothe
► theatrelesbatisseurs.com
THE PROBABLE HISTORY OF HENRY VI
Photo provided by Katya Konioukhova
- Beloufilles Theater
- Tadoussac
- July 15 to August 25
Alone on the boards, Louiza Guira and Marie Reid take it in turns to tackle all the royal intrigues surrounding Henry VI. up and mix them up again. The characters become spices and the castes become food chains fighting for the monopoly of the territory. Will Henry VI. be able to ease the growing tensions between the IGA and Metro?
► Louiza Guira and Marie Reid take turns
► theatredesbeloufilles.com
SAINT CREUX DU BONHEUR
Photo from the L’Ancien presbytère website
- The old presbytery, room of the divine word
- granny
- June 30th to August 19th
Vincent, a workaholic celebrity radio host on Montreal, struggles to balance work and family life. This 36-character comedy takes on contemporary issues, moving from stressful four-lane freeways to peaceful country lanes.
► Maxime de Munck, Laura Côté-Hallé, Patrick Golau and Martin Laroche
► oldpresbytere.org
FINAL CUT
Photo from the Théâtre Petit Champlain website
- Little Champlain Theater
- Quebec
- June 27th to August 6th
The interactive detective comedy, played to nine million viewers around the world, comes to Quebec. A murder is committed at each performance and the audience can step in and join the investigation. This iconic 1963 play by German playwright Paul Pörtner set a Guinness record for longevity in the United States.
► Emmanuel Bédard, Laurence Champagne, Miguel Fontaine, Israel Gamache, Jean-Michel Girouard and Marie Michaud.
► theaterpetitchamplain.com
A TOMATO BETWEEN TEETH
Photo from the Belcourt Theater website
- Belcourt Theatre
- Febvre Bay
- July 13th to August 4th
Denis, Geneviève, Michel and Johanne are at a crossroads. An unworthy father, a man living in a mysterious apartment, an anxious wife and an eternal lover. Will these warriors of life survive this explosive cocktail of flavors?
► Alex Desmarais, Joey Arsenault-Cloutier, Marie-Ève Charbonneau and Catherine Simard
► theatrebelcourt.com
MINIMUM SIZE REQUIRED
Photo from the Facebook page of the Petit Théâtre du Nord
- Little North Theater
- Boisbriand
- June 22 to August 26
A new, very special boss who doesn’t have the unanimous support has taken control of the amusement park Le Royaume du Super Fun. Veteran employees have no intention of being easily led. Gimmicks, alliances and backstage games are on the program.
► Lucien Bergeron, Louise Cardinal, Luc Bourgeois, Sebastien Gauthier, Jeremie St-Cyr, Melanie St-Laurent and Sarah Cloutier Labbé.
► Petittheaterredunord.com
AMAZONS
Photo from Facebook of the Old Post Office
- Old post office
- Levi’s
- July 6th to August 26th
Three childhood friends going through difficult moments in their lives decide to live together to ease their grief. They are under the eyes of a disillusioned young student who rents a room in this apartment and Guillaume, a young boy in love. Les Amazones presents four graduates from the Quebec Conservatory of Dramatic Arts.
► Antoine Gagnon, Margo Ganassa, Charles Roberge and Gabriel Senechal
► oldpostoffice.com
GOAL EARTH
Photo from Culture Shawinigan’s website
- Francis Brisson House of Culture
- Shawinigan
- July 5th to August 12th
Rémi-Pierre Paquin dons the suit of astronaut David Saint-Jacques to humorously demystify the everyday life of an astronaut at the Canadian Space Agency. Written and directed by Bryan Perro, the play celebrates earthly beauty and its fragility.
► Remi-Pierre Paquin and Anne Trudel
► Cultureshawinigan.ca
LILI ST-CYR
Photo from Kingsey Hall website
- Kingsey Room – Grands Chênes Theater
- Kingsey Falls
- June 30th to August 20th
The arrival of flamboyant stripper Lili St-Cyr in corrupt, smoky and glamorous Montreal, in the midst of the golden age of cabaret, turns a singer’s life upside down. This musical theater is a tale of professional aspirations, bets, identity and female solidarity, set against a backdrop of glitter and neon lights and at the height of World War II.
► Lunou Zucchini, Kathleenn Fortin, Marie-Pier Labrecque, Stéphane Brulotte, Maxime Denommée and Roger Larue
► roomkingsey.com