Johanna Nutter and James Diamond mingle and balance sibling asymmetries in a brother/sister collaboration Ah, siblings. Individuals married to one another in an obligatory mirage of love and compassion. As a concept, the sibling relationship is a bottomless treasure chest of writer-ly fortune: Tensions are ever-present; Secrets are either non-existent or heartbreaking; The spectrum of love and hate tilts feverishly. Undeniably, whether you like it or not, once you have one (or many) siblings, it's very hard to deny them your loyalty. It is also hard not to write about them. Uh oh. I smell ambivalence. "Should I write about my family? I shouldn't. Oh! But it's SO good. I have to" etc.
My Playwright Sister is Nutter and Diamond's answer to Nutter's 2009 award-winning, nationally acclaimed, solo show collaboration with Jeremy Taylor, My Pregnant Brother. Five years ago, Nutter wrote and performed a story about her personal self-evolutionary experience in reaction to Diamond, her transgender brother's, pregnancy. Though she obtained permission to write the show from Diamond beforehand, he was devastated at the presentation. Diamond hoped for a more balanced version of the account but Nutter had written her story. That is what storytellers do. (See: Above mentioned conflict) As storytellers, the most we can do is share our authentic truths. Unfortunately, when recounting a shared drama, it is impossible for one writer to authenticate perspectives from all parties. After a sequence of stirring criticisms, it became clear to Nutter and Diamond that My Pregnant Brother was born from their trying not to share the drama, building walls, staking claims in it and inviting misunderstandings instead of working together creatively to really indulge in the shared experience of what happened between them. Thus, My Playwright Sister came to the fore.
My Playwright Sister is a repackaging of the story now told both by Diamond and Nutter. Since the two of them are both nationally-acclaimed creators, I have no doubt that the re-telling will be exceptional. The full production is meant to be presented in 2015 but this year's Montreal Fringe will see a very special workshop production. Montreal, take advantage of this opportunity to see two very special (and blood-related!) Canadian artists contribute to your local arts scene. Its one of those Fringe shows that we're lucky to have. CHECK IT OUT! My Playwright Sister is being presented at the E-space Freestanding Room as part of the Montreal Fringe Festival. Shows at 4pm on June 7th, 15th, and 20th are preceded by a performance of MY PREGNANT BROTHER Extremely limited seating. Buy your tickets today! All ticket and schedule information here.
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