'CRAZY DAVE GOES TO TOWN' - A New Play Adaptation by Daniel David Moses

7/3/2017

For the month of July I will be participating as an actor in Daniel David Moses's adaptation of the late Basil Johnston's book/memoir 'Crazy Dave'. The play adaptation is titled 'Crazy Dave Goes To Town' and will be directed by Colin Taylor. The actors performing in the play will be myself, Michelle Thrush, Cathy Elliott, Brandon Oakes and Garrett Smith.

The play hits home a very personal level because of the simple fact that the entire story centers on the actual First Nation community and people in which I grew up, Neyaashiinigmiing (formerly known as Cape Croker Reserve).

My grandmother Kay personally knew of the man many people on the rez used to call "Crazy Dave" and has her own personal connection through stories of her own about him. Many of the actual events written in Basil's book which transpired in my community of Neyaashiinigmiing, including in the small town of Wiarton located 30 minutes away from the rez, will be featured in the play. That being said, I am quite excited to delve into this 4-week workshop and bring life to the many colourful characters in the story that are based on actual people from my community, a few whom I actually knew!

A public staged reading will be performed on Sunday, July 30th at the Aki Studio Theatre in the Artscape Daniels Spectrum Building located in downtown Toronto in the heart of Regent Park. Mark the performance date down in your calendars!! It's a 1 night only event. Later in 2018, the play will be fully produced as part of Native Earth Performing Arts 2017/18 season.

I encourage you to continue visiting this blog section of my website for further developments including my experience in rehearsals as well as the progress of bringing this funny play to life onstage with a very talented group of artists and storytellers!

Won't you come along on this creative journey with me?

Chi-Miigwetch,
Jeremy Proulx

Chastity

5/20/2018 09:21:02 am

Aanii Booozhoo
I am Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation known as Cape Croker. I had the opportunity to witness my cousin perform in the production of Crazy Dave. It was amazing. I experienced so many emotions. We laughed, cried, felt anger and sadness. My husband read the book and shared with me the events in the book so we knew what parts were being presented. Especially, places and people. I knew most of the charators they portraited personally. Our 86 year old grandmother knew them all. 2 of the charactors in the play were her older brothers who have passed on. She travelled with us to Toronto to see her grandson perform. All the actors and actresses were incrediblely talented. Especially portraying many different charactors in the play. Not just one charactor. Amazing is all i can say
I hope they travel with this play to my community to see.

Ahnii

2/14/2022 10:49:03 am

Ahnii going to attend this. I've missed too many performances. I gifted my dad the book written by Basil. I would here him laughing. I still remember that with joy & sadness as was the last year he lived. Megwetch Jeremy

Jeremy P.

3/30/2022 11:46:50 am

Thanks for your lovely words. I’m glad you’re planning to come see the show. It runs from June 23-26, 2022 at the Aki Studio Theatre in Toronto.

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'CRAZY DAVE GOES TO TOWN' - A New Play Adaptation by Daniel David Moses