Based on Canadian journalist Ian Brown’s memoir of life with his son, The Boy in the Moon tells a deeply moving story about a family raising a child with a rare disease.
Ian and Johanna Schneller’s son Walker was born with a rare genetic disorder, Cardiofaciocutaneous (CFC) syndrome. It made him unable to talk, eat properly, or take care of himself. The family must face complex issues most of us do our very best to avoid. They say things which in other contexts might seem unforgivable but here are brave and critically necessary.
The Boy in the Moon is a story of pain and beauty that asks vital questions about family, frailty, and the values we ascribe to human lives, our own, and those around us.
“The Boy in the Moon provides some of the most emotionally engaging and thought-provoking streamed theatre Vancouverites have seen over this year of lockdown.” — Janet Smith, Stir
“This production is the most satisfying piece of theatre I’ve experienced in a good long time.” — Colin Thomas
Written by Emil Sher based on the book by Ian Brown • Director Chelsea Haberlin • Assistant Director Kelsey Kanatan Wavey • Video Director Cameron Anderson • Performers Marcus Youssef, Meghan Gardiner, Synthia Yusuf • Costume Designer Carmen Alatorre • Set and Prop Designer Drew Facey • Assistant Set and Prop Designer Stephanie Wong • Lighting Designer Andrew Pye • Composer/Sound Designer Marc Stewart • Projection Designer Candelario Andrade • Choreographer Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg • Stage Manager Susan Miyagishima • Apprentice Stage Manager Sharon Wu • Technical Director Matt Oviatt • Production Manager Andrew Pye • COVID Safety Officer Sharon Wu • Emotional Support Program Coordinator Natasha Zacher • Community Consultant Sasa Brown • Post-Show Facilitators Stephen Drover, Chelsea Haberlin • Produced by Neworld Theatre • Presented by The Cultch • In partnership with the Rare Disease Foundation • With the generous support of Vancouver Foundation, City of Vancouver, Canadian Actors’ Equity Association • Produced with the co-operation of the UBCP/ACTRA
PRESENTATIONS
- MAY 6-9, 2021 • The Cultch (livestreamed from the Historic Theatre ) • Vancouver, BC
Photo credits: Photographer: Mark Halliday, Moonrider Productions • Performers: Marcus Youssef, Meghan Gardiner, Synthia Yusuf • Costume Designer Carmen Alatorre • Set and Prop Designer Drew Facey • Assistant Set and Prop Designer Stephanie Wong • Lighting Designer Andrew Pye • Projection Designer Candelario Andrade • Composer & Sound Designer Marc Stewart.
The Boy in the Moon: Director Chelsea Haberlin in conversation with playwright Emil Sher
The Boy in the Moon: Director Chelsea Haberlin in conversation with authors Ian Brown and Johanna Schneller.
