Written and directed by Ron Jenkins
Starring Ron Pederson

November 15—29, 2009

Windsor Theatre, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

Extinction Song is a child’s play for adults.  The Atlantic Canadian premiere of this award winning new play by Cape Breton writer Ron Jenkins explores the relationship between seven-year-old James and his alcoholic father.

Unfolding over the course of two days, Extinction Song is told entirely from the perspective of James. A highly imaginative young boy, he insists that he was raised by wolves as an escape from his day-to-day reality.  While James’ rich fantasy world offers a temporary respite from his dysfunctional family, it is also a source of tension and conflict with those around him.

James’ struggle reaches a breaking point when he is left unattended in a car during a snowstorm, while his father knocks a few back with his colleagues.  Can James ever escape the cycle of alcoholism, or will the sins of the father be visited upon the son?

Extinction Song taps in to the imagination, wonder and strength that children possess, no matter what the circumstances.

The Atlantic Canadian premiere of Extinction Song features a powerful one-man performance onstage at the Windsor Theatre in the AGNS.  Audiences will be transported to James’s heartbreaking world in this very intimate setting. 

Extinction Song was the Winner of two Edmonton Sterling Awards for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Production.  It premiered at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta in March 2009.

Ron Jenkins is the former Artistic Director of Edmonton’s Workshop West Theatre and is Co-Artistic Director of November Theatre. Ron has received ten Sterling Awards as a director and producer; most recently for Extinction Song; and received a Betty Mitchell Award for Direction for The Black Rider. Ron was shortlisted for the 2007 Siminovitch Prize in theatre for Direction. Ron hails from Sydney Cape Breton and is thrilled to bring his work back home to Nova Scotia.

Extinction Song features a tour-de-force performance by Edmonton actor Ron Pederson. Ron has worked at many theatres in Toronto and Western Canada. He is an alumnus of Fox Television’s MadTV (3 seasons – Canadian Comedy Award nominee); a faculty member of the Second City training centre, a founding member of Toronto’s newest improvisational theatre company Impromtu Splendour.

The Artistic Team for Extinction Song consists of Director Ron Jenkins, Set Designer D’arcy Poultney, Lighting Designer Bruce MacLellan, Sound Designer David Clarke, Projections Designed by Narda MacCarroll, and Stage Manager Melania Radelicki.

All performances at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Windsor Theatre.  Entrance at corner of Bedford Row and George St.