I really love the theatre. There is something special about going to a live performance.  Some of my fondest childhood memories are getting dressed up with my brothers and sisters and attending a different play every Christmas season. However, I must admit my theatre choices run pretty mainstream (and fairly musical!). I’ve seen Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, and Mamma Mia (twice), as well as many other well-known productions – but I often hesitate to step outside my comfort zone and take in some of the more avant-garde shows offered by the local theatre companies.

Recently, I got the chance to meet many of the talented individuals involved with The Great Canadian Theatre Company . The GCTC is located on the busy Hintonburg corner of Wellington and Holland. I’ve walked by it a hundred times, but I had never stepped inside, let alone taken in a play there. But, I was very interested in checking out this local arts institution, and so I asked the GCTC if they had any “family-friendly” productions coming up. I was excited to hear there are plans for a number of shows aimed at kids as part of this season’s line-up.

The first production is coming up this month, and it is aimed at the teen audience. This is NOT a show for little kids (so my two munchkins are out), but is sounds like an incredibly interesting play for teenagers and their parents.

It’s titled Jabber and it centres around a young woman named Fatima. When anti-Muslim graffiti targets hijab-wearing Fatima, her strict parents have her transferred to a new high school. Socially disconnected, she finds an unlikely friend in Jorah, a boy with a reputation for anger issues. As friendship blossoms into romance, they are forced to confront stereotypes, boundaries, and the consequences of their actions. Jabber has been described as thought-provoking, comedic and sometimes dark, and the show will invite audiences to examine their own assumptions and expectations.

Jabber takes a close look at a number of issues teens are facing daily – such as discrimination and the dangers of online sharing on social media. If parents are looking to have some very real, and perhaps tough conversations with their teenagers on these issues, this play strikes me as a good way to get the conversation started.

Jabber will run for two shows on April 12, at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. There is a limited amount of tickets so please direct any ticket inquiries to education@gctc.ca . Or if you would like the chance to win free tickets then head over to my Facebook page. For parents with younger children – you haven’t been forgotten! The Great Canadian Theatre Company has an upcoming production aimed at children aged 2-6, titled One Thing Leads To Another. I will definitely be taking my children to that play, and subsequently providing a review here on the blog as well as another chance to win tickets, so stay tuned!