Some Reckless Abandon - Press Release
 

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For Immediate Release: July 8th, 2009


                                                                                   Some Reckless Abandon

                                                                     A One-woman Play about Teenage Jesus
 

                        Written by Leah Bailly, Performed by Cara Yeates, Directed by Lori Triolo, Music by Miss Emily Brown
 

“This is a play about an extreme personality drawn into extreme circumstances,” Calgarian playwright
Leah Bailly explains. Her one-woman show titled Some Reckless Abandon is finishing up its seven-city tour, after stops in Vancouver, Victoria (UNO Festival), Fresno, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. “I am so excited that we have a showcase in my hometown.” Leah admits. “The character is from here. The story is rooted in Alberta.” 
 
Performer Cara Yeates (Bye Bye Bombay, Knee Deep in Muck) will star in performances at the Calgary Fringe Festival. Vancouver Fringe and at Summerworks as a part of their National Series this summer.
 
The story is simple: determined to ditch her wailing mother and prairie town, Madeleine spitefully signs up for Teenage Jesus Camp in Honduras. But there is inevitable trouble in Paradise. Pining for her hometown Cowboy and wary of the Jesus Fanclub, her desire for escape smolders. A fiery getaway is unavoidable.  
 
Originally crafted as a novella at The Banff Centre, Some Reckless Abandon is loosely based on Leah’s travels to Latin America at just 18 years old. What started as a year off quickly turned to three, and Leah ventured through the smallest communities from Mexico to Chile, by bus, boat and ox cart. “I saw the Missionary world close-up,” Leah explains, “Such extreme personalities such a dynamic setting; it was perfect for a play.” The recent winner of an Alberta Literary Award for travel writing, this spring Leah will travel to Sierra Leone to begin work with Journalists for Human Rights. “Girls like us need ways to get away,” Leah admits. “This show is about someone without many options.”
 
The play, whereby one actor plays up to nine characters at a time, is a true showcase for performer Cara Yeates. The cast—an Evangelical preacher, scolding missionary lady, hysterical mother, and gaggle of bubbling Jehovah-lovers—are each distinctly recreated in Cara’s lively, ebullient style. “This show is a challenge and a treat to perform.” Cara says. “The characters are complex and contrasting, yet it is the language that carries the show.  The poetry is beautiful. It completely transports you to another world.”
 
Some Reckless Abandon is also realized with the directorial expertise of New York Neighborhood Playhouse’s Lori Triolo, and features music by Miss Emily Brown, a rising Canadian composer. The ensemble, now known as To The Moon Productions, strives to honour the restless spirit. “The show is scary, yet funny.” Leah explains. “It wasn’t me who ran to Teenage Jesus camp. But it could have been me – it could have been any one of us. We’ve dreamt it up a thousand times.”