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Pride Out Loud!
The First Jew In Canada: A Trans Tale
Thursday January 23, 2025
Presented by Southwest Saskatchewan Pride and Write Out Loud at The Lyric Theatre
Doors 6:30pm, show starts at 7pm
55 minute program with Q & A after
Tickets: pay what you can $15 suggested, available at Pharmasave and the door.
A blind and low vision friendly presentation without the need for audio description.
ASL Interpretation available. Please contact us by January 16th at swiftcurrentpride@gmail.com
The Theatre is wheelchair accessible at the door and washrooms. Please reach out to us for more info!
Thanks to Nightjar Diner Co and Motel 6 for providing artist meals and accommodations!
In 1738, a young transgender man named Jacques LaFargue set off from France to what is now Quebec City, determined to make for himself a new life. The First Jew In Canada: A Trans Tale is his story, embroidered onto the bones of nine verifiable facts about his life and existence, interwoven with the modern experience of a trans and Jewish immigrant to Canada three hundred years later. A thrilling and illuminating tale, The First Jew In Canada takes its audience on a trans, Jewish journey of optimism, faith, and joy - including the joy of finding an ancestor you never knew you had.
Why Jacques LaFargue? Why Now?
In a world quick to claim that trans identities are a modern phenomenon, Jacques's story stands as a testament to the long, rich history of trans people. This show is not just a recounting of historical facts; it's a Midrash - an exploration of the "whys" and the silences in between. It is a celebration of lineage – or yichus – for those who've been told they have none. The First Jew in Canada is more than just a performance; it's an opportunity to connect with our past, understand our present, and imagine a more inclusive future. Whether you're seeking knowledge, kinship, or simply a compelling story, this event promises to enlighten, engage, and inspire.
"absorbing… amusing…a richly textured story about two remarkable lives." - Toronto Star, Critic’s Pick
"skillful…deeply affecting…funny and sad and sweet and difficult and true, a "Bear" hug of a show" - Broadway World
"The best solo show I have ever seen! People should rush out to see this… brilliant writing, incredible performance." - Cup Of Hemlock Theatre Podcast
"Puts the trans in transcendent…a solo show with a sense of heart and honesty that’ll leave your cheeks wet and your chest warm." -Intermission Magazine
About S. Bear Bergman
Described by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg as "...a brilliant, thoughtful artist and a mensch and a half," S. Bear Bergman is the author of ten books and a popular theatrical performer and storyteller. Bergman has travelled across North America and the UK, sharing stories in which he braids together elements of his life and communities to create funny, thoughtful, engaging work that’s easy to enter (and difficult to forget).