TWO MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT

by Michael Ross Albert
Directed by Carey Nicholson

June 11 – 7 pm (Preview)
June 12-13, 18-21, 26-27 – 7 pm
June 14-15, 19 – 2 pm
June 22 – 4 pm

Jack and Tracy really need a vacation, but everything at their all-inclusive tropical getaway has been a disappointment. It’s rained the entire trip, their social media influence hasn’t translated to real revenue yet, and an inbound nuclear missile might be about to annihilate them and everyone nearby. With the world– and their relationship– on the brink of collapse, the bickering couple stares down oblivion together, confronting the illusions that kept them together, and finding hope for their future in the chaos of imminent destruction.

Running time is approximately 90 minutes, with no intermission.
*Please note, this show contains mature content and language. Recommended for ages 12+.

*     *     *     *

Hailed by the Toronto Star as “one of Toronto’s most exciting playwrights”, Michael Ross Albert is no stranger to success, having garnered the prestigious Patron’s Pick, Best of Toronto Fringe on two occasions — in 2018 for his play Anywhere and in 2019 for The Huns. In 2017, Albert’s play Tough Jews received the My Entertainment World Critics’ Pick Award for Outstanding New Work and was nominated for six Dora Awards. Albert’s work has also been successful outside of Canada: His plays have been translated into several languages, including German, French, Polish, and Hebrew, and have been staged throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. Originally scheduled for production in 2020, Two Minutes to Midnight finally received its premiere run in 2022 at the Assembly Theatre in Toronto.

Company co-founder, artistic director and general manager, Carey Nicholson is working double duty, directing this first production of the season. After graduating from the George Brown College Dance Program, Nicholson successfully completed the professional performance program at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre (now known as the Dance Arts Institute), where she taught for fifteen years. She moved to the Durham Region in the late nineties and has been involved with professional and community theatre companies primarily in Durham and York regions as a board member, producer, performer, choreographer, set designer, instructor, costume designer, and director. Though she has worn many hats in the realm of theatre, it is directing that Nicholson enjoys most, mainly because it allows her to draw from the multitude of varied experiences she has in theatre, and it gives her the opportunity to discover and play in all areas of production.

This chaotic and hilarious comedy is a thought-provoking start to the season in this year of political climate change. With its satirical look at influencers, Instagrams, and incoming missiles, Two Minutes to Midnight wryly considers the question of what’s important as the nuclear clock ticks down.

CAST AND CREW

Adrian Marchesano
 as Jack

Adrian Marchesano is a Toronto-based artist hailing from Oakville, Ontario. He is a George Brown Theatre School graduate and an alumnus of Brock University, where he studied Theatre Arts and Performance. Adrian is thrilled to return to Theatre on the Ridge for his third summer.

Selected credits include: Tales of the Grotesque (White Mills Theatre Co.), Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Innocence Lost, The Living End (Theatre on The Ridge), Paradise Lost (George Brown), Panatalone’s Palace (Brock University).

Karly Friesen
as Tracy

Karly is a Toronto based multidisciplinary actor from Sudbury Ontario. She is a 2021 graduate of the Theatre Performance program at George Brown College where she was lucky to have the opportunity to work with such brilliant theatre artists and creatives.Karly is an Arts Educator for The Harbourfront Centre, where she teaches dance and theatre fundamentals to students from all over the GTA.

Chosen previous fight direction credits: August Osage County (Oshawa Little Theatre),If We Were Birds, Better Living(Alumnae Theatre), The Complete Work of Shakespeare Abridged (Revised) (Again)(Theatre on the Ridge). Chosen previous acting credits: Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (STC/YES Theatre) Innocence Lost, Punch Up, The Living End: Madame Winnifred’s Circus of Wonders (Theatre on the Ridge), Boom Baby, Nested (Alumnae Theatre), Three Sisters & Co., The Corsican Complaint, Love and Information (George Brown Theatre School). Upcoming: Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (STC/YES Theatre).

Instagram is @karlyfriesen. Enjoy the show!

Carey Nicholson
Director

Carey has been engaged in the performing and creative arts for over 40 years and is a co-founder and the current Artistic Director/General Manager of Theatre on the Ridge in Scugog Township, Region of Durham, Ontario. Originally from St. Catharines, Carey moved to Toronto to pursue professional dance studies with Lois Smith, O.C. at George Brown College, and the School of the Toronto Dance Theatre, graduating from both professional programs and becoming a faculty member at STDT for 15 years before moving to Durham region. She has been involved with community and professional theatre companies in Durham, York region and elsewhere as a board member, producer, director, choreographer, performer, instructor, set and costume designer. She has received several awards for her work in the performing arts, including a Durham Art of Transition Creative Award for her contribution to theatre in Durham. Her past, and ongoing, theatre studies include programs and courses at George Brown College, Toronto Dance Theatre, Tarragon Theatre, the Stratford Festival and Off The Wall Theatre Alliance, and was an auditing director with Obsidian Theatre (production: hang, directors: Philip Akin, Kimberley Rampersad).

Carey’s arts administration experience includes past Administrative Manager for the Toronto Centre for the Promotion of Fashion Design, past co-owner of META4 Contemporary Craft Gallery and past Executive Director of the Scugog Council for the Arts. Carey is also an independent theatre adjudicator and arts educator​. She also serves as the Chair of the Scugog Tourism Advisory Committee, a standing committee of the Township of Scugog.

Reid Martin
Stage Manager

Reid Martin is a Toronto-based do it all-er. She holds a diploma in Professional Actor Training and an HBA Specialist Degree in Theatre and Drama Studies, as well as being an alumnus of the 2024 Creator’s Unit at the Paprika Festival in Toronto.
This is her 5th year working with Theatre on the Ridge but her 1st year working as a stage manager, and she could not be more excited! A huge thanks to Carey for all of her encouragement and trust. Reid’s recent acting credits include – CartoNancy and Producer in Madame Winifred’s Circus of Wonders

(2023 Theatre on the Ridge, 2024 Toronto Fringe KidsFest, Winner of the Patron’s Pick), Co-Creator/Player in Fast. Fashion. (Paprika Festival’s Creator’s Unit), Sarah in After Prom (Theatre Aquarius), and many others.

Outside of theatre Reid loves being a social media manager, board games, sitcoms and her cats! Ask her
about any of the above for an overly in-depth conversation! Here’s to joy!

Artistic and Production Team

Stage Manager
Reid Martin

Intimacy Coordinator
Karly Friesen

Production & Set Design
Carey Nicholson & Company

Lighting Design
Michael Williamson

Sound Design
Lyle Corrigan

Costume Coordination
The Company

Technical Operator
Reid Martin

Props Construction
Ari Leroux, Carey Nicholson

Theatre on the Ridge Summer 2025

Artistic Director/General Manager
Carey Nicholson

Patron Services/Box Office
Manager Janette Ramirez

Venue & Technical Manager
Andy Williamson

Production Schedule Manager
Reid Martin

Tourism Manager
Nancy Towns

Human Resources/Programs Allena Godfrey

Social Media Coordinator
Melissa Rada/Radar Digital

Summer Production
Assistant Ari Leroux

Summer Media Marketing Coordinator
Emily Hardy

Summer Props/Costume Coordinator
Henry Peirson

Summer Information & Tourism Services Coordinator
Christopher Williams

This performance runs approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes without intermission and contains mature content, potentially offensive language and potentially triggering loud noises. Recommended for ages 12 +.