01/25/2025
“For me, Strawberries in January is more than just a pretty romantic comedy. It’s about love, of course. But above all, it’s about our essential need for human relationships, interactions, and communication.”
In this interview, acclaimed director Frédéric Bélanger discusses the development of Strawberries in January - A Musical Fantasy, a musical adaptation of Évelyne de la Chenelière’s beloved play, Des fraises en janvier, premiering at the Centaur Theatre in Montreal.
'Reflecting on the production’s hoped-for larger impact, Bélanger offers a word of thanks for the “immense opportunity to create in our two languages: to have a bilingual cast representing our unique and Montreal richness. It’s extraordinary!” Shouting out the French translation of Kate Hennig’s The Last Wife that Eda Holmes is directing at the Théâtre du Rideau Vert, Bélanger marvels at the cross-cultural “dialogue and exchange” that he and Holmes are currently enjoying. He deems it not just “important” but “life-saving”: “This kind of openness was rare, if not non-existent, 10 years ago. I hope that these encounters and initiatives will continue over and over again!”'
A gorgeous interview in Sesayarts with STRAWBERRIES IN JANUARY director Frédéric Bélanger!
🍓 Check out the full piece here: https://www.sesayarts.com/frederic-belanger-is-breathing-musical-magic-into-a-wintry-romance/