Theater News

John Malkovich, Rufus Wainwright, et al. Set for Luminato Festival

Rufus Wainwright
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
Rufus Wainwright
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)

Two-time Oscar nominee John Malkovich and celebrated singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright are among the artists who will perform as part of Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, to run June 11-20.

Malkovich will star in The Infernal Comedy: Confessions of a Serial Killer, based on the true story of celebrated Austrian author and notorious murderer Jack Unterweger. The piece, written and directed by Michael Sturminger, features a series of monologues paired with operatic arias performed by sopranos Laura Aikin and Aleksandra Zamojska, accompanied by the Vienna Academy Orchestra.

Wainwright will be represented by two events. The North American premiere of his Prima Donna, set in Paris, 1970, tells the story of Régine Saint Laurent, an aging opera singer attempting to regain her status as one of the world’s greatest sopranos. The cast will include Janis Kelly in the title role, along with Charlotte Ellett, Colin Ainsworth and Gregory Dahl. Tim Albery will direct, Robert Houssart will conduct, with set and costume design by Antony McDonald. Wainwright will also perform a solo concert featuring work from his new album All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu.

Festival highlights will also include The Canadian Songbook: 40 Years of Bruce Cockburn, with Cockburn joined by artists such as Hawksley Workman, Margo Timmins, Michael Occhipinti, Michel Rivard, and Colin Linden; the world premiere of the oratorio Dark Star Requiem, telling the history of the HIV-AIDS pandemic in North America and Africa; and a free open-air concert at Queen’s Park featuring Grammy award-winner Béla Fleck and Mali’s Bassekou Kouyate.

For more information, visit luminato.com.