Masterful Master Plan

I just saw Michael Healey's The Master Plan over at Crow's Theatre.  I went to a matinee where Michael Healey was there, talking a bit about the writing process, which was much faster than normal because Chris Abraham really wanted to get the story out into the world as soon as possible.  The Master Plan is actually an adaptation of Sideways, a non-fictional account of how Google's Sidewalk labs tried to build a futuristic neighbourhood at Quayside (but with an eye to redeveloping the whole Portlands) and then finally walked away from the deal when it became clear that the city wouldn't play ball on the larger real estate play.  Just in general, there was a massive disconnect between American and Canadian values around governance and getting things done.  While most people in the city are glad that the deal fell apart (and certainly Google has not been known for its high ethical standards of late), there is also a sense of loss that something quite innovative could have been done here if only Canadians weren't quite so conservative.  There is an idealistic planner (a composite figure as it turns out) who frequently quotes Jane Jacobs and believed that the project, with its 30-story wood-framed buildings, could actually have pointed to a better, carbon neutral future.  He often gets the most moving lines in the show.  Healey made it clear this was lightly fictionalized, and that he never hesitated to change history in the service of adding another joke.

I do wish they had structured the pre-show chat a bit more formally as an opportunity for Healey to sign copies of the play, which they were selling at the box office.  I picked up a copy at the end of the talk, but by then he had disappeared.  Oh well.  (I'm only a little jealous at how easy he makes this sort of writing about politics seem.  I did see 1979 at Canadian Stage a few years back.  I'll just have to keep my eyes out for any remounts of his work, particularly Plan B.)  This show was actually sold out with a waiting list!  It's been a long time since that happened.  I saw quite a few Crow's Theatre regulars (actors mostly) in the audience.

If you are at all interested in urban planning or Toronto politics, I think you have to see this play, which was indeed quite funny, though perhaps even more amusing if you had followed the ups and downs of the deal.  I still recall going to the first public hearing on Quayside and hearing Dan Doctoroff try to win over the crowd, which was a mix of techno fan-boys and skeptics (particularly the housing advocates from Acorn who don't make an appearance at all in this play).  It has been extended through Oct. 8, and possibly beyond if it is a massive hit.  The next major production is Heroes of the Fourth Turning by the Howland Company, but that's in the studio and then Cliff Cardinal's A Terrible Fate is actually playing at Videocab, so I think they might be able to run long if sales are solid.  Anyway, it is a very strong kick-off for the season, and I would encourage people to check it out.

Edit (9/22): The Master Plan was extended through Oct. 15, but there are not many tickets left to see this play.  It's definitely worth checking out if you are at all interested in Toronto history or urban politics.