The Envelope

(Paperback)

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Description

How does the Canadian film industry measure up
Drawn from his own experiences, Vittorio Rossis new comedy-drama exposes the bureaucratic institution that is the Canadian film industry, and we follow the character Michael Moretti, a veteran playwright, as he struggles to get his new play, Romeos Rise, turned into a movie.
Michael must decide between a multi-million dollar offer from his Canadian-friend-turned-movie-producer Jake Henry, or a low-budget offer from an independent producer in Los Angeles. Jakes deal promises him generous financial support if he survives the editing process with a senior script writer from the Canadian Film Fund. The American deal isnt so lucrative, but hed retain complete artistic control. Or a low budget offer from an independent producer from Los Angeles that would let him retain total artistic control. In reference to the Charbonneau Commission, a public inquiry into the corruption of the management of public construction contracts, the envelope of the plays title is the governments unofficial agreement to see that Jakes project would get funded. Rossi asks the question at the heart of artistic affairs: Will Moretti take the big bucks and compromise his work, or will he stand firm in his artistic and personal integrity
Cast of 5 men and 2 women.

Reviews

The Envelope makes us laugh, gasp, and cheer all throughout the play. Right up until the dramatic conclusion when Michael makes his lifechanging decision, theres never a dull moment, and the clever storyline always keeps us guessing.
Gemma Cocomello, montrealites.ca

"Hard-hitting on the one hand, sweet as sugar on the other, The Envelope left the impression of a well-baked, enjoyable piece of Italian pastry." Montreal Gazette

Author Bio

Vittorio Rossi: Born in Montreal in 1961, Italian-Canadian playwright Vittorio Rossi grew up in the district of Ville-Emard and graduated from Concordia University in 1985 with a BFA specializing in theater performance. In 1987 he was playwright-in-residence at Montreal's prestigious Centaur Theatre, during which he completed his first full-length play, The Chain, which opened Centaur's twentieth-anniversary season in October 1988. The show was then produced at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. From 1990--91 Rossi was writer-in-residence at Concordia University where he also taught playwriting. Rossi has also written several screenplays and directed a film version of his play Little Blood Brother. In 2003 he taught screenwriting at the University of Sherbrooke. His talent extends to acting as well, with screen credits in both television (Urban Angel) and film (Le Sphinx, 1995; Canvas, 1992; Malarek, 1989). Rossi has established himself as a significant playwright in the national theater community with his award-winning plays.