Freeze

"Freeze is an allegorical comedy play that dramatizes the Great Ice Storm of '98 as a metaphor presaging "cooler" more inclusive times in Quebec compared to the separatist firestorms of earlier decades. Five quirky Montrealers, trapped in a power-outed duplex, butt heads in candlelight over love, language and politics, provoking us to ponder with laughter whether Montreal's "two solitudes" of the past has become a stereotype in this new century?"--Publisher. Freeze is an allegorical comedy that dramatizes the Great Ice Storm of '98 as a metaphor for "cooler", more tolerant times in Quebec compared to the separatist "heat" of earlier decades. Five Montrealers find themselves trapped inside the power-outed duplex of Nicole, a pur-laine pro-sovereignty journalist. Her boyfriend Curtis, a Black Anglo jazz musician, arrives with a shocking marriage proposal. Mickey, an Irish gambling-addicted handyman, exploits the storm by selling firewood at exorbitant prices. And Hydro Quebec lineman Réjean tries to do his job, while Claire, the horny elderly neighbor, struggles to mediate. This dysfunctional quintet butt heads over politics and love, provoking us to ponder whether Montreal's "two solitudes" has become a stereotype in this new Century. In the midst of this dark hour, I sensed that a bigger story was passing through us. It was an extraordinary moment in history, when all Québecers, no matter their race, religion, language, birthplace or work, became ""pure laine"" to the core, as we collectively faced the wrath of nature