On July 14, the media premiere of The Lisa Effect took place at the Desjardins Cultural Center in Joliette. The reception was more than warm! A poetic fable that immediately won over the public and won over the critics!
POETIC AND TENDER FABLE Told in the words of Richard Desjardins, crossing those of Philippe Robert, and carried by the fresh perspective of Jade Bruneau, The Lisa Effect stands out as one of the most striking Quebec creative works of the year. On the edge of Company Town, somewhere in western Quebec, a forest fire is raging. Where did the brand that started the fire come from? This is the question that haunts the larger-than-life characters who populate the story of The Lisa Effect. The show tells a fictional story, an original text by Philippe Robert, created from characters emerged from the Desjardins universe who come to life on stage. A poetic and tender fable, the show is woven around themes of nature, climatic and identity issues, legacy, our relationship to the territory, the memory of peoples, sacred and passionate love, chance and death which is a prelude to a new birth.
With The Lisa Effect, Le Théâtre de l’Oeil Ouvert reminds us that love, memory and creation are acts of resistance — and that Quebec theater is one of its most beautiful territories.
ALL DATESAugust 6 to 23, 2026 – Victoriaville – Carré 150September 15 to October 10, 2026 – Quebec – Théâtre La BordéeJanuary 27 to 29, 2027 – Montréal – Théâtre Saint-DenisFebruary 28, 2027 – Montmagny – Salle Edwin-BélangerMarch 5 to 6, 2027 – Théâtre C – SaguenayMarch 19 to 20 2027 – Salle Odyssée – Gatineau April 3, 2027 – Théâtre Le Patriote – Ste-Agathe-des-Monts April 30, 2027 – LaSalle – Théâtre Desjardins
Dates on sale by June 2026January 15, 2027 – Granby – Le PalaceFebruary 10, 2027 – St-Hyacinthe – Center des arts Juliette-Lassonde – (on sale 2026-04-29)February 20, 2027 – Longueuil – Salle Pratt & WhitneyFebruary 26, 2027 – Valleyfield – Salle Albert-DumouchelMarch 16, 2027 – Sherbrooke – Salle Maurice-O’BreadyMarch 31, 2027 – Laval – Salle André-MathieuApril 10, 2027 – Sainte-Thérèse – Théâtre Lionel-GroulxApril 17, 2027 – Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu – Théâtre des Deux RivesMarch 11, 2027 – Drummondville – Maison des arts DesjardinsMarch 25, 2027 – Rouyn-Noranda – Copper TheaterJanuary 23, 2027 – Saint-Jérôme – Gilles-Vigneault TheaterFebruary 4, 2027 – Rivière-du-Loup – Berger Cultural CenterFebruary 12, 2027 – Baie-Comeau – Baie-Comeau TheaterMarch 13, 2027 – Châteauguay – Pavillon de l’ÎleMarch 23, 2027 – Amos – Théâtre des EskersMarch 24, 2027 – Val-d’Or – Théâtre Télébec April 7, 2027 – Trois-Rivières – Salle J.-Antonio-Thompson
CREDITS THE LISA EFFECT
CAST: NOÉMIE GODIN-VIGNEAU, JEAN-FRANÇOIS CASABONNE, GENEVIÈVE ALARIE, STEVEN LEE POTVIN, SARAH VILLENEUVE-DESJARDINS, as well as MARC-ANDRÉ PERRON on piano and STÉPHANE TÉTREAULT on cello COMPLETE CREATIVE TEAM: Directed, collaged and adapted by JADE BRUNEAU based on the Work of RICHARD DESJARDINSOriginal text PHILIPPE ROBERTMusical direction and arrangements MARC-ANDRÉ PERRONMusical creation and vocal harmonies JADE BRUNEAU, SIMON FRÉCHETTE-DAOUST and MARC-ANDRÉ PERRONAssistence to the direction and general management MARILOU HUBERDEAUFraming and dramaturgy of the movement PENÉLOPE DESJARDINSVocal direction CHRIS BARILLARODecor and accessories FÉLIX PLANTEcostumes SÉBASTIEN DIONNECostume assistance SARAH BALLEUXMake-up VÉRONIQUE ST-GERMAINHairstyles KATHLEEN GRAVELLighting MAUDE SERRURIERVideo projections KEVEN DUBOISound system MARTIN “PLUMO” LESSARDAlternating sound system SIMON FLEURYAlternating general management ÉMILIE POTVINTechnical management, stagehand and dresser ALEXE MORISSETTEA creation and production of the THÉÂTRE DE L’OEIL OUVERTBroadcaster partner CENTER CULTUREL DESJARDINS, CARRÉ 150 and LA BORDÉEPress relations ROSEMONDE COMMUNICATIONS
ABOUT THE OPEN EYE THEATER The OPEN EYE THEATER promotes original theatrical creation and the fusion of disciplines, using poetry and musicality in all its variations as its main language. The TOO is a torchbearer of creative musical theater in Quebec. The place of women is at the heart of the projects and the stories told. The TOO highlights feminist issues in these works by mainly giving space to creators who will give a voice to strong female characters, to democratize, raise awareness and bring people together. The TOO offers accessible and daring works carried out by a committed team.
ABOUT RICHARD DESJARDINSArtist, author, composer, performer, pianist, poet, activist or campaigner, Richard Desjardins is known and recognized for his work, both musical and social. www.richarddesjardins.com
ABOUT JADE BRUNEAUJade graduated in acting from the National Theater School of Canada (2013). Having founded the Théâtre de l’Oeil Ouvert (2010), she has directed several productions within the company and elsewhere, in addition to performing and ensuring the artistic and general co-direction of the organization. A true human dynamo fueling exaltation, Jade Bruneau has created more than a dozen original productions and creations, notably Belmont, inspired by Diane Dufresne and soon The Lisa Effect inspired by the repertoire of Richard Desjardins, sometimes wearing the hats of ideator, producer, or director and sometimes that of the actress-singer.