THE CANADIAN PRESS

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TORONTO - Theatregoers will soon get a sneak preview of a stage adaptation of acclaimed Toronto author Michael Ondaatje's novel "Divisadero."

Necessary Angel Theatre Company, which is producing the play called "When My Name Was Anna," will offer three work-in-progress presentations to the public in Toronto from Nov. 6 to Nov. 8.

Based on the book about a farming family rocked by violence, the preview shows will star Toronto native Liane Balaban and feature the music of Juno-nominated artist Justin Rutledge.

He'll also perform the tunes live during the show, staged by Necessary Angel's artistic director Daniel Brooks and co-starring Maggie Huculak, Tom McCamus and Amy Rutherford.

The venue is Theatre Passe Muraille's Mainspace.

The theatre company says the actors in the work-in-progress shows will not necessarily be a part of the full production, which is planned for 2010/2011.

Necessary Angel is known for offering early presentations as part of its creative process.

"Divisadero" won the 2007 Governor General's Literary Award for fiction and was a finalist for the 2007 Scotiabank Giller Prize.

Ondaatje, who was born in Sri Lanka, has won the Governor General's Award five times.

In 1992, he nabbed the honour for "The English Patient," which also won the Booker Prize and was made into an Academy Award-winning film.

Ondaatje also won the Giller Prize in 2000 for "Anil's Ghost."

Balaban's recent work includes the films "Last Chance Harvey" and "The Trotsky."

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On the Net:

www.necessaryangel.com