Hello Theatre Lovers,

Beauty truly is all around us at this time of year. Sometimes it is obvious and sometimes it takes some hunting for. But when you find it…then you are in the Happy PLACE!

I was sitting this weekend on a patio in downtown Barrie with my husband, and as I turned to my left I realized that right beside me was this graffiti on the bricks. It made me sit up and take note. Who wrote that? And was this simple place truly their Happy PLACE? It made me contemplate where I am personally at, at this particular time. I am working harder than I ever have. We closed a show in May that did not sell well (even though I thought it was a great piece of work). Every day is a struggle to see that Collingwood gets it’s long awaited and well deserved Centre for the Arts, that the Collingwood Council gets why it is needed, and that the public buys tickets to what we are presenting now so that we will be around when it is built. And we are approaching the busiest time of year for TC. This week I have 6+32=38 performers to find housing for. I come home each night exhausted, normally to work a few more hours at my computer. But you know what….I AM IN MY Happy PLACE! I truly am! I believe the work we are doing at Theatre Collingwood matters. I think we have put together one of our best seasons to date and we truly care about bringing quality, live entertainment to our community, as well as supporting artists. I have a wonderful staff who work tirelessly, and I love them all as individuals. All of my board members are people I want to work with. Our Porchside Festival will be back in July, packed with the best Canadian talent. And our education programs are selling out before we really even advertise them. And hey, we survived a pandemic!

So I am truly in my Happy PLACE and I hope we help to get you into yours!.

WE HAVE RELEASED MORE TICKETS TO EARLY MORNING RAIN-THE LEGEND OF GORDON LIGHTFOOT!

Do to the overwhelming demand for EARLY MORNING RAIN-THE LEGEND OF GORDON LIGHTFOOT, which SOLD OUT all 6 scheduled performances in just days, we have added a 7^th performance on Saturday, June 10^th at 2 pm! This wonderful production was created by Leisa Way and features Leisa and The Wayward Wind Band. This was the performance that was held at the Orillia Opera House the day before the public celebration of Gordon’s life. We are in for an incredible week June 6^th-10^th with these talented performers. This show will be held at The John Saunders Centre, 80 Sandford Fleming Dr., Collingwood.

Celebrate the Canadian legend and sing along to such favourites as Sundown, For Loving Me, Early Morning Rain, Canadian Railroad Trilogy, Did She Mention My Name, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Black Day in July, If You Could Read My Mind, Carefree Highway, Rainy Day People, Song For a Winter’s Night, Ribbon of Darkness, Alberta Bound, I’m Not Sayin’, Bitter Green, Cotton Jenny, Pussy Willows Cat-Tails and more! Why not see the matinee and then go for dinner after and reminisce about all the fabulous songs you’ve just heard? Tickets are selling fast again so if you would like to order some please do not wait. Call 705-445-2200 or visit HERE.

Special thanks to our Production Sponsor: Sun Life

THE 2023 STRATFORD FESTIVAL SEASON OFFICIALLY OPENS THIS TUESDAY

Pretty well anyone who knows me, knows I have a deep love for the Stratford Festival. I adore everything about it. Tuesday, May 30th I will be there "with bells on" for the opening of King Lear, featuring Paul Gross in the title role, and I cannot wait! If you have not been to an officially opening of the festival I highly recommend you put it on your bucket list! It is virtually a who’s who of Canadian theatre and a great place to people watch! The pomp and pageantry is at its best. We are so lucky, as Canadians, to be the proud owners of this internationally acclaimed theatre company. On Friday, June 2^nd I will be back at the festival for the opening of RENT. This is extra exciting for me as Thom Allison is the director. Thom has worked for us before and his partner, Micah Barnes, was in our recent Vegas show. Incidentally, Micah and Billy Newton-Davis are currently touring A NIGHT IN VEGAS, which premiered at Theatre Collingwood! We should be proud of that. Another interesting fact about the Stratford production of RENT is that the director and three of the actors, Erica Peck, Kelly Holiff, and Masini McDermott, have all worked for Theatre Collingwood!

ANOTHER HONOURABLE MENTION

Last Friday, May 26^th, I had the privilege of seeing Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music performed at Keorner Hall in Toronto, as part of The Royal Conservatory’s 22/23 Season. The production was brilliant and star-studded with the likes of Eric McCormack, Cynthia Dale, Dan Chameroy, Fiona Reid, and Gabi Epstein, all in lead roles, and directed by Richard Ouzounian. The Glenn Gould School Chamber Orchestra was beautifully conducted by David Briskin. Keorner Hall itself is worth the price of admission. I loved the production and to my delight found our theatre company credited in Gabi Eptein’s bio in the program.

“She released her sophomore studio album and a love letter to Barbara Streisand, Babs Sings Gabs, in 2022 and her one-woman show of the same name has been performed at the Toronto Jazz Festival, the Segal Centre, Globus Theatre, the Port Stanley Festival Theatre, and Theatre Collingwood.” Thank you-Gabi and BRAVO!

The view from the orchestra at Friday’s sold out show at Keorner Hall. Photo taken by Richard Ouzounian. People are definitely coming back to theatre!

LEAH CANALI BLEW EVERYONE’S SOCKS OFF LAST YEAR AT PORCHSIDE…

And now YOU have a chance to hear her amazing voice again! Leah has spent the last year performing around the world and we are thrilled to have her back to Collingwood for our SUNDAY IN THE VINEYARD EVENT!

This is our major fundraiser of the year and we need your help to make it a success and to help us to continue to bring great live entertainment to our community!

Tickets are $225 and come with a $100 tax receipt AND an absolutely fabulous event! Wine tasting and food pairing, a beautiful venue, silent auction, and our amazing entertainment, Leah Canali and her band!

Please consider supporting Theatre Collingwood and joining us on Sunday, June 25^th at Georgian Hills Vineyard. YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED! If you can not make it please consider donating to the event and perhaps purchasing tickets for others. For more information on Sunday in the Vineyard visit HERE.

Check out the amazing Leah in this video HERE

al fres·co

adverb

1. (especially with reference to eating) in the open air.

"in the unlikely event of some sunshine you can even dine al fresco"

adjective

1. done or eaten in the open air.

"an al fresco supper"

THE PORCHSIDE FESTIVAL is al fresco and TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE

If you have not been to The Porchside Festival before, here is the scoop. It happens on and around Collingwood homeowners’ porches throughout the month of July. We bring the best of musicians and actors in to Collingwood and the area and we entertain you! You bring your lawn chair (and a picnic if you want). There is something magical about it. It is casual and you are up front and close to the performers. You are in the fresh air and not crowded. It's a great summer event for all ages.

12 different shows on 12 different porches, each performed 3 different times, for a total of 36 magical experiences throughout the month of July. Something for everyone. Tickets sell fast so don’t wait to order.

Want to see ALL the shows? Purchase a Porchside Passport and get 12 shows for the price of 10...and a really great month of entertainment!

Check out www.theatrecollingwood.ca for details on all the shows, but here are a few to think about now:

THE HEART, THE MIND, THE SONG

July 1 & 2

A concert with the incomparable Bruce Dow and accompanist Mark Selby will happen at an amazing home by Sunset Point. One of the many things Bruce has done is he performed on Broadway in Jesus Christ Superstar! Get ready to experience musical storytelling like never before! Bruce Dow has been captivating audiences from the Stratford Festival to Broadway, renowned for his ability to turn songs into emotional journeys that leave you breathless.

SONGS OF SATCHMO

July 3-4

In this hour, at another beautiful home and garden in Collingwood Alex Pangman will sing and bring to life hits like On the Sunnyside Of The Street, Someday You’ll Be Sorry, Old Rockin’ Chair, Kiss of Fire & Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans? Alex Pangman is a JUNO-nominated vocalist and is known as Canada’s Sweetheart of Swing. She is joined by JUNO-winning cornet/trumpet player John Macleod, and Peter Hill on keyboard.

SONGS ON THE EASTWIND

July 10-11

This beautiful home on the water brings you Mary Kelly and accompanist Tom Leighton. Both hail from the Maritimes and are firmly rooted in the tradition of loving a good story in whatever form it comes. Songs on the East Wind has traditional folk, musical theatre, singer songwriter, acoustic pop, and jazz flavoured tunes. We call it folk cabaret and it’s an entertaining, eclectic show!

A Few Facts about Mary:

She spent five seasons as a Jazzagal on Schitt’s Creek (SO fun), appeared in The Handmaid’s Tale, played Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, Mrs. Higgins in My Fair Lady, and appeared in Mrs. America, The Handmaid’s Tale, Orphan Black, Good Sam, The Hot Zone, In The Dark, Reign and Saving Hope. She made her New York theatrical debut in Living With Henry, originated roles in When All the Slaves Are Free (original musical based on music of Joni Mitchell); Sincerely, a Friend (original musical based on the music of Leonard Cohen); and was Sophie in Sophie Tucker, the Last of the Red Hot Lovers.  

AND NOW IN CLOSING



A treat for your ears! Please enjoy this video of performers from the Glenn Gould School Chamber Orchestra as they play Vivaldi through the Seasons, in the acoustically gorgeous Keorner Hall in Toronto.

I hope you find your Happy PLACE!

See you at the “theatre”!

Erica

Erica Angus

Executive Director, Theatre Collingwood