Taking a look at many of the theatre events planned for the fall season throughout the province.
As another summer comes to a close, it’s now time to reluctantly shift gears into Fall Mode. Thankfully, there is plenty of fun in store for the months ahead. To help curb the end-of-season blues, we thought it would be fun to put together a rundown of New Brunswick theatre events lined up for the months to come. This is by no means a comprehensive list of all onstage activities happening throughout the province but more of an overview of many of the players who makeup New Brunswick’s vibrant theatre community. Let’s take a look!
Fredericton
Branch Out Productions
The new season at Branch Out Productions opens with The Addams Family Musical which will run Oct 6 – 8 at The Tom Morrison Theatre, Tickets are $15 and on sale now.
Looking ahead, the company will also be restaging Steel Magnolias in the winter. This production will include a local run and a brief tour around some communities in the greater Fredericton area. Auditions for this show will be held in early fall.
Branch Out Productions’ 2016-2017 season will conclude with a production of Annie in May. Auditions for this show will also be in the fall. Annie will be directed by Mike Mallaley.
Dates and auditon info for Steel Magnolias and Annie TBA.
The Addams Family Musical | Tom Morrison Theatre (FHS) | October 6-8, 2016
Nasty Shadows
In the spring of 2016 Nasty Shadows made yet another step towards focusing on the creation of new work, while still maintaining a playful performance side exploring influential theatrical texts. Three Shadows, Michael Holmes-Lauder, Matthew Spinney, and Scott Shannon will be Nasty Shadows for the foreseeable future, forming a ‘Garage Band’ of sorts to create/produce/stage the results of their explorations and commitment.
“The past nine months have been spent writing along with some rehearsals of new text in our developing tribute work, A Story Jones,” said Nasty Shadows’ Scott Shannon. “The development continues, with plans to share a workshop version of the play later in the fall of 2016. Stay tuned for an announcement about an upcoming full production of something familiar.”
Theatre St. Thomas
Theatre St. Thomas has two shows coming up this fall beginning with the Alumni Weekend Improv Comedy Show with Marcel St. Pierre—Sophomore Release Edition, before a November production of Tirso de Molina’s The Trickster of Seville and His Guest of Stone, the original Don Juan play by the prolific Spanish Golden Age playwright. This play will be directed by Robin C. Whittaker.
Whose STU Is It, Anyways? Improv Comedy Show featuring Theatre St. Thomas members | Oct. 1, 2016 | 2 p.m. | Black BoxTheatre, Sir James Dunn Hall, St. Thomas University | $10 general / $5 students & seniors
Tirso de Molina’s The Trickster of Seville and His Guest of Stone | November 16-21, 2016 | 7:30 p.m. (2:00 p.m. Saturday matinée) | Black Box Theatre, Sir James Dunn Hall, St. Thomas University | $10 general / $5 students & seniors.
Theatre New Brunswick
Theatre New Brunswick’s fall season includes three world premiere productions by New Brunswick playwrights.
A Sunday Affair is a whimsical love story told through physical theatre without the use of props or costume changes. This production will tour the province following a two week run in Fredericton.
Celebrated Canadian actor and Saint John native Shawn Wright makes his playwriting debut with, Ghost Light. This show will see performances in both Fredericton and Saint John. The company’s fall season concludes with a holiday production of The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson, adapted for the stage by Thomas Morgan Jones.
Tickets for all TNB productions taking place in Fredericton are now on sale at the Fredericton Playhouse box office.
A Sunday Affair | Oct. 13-23, 2016 | Open Space Theatre (Fredericton) | On tour Oct. 25-30
Ghost Light | Nov. 17-27, 2016 | Open Space Theatre (Fredericton) | On tour Nov. 21-22
The Snow Queen | Dec. 15-17, 2017 | Fredericton Playhouse | On tour Dec. 18-20
Solo Chicken Productions
Beginning in September, St. Thomas University in partnership with Solo Chicken with be hosting Maliseet Elder Barb Nicholas as artist in residence at STU. During the residency Barb be developing her new play Treat-ye and archiving her considerable body of work. Dr. Robin Whittaker and Lisa Anne Ross will be providing administrative and dramaturgical support during this process. There will be a reading of Barb’s new play in December 2016.
Solo Chicken Productions will be holding auditions for their physical theatre company, the coop. Stay tuned for the dates and audition locations.
In October, coop founders Lesandra Dodson and Lisa Anne Ross will begin working collaboratively with support from ArtsNB on a new piece based on an excerpt entitled, Guilt from Lisa’s solo show Engorged.
Coop Co-Artistic Director Lesandra Dodson and her collaborators, have been invited to the National Presenters Conference / Atlantic Dance showcase in Newfoundland in October 2016. Framed as an off-site/ low-tech festival event, where they will be presenting two pieces; In Two Days a Man Can Change and Twigs.
And in November, after the hilarity and success of last year’s fundraising event Cringe-fest in support of the coop, Solo Chicken will be hosting a similarly themed event where local folks read embarrassing things from their past to help raise funds for future projects.
www.solochickenproductions.com
Moncton
Hub City Theatre
Having recently returned from the Atlantic Fringe Festival where they performed Roomies over four straight nights, Moncton’s Hub City Theatre will be bringing their popular touring production to a PEI audience on Oct. 29 at the Guild Theatre.
The company are also bringing the classic Dial M for Murder to Moncton’s Empress Theatre on Nov 17, 18 and 19. Auditions for the play will take place in late September. Everyone is welcome.
Dial M For Murder | November 17-19, 2016 | Empress Theatre, Moncton | View event
Theatre Alacenne
Theatre Alacenne will be touring the children’s puppet play, Ally et la forêt, for seven days in Moncton and in northwestern NB from November 1-10.
“Ally and the forêt has played a couple of places already in New Brunswick from Pays de la Sagouine this summer to a two-week provincial tour last year, said the company’s Anika Lirette”. “Our show is all made of recyclable elements including the puppetry.”
Sackville
The Drama Studies Program at Mount Allison University will be presenting Marion Bridge by Daniel MacIvor at the Motyer-Fancy Theatre on campus Oct 26-29. The production will be directed by Dr. Cordula Quint.
Marion Bridge | Mount Allison University | Motyer-Fancy Theatre | Oct. 26-29, 2016
Saint John
Saint John Theatre Company
Saint John Theatre Company have lots in store this fall including presentations by Girl Power Inc, Theatre Tours International and The Improvisation Incorporation. They will also present their own of Miracle on 34th Street, adapted and directed by Bob Doherty.
SJTC Canadian Stages Professional Series: Woman, Naked (Girl Power Inc)
A candid, comedic, sometimes poignant take on body image, body shaming, diet fads, the pressure on women to be thin, young and never hungry. “Come into the light of ‘It’s my body and I’ll eat pie if I want to’.” – Bernie Stapleton
Woman, Naked |September 15-17, 2016 |7:30 p.m. | BMO Studio Theatre, 112 Princess St, Saint John
Hercules (Theatre Tours International)
The first ever solo play about Bill Clinton. His own epic life has led to this moment…but will he be silenced by his spouse’s political ambitions? “smart, funny, moving & exceptionally current…fantastically written with a Bill-thentic performance.” Broadway Baby
Hercules | Oct 28-29, 2016 | 7:30pm | BMO Studio Theatre, 112 Princess St, Saint John
SJTC Main Stage Series: Miracle on 34th Street
An original adaptation of a heart-warming Christmas classic! Embrace the miracle that happens when Macy’s hires Kris Kringle as their Santa.
Miracle on 34th Street | Nov 23-27, 2016 | 7:30 p.m. | Imperial Theatre, Saint John
Twisted Christmas (The Improvisation Corporation)
A great way to ring in the holiday season! Join us on a comedic trip through the memories and traditions of the holiday season brought to life by the hilarious Improvisation Corporation.
Twisted Christmas December 2-17, 2016 | 7:30pm | BMO Studio Theatre, 112 Princess St, Saint John
www.saintjohntheatrecompany.com
Planning a theatre event that wasn’t listed here? Send your info to gridcitymagazine (at) gmail.com and we’ll do our best to spread the word.
