Norm Foster's latest play hits the Playhouse stage next month

The Foster Festival’s world premiere production of ‘Come Down From Up River’ comes to Fredericton for four performances at the Fredericton Playhouse, November 8-10, 2018.

Peter Kranz and Amanda Parsons in Come Down From Up River. Photo: David Vivian

Theatre New Brunswick welcomes the return of Norm Foster to the Fredericton Playhouse with his latest play, Come Down From Up River.

Presented as part of TNB’s 50^th anniversary season, this world premiere production by The Foster Festival made its debut at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catherines, Ontario in July of 2018.

“I’m very excited to present this production from The Foster Festival as part of our 50^th anniversary season,” said TNB Artistic Director Natasha MacLellan. “There’s a lot to be proud of here. Norm made his professional theatre debut 35 years ago this fall, with TNB, on the Fredericton Playhouse stage. What a fitting celebration to have as part of our Golden Anniversary season.”

Come Down From Up River tells the story of Shaver Bennett, a logger from the woods of northern New Brunswick. One day Bennett arrives at the doorstep of his estranged sister’s daughter, whom he hasn’t seen in 20 years. The niece, Bonnie Doyle and her wife Liv Arsenault welcome him into their lives in this sweetly moving tale. Set in Saint John, New Brunswick, Come Down From Up River explores family and forgiveness with a healthy dose of laughter sprinkled with tears.

“Norm Foster is as close to a household name in Canadian theatre as you could possibly get and there’s a good reason for that,” said MacLellan. “His ability to pair everyday characters – people like you and me – with the kind of funny, awkward and revealing situations we’ve all found ourselves in at one time or another is unparalleled. That’s a big part of why his work resonates with audiences everywhere.”

Foster made his professional debut on the TNB stage in 1983 with his play Sinners, and went on to become Canada’s most produced playwright.

Come Down From Up River runs November 8-10 at the Fredericton Playhouse.