Dear Highlands Summer Festival Theatre Patron:

Welcome to the exciting thirteenth season of Highlands Summer Festival. We have an outstanding selection of productions this year including:

Colours in the Storm

This fabulous Jim Betts musical is back on the Festival stage for another season. It was first seen here in 2001, but in fact the story has resonated through our backyard for almost a century. 2012 marks the centenary of Thomson's first visit to Algonquin Park. The young and inspired artist captured some of the most alluring images of Canada's north country until his tragic death in 1917 at Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park. This lively musical tells the story of his discovery of the beauty of the Park and his untimely death.

Arsenic and Old Lace

This much-loved, deliciously dark comedy, tells the story of two spinster sisters and their loopy brother. The women run a boarding house where they always seem to have a room for one more . . . the reason for the vacancy is, well, all of the former boarders are . . . perhaps we'll just let you discover the fun for yourself. Written by Joseph Kesselring.

Steel Magnolias

A comedy-drama by Robert Harling, the play features a lovingly told story of friendship and trust. In a small town hair dressing shop six women share their inner secrets as well as trading in the latest gossip. It is a touching look at the resilience of cross generational support and love. Steel Magnolias serves up a slice of life that's as warm and comforting as mother's apple pie along with a heaping side of laughs!

Within Reach

This performance created by the Highlands Summer Festival, directed by Scot Denton, is a poignant and sometimes hilarious look at the history of education for young women. This collective work by young performers of Haliburton County, a rare and thoughtful combination of dance, theatre and music, explores the journey for women as they look for an education "equal to that of their brothers" and celebrates where they are today.

Sweetheart, The Mary Pickford Story

The dark side of celebrity...a new technology which changed the way we saw the world...the Canadian who came to dominate an industry. The story of silent film star Mary Pickford. Hollywood in the 1920's was a one-woman show, and one of Canada's own was the number one game in town. In a time when everyone wanted "cute", nothing would stop Toronto-born Gladys Smith from sky rocketing through the ranks to become the most famous face on the planet. Denise Norman vividly brings to life those glitzy, glamour days of Tinseltown as Douglas Fairbanks, D.W. Griffith and, of course, Our Little Mary. A scintillating score inspired by Ragtime and Tin Pan Alley will take you back to a time when celebrity was everything.

Opera, Opera Opera

To add to your theatre experience this year, the highly successful Highlands Opera Studio is back with a Chamber Opera, Le Tragédie de Carmen by Peter Brook, based on the story and music of Bizet's Carmen, three popular Excerpts Concerts and three exciting opera performances featuring The Magic Flute by Mozart. See the Highlands Opera Studio line-up in detail at www.highlandsoperastudio.com

Season Pass Sale

This year we are making it simple for our season pass purchasers...all five productions are included in the pass for just $110. That is a saving of $15 over the single ticket price of $25.

A season pass would make a great Christmas gift for someone special on your list, (or even yourself!). Call Jim at the the Highlands Summer Festival Box Office to ordser your passes now...or you can consult the calendar on the Tickets page and Cut to the Chase and order your five tickets now. Call Jim at 705-457-9933 or email tickets@highlandssummerfestival.on.ca

Please note: these special, pre-season pass prices are only available until January 15, 2012. So be sure to order yours today.

Your Support Is Appreciated

Highlands Summer Festival patrons continue to support our efforts, not only by purchasing tickets, but by donating to the Friends of Highlands Summer Festival. With these generous gifts, theatre enthusiasts have added to the quality of our productions each year. As well, they have helped enhance the theatrical infrastructure at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion. The Festival appreciates the encouragement offered through the donations to Friends of Highlands Summer Festival.

Past donors and those who are considering making a donation for the first time, should note that Highlands Summer Festival is a not-for-profit, charitable company. Your donation will be acknowledged in the program, on our website, www.highlandssummerfestival.on.ca and with a receipt which you can use for a tax deduction.

All donors receive Front of the Line service when ordering their seats.

With the season set and the planning already started, we can feel the excitement building. The Season Pass Christmas Promotion lifts the curtain on the thirteenth anniversary season of great drama, comedy and music. We look forward to seeing you at the theatre.

Seasons Greetings from everyone at HSF
Jack Brezina, President