Backstage Pass

Thomson Magic Arrives Ahead of Schedule

Jack — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:08:35 +0000

The magic and allure of Tom Thomson arrived early in Haliburton. As we mark the 100th anniversary of Tom Thomson’s first visit to Algonquin Park and the Highlands Summer Festival prepares for the opening of the musical Colours in the Storm, the film West Wind was screened at the theatre.

The occasion was a Documentary Festival on Saturday May 5. Presented by the local movie enthusiasts, Those Other Movies, one of the four documentaries was an investigation into the life and art of Tom Thomson. Directed by Michele Hozer and Peter Raymont, the documentary was produced for Bravo TV and is set to debut on that channel shortly. The organizers received permission to present it early at the Haliburton Festival.

It was certainly the most popular documentary of the one day festival…..a good indication of the intense interest in this story. Thanks to the organizers, I had an opportunity to remind the audience that the Highlands Summer Festival would be presenting the musical version of the Tom Thomson story, Colours in the Storm, starting July 2.

From the liner notes which accompanied the documentary’s DVD: “Tom Thomson is one of Canada’s most famous and beloved artists. His vibrant landscape paintings helped define a young nation in the early 20th century and become iconic symbols of Canada.

“On July 8, 1917 Tom Thomson died mysteriously on Canoe Lake, just as he was reaching ascendancy in his career. Why does Thomson’s life and art fascinate us still? What draws thousands of people each year to the cairn on Canoe lake and propels his oil sketches into the stratosphere of the Canadian Art Market?” The documentary attempts to answer these questions and many others surrounding this fascinating Canadian.

Jim Betts has captured the magic and mystery of Thomson’s life and art is his musical Colours in the Storm, the premiere production at this year’s Highlands Summer Festival. Discover a slice of Canadian history from our back yard and you too can see the Colours in the Storm.

See you at the theatre.

Mary Pickford interviews provide insight into her life and times

Jack — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:00:17 +0000

America’s Sweetheart is on the radio!
CBC Radio has recently been airing interviews with Mary Pickford. This archival material was captured in May 1959 with host Tony Thomas. These great interviews provide an interesting insight into the career of Gladys Smith, a girl from Toronto who became America’s Sweetheart.
The life and times of Mary Pickford is the subject of a play by Dean Burry being presented this summer, July 22-24, at the Highlands Summer Festival. Denise Norman will bring all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to life in this one woman show with stories, music and pictures from the era.
To hear the CBC interviews click on this link Sweetheart, to hear the first half. A link to the second half will be available on the CBC website at the close of the first portion of the interview.
Just a reminder, one of the three performances of Sweetheart: the Mary Pickford Story is already sold out. If you want to see this fabulous production, be sure to order you tickets soon.

Changes in the Box Office means ticket mail out is slightly delayed

Jack — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:01:42 +0000

As some of you may have noticed on our Tickets page, we are adding online ticketing to our capabilities. This upgrade to our system will mean a slight delay in the issuing of tickets this spring. We are usually mailing out tickets to season pass holders starting in early April. However, we are just completing some last minute tweaks to the system and the tickets should be in the mail soon. We thank you for your patience.
This new feature will allow patrons to select, pay for and print their own tickets right from our website. This change is being made to keep Highlands Summer Festival up to date with other theatre companies in North America. When you purchase tickets in the future, visit our ticket page and see how fast and easy it can be to do it on line.

Annual General Meeting set for April 30

Jack — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 01:27:02 +0000

As we prepare for the 2012 Highlands Summer Festival season, the board of directors will be tying up details from last season at the organization’s Annual General Meeting.
This meeting will examine how the company fared in 2011 with a look ahead to what’s coming up in this season. Included in the meeting will be reports, review of the financial statement, election of offices and other business.
The Annual General Meeting is open to the public. However, only members are permitted to vote. Members are defined as anyone who has donated $50 or more to the Highlands Summer Festival in the past year.
So please join us Monday, April 30 at 1 p.m. at the Rails End Gallery and Arts Centre in Haliburton for our AGM. See you there.

Two sell-outs kick off the season

Jack — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:30:44 +0000

It is great to get the season off on the right foot. For a theatre company such as the Highlands Summer Festival, there is nothing sweeter than two little words: “SOLD OUT”.
Those words have already been applied to two presentation this season The Tuesday July 10 production of Within Reach and the Tuesday, July 24 production of Sweetheart: The Mary Pickford Story, are already sold out. These two productions both have short runs….three performances each….so if they appeal to you, I would suggest don’t wait too long to book your seats. Good tickets are still available for the Sunday matinee performances of both shows, as well as the Monday evening performances. So act quickly, before seats for all six performances are gone.

Last call for auditions

Jack — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:49:36 +0000

Just a quick reminder that auditions for this summer’s season will be held this Saturday and Sunday, January 21 and 22. There is still time to register and book a spot and be a part of a great Highlands theatre tradition. All the details are available from the homepage. Don’t miss this opportunity to join the company this summer. For more information, contact Rob Eaton at 705-489-2435.

New year, new excitement

Jack — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:51:55 +0000

Happy New Year everyone.
We hope you enjoyed a great Christmas holiday and are looking forward to a wonderful new year!
As we head into January, the pace quickens at Highlands Summer Festival. First of all the deadline for the season pass sale of the 2012 productions is rapidly approaching. The special price of $110 for all five shows, comes to an end January 15. So if Santa missed you this year, there is still time to take advantage of the special discount. Call the box office now to take advantage of this limited time offer: 705-457-9933.
The other item on the January agenda is the audition call.
This is an exciting time of the year for actors in our community as they look over the possibilities and prepare to strut their stuff for the directors. As a regionally based, community theatre Highlands Summer Festival welcomes newcomers to thge stage. Each year there are individuals in Highlands Summer Festival productions who have never been on stage before. Part of our mandate is to foster the growth of performing arts skills in our community. So if you are an HSF veteran or someone thinking this could be the year I step out onto the boards, have a look at the audition call information and consider giving it a try. We look forward to seeing you at the auditions. (Perhaps you are interested in helping behind the scenes…..have a look at the audition package. It has details on how to become involved in other aspects of the summer season.)
All the information you will need for the audition, can be found on the home page. Simply click on one of the links for all the information.

Season Pass Sale Begins….but some people just couldn’t wait

Jack — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:22:38 +0000

Our season pass sale kicked off on Monday, November 28…..but even before we had posted the line-up for the season, the box office was receiving orders for the 2012 passes. Without knowing what we had planned for the season….loyal patrons were placing orders for passes.
I love it! Thank you for such a ringing endorsement.
For the rest of our patrons, the schedule is now posted and the line-up is looking exciting for the coming summer. See the Home Page for a quick summary of each of the productions and the Tickets page for the calendar.
Remember you only have until January 15 to take advantage of the special pricing. Call Jim now to book your passes. 705-457-9933.
They make great Christmas gifts for someone special on your list or yourself.

New season will be announced Monday

Jack — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:13:11 +0000

Monday, November 28, the Highlands Summer Festival and the Highlands Opera Studio will lift the curtain on the 2012 season. There is a great line up productions so watch this space, and look for the special pricing on season passes. If you are on our list you will receive a package in the mail or watch your local newspaper for details. Fade to black….and….curtain up……

Educating Rita pics from Terrance Gavin

Jack — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 03:53:57 +0000

Terrance Gavin, the editor of HaliburtonNews.ca has posted great shots from the dress rehearsal of Educating Rita. Have a look as Kathryn Boyd and Brian Kipping work their way through this outstanding comedy. His photos can be found at: http://www.haliburtonnews.ca/2011/08/video-educating-rita-quick-preview-opens-august-2-northern-lites/