But soft…what light through yonder curtain breaks….
(with apologies to W. Shakespeare)
“Have a seat and be prepared to be entertained!” Highlands Summer Festival launched one of its most ambitious seasons in the nineteen year history of the theatre company this week.
Artistic producer Scot Denton lifted the veil on the 2018 season at a celebration held November 19 at McKeck’s Tap and Grill. “I am truly exited with the five productions we are presenting this coming summer,” Denton told the audience.
“We have classic theatre from the master of the stage, William Shakespeare, as we open the season with Romeo and Juliet.” The production will be particularly attractive to the young people in our community, both in on-stage roles and as audience members.” Denton will direct the classic love story.
Performances July 2-5 (7:30 p.m.), 6 & 8 (2 p.m. matinee), 9 & 10 (7:30 p.m.).
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Chris Gibbs’ one man show plumbs the mind of London’s second most famous detective, Not Quite Sherlock of course is based in Victoria England, but Gibbs who wrote the show, makes it a contemporary romp as well. With wit, charm, timing, and almost no respect for the rules of theatre, Chris Gibbs creates a simple, hilarious theatrical experience unlike any other. Performances July 11 & 12 (7:30 p.m.), 13 (2 p.m. matinee).
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The James Yaffe thriller, Cliffhanger will leave the audience trying to guess ‘who dun it’ and surprised by the twists and turns in the plot as a philosophy professor attempts to salvage his reputation and avoid being charged for the murder of a colleague. Decoratively iced with touches of humour the play has won awards and plaudits around the globe. Performances July 16-19 (7:30 p.m.), 20 & 22 (2 p.m. matinee), 23 & 24 (7:30 p.m.).
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Weimar to Vaudeville
Tom Allen is back!…..and he is bringing his band of musicians with him. In the historical musical revue, Weimar to Vaudeville Tom mines the convulsive and musically rich 1920-1930 era and finds interesting stories and great music by such composers Richard Strauss, Charlie Chaplin, Fletcher Henderson, Paul Hindemith, and Johannes Brahms, along with stunning original songs by the cast. Performances July 25 & 26 (7:30 p.m.), 27 (2 p.m. matinee).
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Playwright A.R. Gurney invites you to joining his cast in The Dining Room. It is the one room in the house where families would gather on a daily basis to share meals and stories. In this fast paced play, six actors, playing a variety of roles, will entice and enchant you as the story unfolds. Performances July 30 – Aug 2 (7:30 p.m.), 3 & 5 (2 p.m. matinee), Aug 7 & 8 (7:30 p.m.).
“I am certainly looking forward to this season and hope our audience finds it equally entertaining and enriching. There is something for everyone in each of the productions.” Denton concluded.
Highlands Summer Festival President Jack Brezina, noted, in addition to a very interesting line-up for the 2018 season, there were structural changes to the schedule that patrons should be aware of. “Curtain times for evening productions have been moved forward to 7:30. We have added more matinees to the schedule on Friday and Sunday. They will start at 2 p.m. I suggest the patrons scrutinize the schedule carefully when ordering tickets so they know exactly when the shows are on the stage.” (The 2018 schedule with times appears on the reverse.)
Season Passes are now on sale. They make a perfect Christmas gift for someone special or for yourself. Order your passes by phone by calling 705-457-9933 or 855-457-9933 or at the secure online ticket portal you will find at www.highlandssummerfestival.on.ca
See you at the theatre,
TD Waterhouse 2017 Curtain Talks
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
• Wednesday, July 5: Click here
• Sunday, July 9: Click here
Proof
• Thursday July 20: Click here
Jake’s Gift
• with Julia Mackey. Tuesday, July 25: Click here
Hilda’s Yard
• Tuesday, August 1: Click here
Once again last year, the Highlands Summer Festival was pleased to present “Curtain Talks”, sponsored by TD Waterhouse. After selected performances, the audience was invited to stay to talk to the cast and crew of the production. We will be offering TD Waterhouse Curtain Talks during the 2017 season. See the Calendar on the Tickets Page for the schedule.
Meanwhile, please click here to enjoy the Curtain Talks from our past seasons as recorded by Sticks and Stones Media.
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Front of Line service when you make a donation
When purchasing your tickets, please consider making a donation to the Highlands Summer Festival one of the most vibrant community theatre companies in Ontario. As a not-for-profit registered charity, we will provide you with a receipt which you can use for income tax purposes. The more than 150 artists and volunteers who make the annual Highlands Summer Festival season happen are heartened by endorsement of their efforts through the purchase of season passes. However, additional funds are needed to ensure the continued viability of the company.
Your donation has additional benefits for you, including front of line ticket ordering priority, recognition on our website and in the program and the satisfaction of supporting one of Ontario’s outstanding summer theatre companies. Note: donations are receipted for the tax year in which they are received.
See you at the theatre
Jack Brezina,
President
