News: Thousand Islands Playhouse announces 2014 season (Press release)

THOUSAND ISLANDS PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES 2014 SEASON

GANANOQUE, ON – On Tuesday, October 8, 2013, Ashlie Corcoran, Artistic Director of the Thousand Islands Playhouse unveiled the company’s 2014 season- her second as Artistic Director.

The 2014 season opens at the Springer Theatre with Driving Miss Daisy from May 16 – June 14. This beloved and heart-warming story by Alfred Uhry is the second show that the Playhouse is producing in Association with Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops, B.C. and follows the story of a wealthy widow and her kind chauffeur, showing the power of true friendship. The second production in the 2014 season will have audiences tapping their toes to the show-stopping musical numbers in She Loves Me (Book by Joe Masteroff, Music by Jerry Bock and Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick) from June 20 – July 19 as they witness the unfolding of the romantic and funny story about two coworkers who constantly bump heads, unaware that they are actually each other’s secret romantic pen pals.

The Thousand Islands Playhouse’s second venue, the Firehall Theatre, will enter into its 10th Anniversary year with Jake’s Gift from July 1 – July 26, written and performed by Julia Mackey. This touching story is about a Canadian WWII veteran’s journey back to Juno beach for the 60th Anniversary of D-Day.

A sparkling classic comedy by Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest will have audiences rolling in the aisles from July 25 – August 23 at the Springer Theatre when they enter the lives of two witty friends who have fun leading double lives, but then both begin to use the same alias to woo different women. From August 15 – September 20, The Ugly One, a razor sharp black comedy by Marius von Mayenburg (Produced in association with Theatre Smash and Tarragon Theatre) will take the Firehall Stage. In a world obsessed with beauty, this one-of-a-kind production shows how far an ugly man will go to fit in and get ahead in life.

From August 29 – September 20, audiences will enjoy Waiting for the Parade by John Murrell, the third show that the Playhouse will produce in Association with Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops, B.C. In this Canadian classic, five women work for the war effort while their men are away, revealing their secrets, tensions, hopes, dreams and inner-strength.

The 2014 season closes with Educating Rita from September 26 – October 18 in the Springer Theatre. This clever comedy by Willy Russell is about a sassy hairdresser determined to change her life through University night classes. Between the witty remarks and big-hearted characters, it helps us learn that sometimes students are the best teachers.

In 2013, The Thousand Islands Playhouse was proud to introduce several new initiatives that have proved successful for the theatre and the communities surrounding it:

The travelling Young Company troupe was a recipient of the 2013 RBC Emerging Artist Project Grant, which allowed the introduction of a new training program for the troupe and the popular new post-show workshops for young audiences at schools, libraries and parks across Eastern Ontario. The Playhouse is proud to continue this initiative in 2014 with Bird Brain by Vern Thiessen, a fable about being a little bit different and knowing when to follow your head or your heart. The Young Company will tour this children’s show across Eastern Ontario from April – July.

The first Playwright’s Unit was also created, designed to foster the talent of five selected emerging and established artists. During a year-long residency they have been growing their works into fully developed plays which will cumulate into a week-long Play Reading Series in December of 2013. This free series will be open to the public and will showcase each playwright’s work with professional actors and offer an opportunity for discussion with the artists.

The Playhouse has plans to strengthen these important educational initiatives throughout the 2014 season and has added dedicated student matinees to three of the productions this year – Driving Miss Daisy, Waiting for the Parade, and Educating Rita.

For more information visit www.1000islandsplayhouse.com. Season subscriptions are on sale now at the Box Office. Call 613-382-7020 or visit 185 South Street, Gananoque, Ontario.

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WHY I CHOSE THESE PLAYS FOR 2014 – from Ashlie Corcoran

Driving Miss Daisy (May 16 – June 14): The dynamics created by the two characters in this timeless play had me giggling to myself as I read the script and wiping away a tear as the play wrapped up. What is particularly special to me is how this play uses the deeply personal to explore the widely political.

She Loves Me (June 20 – July 19: I was introduced to this award-winning musical when still a student at Queen’s University – and in fact, I started daydreaming then about how it was a perfect fit for the Springer stage! This is a funny and captivating show with beautiful music that audiences will fall deeply in love with.

Jake’s Gift (July 1 – July 26): I am very excited to present this work from a fantastic female writer/performer who has been touring around the world with this heartfelt piece! I think anyone who had a father or grandfather who fought in WWII will be deeply moved by this show.

The Importance of Being Earnest (July 25 – August 23): Every time I read this play, I fall in love with each silly, satirical character, the exquisite wordplay and the ridiculously enjoyable plot. It is a delicious and sparkling piece full of wit, humour and slyness.

The Ugly One (August 15 – September 20): This play brilliantly pairs content (how our society projects beauty) with dramaturgical form (a theatre structure that depends upon audience projection). I think that our audience who enjoys seeing “cutting edge” theatre is going to love this production- it is funny, urban, edgy and cosmopolitan.

Waiting For the Parade (August 29 – September 20): Producing Canadian Classics is a priority of mine at TIP 0 it is very important to celebrate and build upon our heritage. This show has very strong roles for five women of different ages (something that is not very common) and tells their honest perspectives on the war.

Educating Rita (September 26 – October 18): Thought provoking, funny and moving, Educating Rita is a modern stage classic- full of big laughs, big ideas and big characters. I am excited by the themes that it explores: the concept of freedom and change, the effects of the class system, the value of real knowledge and the quest for self-improvement and self-worth. It is a really smart play.

Bird Brain (Young Company Touring Show): I am in love with this play’s playfulness and imagination! The play’s absurdly quick characters and quick paced plot is certain to delight school-aged children (and adults alike!)