Are you ready for a show-stopping, seriously side-splitting, Sesquicentennial-celebrating summer season of sensational comedy?
From July 2 to September 27, laugh to your heart's content as Theatre Collingwood showcases four different comedy styles spanning a century of theatre. The 2008 season is proudly supported by season sponsor Blue Mountain Resort.
The summer kicks off with a salute to Collingwood's Sesquicentennial in an all-new musical variety show entitled Hen & Chickens Vaudeville, created by Artistic Director Steven Thomas (playing July 2 - 5 and 8-12) and sponsored by Noble Insurance.
This "rollicking good time" variety show will take you back to the way we were entertained a century ago with comedy routines, mimes, blackouts and song-and-dance. From Tin Pan Alley to ragtime, from soft-shoe to tap and stand-up to slapstick... the fast-paced, rhythmic variety proves that this dazzling Vaudeville show is far more than the sum of its parts. Expect laughter, music and mystification - wholesome, good fun for the whole family.
Cool off in the heat of the summer with Wingfield on Ice by Dan Needles (July 15 - 19 and July 29-August 2). As the first frosts come to Persephone Township, Walt and Maggie Wingfield are all set to welcome new life to the farm. She's expecting and he's nesting.
But Walt is alarmed about the old feuds that divide the neighbours and disturb the tranquility of the community. His attempts to mend other people's fences meet with a resistance as stiff and cold as the weather itself. And the biggest challenge to all of them is looming on the horizon. This rural witty comedy is the fifth in the series and stars Rod Beattie as the stockbroker turned farmer.
The hilarious farce Lend Me A Tenor by Ken Ludwig (August 13 - 16 and 19 - 23) will have you howling with laughter. The Cleveland Grand Opera Company imports a world-famous, wine and woman-loving Italian opera star to perform in their gala season opener only to discover their special attraction has passed out cold in his hotel room from taking too many tranquilizers. The company manager scrambles to make sure their fundraising show will go on.
Take a side-splitting romp through mistaken identities, misguided romantic advances, medical misdiagnosis, desperate measures and compromising positions in the singer's hotel suite set in the 1930's.
The summer season finale is The Long Weekend by Norm Foster (September 17 - 20 and 23 - 27). The truth and lies of a 15-year friendship come to the surface when Roger and Abby go to visit Max and Wynn for a "pleasurable" couple of days at their new cottage in the country. It soon becomes clear that appearances can be deceiving.
This uproarious comedy about relationships and manners warns us that the grass may not always be greener on the other side of the fence. Canada's most produced playwright, Norm Foster, serves up sparkling dialogue between richly drawn characters and just enough naughtiness, one-liners and surprising plot twists to keep you laughing out loud.
Subscription packages offer four shows for the low price of $92/$100 - a saving of between 17-23 per cent. The bonus East Side Mario's (Collingwood) Theatre Club card offers four delicious special offers which may be used year-round.
Single tickets remain constant at: $30 adults; youth half-price as well as discount eyeGO tickets for High School students. Groups of 10 or more enjoy savings of up to 17 per cent off by booking one month in advance. Gift certificates are also available. (All prices plus GST).
