2021 THEATRE COLLINGWOOD PORCHSIDE FESTIVAL
Thursday, July 8th at 7pm
Friday, July 9th at 2pm and 7pm
Location: 263 Beech Street (back porch)
The Cure for Everything
Written and performed by Maja Ardal
Stage Direction by Jeff Braunstein
We are thrilled to have the very talented Maja Ardal joining our festival. She is an Iceland-born Canadian and was schooled in Scotland. Maja is an accomplished playwright, performer, theatre instructor, director, and the former artistic director of Young People’s Theatre. In her one-woman show she plays Elsa, a typical fifteen-year-old growing up in the early 1960s. Her world revolves around independence, boys, and being popular at school, despite growing concerns surrounding the Cuban missile crisis. In fact, this is Elsa’s opportunity to let loose before the world blows up!
Porch Generously Sponsored by Collingwood Toyota & Lockhart’s Collingwood Nissan
Saturday, July 10th at 7pm
Sunday, July 11th at 2pm and 7pm
Location: 57 St. Lawrence Street, Collingwood
MY LIFE IN SONG – ACT 2
Jeff Madden is a leading member of the Canadian Theatre industry. Before the pandemic struck, Jeff was performing in the hit Mirvish musical COME FROM AWAY as ‘Kevin T’. He is best known, however, for his Award-winning work, starring as ‘Frankie Valli’ in the hit musical JERSEY BOYS which he performed a total of 705 times, six nights a week, to over 1-Million people.
Jeff’s new show, MY LIFE IN SONG – ACT 2, picks up post-Jersey Boys, taking listeners on a light-hearted journey of resilience through the ups and downs of being an entertainer in Canada, married life, being a Dad to two teenage girls … and how a strong sense of self and a passion for music helped Jeff manage ‘mid-life’ through a global pandemic. Crowd-pleasing songs include Come Fly With Me, Happy Days Are Here Again, Love’s In Need of Love Today, Keeping The Faith, I Can See Clearly Now, Working My Way Back to You, and even some special medleys from Come From Away.
Joining Jeff on this journey is the accomplished accompanist Peter Kadar
Porch Generously Sponsored by Mr. Kerry Mader & Dr. Brian McCrindle
July 12th at 7pm
July 13th at 2pm & 7pm
Location: 87 Third Street
Love, Lust & Longing
a la Cole Porter
Featuring Dean Hollin with accompanist David Fries
No one in the Great American Songbook wrote of love, longing, sex and desire like Cole Porter did.
Sought-after entertainer Dean Hollin’s vocal talents are second to none and in high demand, especially when he shares his incredible knowledge of the Great American Songbook.
Although the Great American Songbook contains the most important and influential American popular songs and jazz standards from the early 20th century, it has had a profound and enduring effect on Canadian and worldwide music lovers and composers.
Put these three facts together and you have a show with talent, history, love, and fantastic music! Join us as we celebrate one of Collingwood’s great talents as he sings all that is Cole Porter!
Porch Generously Sponsored by Collingwood Celebrancy
Wednesday, July 14th at 7pm
Thursday, July 15th at 2pm and 7pm
Location: 443 Ste. Marie St., Collingwood
Beau Dixon MOTOWN AND BEYOND
Join Beau Dixon, a multi award winning instrumentalist, playwright and songwriter as he shares an hour of entertaining and introspective music that celebrates the legacy of African American artists such as Sam Cooke, Harry Belafonte, Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and many more!…
Porch generously sponsored by Heather Stitt – RE/MAX at Blue Realty Inc.
Saturday, July 17th at 7pm
Sunday, July 18th at 2pm and 7pm
Location: 231 Ontario Street, Collingwood
Laughton Common
Written and performed by Scott Hurst
When Scott was told he looked a lot like British stage and film actor Charles Laughton he set out to find out if that was true. What he found was that they not only looked alike but they also had a lot-in-common! Scott is an accomplished actor, singer, director and educator and he will be presenting his one-man play that is sure to entertain and enlighten.
Porch Generously Sponsored by Collingwood Hyundai
Tuesday, July 20th at 7pm
Wednesday, July 21st at 2pm and 7pm
Location: The VanderMarck Hotel – 64 Third Street, Collingwood
The Soul of Summer
A multi genre outdoor cabaret featuring Collingwood faves Chris Tsujiuchi and Leah Allyce Canali accompanied by Mike Meusel. This show mixes soul, R&B, jazz and Broadway classic standards and modern faves with soulful vocals and signature arrangements. Guaranteed to have you dancing in your lawn chairs!
Porch generously sponsored by The VanderMarck Boutique Hotel
Friday, July 23rd at 7pm
Saturday, July 24th at 2pm and 7pm
Location: 80 Sandford Fleming Dr, Collingwood (indoors)
TWIN FLAMES
Multi-award winning, chart-topping Indigenous artists Twin Flames build bridges across cultures, continents, and styles. The husband and wife duo of Chelsey June, métis (Algonquin Cree) from Ottawa, and Jaaji, Inuk and Mohawk from Nunavik, are long celebrated for honouring their ancestors through song in English, Inuttitut and French. Two-time Canadian Folk Music Award recipients for Aboriginal Songwriters of the year and three-time Native American Music Award winners, this powerhouse couple have 24 music award nominations. They have played more than 1000+ shows throughout Canada, Greenland, the US, Australia and France and are well on their way to becoming a Canadian household name.
Porch Generously Sponsored by Hearn Beaumont Group – Royal LePage Locations North
Sunday, July 25th at 7pm
Monday, July 26th at 2pm and 7pm
Location: 423 Minnesota Street, Collingwood
Love Letters
Written by A.R. Gurney
Featuring Jake McArthur and Leslie Worts
Directed by Erica Angus
This wonderful play is a collection of letters written between two friends throughout their lives. Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner were both born to wealth and position and their lifelong correspondence documents life’s ups and downs and just how very much they meant, and gave, to each other.
Porch Generously Sponsored by Heather Stitt – RE/MAX at Blue Realty Inc.
Saturday, August 7th at 7pm
Sunday, August 8th at 7pm
Location: 84 Lockhart Road, Collingwood
AN EVENING WITH SHANE CLOUTIER
Canadian alt-folk singer-songwriter Shane Cloutier has released three acoustic albums. Shane’s solo career was sparked after facing tragedy and he turned to music as a way to heal. His three albums have been an introspective of facing adversity, while heavily focused on perseverance and reflection. Shane’s most recent album release, Lie to Me ’til It’s Over, breaks new ground with his acoustic sound mixed with cello and programmed beats, showing a new side of Shane. He has collaborated with multiple time Maple Blues Award winner Tom Bona, legendary guitar player Frank Marino of Mahogany Rush, and Grammy-nominated cellist Michael Olsen. His unique sound and guitar abilities have caught the attention of notable endorsement companies.
Shane’s strong emotional voice and his work as a guitarist, combined with his heavy metal influences creates an uncommon sound for an alt-folk musician. Shane is originally from Orillia, ON but now resides near Collingwood, ON, and we are delighted to have him as an addition to our Theatre Collingwood PORCHSIDE FESTIVAL.
Sponsored by Kevin Hamlin and Michelle Fitzpatrick.
24 Live Preformances, 8 Historic Porches, 1 Amazing Festival!
Join Theatre Collingwood as we celebrate & support community, Canadian talent, health, happiness, diversity, inclusion……and some beautiful porches!
This July in Downtown Collingwood.
www.theatrecollingwood.ca
705.445.2200
The Theatre Collingwood PORCHSIDE FESTIVAL began as just one concert that we were going to try to do in a backyard during September of 2020, simply as a way to gather people safely outside during the pandemic. Just before the concert preparation the protocols changed and, although we technically could have presented the show, we felt the public was nervous and the event could be poorly perceived. As a company we “pivoted” and instead presented 3 productions online before the end of the year.
The thought of presenting an outdoor, small audience, performance did not leave my mind. I had experienced a delightful small series of outdoor shows put on by Talk Is Free Theatre in Barrie, and I was inspired by the positive reception The Musical Stage Company received from its Porchside Songs concerts in 2020.
My vision has always been that this festival could be a wonderful way for people to dip their toes back into the live performance experience, in a safe manner, and then to continue to grow the festival year after year.
The pandemic has taken much, but it has given us time to further explore who we are as a company. Two years ago we made the decision to stop using a facility in town that was not accessible to all. We took a stand regarding accessibility. Now is the time to focus on the priorities of our company. Theatre Collingwood will move forward with a strong, caring phylosophy. We want to provide an accessible and inclusive environment where all of our audience members can see themselves reflected on our stages.
For Summer 2021, we present THE THEATRE COLLINGWOOD PORCHSIDE FESTIVAL, a totally inclusive & accessible series of short plays or concerts highlighting the beautiful historic porches of Collingwood and our diverse and extremely talented array of Canadian artists. Each performance will have 25 socially distanced audience members on their own lawn chairs, enjoying the performances from the lawns of home owners or local businesses. Each performance will have a TC “ambassador” in attendance to ensure that public health protocols are adheared to. This festival will be a litter free event and fulfill our intention to dip our toes into live performance and forge ahead with creative, appreciative and inclusive hearts.
Tickets are $25 (plus HST) each and go on sale Tuesday, June 1st, 2021.
Erica Angus
Executive Director
PLEASE NOTE: PERFORMANCES ARE APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR LONG. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE LOCATIONS THERE ARE NO PUBLIC WASHROOMS AVAILABLE. PLEASE COME PREPARED. THESE ARE ALSO LITTER-FREE LOCATIONS SO PLEASE TAKE ANY AND ALL LITTER HOME WITH YOU. THANK YOU.
THEATRE COLLINGWOOD SINCERELY THANKS ALL OUR PORCH OWNERS FOR THE USE OF THEIR LOVELY SPACES.
THEATRE COLLINGWOOD WISHES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT OUR PERFORMANCES TAKE PLACE ON THE TERRITORY OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF TURTLE ISLAND, INCLUDING THE TRADITIONAL LANDS OF THE ANISHINAABEK, HAUDENOSAUNEE, AND OJIBWE PEOPLES, AND ON LANDS CONNECTED WITH THE LAKE SIMCOE-NOTTAWASAGA TREATY OF 1818. WE RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS THE HOME OF A DIVERSE RANGE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WHO ARE CONTEMPORARY STEWARDS OF THE LAND AND VITAL CONTRIBUTORS OF OUR SOCIETY.
PRESENTING OUR 2021 THEATRE COLLINGWOOD PLAYBILL!
Please click on the link, maximize the image, and enjoy our latest season magazine! Check out the wonderful sponsors who support us and enjoy the articles. And then, please SHARE it with your friends!
Instructions for optimal viewing: when you open the 2021 Playbill, it’s best to click on the “full screen” icon in the bottom right corner. You can zoom in or out on any page by clicking the plus (+) sign or minus (-) sign, or by dragging the button on the zoom bar.
Theatre Collingwood says “V” is for VACCINE and VICTORY over the pandemic!
We are thrilled to announce a very special partnership, and a pin that we feel will have incredible power.
Thom Vincent is the president of Global Hospitality and Balmoral Village. His list of accomplishments are way too many to list here. Thom and his wife, Kari Payne, are not only great supporters of Theatre Collingwood, community-minded philanthropic people, they are truly visionaries. When the pandemic hit Thom immediately started thinking ahead to the day when we would all be getting our vaccines and, with the help of his friend Jeff Shearer, he developed a concept of producing and distributing a pin that people could receive once they have been vaccinated, to not only show they have done this but to encourage others to get vaccinated, too. This pin could generate conversations and perhaps most of all…
[READ MORE]
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WE’VE MOVED OUR OFFICE
Thank you so much to Katherine Huycke for making this beautiful sign for our new office! We love it! Special thanks to all our helpers on moving day: Anne Raciunas, Valerie O’Brien, Linda Milthorpe, Doug Wilson, David Hearn, Thomas Hearn, Anita Hearn, Garion Allen, and our friends at Turpin Moving & Storage!
Theatre Collingwood’s new Box Office is located at 150 St. Paul St., Suite 201, Collingwood. Please call ahead if you would like to visit our new space. Feel free to email info@theatrecollingwood.ca or call 705-445-2200 if you have any questions.
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