This delightful musical theatre piece is a much-awarded Canadian theatre classic that has played Broadway and toured the world.
“The play has reasserted its right to be called one of the great works in the Canadian theatre canon.”—Toronto Star
We can guarantee that this wonderful play will have you roaring with laughter at the odd characters and at Billy’s hijinks, enjoying great songs, white-knuckled as you join in his battles in the air, and teary-eyed at the tragedies of war.
I’m directing the play with a small professional Edmonton theatre company, Edmonton Repertory Theatre, at a brand new theatre space in the city: the beautiful Biederman Theatre on the 3rd floor at Lifestyles Options Retirement Community, 17203-99 Ave. NW. Free parking on the street and in the lot to the west of the building.
The brilliant young actor, Steven Greenfield, plays Billy and 21 other roles with great panache; the Narrator-Piano Player—a kind of musical Greek chorus-- is the amazing Cathy Derkach. Both are seasoned pros at the top of their game and have been a joy to rehearse with.
Billy Bishop, as most of you will know, was a great Canadian war hero from WW1, a flyer at the dawn of human flight, the top “ace” pilot in all the allied forces.
The play is high-level musical and theatrical entertainment and both a biopic and a coming-of-age play. It also raises a few thought-provoking questions, such as:
What is a hero?
What’s different about a Canadian, as opposed to an American or a British hero?
How did this very unlikely Canadian boy, a low achiever in school more interested in girls than the military, become a hero in the allied war effort?
At a time when the world--and Canada—face many new challenges, this is a play that will keep you laughing and humming along, while it still probes some important and timely questions.
Our production opens on Friday October 24 and runs most evenings until Nov. 8
Tickets are available on Eventbrite at
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/billy-bishop-goes-to-war-by-john-maclachlan-gray-with-eric-peterson-tickets-1724335918149?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawNZZcBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFteGh5VWI4SnNGeXVsNTlPAR48Z9wGDpPGq-K3BwPrNlg3BIIhvj8tP12wQipu5YlSZAp6glZp3S-wTMn2XA_aem_i6XQD1HXUldw9Mbnzv8lkg
I very much hope to see you there!
Gerry
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