June 28 to September 23, 2017
7 1 0 2 S P U O R G kets on sale March 1! Tic
LIVE. ORIGINAL. CANADIAN. THEATRE.
Gil Garratt Artistic Director There’s nothing quite like that drive home after the show, with a group of friends, after you’ve just taken in a thrilling, hilarious, moving, affecting night at the theatre. All of you still laughing, still thinking, still feeling the echo of the magic of live theatre ringing off that stage. There’s a special sensation, an energy that stays with you, from when you first take your seat in the hall until that moment when the actors bow and you rise to your feet. That sensation, the live theatre, stays with you. And that sensation rises again when you can join with your friends and colleagues in remembering that laughter, retelling that part of the story, repeating the line that struck you so… sharing those reverberations together. At its heart, Blyth Festival was built for one reason: to bring people together. So, gather your people, book your dates, and come back to Blyth: Canada’s hometown. Always Relevant. Always Real.
Photo by Shawn Loughlin, The Citizen
This is Blyth.
2015-2017 Season Sponsors
@GilGarratt Cover image by Terry Manzo
Parkland FUEL CORPORATION
Media Sponsor
2017 Season
1.877.862.5984
blythfestival.com
June 28 to August 19 | World Premiere
MR. NEW YEAR’S EVE: A night with Guy Lombardo by David Scott
Though his own father adamantly opposed Guy’s love of Jazz, and Canadian radio stations showed active disinterest, Guy’s dedication to his craft was all consuming, and no obstacle could block his path to his dreams. Friend and influential colleague of some of the biggest names in show biz, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians blazed a path from Huron County to the Big Apple, the likes of which has never been seen, before or since. July 5 to August 19
THE BERLIN BLUES by Drew Hayden Taylor
Two German developers arrive unannounced on the sleepy, fictional Otter Lake reserve.They have with them international investors, $164 million dollars, and blueprints for a “Native Theme Park,” complete with bumper canoes, an international longhouse of pancakes, and a giant laser dream catcher. What ensues is a hilarious, laugh-a-minute riot, as some members of the community try to shut down the development, while others leap in with both feet. Full of absurd gags and indelible, larger-than-life characters, The Berlin Blues is a slap down drag ’em out cultural appropriation comedy of the highest (and lowest) order. August 9 to September 23 | World Premiere
Images by Terry Manzo
THE PIGEON KING by The Company When Arlan Galbraith created his company, Pigeon King International, he boasted some fifty-years as a top breeder. When he announced he’d even bred his own distinct prize winning line of racers few of his friends doubted his downy coronation. Over the next seven years, Pigeon King International became a massive empire, worth tens of millions of dollars, with farmers investing from both sides of the border only to collapse in a bankruptcy filing of epic proportions. Convicted of fraud in a Waterloo Court, Arlan Galbraith was sentenced to seven years for his preposterous Pigeon Ponzi scheme. The Pigeon King is a country parable for our times, reminding us that what takes flight always comes home to roost. August 16 to September 16 | World Premiere
IPPERWASH by Falen Johnson & Jessica Carmichael In 1942 under the War Measures Act, the National Department of Defense expropriated 2400 acres of the Stoney Point people’s territory. Families were moved to nearby Kettle Point. This move allowed for the creation of Camp Ipperwash, a training base for Canadian soldiers that was promised to return to the people of Stony Point after World War II. It took over 70 years for that promise to be fulfilled. Now that the land has been returned, the process of decontamination and healing has begun. Ipperwash tells the story of resistance, resilience, and reclamation.
Group Prices $30 preferred | $25 regular | $17 preview | $13.50 youth ANY GROUP OF 12 OR MORE WILL DO! As a group, you’re entitled to special rates on tickets and access to priority seating prior to the general public. Group orders open March 1, so be sure to book early! Plus, as an added bonus, you’ll recieve one complimentary ticket for each group of 12 paid tickets. The Blyth experience is unlike any other. Let us point out a local attraction, a shopping or fine dining destination, a charming country tour, or arrange a country supper ($19/person), a home-cooked meal served country-style. A 15% deposit is due upon receipt of the invoice (forwarded March 1 or within two days of the order date thereafter). Group orders must be paid in full four weeks prior to the performance date. Orders not paid by these dealdines will be released. A $7 handling fee will be applied to all orders. Be sure to include your motorcoach driver, if applicable, when ordering tickets as many performances do sell out. Wheelchair seating and assisted listening devices are limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Please mention any special requests when placing your order.
CALL TODAY! 1.877.862.5984 Lisa Harper, Audience Services Manager Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm Email: info@blythfestival.com Mail: 423 Queen Street, PO Box 10, Blyth ON N0M 1H0
Seating Plan BLYTH MEMORIAL COMMUNITY HALL 431 Queen Street, Blyth
2017 Calendar
The Blyth Festival is housed in the historic Blyth Memorial Community Hall, 431 Queen Street in the rural village of Blyth. Directions: Located on Huron County Road 4, south of Hwy 86, north of Hwy 8. Parking: Free on all side streets and in the town parking lot across from the theatre.
MAINSTAGE
Blyth Memorial Community Hall 431 Queen Street Lombardo Mr. New Year’s Eve: A Night with Guy Lombardo Berlin The Berlin Blues Pigeon The Pigeon King Ipperwash Ipperwash
Blyth Festival is a proud and active member of
Blyth Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of an Ontario government agency un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario
1.877.862.5984
blythfestival.com
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Happy Canada Day!
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6:15 Supper: Walton Hall
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Supper: Fish Fry Lower Hall
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Bonanza Weekend - AUG 18 - 20 Purchase a Bonanza Pass and see four plays in three days. A Blyth Festival tradition! Opening Night Gala Dinner June 30 | 5:45pm | $40 Begin the season in style at our Gala Opening Night Dinner in the newly renovated Lower Hall. CKNX Night - June 28 | $9.20 Join our friends at CKNX Radio for the first preview of the season! Proceeds to benefit the Actors’ Fund of Canada. Country Suppers | $19 Home-cooked meals served at local venues Friday and Saturday evenings. Blyth Spirit Members at the $100+ level are invited to join Artistic Director Gil Garratt and company members at a pre-show reception in the Lower Hall. RSVP required. Talk Back Join cast members after the 2pm performance for an informal talk in the Lower Hall.
2:00 Truth Donnelly 2:00 Supper: Walton Hall 6:15 Supper: Walton Hall employees, On Truth behalf of those2:00 whoDonnelly have serious 2:00 allergies, we respectfully ask that artists, and patrons refrain from wearing 8:00 Donnelly Truth Truth 8:00 Donnelly perfume, scented hairspray, cologne, 8:00 scented deodorants,8:00 aftershave, or other scented products in the theatre building. 20
2:00 Donnelly