New Play Development at Theatre Orangeville
Theatre Orangeville is now one of Canada’s outstanding regional theatre companies, thanks to our patrons and the many dedicated arts supporters in this community. What makes us particularly proud is that this has been achieved almost exclusively using works by Canadian playwrights.
World Premiere Productions
In achieving this status, Theatre Orangeville has been proud to mount several world premiere productions. In most cases, these were plays by established playwrights and we provided little or no pre-production assistance.
However, to really contribute to the development of theatre in Canada, it is incumbent on us to actively foster new plays from emerging playwrights and to act as an incubator for new works.
New Play Development Fund
It is with a great pride that Theatre Orangeville has established its New Play Development Fund (NPD Fund). A significant donation from a long-time Theatre Orangeville member, plus additional support from other member-donors, has provided initial capital for the Fund. . If you would like to support the New Play Development Fund, David Nairn or Marilyn Logan would be happy to explain more about this exciting new program.
The development process includes:- commissioning new works
- hiring professionals to read and provide feedback on new scripts
- holding week-long intensive workshops, typically ending with a read-through performance
The following plays were developed by the NPD Fund:
NED DURANGO
Musical - coming in 2011
Music and lyrics by Leslie Arden
By Norm Foster
Ex-NHLer, Tom Shaw, is saddled with making the annual Victoria Day Tomato Festival Parade the best that Big Oak has ever seen. His problems may be solved when an aging television cowboy star, Ned Durango, rides to the rescue of the economically troubled small town. From the creators of the sensational musical comedy The Last Resort, this show is a must see for anyone whose heroes have
included cowboys!
5 ACTORS/1 MUSICIAN
STEP RIGHT UP!
Musical
Book and lyrics by Eric Woolfe
Music and lyrics by Paul Sportelli and Jay Turvey
Under the "big top" of life - what's real and what's an illusion?
The carnival…a magical world that rolls through our lives once a year and dazzles us with laughter and thrills, and then vanishes, leaving us a little poorer, a little wiser, but happily, entertained. Step right up, folks, to meet Gorilla Girl, Smidge the Knife Thrower, Gargantua, Voluptua and our heroine, Myrna, as they struggle to find out what’s real and what’s an illusion under the “big top” of life. Prepare to be shocked and amazed as you experience the marvels and wonders of carnival life in this world premiere musical. Step right up, folks….step right up!
4 ACTORS/1 MUSICIAN
ONE MOMENT
Musical
Book and lyrics by Norm Foster
Music by Steve Thomas
A musical that’s both funny and poignant, about six characters who work at a call centre taking orders for a collection of self-improvement DVDs. Danielle is the new girl, fresh out of a small town and into the big city to seek her fortune. Kenny always has a joke and an encouraging word. Gail is her not-so friendly boss who has a big crush on John the aspiring playwright, but John is oblivious to Gail’s overt advances. Maria has had man trouble for all of her adult life. Stuart is the ex-con, newly released from prison and trying to put his life back together again. Then there’s the regular caller on
the other end of the phone who is threatening to end it all. One moment is all it takes to change someone’s life, and before this work day is through, all of their lives will be changed forever.
6 ACTORS/1 MUSICIAN
COULD YOU WAIT?
Musical
Pitre/Diane Leah
A sailor meets the girl of his dreams just before shipping overseas in World War II, the play's title being the implied question on his departure -- Could You Wait? Many weeks and letters later, he decides she's 'the one'. Wanting to pop the question while on leave, he ends up taking her for a
spectacular meal in the sumptuous Imperial Room at The Royal York Hotel. What ensues is an enchanted evening of entertainment where the sweet awkwardness of young love will crack the toughest heart with knowing grins.
Inspired by his parents' own war-time experiences, Joe Matheson has collaborated with Louise Pitre and Musical Director, Diane Leah, to create four original songs. Could You Wait? also features familiar forties tunes like I'll Be Seeing You, I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now and The White Cliffs of Dover.
2 ACTORS/1 MUSICIAN
'TWAS
Holiday Themed Play
By Eric Woolfe
The true story of Santa Claus like you've never heard it before! In a fantastical world inhabited by elves and icy empresses and where one magic book can unlock the key to making any toy in the entire world, the destiny of a young cat burglar called Crimson Nick is revealed.
4 ADULTS/6 OR MORE CHILDREN
THE GIANT’S GARDEN
Musical
Book and lyrics by Peter Fenton and Scott White
Music by Scott White
Oscar hopes his troubles will be over when he escapes the evil men from the workhouse by running into The Deep Dark Forest, but his adventures have only just begun. Indeed the fate of the world may depend on how brave he can be, and what he is willing to sacrifice as he becomes involved in a battle between Summer and Winter over a mysterious garden filled with talking birds and flowers, runaway children, and one very selfish Giant.
5 ADULTS/6 OR MORE CHILDREN/ 1 MUSICIAN
FREEDOM 85
Comedy
By Debra Hale
Meet Sybil, an extremely feisty 85 year-old English immigrant. Meet Kate, a wayward young woman who is trying to make a fresh start after a long struggle with personal demons. Together they plot the ultimate nursing home escape! This two woman multi-character, energetic "tour de force" is a touching comedy that will introduce audiences to the magic of euchre, memories of wartime Britain, romance and .... love.
2 ACTORS/14 CHARACATERS
