Theater, Museums, and Festivals
Never imbued with a cult of wilderness like the nearby Adirondack mountains, the Thousand Islands since the mid-nineteenth century have been a very sociable place that featured collective community activities--regattas, races, festivals.
Theaters (United States) or Theatres (Canada) |
Clayton Opera House, Clayton, NY
The complete list of shows at the Opera House is available on their website.
In 2002, when the Thousand Islands Performing Arts Fund launched the Opera House Revival Project at the request of the Town of Clayton, it sought to preserve the building’s historical features and bring its infrastructure up to 21st century standards. The resulting $3.2 million renovation improved seating, installed heating and air conditioning, upgraded plumbing and electrical, extended the building to add amenities for performers, installed an elevator, and preserved and enhanced the third floor for community activities.
The renovation included exterior improvements, heating and air-conditioning systems, an elevator, major electrical and plumbing upgrades, new bathrooms, state and federal access and egress compliance and third floor improvements. Also included is an addition to the back of the building needed to house mechanicals, a “green room” for performers and dressing rooms. The venue also gained new stage curtains, lighting and rigging, a new sound system and an exquisitely transformed interior.
Over 400 donors contributed to the Centennial Campaign to Renovate the Clayton Opera House and raised more than $3,000,000. The Opera House tributes this success to Dr. John Eppolito and Glorian Reinman who began the grassroots campaign. Of this total, $1,300,000 was contributed by State and Federal agencies. Gifts and pledges made to the Centennial Campaign by March 31, 2007 were matched one-for-one by a New York State “challenge grant” secured by Senator James Wright. The generosity of our broad donor base clearly illustrates the enthusiasm with which the renovation project and the overall revival of the Opera House was received.
Check the Clayton Opera House Website
Clayton Opera House
405 Riverside Drive, Clayton New York 13624
Opera House: 315-686-2200 / TIPAF Admin Office: 315-686-1037 / Fax: 315-686-4916
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Thousand Islands Playhouse, Gananoque, Ontario
The Thousand Islands Playhouse at Gananoque is on the water and their two fully renovated heritage theatres are well known throughout the arts community.
Founded by Artistic Director, Greg Wanless more than a quarter century ago, the Thousand Islands Playhouse at Gananoque now offers a full summer season of performances at two theatres. The Springer and Firehall Theatres present eight dynamic theatrical productions, professional art exhibitions, and six lively concerts between May and November. Originally the building was the home of the Gananoque Canoe Club, before the club was moved to a new headquarters situated on the Gananoque River.
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The Island Belle I, brings theatre patrons to the Thousand Islands Playhouse, Gananoque ON |
www.1000islandsplayhouse.com
On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, Ashlie Corcoran, Artistic Director Designate for the Thousand Islands Playhouse, announced her inaugural playbill, unveiling the company’s 2013 season. Audiences will be treated to a diverse season of fun comedies, musicals and Canadian tales, producing three productions in association with companies that represent Canada from coast to coast.
The 2013 season opens at the Springer Theatre with
Suds, the Rocking 60s Musical Soap Opera, from
May 24 – June 22. This
rock’n’roll fairy tale, filled to the brim with great music and characters from the 60s, was created by
Melinda Gilb, Steve Gunderson, Will Roberson and Bryan Scott and is filled with dozens of chart-topping songs. The second Springer production is
Boeing Boeing, June 28 – July 27, a
classic comedy that tells the hilarious story of a three-timing bachelor who moves faster than a 747 to keep his air-hostess fiancées apart. This non-stop farce by Marc Camoletti, translated by Beverley Cross and revised by Francis Evans, will be produced in association with Western Canada Theatre.
The Firehall Theatre’s 10th Season opens with Third Floor from July 5– August 3, by award-winning Queen’s graduate Jason Hall. The romantic comedy with a thriller twist follows the unusual relationship between a young woman and her new across-the-hall neighbour.
August brings The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee, August 2 – August 31 at the Springer Theatre. This lovable hit musical, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, with music & lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin and additional material by Jay Reiss , is pure F-U-N, as six charming and quirky pre-teens compete in a spelling bee run by three equally quirky grown-ups.
From August 16- September 14, The (Post) Mistress, a unique musical by Tomson Highway, produced in Association with Nova Scotia’s Ship’s Company Theatre, plays at the Firehall Theatre. Nova Scotia actor Martha Irving plays the gossipy postmistress sharing a small town’s secrets.
Two moving tales from the Maritimes end the Springer Theatre 2013 season. No Great Mischief, the highly acclaimed saga of family love adapted by David Young from the novel by Alistair MacLeod, plays September 13 – October 5. Originally produced by Tarragon Theatre, the play vibrantly brings the story of two adult brothers from Cape Breton Island to life, as they revisit the family, stories and songs that shaped their lives. The season closes with Salt-Water Moon, October 11 – November 2, the nostalgic romantic comedy by David French about two young sweethearts who reunite under a Newfoundland moon one night in 1926.
In January 2013, TIP will also launch a new initiative, a year-long residency program designed to nurture promising playwrights from the region. The Playwrights’ Unit writers will develop new plays over the course of the residency – with the Playhouse audience and resources of both of our venues in mind. These works will be developed through monthly collaborative meetings and dramaturgical support, culminating in a free PlayReading series in December 2013.
The company’s Outreach department will continue to grow, with the Young Company's performance of Peg and the Yeti, by Monica Dufault, adapted from the book by Kenneth Oppel, as well as student matinees for Springer Theatre productions, workshops, and pre and post-show engagement activities.
For more information visit the company’s new website, www.1000islandsplayhouse.com. For subscriptions and tickets call the Box Office, 613 382-7020 or (toll-free) 1-866-382-7020
WHY I CHOSE THESE PLAYS FOR 2013 – from Ashlie Corcoran
Suds: It was really important to me to find a joy-filled, fun musical for our 2013 opening show. I was looking for something with fun, familiar music that would get our audience humming these tunes as they walked to their cars!
Boeing Boeing: I intend to program one “classic comedy” a season – works that will leave the audience in stitches. Our audience loves a farce – and this classic French piece (complete with slamming doors, illicit kisses, and physical comedy galore) is perfect! I am proud that this production of Boeing Boeing will be a co-production with Western Canada Theatre, created here, then travelling to Kamloops, BC.
Third Floor: Thousand Island Playhouse’s track record of developing new Canadian scripts is something I plan to celebrate. Jason Hall was a classmate of mine at Queen’s University and last summer, I collaborated with him on the world premiere of Third Floor at Toronto’s Summerworks Festival. Just as the play’s funny dialogue relaxes into a rom-com mode, the script changes gear, and becomes a Hitchcockian thriller. Our audience jumped out of their seats every night!
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: This is a piece that I’ve already had the pleasure of directing once. It is definitely one of the most fun – while still being smart and savvy – pieces that I’ve ever worked on. The music is catchy and hummable; the actors are constantly interacting with the audience and there is audience participation (every night audience volunteers are part of the contest). This wildcard aspect of the play makes it really entertaining!
The (Post) Mistress: The (Post) Mistress is smart and charming, with a wonderful story and accessible music. I am thrilled that Martha Irving, who played the role in Nova Scotia, will be reprising it. I know our audience is going to fall in love with the story, with Marie-Louise the title character, and with Martha Irving herself.
No Great Mischief: This is a beautiful adaptation of a superb Canadian novel. Richard Rose’s staging is simple, theatrical and imaginative. The use of storytelling and direct address to the audience is breathtaking; the inclusion of East Coast music – played live by the actors on stage – is entertaining and wholly transporting. Most importantly, the play tells the story of the need for family, for love and for connection
Salt-Water Moon: Producing Canadian classics – to celebrate and build on our heritage – is a priority of mine at TIP. Since Salt-Water Moon’soriginal production 28 years ago, the piece has been produced more than 200 times all around the world. This success can be attributed to the fact that the play is both straightforward and sophisticated. It is a beautiful and simple love story, with colourfully descriptive dialogue and humour. Importantly, it is also an exploration of young people searching for their paths.
For ticket information please call the Box Office
Phone: (613) 382-7020 Toll-Free 1-866-382-7020
Fax: (613) 382-4506 Voicemail Extension: 36
E-Mail: boxoffice@1000islandsplayhouse.com
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Brockville Arts Centre, Brockville, Ontario
Located in downtown Brockville this building is owned City of Brockville and operated by the Parks and Recreation Department. This year-round facility has a seating capacity of 761; and the theatre regularly hosts some of the finest stage actors and music productions in Ontario and Canada. A new electronic newsletter is now sent to patrons and subscribers to announce the playbill and provide up-to-date information.
Inside the Arts Centre, The City of Brockville operates a art exhibition space displaying the work of local and regional artists, rotating on a monthly basis. The purpose of this exhibition space is to enhance public awareness, provide access to and promote the visual artists throughout the city.
Check out their website for current productions and future events.
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Harry Connick, Jr. at the Brockville Arts Centre. Glyn Davies photograph. |
Address:
PO Box 5000
235 King St. West
Brockville, Ontario Canada K6V 7A5 | Telephone:
Box Office (613) 342-7122
Toll Free 1-877-342-7122
Production (613) 342-7122
Fax-Box Office/Administration (613) 345-2615
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