BLYTH - The stories for this season at the Blyth Festival come from right around the corner at the local garage, to just down the road to the farms of Huron County, up the highway to the heart of the big city and stretch all the way out to a rural hospital in Saskatchewan.
Artistic Director Peter Smith is excited about the season as much for the stories being presented as the collection of artists, technicians and staff who will put it all together for the audience.
“Where we’re from is filled with terrific story and peopled by great characters. I’m excited about this season because the plays will have the audience laughing, tapping their toes, and hooked on the heart of what they’ll be seeing,” he said.
Dear Johnny Deere (June 11 – June 22) by Ken Cameron, based on the music of Fred Eaglesmith, directed by Eric Coates.
The hit from summer 2012 is back by popular demand and for a limited run. There will be more drivin’, shootin’, cheatin’, schemin’ and boozin’ down on the farm complete with a whole lot more singin’ as the cast rock it with Fred Eaglesmith’s biggest hits. The Blyth Festival’s former artistic director, Eric Coates, will return to direct this revival.
Beyond the Farm Show (June 26 – August 16) Directed by Severn Thompson and developed by the company from the Farms of Huron County.
Inspired by the original Farm Show, these are the stories of the men, women and families who work the farm now. Led by Severn, a group of actors have gone out along the concession roads and built a play based on the sights, sounds and characters of the barns, fields and homes of Huron County – a world-premiere play about the incredible and ever-evolving culture of agriculture.
Yorkville – the Musical (July 3 – August 11) Book and Lyrics by Carolyn Hay and music by Tom Szczesniak.
Think “Green Acres” in reverse. Instead of the city folks coming to the country without a clue, this play focuses on pair of country gals who move to the heart of the city. They’re seeking love, fame, and fortune. Their gift: step-dancing. What could possibly go wrong? Off the rails, back on the rails, and off the rails again, Yorkville-the musical is a whole lot of singing and step-dancing fun all the way to the final kiss in this world-premiere play.
Garrison’s Garage (July 31 – August 31) A Comedy by tTed Johns.
Premiered in Blyth in 1985 – the play was an instant hit. A field officer from Revenue Canada has his car break down in the ‘middle of nowhere.’ In the process of trying to get it fixed at the local garage, a place run by an eccentric mechanic, he discovers what he thinks is the scam of the century. What he finds out is something else entirely. A play filled with humour and a great cast of characters – characters you may know – one of them might even look like you.
Prairie Nurse (August 7 – August 31) by Marie Beath Badian.
It’s November 1969. Two nurses just off the plane from the Philippines arrive at a rural hospital in Arborfield – population 500. No one in town can tell them apart, including the lab tech at the hospital whose real job is to play goalie for the Arborfield Flyers. He falls in love with one nurse but accidentally courts them both. It’s a comedy of errors with a great heart in this world-premiere play.
New Adventure Passes are now on sale at the Blyth Festival. For a minimum $85 pre-Christmas price, by one ticket to four different main stage shows and book seats later in the spring. The traditional flexible passes are also still available.
For more information about the 2013 Season or to take advantage of the early bird prices, visit online or call the box office at 1-877-862-5984.
