The 21st season of Theatre by the Bay (TBTB) kicked off last night with the official launch party announcing a summer slate full of shows.
The launch event took place Thursday evening at Lions Gate Banquet Centre on Blake Street and saw approximately 65 guests on hand to hear more details about the plays, the festival and the TBTB documentary that will showing this year.
The company’s Artistic Director, Iain Moggach, was very excited to share the news.
“We’ve got two world-premiere productions this year that really tap into some really interesting tidbits in Barrie’s history, but told in ways that are theatrical and dramatic by some incredibly compelling storytellers,” Moggach told BarrieToday.
Bobbie, by local playwright Trudee Romanek, is the uplifting story of a true Canadian sports icon, Fanny 'Bobbie' Rosenfeld. It chronicles her family’s journey as they fled from the violence and turmoil of Russia to the safety of Barrie.
It was here in our lakeside city that Rosenfeld developed the passion for sport and began her incredible journey to become an Olympic champion. It's a powerful story of perseverance, passion and triumph in the face of personal and professional adversity. Bobbie runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 10.
Icemen, the newest play by Governor General’s Award-winning playwright Vern Thiessen, is described as a gritty, edge-of-your-seat thriller. It’s the height of the Great Depression and two desperate brothers commit an act of vengeance and defiance against their employer, who threatens to take away an important part of their livelihood, which is harvesting ice on Kempenfelt Bay. It's showing from Nov. 1 to Nov. 12.
The Simcoe County Theatre Festival returns with six new productions written, directed and performed by local artists. Organizers promise a play for every taste, including a stoner comedy, dramas and even an opera. It runs from July 12 to July 23.
The Spark Development Series is TBTB’s new script development program. It will provide local playwrights with workshops and mentorship under the guidance of program co-ordinator Leah Holder.
Moggach also said he was looking forward to Twenty Years by the Bay, a feature-length documentary marking the company’s 20th season.
“For the last few years, we’ve been working on a documentary about our 20 years running," he told BarrieToday. "It chronicles our journey from Shakespeare By The Tent to what we are today, which is known for incredible local story productions.
"I think it is a really interesting look into the complications that come with trying to make theatre in a regional community, but also the triumphs and wonderful things that can happen at the same time," Moggach added.
Directed by Khaleel Gandhi, the documentary features more than 20 interviews from company artists, staff members and community members.
All shows will take place at the Five Points Theatre.
Ticket information is available by clicking here.
