Playwright John Gray coming to Picton!
John Gray, celebrated playwright and composer, is coming to town as part of the Festival Players Playwrights Reading Series. Gray’s new version of his musical Amelia: The Girl Who Wants to Fly, plays in the 2010 season. Gray will be at Books & Company in Picton, on Thursday, April 29th at 7pm. Admission is free and there will be a wine and cheese reception.
Halifax-born, Vancouver-based playwright and composer John Gray is best known for his award-winning and internationally acclaimed musical about a World War I flying ace, Billy Bishop Goes to War. Gray recently reprised his original role in that show, with co-creator Eric Peterson, over two sold-out runs at Soulpepper Theatre in Toronto.
Come meet the playwright, and be treated to a preview of the show itself. Eliza-Jane Scott, who starred in both Ship of Fire and Colours in the Storm in 2009 and who will take on the title role in Amelia this year, will perform a brief excerpt from the play.
Gray has garnered many prestigious awards for his work, including Dora Mavor Moore Awards for Rock and Roll, and the Los Angeles Critics Drama Award, the Governor General’s Award, and the Chalmers Canadian Play Award for Billy Bishop Goes to War. He has won several National Magazine Awards and penned a popular series of Victorian mystery novels. Gray was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2000. A legend in Canadian theatre, he will regale you with tales sure to amuse and inform.
Amelia is the story of the meteoric rise and mysterious disappearance of the legendary Amelia Earhart, pioneering aviatrix. Earhart rose to unimaginable heights, literally and figuratively. This new musical re-imagines her transformation from the “girl next door” to the iconic first woman in flight. Inspiring, insightful and entertaining. It’s part biography, part love story, part thrill of the flight – and chock full of wonderful music.
For more information: 613.399.5677 or www.festivalplayers.ca
Playwrights Reading Series Thursday, April 29, 7pm
With Amelia playwright John Gray
Books & Company, 289 Main Street, Picton
