The Festival Players of Prince Edward County will be hosting its first event of the year on Saturday, February 11th, 2012. Well-known Canadian star of stage and screen Sonja Smits will emcee, guiding guests through an elegant Valentine-themed evening filled with romance, good food, County wine and live entertainment by some of our local theatre’s best-known performers.

Along with a splendid Waring House meal, the evening will also include fabulous live musical theatre performances by John Millard, well-known musical director and composer of Weedy Peetstraw and of Colours in the Storm fame; Michael O’Hara, who appeared many times on the Festival Players stage in such plays as Picton Papers, Ship of Fire, Colours in the Storm and Hank Williams; and Eliza Jane Scott who was loved in Colours in the Storm, Ship of Fire, and, most recently, in Amelia: the Girl Who Wants to Fly.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for theatre lovers to ‘share the love’ a bit, celebrate Valentine’s Day while enjoying their favourite artists and helping to support their local theatre,” said Artistic Director Sarah Phillips.  “We’re thrilled that Sonja is at the helm of this event. She’s an icon in Canadian film, television and theatre and has always encouraged Festival Players, supporting and advising the company since day one.” The evening will also include a live and a silent auction, featuring theatre-related items including a weekend in Stratford, and various theatre-restaurant packages from around Ontario.  The proceeds from the evening will go to support the activities of Festival Players.

“Even when you have a very successful season, which we have had, ticket sales account for barely 30% of the cost of running a professional theatre”, said Phillips.  “We count on fundraising events like this to help us achieve the high calibre theatre our audience has come to expect”.

The evening’s festivities begin at 6pm. Tickets are $100 per person (guests receive a charitable tax receipt for $50 with each ticket purchased). There are a limited number of tickets available. Get yours now and guarantee a seat at what’s sure to be a lovely evening of entertainment! Buy online at CountyTix or by phone at 613.471.1991.

L-R: Randi Helmers as Helen Black, Greg Campbell as Reverend Jacob Ladder, John Millard (musician), Rob Clutton (musician), Rebecca Auerbach as Jeeva, Rick Hyslop (musician) and Paul Rainville as Mister Fleas.

This week is your FINAL chance to see The Ballad of Weedy Peetstraw at Rosehall Run Vineyards and the feedback from audiences is possibly the best we’ve ever had. Maybe it’s the wine, the tent, the TALENT, the music, but people are LOVING this show!

“Terrific, entertaining show! Very well done. Congratulations!”  

“Worth seeing twice! Thanks for a great evening!!!”

“Imagine sitting in a vineyard under a giant tent. You are watching a live performance of a bluegrass opera. The talent is amazing, the script touching and funny. It’s The Ballad of Weedy Peetstraw at Rosehall Run near Wellington. Don’t miss it!”

“Just came from Opening Night at Rosehall Run, I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but you GOTTA
see this production…fabulous. Bravo!” 

“Weedy Peetstraw is an outstanding production and a must see!!”

“Bringing friends to tonight’s performance of Weedy Peetstraw – looking forward to this amazing show again as you always see something more the second time around!”

Described as part bluegrass and part opera this witty, darkly comedic retelling of the Faust legend is sure to delight audiences young and old. The Ballad of Weedy Peetstraw, by Peter Anderson and John Millard, tells the story of a young man who sells his soul to the devil to play the banjo.

For ticket and schedule information about the 2011 season please visit www.festivalplayers.ca or call 613.471.1991/1.866.584.1991. Buy tickets online today at www.countytix.ca.

*Image by Michael Grills Photography

L-R: Ryan Reid as Weedy Peetstraw & Paul Rainville as Mister Fleas

The feedback from audiences of The Ballad of Weedy Peetstraw at Rosehall Run Vineyards, is possibly  the best we’ve ever had. Maybe it’s the wine, the tent, the TALENT, the music, but people are LOVING this show!

“Terrific, entertaining show! Very well done. Congratulations!”

“Worth seeing twice! Thanks for a great evening!!!”

“Imagine sitting in a vineyard under a giant tent. You are watching a live performance of a bluegrass opera. The talent is amazing, the script touching and funny. It’s The Ballad of Weedy Peetstraw at Rosehall Run near Wellington. Don’t miss it!”

“Just came from Opening Night at Rosehall Run, I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but you GOTTA see this production…fabulous. Bravo!”

“Weedy Peetstraw is an outstanding production and a must see!!”

Described as part bluegrass and part opera this witty, darkly comedic retelling of the Faust legend is sure to delight audiences young and old. The Ballad of Weedy Peetstraw, by Peter Anderson and John Millard, tells the story of a young man who sells his soul to the devil to play the banjo.

For ticket and schedule information about the 2011 season please visit www.festivalplayers.ca or call 613.471.1991/1.866.584.1991. Buy tickets online today at www.countytix.ca.

*Image by Michael Grills Photography

L-R: Randi Helmers as Helen Black, Greg Campbell as Reverend Jacob Ladder, John Millard (musician), Rob Clutton (musician), Rebecca Auerbach as Jeeva, Rick Hyslop (musician) and Paul Rainville as Mister Fleas.

Festival Players would like to send out a HUGE thank you to all who came to enjoy the very wet, but fantastic Opening Night of The Ballad of Weedy Peetstraw by Peter Anderson & John Millard.

Thank you to everyone down at Rosehall Run Vineyards, our Official Season Wine Sponsor (and also home to Weedy Peetstraw for the month of August), Fifth Town Cheese (for providing some delicious cheese for the post-show reception), and of course the volunteers, staff, cast and crew for making last night a fabulous night despite the weather.

The Ballad of Weedy Peetstraw will be playing from Aug 2-27, 2011 outdoors under a grand tent at Rosehall Run Vineyards (1243 Greer Rd. in Wellington). This is the third and final show of our 2011 summer season and it’s not one to be missed! A fabulous venue, delicious wine to enjoy while visiting, and a high energy show that will have your toe tapping from start to finish.

Get your tickets today online at www.countytix.ca or call 613-471-1991/1-8660584-1991 or stop by at the Box Office (289 Main Street Picton, inside Books & Co.).

We hope to see you there!

*Photo by Michael Grills Photography

In Prince Edward County, for the month of August, guests will be able to sip a glass, wander among the vines

Described as part bluegrass and part opera this witty, darkly comedic retelling of the Faust legend is sure to delight audiences young and old. The Ballad of Weedy Peetstraw, by Peter Anderson and John Millard, tells the story of a young man who sells his soul to the devil to play the banjo.

“The play is such fun. Brilliant music and a great story. It’s epic. And magical. Out at Rosehall Run, under the grand tent…it’s a recipe for a lovely experience indeed,” says Artistic Director Sarah Phillips.

Estelle Shook, who helmed the Caravan Farm Theatre in Armstrong, BC, where the show premiered years ago, directs a talented cast. Weedy and Jeeva, the young lovers at the center of the story, are played by Ryan Reid (Citadel Theatre, Arts Club, Playhouse Theatre) and Rebecca Auerbach (Theatre Calgary, Alberta Theatre Projects, Charlottetown/Blyth/Drayton Festivals). Joining them in the cast are Greg Campbell (Theatre Passe Muraille, Theatre Aquarius, Sudbury Theatre Centre) as the Reverend Jacob Ladder, Randi Helmers (National Arts Centre, Stratford, Soulpepper) as Weedy’s mother Hazel, and Paul Rainville (Manitoba Theatre Centre, National Arts Centre, Canadian Stage) as the devil’s agent, Mister Fleas. Composer, music director and multi-talented musician John Millard leads the band and is joined by the brilliant Rob Clutton and Rick Hyslop.

For ticket and schedule information about the 2011 season call 613.471.1991/1.866.584.1991 or buy online at www.countytix.ca.

*Photo by Michael Grills Photography

Playwright, Leanna Brodie as Anthea Dalzell

This week is the final week for The Book of Esther by Leanna Brodie! If you haven’t yet had a chance to see it, be sure to check it out before it closes on Saturday, July 30th at Mount Tabor Playhouse in Milford! And did we mention it’s air-conditioned?

In the rural community of Baker’s Creek the Dalzell family struggle to keep their farm, family and faith intact. To top it all off, their 15 year-old daughter Esther has just run away from home. This heart-warming story, from the writer who brought us Schoolhouse, takes us on a young girl’s journey to find herself.

Esther plays Wednesay, July 27th @ 2:00pm & 8:00pm, Thursday, July 28th @ 8:00pm, Friday, July 29th @ 8:00pm & Saturday, July 30th @8:00pm.

For tickets call 613-471-1991/1-866-584-1991, buy online at www.countytix.ca or stop by at the Box Office at 289 Main Street, Picton (inside Books & Company).

We hope to see you there!

*Photo by Michael Grills Photography

Andrew Binks (Prince Edward County)
Krista Dalby (Prince Edward County)
Ned Dickens (Kingston)
Colin Frizzell (Prince Edward County)
Martha Ross (Toronto)

(Umbrellas are available to borrow should you need one. A small, fully refundable deposit is required for umbrellas and MP3 players.)

The walk begins at Books & Company (289 Main Street, Picton). Sounding Ground runs Fridays to Mondays from July 2-October 2. Tickets are $20.00 each.

Information and tickets for Sounding Ground are available at 613-471-1991/1-866-584-199?1 or www.countytix.ca.

The Book of Esther – In the rural community of Baker’s Creek the Dalzell family struggle to keep their farm, family and faith intact. To top it all off, their 15 year-old daughter Esther has just run away from home. This heart-warming story, from the writer who brought us Schoolhouse, takes us on a young girl’s journey to find herself.

Doors at 7:30pm – Showtime at 8:00pm

Come and enjoy this fantastic show and show your support for a truly wonderful cause!

Tickets are on sale now!

Adults: $29.95 +HST
Seniors (65+): $23.75 +HST
Students (21 and under)*: $23.75 +HST

*Valid Student ID required.

For tickets please call 613-471-1991/1-866-584-1991 or buy online today at www.countytix.ca

For more info. about TaborFix please visit http://taborfix.blogspot.c?om/

We hope to see you there!

Tomorrow night we are hosting a ”Ladies Night with Amelia”. With each purchase of a ticket your name will be entered into a draw to win a basket of goodies (including wine from Rosehall Run Vineyards, 2 tickets to The Book of Esther, 2 tickets to The Ballad of Weedy Peetstraw, 1 Picturefest Pass, and a selection of body productions from Sensitive Scents!), Rosehall Run Vineyards will also be joining us to do wine tastings.

Next week The Book of Esther by Leanna Brodie opens with a Preview Performance on Tuesday, July 12 at 8pm at Mt. Tabor Playhouse in Milford! Tickets are only $20.00+HST. We hope to see you there!

There are only 6 days left until the Opening of Amelia and the 2011 Season. You can get your tickets at www.countytix.ca, by calling 613-471-1991/1-866-584-1991, or stop in at the Box Office at 289 Main Street, Picton (inside Books & Co.) 

We hope to see you this summer!