BINGO LADIES

Lucky charms, big dreams, and a troll named Thor. It’s Friday night at the Bingo Hall and the gloves are off! Carol needs to pay off her debts. Sandi’s hot for Lou, the rock n’ roll Bingo caller. And then there’s octogenarian Irene, oxygen tank in tow, who always wins. When Carol steals Irene’s lucky spot it sets off a course of events none of them could have predicted…

A new musical about friendship, gambling, and just how far we’ll go for the big win.

Small scale musical comedy, (3F, 1M)

PRODUCTION HISTORY:
2014 – Lunchbox Theatre, Calgary (Premiere of one act version) ~ April 28 – May 17.
2014 – Port Stanley Festival Theatre (Premiere of Full length version) ~ July 10 – 26.
2015 – Hudson Village Theatre, Quebec ~ August 12 – 30.
2016 – Indie Women Productions, Ottawa ~ August 21 – 29.

THE NAMING OF PORT REXTON

It’s 1910 and the town of Ship Cove, NL needs a new name. When it’s decided that the name will be derived from the first child born to either the Randell or Rex families, a baby race ensues as each extended family vies to have the town named either “Port Randell” or “Port Rexton”. But, when a Randell has the first child and it’s a girl, the Rexes push for the rules to be changed so that the town must be named after a boy baby. Based on true events, this is a family musical comedy about getting in the “family way”!

Full length family musical (10F, 7M) in development.

PRODUCTION HISTORY:
2014 – Rising Tide Theatre Festival, July 29 – August 31
2019 – Rising Tide Theatre, July 22 – Sept 2

CAST OF THE NAMING OF PORT REXTON (2019):
The cast of The Naming of Port Rexton 2019, produced by Rising Tide Theatre, Donna Butt AD
Back row L to R: Devon Bryan, Michael Power, Chrissie Baxter, Lonni Patey, Michelle Rex Bailey, Grant Tilly, Reneé Hackett
Front row L to R: Sam Vignault, Elizabeth Hicks, Sarah Connors
Not shown: Stage manager: Cindy Kendall, Director: Kevin Woolridge, Costume and set design: Alison Kate Helmer, Sound design: Maddy Palmer, Lighting design: Lisa V. Oorschot

MY SIDE OF THE COUNTRY

11 young Canadians from across the country are in PEI to take part in a youth conference and discuss the future of the country. As they get to know each other, rivalries and crushes emerge as they explore important issues facing Canada today—from Quebec history and western alienation to First Nations’ rights and the difficulties facing immigrants. Finally, the group decides to face the challenges that make this country so unique, as each person commits to ensuring Canada is a country everyone can call home. A new one-act family musical that brings to life Canadian history as it celebrates our diverse cultures and looks to our future.

One act musical for youth (6F, 5M) in development.

DEVELOPMENT HISTORY:
2017 – Neptune Theatre Youth Performance Company, Halifax N.S. ~ Nov 16 – Nov 19.
2010 – Workshopped through Scriptlab in Toronto, an organization to develop new Canadian Musicals.

REMEMBER THAT SONG?

In this musical we follow a man and a woman from their earliest years in the late 1930’s. He’s from a mining family in Kirkland Lake Ontario, she’s from a family of musicians in Toronto. As the show progresses, we watch them remember the war years, first loves, first jobs, until finally their lives start to intertwine, leading to marriage, children, and many more memories. Remember that Song? is about the the songs that tie us to specific moments in our lives, and the importance of remembering them, even the difficult ones.

One act musical with original music and existing songs (1M, 1F)

PRODUCTION HISTORY:
2016 – Ontario tour Feb 22 – April 23

THE WHOLE ENCHILADA!

Synopsis: The town of Gammond New Mexico is in trouble. After the recent fire (and flood), the local economy has dried up and tourism has tanked. The solution? Attempt to set the World Record for the most Enchiladas consumed by a town of over five hundred people in less than an hour! But when the representative from Finnigan’s Book of Records (a lesser known but no less astiduous version of Guiness) arrives, he puts their record setting attempt, their patience, and their town to the test.

Small cast musical comedy Cast size (3M, 2F)

PRODUCTION HISTORY:
– Currently in development through a Playwright’s Residency with Theatre Orangeville, supported by the Ontario Arts Council.

THE MOON IN AUTUMN

An adaptation of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya, with lyrics/libretto by Richard Ouzounian, music by Grant Tilly.

Set in the Pacific Northwest in 1999, this adaptation of the famous Checkov play sees many of the same themes explored through the lens of the late twentieth century. A folk/bluegrass tinged modern musical score drive these songs of longing and injustice.

Full length musical, (4M, 3F) in development.

DEVELOPMENT HISTORY:
One week workshop with students through Sheridan College in the Spring of 2014, through the Canadian Musical Theatre Project

A JEW A MUSLIM A CHRISTIAN AND AN ATHEIST STUCK IN A ROOM!

“Have you ever wondered what life’s all about? Stick four people in a room, and let them sort it out!”.  This musical is based on years of research into the history of the world’s three major monotheisms and their relationship with Atheism. Jews, Muslims, and Christians have a history that is intertwined and with far more in common than we would think given the usual front page news. The hope for this show is to entertain, and look at the common ground of these religions and atheism, what pulls us apart, and what might help bring us together.

*This show was shortlisted for the 2018 Stage West Best new musical in Development award through the Playwrights Guild of Canada Tom Hendry Awards. Here’s what the Jury had to say:

“I love that the meta set up has a contemporary feel and it has a broad appeal. The dialogue was funny and it was clever. I enjoyed this! I had fun with it and had laughs at parts that surprised me! I was not insulted, which I expected to be! The concept is topical and is not a typical form. I could easily see this produced as it has a lot of potential.”

One act musical comedy (approx. 75 minutes) (2 F, 2 M)

QUEBEC COWBOY – The Ballad of Will James

As a boy growing up in Quebec in the late 1800’s, Ernest Dufault always dreamed of being a Cowboy in the American West. Join him as he hides his french origin, changes his name, and becomes one of the most famous Cowboy Artists and Writers of all time: Will James. Based on a true story.

Full length musical (3M, 1F) in development.

DEVELOPMENT HISTORY:
2015 –A one act version was workshopped at the Suncor Energy Stage One Festival at Lunchbox Theatre
2015 –A full length version was workshopped at the Port Stanley Theatre new play festival

“Touch me: songs for a (Dis)connected Age”

“Touch Me: Songs for a (dis)Connected Age” is a one-act musical revue featuring all-new songs composed by writers from across Canada (and a couple of honorary Canadians too!) Funny, tuneful and sometimes poignant, “Touch Me” is bound to get you thinking about the connections in your life. The show won three Calgary Critics Awards including “Best Production of a Musical”! It was also nominated for three Betty Mitchell Awards and won for Outstanding Musical Direction.

For the production, I wrote the song “Just an Old Ford” about a daughter trying to set her father up on a dating website.

PRODUCTION HISTORY:
2014 –  April 15 – 26
Production soon to be announced for 2017!

Naughty but Nice

Winner of the 2016 Betty Mitchell Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical! A celebration of the holiday season with fabulous songs by composers from across Canada and beyond. with tunes that are sometimes racy, sometimes sweet, Naughty… but Nice! promises to leave you with a song in your heart and a smile on your face.

For this show I wrote the song “Thank You Christians!” about what people who don’t celebrate Christmas get up to on Christmas day, as well as the song To The People That We Lost Last Year.

Update: In 2017 I had the pleasure of being in the show myself, and what a blast it was! Click below to hear a live recording of “Lait de Poule” by Joe Slabe, which I sang with Scott Olynek, Ellie Heath, and Justine Westby (and a bunch of puppet chickens…)

Listen to it HERE!

PRODUCTION HISTORY:
2014 – December 4 – 21
2015 – December 8 – 20
2016 – December 6 – 18
2017 – December 5 – 17