2019 - 2020 Tickets - $60 Members - $54 Under 19 - $30 Welcome to the 2019-2020 Spotlight Series Welcome to the 2019-20 Spotlight Series, our That’s why the offerings this season are so flagship program at the Playhouse. This season diverse. We truly have something for everyone, we invite you to join us for an exciting lineup including classical, contemporary and traditional featuring critically-acclaimed artists from close to performances in music, theatre, dance, and circus. home, across Canada, and the world over. I would like to thank the people and The Spotlight series plays an important role in organizations that make this award-winning achieving our goal to provide the community series possible. Our sponsors, donors (the Friends with enriching live performance experiences. We of the Fredericton Playhouse), funders and other believe these experiences enhance our lives in partners continue to be there for us, and for you, meaningful ways – developing a stronger sense the audience. of self, learning and shaping the way we look I hope you enjoy these performances as much as at the world, connecting people, and providing we enjoy presenting them to you. a healthy dose of escapism. Personally, I like to think that we are helping make “the good life” in Greater Fredericton even better. Tim S. Yerxa We want everyone in the community to see the Executive Director Playhouse as a place where they are welcome. Media Partners Funding Partners 2 Want the Best Seats at Discounted Prices? Become a Join today and receive… • First access to the best seats and special pricing* on all Spotlight Series and Special Presentation performances • Special savings for Spotlight Partner series** • No return fees • Special offers for Experience More! enrichment programs and other select performances throughout the year Membership $55 * Maximum 6 tickets per membership per performance ** Theatre New Brunswick, Atlantic Ballet Atlantique Canada, New Brunswick Country Showcase and Symphony New Brunswick 3 Tuesday, September 24 Jenn Grant Great Lake Swimmers A Double Bill Concert Tickets - $38 Members - $34 Students - $19 A heralded singer and songwriter from Prince Edward Island, Jenn Grant is embarking on a new journey with her best collection of songs to date. The Juno nominated artist’s new album, ‘Compostela,’ which translates to Field of Stars, teeters on psychedelic folk and welcomes you into a balladry of melodic storytelling. Grant is joined by her talented band of players who help to create the colors and textures of her captivating live show. Inspired by the wilderness of the forest and eastern seas of her new home in Nova Scotia, ‘Compostela’ explores time, courage, healing, wonder, and of course love. Toronto-based, Great Lake Swimmers, have established themselves as a beloved indie folk act in Canada and beyond. Their new album ‘The Waves, The Wake’ sees the group branching out to include new sounds such as harp, lute, pipe organ, woodwinds, and percussion, alongside the more familiar flecks and chimes of the banjo, piano, and electric guitar. The Juno award nominees have shared the stage with musical luminaries like Robert Plant, Feist, and Calexico, and have appeared as headliners for many of Canada’s major Folk Music festivals. Exclaim has described them as a “cherished blend of folk and orchestral indie pop.” In partnership with 4 Saturday, October 5 Mariachi Herencia de Mexico Tickets - $34 Members - $31 Students - $17 Nobody could have anticipated the success of the first album by Mariachi Herencia de México, EXPERIENCE MORE an ensemble of student musicians from Chicago’s Mexican-American neighbourhoods. Released in 2017, their debut album, Nuestra Herencia (Our Heritage), received a Latin Authentic Mexican Street Food Experience GRAMMY nomination, attracted local and national news coverage, and created new demand Saturday, Oct. 5 at 5:30 p.m. for appearances around the country. The group has performed alongside major artists like Lila Fredericton Playhouse Downs, Aida Cuevas, Pedro Fernández, as well as some of the most respected mariachi groups Tickets required/$15 ($12 Members) from both sides of the border. This group of students has the talent, training and bravado to hold their own with the best in the world. 5 Thursday, October 17 Mary’s Wedding Atlantic Repertory Theatre Tickets - $34 Members - $31 Students - $17 On the night before her wedding, Mary dreams of a thunderstorm, during which she unexpectedly meets Charlie sheltering in a barn beside his horse. With innocence and humour, the two discover a charming first love. But the year is 1914, and the world is collapsing into a brutal war. Together, they attempt to hide their love, galloping through the fields for a place and time where the tumultuous uncertainties of battle can’t find them. A play with a heart as big as the skies that serve as its stage, Mary’s Wedding is an epic, unforgettable story of love, hope, and survival. The Atlantic Repertory Company helps young professionals with strong ties to Atlantic Canada bridge the gap between advanced training and a steady career path in theatre. Their projects expose these emerging artists to new ideas and insightful guidance from leading directors, writers and mentors that travel here from across the country. Providing paid opportunities to emerging professionals and graduates, the company is a key contributor to the burgeoning theatre scene in New Brunswick and the Atlantic provinces. All the world’s a stage, and the Atlantic Repertory Company is committed to developing the players of tomorrow. Contains mature themes or subject matter. 6 Friday, October 18 Ashley MacIsaac Tickets - $34 Members - $31 Students - $17 Ashley MacIsaac plays the fiddle with an intensity, authenticity and passion that is hard to deny. He learned his chops at an early age mentored by some of the legendary greats of the area, performing all over Prince Edward Island in halls, clubs, barns and kitchens. ‘Hi How Are You’ was released in the mid 90’s and the accolades rolled in, the awards, the touring, the interviews and appearances, the persona took shape and the legend took hold. Ashley continues today with the same passion and dedication to his fans, his craft and his country. Dining Partner 7 Saturday, October 26 Rachel Beck With Atlantic String Machine Tickets – Pay What You Will – Tickets required Glowing with catchy pop hooks, Rachel Beck’s distinctive piano melodies and emotive vocals are captivating audiences across Canada. The Prince Edward Island songbird’s first single, Reckless Heart, hit #1 on the CBC Music Top 20 after earning the most online votes for six weeks straight. Beck’s multi award-winning debut lures listeners into an ethereal and enveloping soundscape, as the songs take you on a trek across a wide emotional range – from regret and grief to wonder and joy. Her hook- driven, emotive piano pop melodies captivate and when you see her live, you are not only brought under her vocal spell, but are an instant fan. In this special concert, Rachel will be performing in harmony with Atlantic String Machine. Known for their other pop music collaborations, ASM produces their own concert series each season and enjoys collaborating with musicians across musical genres, including jazz guitarist Duane Andrews, pop group Paper Lions, folk group The Once and singer songwriters such as Matthew Byrne. Each member of the group brings considerable professional experience in several musical genres, having performed with internationally recognized symphony and chamber orchestras, ensembles and individual artists – including Barbara Streisand, Steven Page, Ron Sexsmith and Andrea Bocelli. 8 Wednesday, October 30 Juliet & Romeo Decidedly Jazz Danceworks Tickets - $32 Members - $29 Students - $16 In this original dance piece, inspired by the classic tale of the star-crossed lovers, Kimberley Cooper has created a new world for these themes of love and violence to wrestle and play. Adapted by Cory Bowles, with original live music by Nick Fraser, this work gives new breath to one of Shakespeare’s best known and loved works. Decidedly Jazz Danceworks is one of the only companies worldwide with jazz dance and music as its raison d’etre. Performing both in its hometown of Calgary and on tour across Canada and beyond, they’ve produced more than 60 original works since its inception in 1984, many with live music. The company’s high energy and unique style have caused people to describe their work as “music for the eyes.” 9 Saturday, November 2 The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari A Special film screening with live orchestration Featuring members of Symphony New Brunswick and Resonance Tickets - $26 Members - $23 Students - $13 Symphony New Brunswick joins forces with New Brunswick-based experimental and new classical music company Resonance for this innovative performance. A nine-piece live orchestra performs an original score by New Brunswick composer Andrew Miller alongside the screening of the 1920 silent horror film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. This German Expressionist film shares the story of a murderous hypnotist and is considered one of the most influential films of all time. Resonance supports the creation and production of experimental music, improvised music, artistic collaborations and new classical music in New Brunswick. Almost 100 works have been premiered for various projects: written by composers across Canada. 10 Thursday, November 7 Tara MacLean’s Atlantic Blue The Stories of Atlantic Canada’s Iconic Songwriters Tickets - $34 Members - $31 Students - $17 Celebrated PEI born singer/songwriter, Tara MacLean, takes you on a journey into the past, telling the story of how music arrived and thrived on the East Coast of Canada. Atlantic Blue is about the place and the people behind classic songs like Sonny’s Dream, Put Your Hand in the Hand, Fare Thee Well Love, Movin’ on, Working Man, and many more, who found a way to create beauty from the challenging experiences in their own lives.