For nearly 25 years, the Gros Morne Theatre Festival serves up a taste of local culture, with songs and stories to captivate the masses in picturesque Cow Head
=====
For the 24th year, Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador’s annual summer showcase of stories, songs and culture returns to one of the most pristine locations on the entire island.
The annual Gros Morne Theatre Festival features two nightly performances across two 92 seat venues in the community of Cow Head at the northern boundary of the Gros Morne National Park. The professional 16 week summer season will include seven productions which range from uplifting and inspiring, to mysterious and even hilarious.
Featuring returning fan favourites and new must-attend events, here is the complete lineup for the 2019 Gros Morne Theatre Festival.
Tempting Providence
by Robert Chafe
Playing: June 29 – Aug. 31, 2019
Directed by Jillian Keiley
She delivered more than 700 babies, extracted at least 5,000 teeth, set broken limbs, performed kitchen table operations by lamplight and was known throughout Newfoundland and Labrador as “Florence Nightingale of the North.” This is a wonderful heartfelt portrayal of Nurse Myra Bennett who for more than 50 years was the only medical aide along the almost 350 miles of rugged coastline on the Great Northern Peninsula.
SS Ethie (dinner theatre)
by Shane Ellis-Coates
Playing: June 22- Aug. 31, 2019
Directed by Jeff Pitcher
The dinner theatre that started it all! This was our very first production at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival in 1996 and it’s been a hit every year since. Based on the true story of the steam ship that ran aground just south of Cow Head in 1919 with 92 passengers and crew aboard. Join Captain English, First Mate John Gullage and the crew and passengers of the SS Ethie on this, the 100th anniversary of her sinking!
The Only Living Father
by Tom Cahill
Playing: July 22 -Sept. 27, 2019
Directed by Adam Brake & Jeff Pitcher
The life and times Joey Smallwood, the first Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and the man who brought us into confederation with Canada in 1949. Colin Furlong who starred as Joey in “Colony of Unrequited Dreams” by Robert Chafe is Joey in this one man tour de force by one of Newfoundland’s best playwrights, Tom Cahill.
Neddy Norris Night
Playing: July 18 – Aug. 29, 2019
Directed by Stephanie Payne
A journey through our history and culture that features traditional Newfoundland music and stories that has been gathered over the years from Newfoundland traditional singers, musicians and poets.
17 Men
by Jeff Pitcher
Playing: June 1 – Sept. 1, 2019
Directed by Jeff Pitcher
An uplifting and spiritual story of the 17 local men from this area of the coast who fought in World War I as they meet at the gates of St. Peter. They sing classic hymns, tell jokes and remember their past in this heart-felt local play that puts a face to men whose names are etched in stone on the Cow Head War Memorial. Where did they come from? Where did they fight? Did they come home? Who are their families today? A personal and revealing portrait of 17 local heroes.
The Double Axe Murders
by Berni Stapleton
Playing: July 13 – Aug. 29, 2019
Directed by Jerry Etienne
Based on the true story! Two trappers mysteriously disappear at Cow Head in 1809 Sarah Singleton, the sister of one of the missing men and the fiancée of the other, and her companion sets out with John Payne to solve the mystery. They stumble upon the trappers’ abandoned cabin in the middle of a cold winter’s night and are menacingly greeted by a mysterious stranger. A long, haunting night ensues as they attempt to discover the gruesome truth.
Newfoundland Vinyl
Playing: June 7- Aug. 30, 2019
Directed by Allison Crowe and Adam Brake
The production features Newfoundland hits from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Musical direction is by Allison Crowe – who does an amazing job of stripping the songs down to their original melody and lyric. The actors perform them with great honesty and feeling evoking wonderful feelings for enthusiastic audiences.
To book tickets or for more information please call 1-877-243-2899 or visit theatrenewfoundland.com