For immediate release
August 7, 2009
Contact: Karen Stewart, Dir. Of Mktg & Dev.
519-523-9300/877-862-5984, ext 209
Photo attached: Gil Garratt & Catherine Fitch. Photo by Terry Manzo
Nuttiness Reigns in The Nuttalls
An Outrageously Funny World Première at the Blyth Festival
The Governor General's Award-winning playwright Michael Healey is back with the world première of The Nuttalls. Last seen in Blyth with The Drawer Boy, Healey is one of Canada's most successful playwrights.
During a heartfelt standing ovation for his opening night speech at the Gala Dinner in 2008, Michael Healey turned to Artistic Director Eric Coates and declared he would be writing a new play for "this" audience. A few weeks later, Healey witnessed the extraordinary chemistry between veteran Canadian artists Catherine Fitch and Gil Garratt in Courting Johanna and decided that he wanted to write something for these two talented actors.
"This play examines the age-old fact that we feel we're allowed to treat family way, way worse than we'd treat a stranger," says Healey. "Way worse."
Fitch plays Ev, the agoraphobic owner/operator of Confederation Cabins, a resort located on Lake Huron just south of Goderich. Her fascination with former Prime Ministers and Royal Doulton figurines contributes to the nuttiness of life with the Nuttalls.
Garratt, as her ne'er-do-well adult son, creates an unforgettable character who is heartbroken over the loss of his own true love. In an attempt to escape the clutches of his whacky mom, he launches a bizarre plan to join the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan.
Hysterical secrets and lies create an insidiously funny trap for mother and son. Claire Burns, a recent graduate of George Brown Theatre School, provides the necessary balance of truth in her role as Beebe, the long lost girlfriend.
The Nuttalls is directed by Kate Lynch (Courting Johanna, 2008). The design team includes Kelly Wolf (Set & Costumes) and Michael Walton (Lighting), Todd Charlton (Resident Sound Designer) and John Millard (Composer). Dini Conte is the Stage Manager, Joanna Barrotta is the Assistant Stage Manager and Heather Thompson is Apprentice Stage Manager.
The Nuttalls plays in repertory at the Blyth Festival until September 5th. Tickets are available online at www.blythfestival.com or by calling 1-877-862-5984 (519-523-9300, local).
The Nuttalls is generously sponsored by Ideal Supply Company Limited. The Media Sponsor is CJCS/MIX FM, Stratford. The 2009 Season Sponsors are Sparling's Propane and CTV.
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