Thousand Islands Playhouse supports arts industry with ‘2021 Replay’

Next week, theatre enthusiasts have the opportunity to enjoy all the 2021 productions from the Thousand Islands Playhouse in the comfort of their homes.

2021 Replay is a week-long program that will run from Tuesday, Jan. 25 to Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. Viewers “Pay What You Can” to stream the four productions from the 2021 season at home and on-demand, the Playhouse announced on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022.

The line-up for 2021 Replay includes:

• Michele Riml’s Sexy Laundry, Directed by Krista Jackson, starring Sarah Dodd and Shawn Wright.
• Thom Currie’s Back in ’59, Directed and Choreographed by Stephanie Graham, starring Jeremy Carver-James, Andrew Hodwitz, Justine Lewis and Julia McLellan.
• Marcia Johnson’s Serving Elizabeth, Directed by Marcel Stewart, starring Shannon Currie, Jordin Hall, Marcia Johnson, Makambe K Simamba, and Andy Trithardt
• Melody Johnson’s Miss Caledonia, Directed by TIP’s Managing AD Brett Christopher, starring Janelle Hanna and Quinn Dooley

When asked about how the Playhouse came up with this idea, Brett Christopher, Managing Artistic Director, said that the idea for 2021 Replay was two-fold. “We wanted to find a way to add some joy and offer accessible theatre to everyone at home during this trying time. But we also recognize this is an especially challenging period for Canada’s independent performing artists, and so we wanted to find a way to also support our industry. We felt this was a great opportunity to take our four productions from 2021 out of the vault and offer them for limited-time streaming, all in support of The AFC.”

Christopher went on to explain that the AFC is a national charity with a mission to help Canada’s arts and entertainment professionals maintain their health, dignity, and ability to work.

“It is now, more than ever, that the independent performing artists, ones that have taken part in these very productions, are leaning on the AFC for areas of emergency like financial assistance, mental health support, career sustainability, etc. They truly are the lifeline of Canada’s entertainment industry and we are really excited to support them through this program. Requests for support from the AFC have tripled during the pandemic,” he expressed.

The artists involved in the 2021 season were happy to have the chance to leverage the productions to support what they feel is a very important national charity, Christopher shared.

“They have seen so many of their fellow performing artists lose contracts, struggle, and, in many cases, leave the industry altogether. Producers, like ourselves, need to understand that supporting independent contractors from our industry during the pandemic is key to a quick rebound when we can reconvene in our theatres. And it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

Learn more about the program and find details on each production at the 1000 Islands Playhouse website.