Update: Valerie Stewart is the winner of free tickets!
Theatre New Brunswick’s Main Stage season opens on October 11 with a new world premiere comedy by beloved playwright Norm Foster. Hilda’s Yard follows the story of one ordinary family on one ordinary day in 1956 as empty-nesters Sam and Hilda Fluck discover their nest’s not so empty after all.
“In 1983 a Fredericton radio host premiered his first play on the TNB Main Stage. Today he’s Canada’s most-produced playwright,” says Artistic Producer Caleb Marshall who also directs the premiere. “We couldn’t be more proud of Norm and we’re thrilled to bring him home with the premiere of this tender family comedy.”
Norm Foster’s plays receive an average of 150 productions annually. Of his nearly 50 scripts, Hilda’s Yard marks the eighth to premiere at Theatre New Brunswick, opening 15 years to the day since his last TNB world premiere.
“I was a child of the fifties. The fifties had an innocence. The sixties had The Beatles. And I became a teenager,” says Foster. “Writing Hilda’s Yard was a way for me to climb back into that fifties world that I loved so much. I enjoyed revisiting that time and I hope audiences will too.”
Marshall, who is also directing the production, says he thinks people of all ages can see themselves in Foster’s new work.
“Norm and his audience have grown up together and I love that in Hilda’s Yard the younger generations are able to see themselves through their parents’ or grandparents’ eyes. For children of the 1950s it offers a chance to revisit their youth but also to see the world through their parents’ eyes,” says TNB’s Artistic Producer. “For younger audiences, it’s the revelation that despite the arrival of rock and roll, free love, disco and the internet, the issues of parents and kids trying to understand one another aren’t that different today than they were then.”
New Brunswick native Patricia Vanstone stars in the title role along with TNB audience favourites Sam Rosenthal (Skin Flick) and Gordon Gammie (The 39 Steps). Hilda’s Yard marks the TNB debut for actors Jonathan Gould, Perrie Olthuis and Jane Spence.
Helping transport the audience to Hilda’s Yard on a September day in 1956 are sets by award-winning TNB Resident Set & Costume Designer Patrick Clark (The Musical of Musicals, The 39 Steps, Hockey Dreams, Treasure Island), costumes by TNB Wardrobe Mistress Sherry Kinnear (Oleanna, Wizard of Oz, A Doll’s House), lighting design by Chris Saad (The Dollar Woman, Feelgood, Doubt) and sound design by award-winning TNB Resident Composer and Sound Designer Michael Doherty (Oleanna, The 39 Steps, Hockey Dreams, Treasure Island).
Hilda’s Yard runs at The Fredericton Playhouse, October 11-14, 2012
Adults $40 | McCain Student Ticket $10
Tickets at The Fredericton Playhouse Box Office 1 866 884-5800 or www.tnb.nb.ca
WIN TICKETS! We’ve got two free tickets to give away to the matinee performance of Hilda’s Yard on October 14th at 2pm. To enter leave a comment below telling us which TNB performance you’re most looking forward to seeing this 2012-2013 season. We’ll draw a winner on Wednesday October 10th. Good luck!
It’s A Wonderful Life!! 🙂
I have been looking forward to It’s a Wonderful Life because I love anything Christmas. But now, since I’ve read more about Hilda’s Yard, i would love to see this one also. Sounds like a great show.
Hilda’s Yard. I love Norm Foster.
My husband and I were in a car accident back in 2008, we live in chronic pain everyday. A day out at Hilda’s Yard show would lift our sprits.
Would love to win.
Always loved The Playhouse.Lived in Fredericton many years ago.Haven’t been to TNB since. Sounds like a wonderful evening out.
Hilda’s Yard by Norm Foster:)
I love It’s a WOnderful Life ” I once practised for weeks in a bit part. In a. Musical version of this great playm A few days before the opening night I caught pneumonia, missed allperformances.I love the lesson inherent in George Bailey’s story.
It’s difficult to put a most favourite on the list – TNB has such wonderful programming every year. Hilda’s Yard looks great as my parents are in town for the weekend and I know they’d love to see it!!
I want to see this one most! I love Norm foster’s stuff. And the nicest man.
Hilda”s Yard by: N Foster
i think it’s a wonderful life is this seasons most looked forward for me.
The one I am msot interested in would have to be “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Loved that movie.
Hilda’s Yard by Norm Foster is what I’m excited to see.
I really want to see Hilda’s Yard.
KATHY,
Congratulations! You and your husband are getting that day out to lift your spirits! I sent you an email with the details on how to get your tickets.
Unfortunately, Kathy was unable to attend TNB’s production this weekend, so our new winner is Valerie Stewart! Congratulations! Enjoy “Hilda’s Yard”!