Billy Bishop Goes to War is coming to Meaford Hall on Nov 4th for one performance only in honour of Remembrance Day and the 100th Anniversary of Billy Bishop receiving the Victoria Cross Medallion.
Billy Bishop Goes to War, the aeward-winning Canadian musical, written and composed by John MacLachlan Gray in collaboration with Eric Peterson brought audiences leaping to their feet at the Roxy Theatre earlier this season. This beloved show, which won the Governor General's Literary Award for Drama, pays tribute to Owen Sound's iconic hometown war hero and flying ace, Billy Bishop. The two-man musical featured Owen Sound Little Theatre veteran actor Matt Evans portraying the legendary Bishop, as well as an astonishing 15 other characters. Evans is well-known to local audiences, having garnered 5 Best Actor Awards with the Western Ontario Drama League, and appearing recently at the Roxy Theatre in Owen Sound in roles such as lawyer Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, Robert, in Kiss the Moon Kiss the Sun, and John Barrymore in I Hate Hamlet. Matt has also appeared in Canadian feature films including Beowulf & Grendel, Black Swan, Things To Do, and The Birder.
Musician Michael Mulrooney co-piloted Billy Bishop Goes to War with Evans, and will use the on-stage baby grand piano to score and punctuate battle scenes, taking us from bar rooms to ball rooms, capturing both humour and heartstrings with skillful musicianship. Mulrooney is a sought-after music director, conductor, pianist and arranger, having worked on the Canadian theatrical productions of The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, Ragtime, and Showboat. Michael has taught at the York University and the Randolph Academy, and is currently a professor at the prestigious Sheridan College Musical Theatre Program.
Directed by Corry Lapointe with assistance from Bill Murphy
photo by John Prettie
