The company produced a new musical, Miss Pringle’s Mini-Skirt, by Johanna Zomers, with Ish Theilheimer and Kathy Eisner, directed by Shirley Hill and Sarah Wright. The musical is based on Johanna’s experiences growing up on a pioneer farm and attending one-room schools in the 1960s. The show initially featured 11 children and youth who came… more
In 2023 Stone Fence Theatre toured the Valley with Tom Thomson and the Colours of Canada and raised about $10,000 for local hospitals. It launched Conspiracy Conniptions, a zany comedy set in a doughnut shop and sung in gospel music style. It’s about how the arrival in the small town of Cobtown, Ontario of unruly protestors causes a… more
In 2022, Stone Fence Theatre launched a remarkable new musical about the life and death of Canada’s most famous artist: Tom Thomson & The Colours of Canada: Love, gossip and murder in Algonquin Park. It was created by Ish Theilheimer, with Peter Brown and was directed by Chantal Elie-Sernoskie. The lead role of Thomson was played… more
In 2021, the company produced a musical revue called How Are Ya Now? to celebrate the easing of the pandemic. For health safety reasons, it was performed mostly outdoors at Station Park in Killaloe. How are Ya Now? was about our Ottawa Valley community and culture. It is a musical comedy variety show that celebrates our sense of fun… more
In 2020, all performances were cancelled due to the pandemic. The company did produce an online music video that year, however, based on Ish Theilheimer’s song, “Essential Little Things.” more
In 2019, Stone Fence Theatre features Up at Fred’s – Allons-y!, a new musical by Ish Theilheimer, directed by Chantal Elie-Sernoskie. The show revives the memory of Fred Meilleur, the beloved hotel-keeper of Chapeau, Quebec. Every performance was sold out, including a benefit in the arena in Chapeau (where the photo on the right was taken after… more
In 2018, Stone Fence Theatre presented a successful 19-show tour of its latest original: I Come from the Valley! Tales and Times of Joan Finnigan, by Ish Theilheimer, with Johanna Zomers, directed by Chantal Elie-Sernoskie. This musical brought to life some of the stories that the Valley’s most illustrious author collected and also the tumultuous times… more
In 2017, the company had a successful six-town, 14-show run of Stick Out Your Tongue and Say MOO, a romantic musical comedy by Ish Theiheimer featuring Evan Burgess, Danielle Bissonnette, Shirley Hill, Derek Tolhurst, Cathy Lyons and Chantal Elie-Sernoskie, who also directed the play and had her fourth baby in September, partially through the run. It… more
In 2016, we staged the comedy Stag and Doe, by Mark Crawford, directed by Chantal Elie-Sernoskie. This play, which opened at the Blyth Festival in 2014, featured, in its Stone Fence Theatre production, Danielle Bissonnette, Melissa Lindsay, and Kelley Oliver, as well as returning veterans Joshua McCoy and Stephanie Pinkerton, Chris Hoffman, Phil Hoffman and Camille McLean,… more
In 2015, the company produced two original musicals by Ish Theilheimer: Here Comes the Train! The Ottawa Valley Railway Story, starring Peter Brown, Lesley Sneddon, Chantal Elie-Sernoskie, Phil Hoffman, Ambrose Mullin, Fran Pinkerton, Colin Wylie, Peter Frolander, and Ish Theilheimer, with Stephanie Pinkerton standing in for Chantal in Fall, and Valley Vic and The Christmas Temptations, starring Ambrose… more
In 2014, the company’s mainstage production was G’day, We’re from the Valley, EH!, a collectively-developed comic review about contemporary Ottawa Valley life, starring John Haslam, Peter Brown, Chantal Elie-Sernoskie, Phil Hoffman, Maureen McCoy, Camille McLean, Ambrose Mullin, Fran Pinkerton, Robin Pinkerton and Ish Theilheimer. Chantal Elie-Sernoskie directed the show and Ish Theilheimer was musical director and… more
In 2013, the company held its first-ever reading of scripts submitted through its Ottawa Valley Script Development project. More than 70 people attended the February event at The Sands on Golden Lake. The company developed two new scripts and productions in 2013:– Bonnechere River – The Future Tense, by Ish Theilheimer and Johanna Zomers, with… more
2012 marked a departure for the company, its first non-musical play, and its first script by a non-company member, Schoolhouse, by Leanna Brodie. It starred Christine Helferty and Josh McCoy and was directed by Chantal Elie-Sernoskie, who made her Stone Fence debut in 2011. The show included original background music by Peter Brown intermission entertainment by… more
In 2011, the company put on a review of traditional, favourite and original musical numbers with comic vignettes called The Opeongo Opera, by Ish Theilheimer. It featured Terry McLeish, Fran Hobbs, Maureen McCoy, John Haslam, the Helferty Sisters, Stephen Helferty, Ken Ramsden and “Minny Others.” The summer program also featured four concerts: Louis Schryer in… more
In 2010, the company lost an important team member, business manager Joe Murray and we had other health problems to contend with, so we offered a new version of On the Air with Mac’s Melodiers, featuring Ambrose Mullin, John Haslam, Ken Ramsden and Stephen Helferty. This show, in one form or another, was ultimately performed… more
In 2009, the company moved to the Eagle’s Nest at the Eganville Community Centre for its greater size, convenience, accessibility and central location. We produced a review based on the history of dance halls in the Ottawa Valley called Country Sparking at Sunnydale Acres, written by Ish Theilheimer, who also starred in the show, along… more
In 2008 Stone Fence Theatre presented a special new variety show that featured hilarious stories and songs as told by one of Killaloe’s most beloved residents. An Ottawa Valley Kitchen Party, featuring Tales of Benny Afelskie brought to the stage some very funny people, led by Stone Fence favourites John Haslam, Ambrose Mullin and Ken Ramsden telling… more
The company was forced to dramatically downsize in 2007. Attendance in 2006 was fair, but hoped-for public funding did not materialize. There’s a lot of competition for the few programs available for small theatres! Since then, the company has been run by a core of professionals working part-time, with a greater number of volunteers, with… more
In 2006 the company staged three original productions, all based on collaborative research and development with the local community: 1. “Barn Dance!” was an all-star musical tribute to the stars of old-time Canadian country music assembled by Ish Theilheimer, featuring Brian Hebert, Carol Kennedy, “Reverend Ken” Ramsden, Lynn Davis, Ish Theilheimer, Robin Pinkerton and the… more
The company began 2005 with a 10-show, four-community winter tour of Renfrew County with a newly developed, full-length show called Looking Back at Mac, by Ish Theilheimer. This show essentially adds a first act to ON THE AIR with Mac’s Melodiers and is more biographical as a result. The tour was sponsored by Renfrew County… more
In 2004, its second year, Stone Fence Theatre produced three original new shows that focused on the cultural heritage and history of the Ottawa Valley. The season included eight touring performances in a variety of community halls, 20 summer performances in two venues and four fall performances. Reflections of a Century-The Musical, by Ish Theilheimer… more
Spring In March 2003, Stone Fence Theatre produced an original variety show called Valley Irish, in conjunction with Bonnechere Little Theatre of Eganville. The show was developed and hosted by Ish Theilheimer and directed by Barry Goldie. It featured a reading by Joan Finnigan from “Songs from Both Sides of the River” and an original historical narrative… more
In December 2002 Stone Fence Theatre presented its first show: Ottawa Valley Christmas Past at the Wilno Tavern in Wilno, Ontario. One hundred people packed the small tavern for an afternoon of stories, song and comic monologue. The show was developed, written and hosted by Ish Theilheimer and directed by Barry Goldie. It included excerpts from Joan Finnigan… more
Original Theatre from the Ottawa Valley since 2003
2002
In December 2002 Stone Fence Theatre presented its first show: Ottawa Valley Christmas Past at the Wilno Tavern in Wilno, Ontario. One hundred people packed the small tavern for an afternoon of stories, song and comic monologue. The show was developed, written and hosted by Ish Theilheimer and directed by Barry Goldie. It included excerpts from Joan Finnigan and Bernie Bedore and songs by several Ottawa Valley writers. Storytellers at this session included Bob Cotnam, Lornie Foran and Martha Linton.
2003
March 2003
In March 2003, Stone Fence Theatre produced an original variety show called Valley Irish, in conjunction with Bonnechere Little Theatre of Eganville. The show was developed and hosted by Ish Theilheimer and directed by Barry Goldie. It featured a reading by Joan Finnigan from “Songs from Both Sides of the River” and an original historical narrative “Hanora’s Children” developed collaboratively. It was performed in three Renfrew County communities on one weekend. Despite blizzards every day it showed, “Valley Irish” played to capacity audiences everywhere.
Summer 2003
In July and August, 2003, Stone Fence Theatre produced a four-week, eight-show run of an all-new supper theatre show entitled Up The Line! Valley Tales from the Summer Kitchen. This show, also developed and hosted by Theilheimer and directed by Goldie, contained script from several writers including Joan Finnigan, Bernie Bedore, and Barry Goldie as well as live story-telling. It was presented in the historic church hall at Our Lady of the Angels Parish on the historic Opeongo Road in Brudenell, Ontario in conjunction with the Parish auxiliary. Supper was prepared by the Parish which is famous for its annual church supper. The show was so well received that the entire run was sold out after two performances nearly 1,300 tickets sold, altogether, with much public clamour for tickets and more performances
Fall 2003
In Fall, 2003, the company did a remount of Al Capone’s Hideout, by The Upper Madawaska Theatre Company, the community theatre founded by Barry Goldie. The play was based on the history of the famous gangster, who hid out near Quadville in the 1930s.
2004
In 2004, its second year, Stone Fence Theatre produced three original new shows that focused on the cultural heritage and history of the Ottawa Valley. The season included eight touring performances in a variety of community halls, 20 summer performances in two venues and four fall performances.
Reflections of a Century-The Musical, by Ish Theilheimer and Barry Goldie. This was a particularly ambitious work based on a 100-year compilation of news articles from the local newspaper, The Eganville Leader. The show played to standing ovations despite a rushed development and rehearsal schedule and a venue that created many problems for performance.
MORE Valley Tales from the Summer Kitchen. This variety show, developed by Ish Theilheimer and directed by Barry Goldie (see photo above), included ON THE AIR with Mac’s Melodiers and a prelude act made up of text and songs from various sources.
In addition, in summer 2004, Stone Fence launched an ambitious program intended to elevate the profile of the area’s roots music for summer visitors. “Fiddlin’ Around at Noon” was a Stone Fence summer 2004 series of 30 lunch-hour concerts produced by Ish Theilheimer and upwards of 60 local musicians, dancers and story-tellers at five different tourist destinations: The Bonnechere Museum, The Wilno Station Inn, The Balmoral Hotel, The Golden Sands Resort and The Bonnechere Caves.
Throughout the fall of 2004 Stone Fence ran a series of theatre arts workshops for the public led by theatre professionals such as Bruce Laird, a professional playwright, composer, director and musical director with a 50-year record of achievement.
2005
The company began 2005 with a 10-show, four-community winter tour of Renfrew County with a newly developed, full-length show called Looking Back at Mac, by Ish Theilheimer. This show essentially adds a first act to ON THE AIR with Mac’s Melodiers and is more biographical as a result. The tour was sponsored by Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation and had a specific focus on youth, with five youth in the cast and one backstage.
All performances took place in high school auditoriums and featured cameo performances by local students and teachers. In three of the schools, students did dramatic productions specially for the tour and, in one case, wrote an original script.
Stone Fence’s summer and fall schedule included 34 performances of two shows: Al Capone’s Hideout, a locally-written musical comedy about when gangster Al Capone hid out near the Ottawa Valley town of Quadeville in the 1940s, and eight performances in August of Looking Back at Mac. Director Barry Goldie was a co-author of Al Capone’s Hideout and led its development process in 1992 with Stone Fence’s predecessor company, Upper Madawaska Theatre.
2006
In 2006 the company staged three original productions, all based on collaborative research and development with the local community:
1. “Barn Dance!” was an all-star musical tribute to the stars of old-time Canadian country music assembled by Ish Theilheimer, featuring Brian Hebert, Carol Kennedy, “Reverend Ken” Ramsden, Lynn Davis, Ish Theilheimer, Robin Pinkerton and the dancing of Jenna and Marissa Henry. The program featured the music of Don Messer, Hank Snow, Lucille Star, Ned Landry, Mac Beattie, Reg Hill and other favourites from the ’30s through the ’60s.
2. “Here To Stay!” by Ish Theilheimer, was a sequel, of sorts, to Reflections of a Century, The Musical, but also an inspiring, feel-good musical about the fight for rural survival. It followed the big events and underlying themes occurring in the Valley and in all of rural Canada through the last 50 years of the 20th Century.
3. “Upstream To Basin Depot,” a new show by Barry Goldie and Lee LaFont was developed in conjunction with CHCR Community Radio and the Killaloe Friendship Club as part of an ongoing collaborative process. It is based on the rich lore of stories associated with the Bonnechere River.
The story is set in the lumber camps, stopping places, and supply farms near Basin Depot. We meet historical and fictional characters that tell a tale about the lumber industry on the Bonnechere in the early years of the 20th century. History, romance, adventure, evil deeds, brave heros, lots of original music and fun will be found “Upstream.”
2007
The company was forced to dramatically downsize in 2007. Attendance in 2006 was fair, but hoped-for public funding did not materialize. There’s a lot of competition for the few programs available for small theatres! Since then, the company has been run by a core of professionals working part-time, with a greater number of volunteers, with a focus only on revenue it can earn from customers, supporters and local businesses.
In 2007, Stone Fence produced a new musical review called “The Train She Blew From Killaloe,” a title emanating from a poem by lumber camp supplier and part-time poet Martin Garvey, “the Bard of the Bonnechere.” The show featured historical narratives including the Battle of Brudenell, based on the work of Shirley Mask Connolly, the saga of Laird Archibald MacNab, with vignettes by Joan Finnigan, and Big Joe Mufferaw (Joseph Montferrand), with vignettes by Bernie Bedore. It featured a cast and crew of 18 including 10 youth.
This show appeared in rotation with variety of musical performances, including a new version of “On the Air with Mac’s Melodiers, the company’s classic recreation of the old Mac Beattie radio show. The 2007 version featured new songs and personnel.
Also in 2007 Stone Fence Theatre launched an Ottawa Valley Concert Series, with successful concerts by top Canadian performers Gail Gavan, April Verch and Searson, among others. Singer Gail Gavan is seen in the photo above with her legendary uncle Fred Meilleur, owner of Meilleur’s Hotel in Chapeau, Quebec.
2008
In 2008 Stone Fence Theatre presented a special new variety show that featured hilarious stories and songs as told by one of Killaloe’s most beloved residents. An Ottawa Valley Kitchen Party, featuring Tales of Benny Afelskie brought to the stage some very funny people, led by Stone Fence favourites John Haslam, Ambrose Mullin and Ken Ramsden telling stories that Bennie Afelskie has told us.
Helping them tell the stories were four members of one of the Valley’s leading musical families, the Helfertys of Douglas. Stephen played guitar, acted and sang. Catherine, Christine and Rachel sang, step-danced and acted. And backing them all up were some of the Valley’s favourite musicians. Carol Kennedy played keyboard and fiddle and acted. Ish Theilheimer – who created the show – sang, acted and played fiddle and other stringed instruments. Ken Ramsden acted, sang and played guitar and fiddle and a bit of everything.
Also that year, Stone Fence Theatre launched The Ottawa Valley Pageant, performed outdoors on Saturday afternoons, July 5 – August 16 at 1:30 p.m., right after the Farmer’s Market at Hoch Farm Park in Killaloe. This one-hour show was a real family affair, ideal for the whole family. The musical and dramatic show, directed and created by Barry Goldie, took the audience on a guided musical and historical tour of the Killaloe area.
The audience was led around the historic farm by none other than J.R. Booth, the lumber baron who built the railway that put Killaloe on the map. This trip back in time focused on Centennial year celebrations in charming Killaloe.
2009
In 2009, the company moved to the Eagle’s Nest at the Eganville Community Centre for its greater size, convenience, accessibility and central location. We produced a review based on the history of dance halls in the Ottawa Valley called Country Sparking at Sunnydale Acres, written by Ish Theilheimer, who also starred in the show, along with Diana Walker and Ken Ramsden. Also in the band that year were Stephen Helferty and, for the first time, keyboard standout Peter Brown. .
2010
In 2010, the company lost an important team member, business manager Joe Murray (see photo above) and we had other health problems to contend with, so we offered a new version of On the Air with Mac’s Melodiers, featuring Ambrose Mullin, John Haslam, Ken Ramsden and Stephen Helferty. This show, in one form or another, was ultimately performed more than 70 times. In the photo on the right, boys in the band John Haslam and Ken Ramsden play a trick on announcer Ambrose Mullin, shaving him as he attempts to read a commercial.
2011
In 2011, the company put on a review of traditional, favourite and original musical numbers with comic vignettes called The Opeongo Opera, by Ish Theilheimer. It featured Terry McLeish, Fran Hobbs, Maureen McCoy, John Haslam, the Helferty Sisters, Stephen Helferty, Ken Ramsden and “Minny Others.” The summer program also featured four concerts: Louis Schryer in Concert; In a Little Shack Up the Pontiac with Debbie Bechamp, Barry Gilchrist, Carol Kennedy, Gaston Nolet and friends. ; Stephanie Cadman and Celtic Blaze; Russell De Carles with Steve Briggs and Denis Keldle.
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2012
2012 marked a departure for the company, its first non-musical play, and its first script by a non-company member, Schoolhouse, by Leanna Brodie. It starred Christine Helferty and Josh McCoy and was directed by Chantal Elie-Sernoskie, who made her Stone Fence debut in 2011.
The show included original background music by Peter Brown intermission entertainment by Emma and Will March, and dinner music by Peter Brown and Ish Theilheimer.
The company also produced a French-Canadian traditional music party called “In a Little Shack Up the Pontiac,” which introduced button accordion master Gaston Nolet, along with Jake Charron, Francios Dumond, Serge Martin and Marie Claude Breault, along with featured singer Debbie Beauchamps.
2013
In 2013, the company held its first-ever reading of scripts submitted through its Ottawa Valley Script Development project. More than 70 people attended the February event at The Sands on Golden Lake.
The company developed two new scripts and productions in 2013: – Bonnechere River – The Future Tense, by Ish Theilheimer and Johanna Zomers, with music by Terry McLeish, developed for the Bonnechere River Watershed Project, and – There’s Hippies Up the Line, a musical by Ish Theilheimer and Johanna Zomers, including music by Peter Brown and Carol Kennedy.
This became one of the company’s signature shows, a musical with a large cast that featured Fran Pinkerton, Ambrose Mullin, Amber Dagenais, Maureen McCoy, Ken Ramsden, Colin Wylie, and Phil Hoffman. Chantal Elie-Sernoskie directed both productions.
The company also produced a bluegrass concert in Eganville with The Foggy Hogtown Boys.
2014
In 2014, the company’s mainstage production was G’day, We’re from the Valley, EH!, a collectively-developed comic review about contemporary Ottawa Valley life, starring John Haslam, Peter Brown, Chantal Elie-Sernoskie, Phil Hoffman, Maureen McCoy, Camille McLean, Ambrose Mullin, Fran Pinkerton, Robin Pinkerton and Ish Theilheimer. Chantal Elie-Sernoskie directed the show and Ish Theilheimer was musical director and main writer. Terry Mask joinied the crew that year as Techical Director. The crew made a music video based on the show’s rap number Don’t Get My Valley Up!
In March, 2014, the company held a reading of original one-act play scripts by Chris Hinsperger, Shannon Keller, Tim Stubinski.
2015
In 2015, the company produced two original musicals by Ish Theilheimer: Here Comes the Train! The Ottawa Valley Railway Story, starring Peter Brown, Lesley Sneddon, Chantal Elie-Sernoskie, Phil Hoffman, Ambrose Mullin, Fran Pinkerton, Colin Wylie, Peter Frolander, and Ish Theilheimer, with Stephanie Pinkerton standing in for Chantal in Fall, and Valley Vic and The Christmas Temptations, starring Ambrose Mullin, Fran Pinkerton, Lawrie Barton, Rita Tolhurst, Shirley Hill and Kaylee Garcia, with band members Bryan Walsh, Schroeder Nordholt, Robin Pinkerton and Derek Tolhurst and chorus members Bailee Dombroskie, Jenna Schisson, Jude Pinkerton, and Luna and Solana Nordholt. Chantal Elie-Sernoskie directed both shows.
2016
In 2016, we staged the comedy Stag and Doe, by Mark Crawford, directed by Chantal Elie-Sernoskie. This play, which opened at the Blyth Festival in 2014, featured, in its Stone Fence Theatre production, Danielle Bissonnette, Melissa Lindsay, and Kelley Oliver, as well as returning veterans Joshua McCoy and Stephanie Pinkerton, Chris Hoffman, Phil Hoffman and Camille McLean, with MC Valley Vic, and pre-show music (traditional, Irish and Celtic) by Ish Theilheimer and Jim Beattie.
In fall and winter, it produced a fund-raising tour with a new musical comedy, High Times at the Heart Institute, by Ish Theilheimer. The show was inspired by the playwright’s own experience as a heart patient and the new appreciation he gained for Canada’s health system as a result. The tour raised more the $21,000 for health care in the Ottawa Valley. The show was directed by Chantal Elie-Sernoskie and featured John Haslam, Fran Pinkerton, Peter Brown, Lesley Sneddon and Shirley Hill, with Cathy Lyons, Elaine Neigel, Conrad Boyce and Nigel Epps and musicians Derek Tollhurst and Evan Burgess.
In 2017, the company had a successful six-town, 14-show run of Stick Out Your Tongue and Say MOO, a romantic musical comedy by Ish Theiheimer featuring Evan Burgess, Danielle Bissonnette, Shirley Hill, Derek Tolhurst, Cathy Lyons and Chantal Elie-Sernoskie, who also directed the play and had her fourth baby in September, partially through the run.
It also staged a sold-out evening of Cape Breton music led by fiddler Andrea Beaton and supported by an all-star cast of East Coast musicians: Troy MacGillivray (fiddle/piano), Matt MacIsaac (pipes/whistles) and Nathan Bishop (vocals/guitar). Each is an outstanding talents in his own right.
2018
In 2018, Stone Fence Theatre presented a successful 19-show tour of its latest original: I Come from the Valley! Tales and Times of Joan Finnigan, by Ish Theilheimer, with Johanna Zomers, directed by Chantal Elie-Sernoskie. This musical brought to life some of the stories that the Valley’s most illustrious author collected and also the tumultuous times she lived through.
Joan published 28 books, was the daughter of one of the NHL’s first super-stars, Frank Finnigan, and she was raised in Roaring ’20s Ottawa. Her parents came from Shawville, her second home as a child, where she absorbed the Valley’s story-telling tradition. The play featured Fran Pinkerton as Joan, with music by the Donohue Family of Douglas. Cllick to view videos of Act 1 and Act 2.
In August, the company’s summer concert sold out again. It featured Gail Gavan with Louis Schryer, Erin Leahy and Timi Turmel.
2019
In 2019, Stone Fence Theatre features Up at Fred’s – Allons-y!, a new musical by Ish Theilheimer, directed by Chantal Elie-Sernoskie. The show revives the memory of Fred Meilleur, the beloved hotel-keeper of Chapeau, Quebec.
Every performance was sold out, including a benefit in the arena in Chapeau (where the photo on the right was taken after the show) attended by 600 people. The Meilleur family, especially Anne Meilleur, Sister Marie, and Gail Gavan, contributed greatly to script development.
Also in summer, 2019, Stone Fence Theatre featured J.P. Cormier in concert in Rankin, with opening acts by Emma and Will March and Peter Dawson and Carol Kennedy.
In 2019, The Stone Fence Theatre Showband was launched, featuring Chantal Elie-Sernoskie, Ambrose Mullin, Fran Pinkerton, Derek Tolhurst, Peter Brown, Evan Burgess and Ish Theilheimer. It performed (or was scheduled to perform) in Eganville, Barry’s Bay, Carleton Place and Eganville.
2020
In 2020, all performances were cancelled due to the pandemic. The company did produce an online music video that year, however, based on Ish Theilheimer’s song, “Essential Little Things.” It can be viewed here.
2021
In 2021, the company produced a musical revue called How Are Ya Now? to celebrate the easing of the pandemic. For health safety reasons, it was performed mostly outdoors at Station Park in Killaloe. How are Ya Now? was about our Ottawa Valley community and culture. It is a musical comedy variety show that celebrates our sense of fun and the things we love about the Valley and the values getting us through hard times. It includes classic songs from past Stone Fence Theatre shows and some timely new material. The performers are Danielle Bissonnette, Peter Brown, Shirley Hill, Ambrose Mullin, Fran Pinkerton, Derek Tolhurst, and company producer Ish Theilheimer. Go here to see video of Act 1 Act 2 is here.
2022
In 2022, Stone Fence Theatre launched a remarkable new musical about the life and death of Canada’s most famous artist: Tom Thomson & The Colours of Canada: Love, gossip and murder in Algonquin Park. It was created by Ish Theilheimer, with Peter Brown and was directed by Chantal Elie-Sernoskie. The company extended its run in 2023 with a tour of Ottawa Valley communities raising money for local hThe lead role of Thomson was played by Nigel Epps, of nearby Eganville, and his girlfriend and possible fiancée was played by Sarah Wright of Barry’s Bay. The old park ranger who tells the story was played by Ambrose Mullin, who has been with the company since its inception. His young alter-ego was played by Kirk Harber. Also featured were Stone Fence Theatre favorites Shirley Hill, Beverly Lewis and Robert Tremblay and singer-songwriter Jayson Bradshaw. Peter Brown’s “stride piano” genius provided the show’s music. The youth ensemble included Virginia and Marianne Mallen and Logan Roach.
2023
In 2023 Stone Fence Theatre toured the Valley with Tom Thomson and the Colours of Canada and raised about $10,000 for local hospitals.
It launched Conspiracy Conniptions, a zany comedy set in a doughnut shop and sung in gospel music style.
It’s about how the arrival in the small town of Cobtown, Ontario of unruly protestors causes a young man and a young woman and everyone around them to re-examine their lives and beliefs. Everything’s on the table at the doughnut shop. The play asks serious questions about how to change minds in today’s fragmented, polarized climate, and it suggests possibilities.
The show’s book and music, most of it in gospel style, were written by Ish Theilheimer, and it was directed and choreographed by Chantal Elie. Choir director is keyboard artist Schroeder Nordholt.
A lot of the action takes place in Cobtown Donut Heaven. There, Abigail (Amber Dagenais, of Eganville), a fitness nut whose Mom owns the shop, tries to convince her boyfriend Brayden (Ryan Webster, of Renfrew), a car nut who works in his Dad’s garage, to change his climate-change-denial views. She’s also exasperated with her parents. Her mother, Lois (Fran Pinkerton) bakes doughnuts named for well-known conspiracy theories and her Dad, Mel (Robert Tremblay), has a laundry list of his favourites.
Things explode when a crowd of protestors take over the shop and subsequently wear out their welcome, leaving everyone’s views altered, offering some possible answers to the question – how to change minds – and also how to get back to “normal” in a polarized society.
The cast also included Stone Fence Theatre favourites Jayson Bradshaw, Evan Burgess, Bianca Goldie, Cathy Lyons, Ambrose Mullin, and introduced Tabitha Green. The band was made up of Schroeder Nordholt (keys), Ish Theilheimer (percussion and guitar), Derek Tolhurst (bass), and Evan Burgess (guitar).
2024
The company produced a new musical, Miss Pringle’s Mini-Skirt, by Johanna Zomers, with Ish Theilheimer and Kathy Eisner, directed by Shirley Hill and Sarah Wright. The musical is based on Johanna’s experiences growing up on a pioneer farm and attending one-room schools in the 1960s. The show initially featured 11 children and youth who came together as a cohesive and joyful team, plus five experienced adult stars – Ambrose Mullin, Ryan Webster, Tabitha Green. Will March and Sarah Wright. A red-hot band made up of Peter Frolander, Will March, Peter Sattelberger, Ish Theilheimer and Colin Wylie backed up the performers on 17 brand new original songs.
