4th Line Theatre is excited to welcome audiences back to the historic Winslow farm in August to experience the world premiere of The Verandah Society in Residence at 4th Line Theatre, created by and starring Megan Murphy and Kate Suhr, and directed by Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell. The show’s creators will be joined onstage by musician Saskia Tomkins who will transport audiences with her multi-instrument work which includes violin, viola, cello and nyckelharpa.
Murphy and Suhr created the first version of the show in the summer of 2020 to connect with and perform for people during the pandemic. They traveled around the region to people’s porches, verandahs and backyards, performing their captivating show for intimate gatherings. The piece, dramaturged by renowned performer and director Linda Kash, melds music with personal stories of the region. The show is equal parts entertaining, poignant and funny. Since 2020, they have created two other versions of the show and delighted audiences across the region.
The 2021 season will be 4th Line’s 29th season of producing outdoor theatre on the 170-year old Winslow farm. 4th Line Theatre staff cannot wait to welcome audiences back to enjoy the picturesque Winslow farm experience this summer.
Performances will run Tuesdays through Saturdays from August 17, 2021 to August 28, 2021.
Tickets for the ten performances are very limited, go on sale next Monday, July 5th and are available to purchase through 4th Line Theatre’s Box Office.
Purchase tickets in advance to avoid disappointment, as shows often sell out in advance. This theatrical presentation will adhere to all provincial and local health unit COVID mandates and guidelines for maximum audience numbers, physical distancing and mask wearing. Event capacity and ticket availability will be determined in accordance with provincially-mandated outdoor performance gathering limits.
The Winslow farm venue concession stand and picnic area will be open when the site opens on performance days at 4 PM and local food vendors will have sweet and savoury treats for sale before the show. Cash only.
DETAILS
The Verandah Society in Residence at 4th Line Theatre
Written by Megan Murphy & Kate Suhr
Directed by Kim Blackwell
Dramaturge Linda Kash
Set design by Ian Burns
Featuring Megan Murphy, Kate Suhr with musical accompaniment by Saskia Tomkins
Production takes place at the Winslow Farm Venue located at 779 Zion Line, Millbrook, ON:
· August 17- 21 (Tuesday through Saturday) at 6 PM
· August 24- 28 (Tuesday through Saturday) at 6 PM
Tickets on sale as of 9 AM on Monday, July 5th, 2021. Tickets are $40 each, including service fees and taxes.
Tickets and gift certificates for 4th Line Theatre productions can be purchased by phone at 705- 932-4445 or toll-free at 800-814-0055, online at 4thlinetheatre.on.ca, or at 4th Line Theatre’s Box Office at 4 Tupper Street, Millbrook.
KIM BLACKWELL
Managing Artistic Director
“I am filled with excitement to be hosting Kate, Meg and Saskia at the Farm this summer. The Verandah Society shows in 2020 gave our community much needed art and was a balm on our souls in a dark time. This summer, the songs and stories that Kate and Meg have created will bring art back to the Farm as we begin to recover from our time of isolation. I cannot think of three better artists to guide us forward.”
MEGAN MURPHY & KATE SUHR
Co-Creators/Performers
“We're so thrilled to be collaborating with the 4th Line team this summer. To have the first show back after COVID, at the Farm, is an absolute delight. We can't wait to have a live audience join us safely on the verandah!”
Megan Murphy
Co-Creator & Performer
—The Verandah Society
Megan Murphy is a graduate of York University's Fine Arts program and has worked as an actor in film, television, theatre and radio for more than two decades. She is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory and the Seneca College Documentary Filmmaking Institute. Her feature documentary, “Murphy’s Law,” won Best Documentary Film at the Fingal Film Festival in Ireland and her short film, “Towns End,” won an Audience Choice Award at the Vox Popular Film Festival. She is a public speaker and published writer and is thrilled to be collaborating once again with the fine folks at 4th Line Theatre.
Kate Suhr
Co-Creator & Performer
—The Verandah Society
Kate Suhr studied opera at The University of Western Ontario and holds a Bachelor of Applied Music from Humber College. Recent theatre: Good Ol’ Country Gospel (Drayton Entertainment); Tess Wilson in Bloom: A Rock n Roll Fable (4th Line Theatre); Nancy in A New Brain (Ryan DeSouza/Randy Read); Harper in Angels In America (New Stages); Our Lady Of The Spa in Nine (Podium Concert Productions); Glinda in The Wizard of Oz (Diversified Theatre); Rose/Mrs Winthrope/Claire in Secret Garden (Podium Concert Productions); Ariel in The Little Mermaid (Randolph Theatre); Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins (LOT); Ensemble in Assassins (Steve Ross). Kate is also a singer/songwriter who has been featured at Boots and Hearts and many festivals all over Ontario.
Instagram: @katesuhr
Saskia Tomkins
Musician
—The Verandah Society
Saskia Tomkins thinks that spending the month of August at 4th Line Theatre playing music with other people is a gift after so long! Saskia is a master musician of violin/fiddle viola, cello and nyckelharpa. She is classically trained with a folk background and a B.A. Honours in Music (Jazz) and she won All Britain Champion Irish Fiddler. Her theatre work includes: originating the “Celtic-ifying” of the Broadway hit Come From Away; working with The English Shakespeare Company and Michael Bogdanov, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, U.K and 4th Line Theatre. Saskia’s current personal projects include Steáfán & Saskia with Steáfán Hannigan, the instrumental jazz/roots duo 2ish, with Brandon Scott Besharah; the Celtic crossover group Cáirdeas and the jazz trio Marsala and the Imports. She is currently principle 2nd violin for Quinte Symphony Orchestra.
