Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Effective immediately, Greg Gibson will be assuming the role of Musical Director & Narrator for the Theatre Collingwood presentation of 'Billy Bishop Goes to War'. We are delighted that Greg has enthusiastically accepted this role. Many of you may know that Greg is a Collingwood native. (please see his bio below).
If you have not seen the play, Greg’s character plays a musical background throughout the entire play as well as harmonizing with Mark McGrinder as his counterpart. Using a simple set made up mostly of crates, the two are able to transport us into what life was like for Billy Bishop in wartime Canada & England. It is fascinating to watch what is achieved with simple crates, including when Mark actually creates his fighter plane on stage, equipped with a functioning propeller! The show is fast paced and entertaining and you will leave the theatre feeling inspired by one man’s triumph over war and the characters in his life.
Mark McGrinder plays Billy Bishop, as well as a multitude of characters that Bishop came across in his life. He is brilliant in capturing the many different personalities, and he leads us on a journey through one man’s experiences in his evolution into manhood. Billy Bishop was not a genius or someone who started out extraordinary. He was a very real and flawed character who signed up for the forces because he didn’t know what else to do. This is a heartfelt and very entertaining story.
Billy Bishop Goes to War runs from now until Saturday, July 20th and we hope you will join us and encourage your friends to see and support this show. If you know Greg Gibson and his family you won’t want to miss seeing him in this performance. He is extremely talented. Thank you so much for your continued support.
GREG GIBSON is delighted to return to Theatre Collingwood with Billy Bishop Goes To War, having previously appeared as Musical Director for Side By Side By Sondheim and Guest Musical Director for The Last Resort. Other Musical Direction credits include: Sweeney Todd (Sudbury Theatre Centre); The Marvelous Wonderettes (1000 Islands Playhouse); The Winter Wonderettes (Theatre Kingston); Kiss of the Spider Woman (Talk Is Free Theatre, 3 Seasons as Resident MD); Beauty and the Beast (Silvermist Productions); Marry Me A Little (Color & Light/Weston Playhouse); and Tristan, High Society, & Love Among The Russians (Shaw Festival, Intern MD). Greg has spent the last 3.5 years cruising around the world as a Band Leader/Pianist for Holland America Line. He is also in-demand as a Vocal Coach, Pianist, Composer and Music Copyist. Born and raised in Collingwood, Greg is a graduate of Queen’s University (Bachelor of Music).
Tickets are available online at www.theatrecollingwood.ca or by phone 705-445-2200 or at 65 Simcoe Street, Collingwood, ON.
Photo: Mark McGrinder as Billy Bishop. ©2013 Theatre Collingwood.
2013-07-17
Collingwood: Greg Gibson replaces Sandy Thorburn in “Billy Bishop Goes to War”