Theatre by the Bay Presents William Shakespeare's The Tempest, Opens Tonight

For its 10th anniversary season, Theatre by the Bay is proud to present William Shakespeare's The Tempest, starring acclaimed stage, film and television actor Robert Joy (six seasons of CBS's "CSI: New York," Land of the Dead, Desperately Seeking Susan) as Prospero, with his real life daughter Ruby Joy (CBC-TV's "Republic of Doyle") playing Prospero's daughter Miranda. This mystical and magical work opens July 2 and runs to July 16 (previews from June 30) at the brand new Downtown Theatre in Barrie, Ontario presented by TD.

Shakespeare's The Tempest tells the story of the deposed Duke Prospero and his daughter Miranda who are stranded on an island full of spirits and mysticism. Through his magical powers, Prospero conjures a storm to bring the men that conspired against him to the island. Once they arrive, the conspiracies, betrayals and deceit begin as Prospero attempts to return his family to power. Romance, comedy and action abound in this classic Shakespeare play.

The play also stars Jennifer Toulmin (Anne of Green Gables at the Charlottetown Festival, Mamma Mia! touring production) as Ariel, Ryan Hollyman (Andromache for Necessary Angel/Luminato, The Mill parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 for theatrefront/Young Centre) as Caliban, Caden Douglas (CanStage's The Rocky Horror Show, Mirvish Productions' Mamma Mia!) as Ferdinand, Michael Rawley (The Lion King Toronto and touring productions, The Taming of the Shrew for Theatre by the Bay) as Alonso, Sheldon Davis (Leading Ladies for Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, Honk! For Globe Theatre) as Antonio, Richard Alan Campbell (Obsidian Theatre's Ruined, VideoCabaret's The Great War) as Sebastian, John Dolan (Dora winner for Oliver Twist, over 20 productions at Stratford Festival) as Gonzalo, Scott Hurst (Peter Pan and King of Thieves at Stratford Festival) as Trinculo, Kristian Bruun (Evil Dead the Musical at Diesel Playhouse, Soulpepper's Hamlet) as Stephano and Alex Dault (Theatre by the Bay's As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing) as the boatswain.

This production will be the first to be performed in the brand new Downtown Theatre, the first theatre in downtown Barrie in over 100 years, slated to kick-off the revitalization of the area. Located at the historic Five Points intersection, the Downtown Theatre will support the development of emerging theatre artists from Barrie and the greater Barrie area, and will serve more than 14 arts organizations in the city including Theatre by the Bay and Talk Is Free Theatre. A brand new structure, the theatre is designed by architect Bill Lett.

Robert Joy currently stars as Dr. Sid Hammerback in "CSI: New York." He has also made notable appearances in the films Desperately Seeking Susan, Atlantic City, Land of the Dead, Ragtime, Radio Days and the Canadian film Ticket to Heaven, as well as in television series such as "Medium," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Boston Legal," "Without a Trace," "Star Trek: Voyager" and "Law and Order." A member of the Newfoundland comedy group CODCO for four years, his stage appearances include Peter in Toronto and New York productions with Eli Wallach of The Diary of Anne Frank (for which he was named one of the New Faces of the Theatre Season by the New York Times), Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet at the La Jolla Playhouse (for which he won a Drama Logue Award), Huck Finn in the world premiere of Big River (Cambridge's American Repertory Theatre) and the title role in the Broadway comedy The Nerd.

The Tempest is directed by Masques and Mecca (both Montreal awards) award-winning actor Brett Christopher, who also directed the last two Theatre by the Bay mainstage productions, Twelfth Night and The Taming of the Shrew. Larissa Mair is the producer; Nick Baillie is the production manager. Jonathan Monro is the composer and musical director, Carla Tucker is the choreographer and Simon Fon is the fight director. Set design is by Tim Webb, lighting design is by Paul Boken and sound design is by Greg Rushton. Costume design is by Christine Barrett. Lorraine Jorden is the head of props.

Artistic Producer Larissa Mair and Nick Baillie founded Theatre by the Bay, Barrie's first Shakespeare Company, in 2002 to bring high-quality professional theatre productions to Barrie and area at affordable prices.
Theatre by the Bay presents William Shakespeare's The Tempest, starring Robert Joy as Prospero.
Also starring Kristian Bruun, Richard Alan Campbell, Alex Dault, Sheldon Davis, John Dolan, Caden Douglas, Ryan Hollyman, Scott Hurst, Ruby Joy, Michael Rawley and Jennifer Toulmin.
Directed by Brett Christopher, Composer and musical direction by Jonathan Monro.
Previews from June 30, Opens July 2 and runs to July 16, 2011
At the brand new Downtown Theatre, 1 Dunlop St. West, Barrie, Ontario; Sponsored by TD.
Mon to Sat at 8pm; Matinees Wed at 2pm.
There is an additional 2pm matinee on Monday, July 11 with proceeds going to the Actors' Equity Fund.
Tickets: $25 Adults, $23 students/seniors, $21 for groups of 10 or more.
Mon July 11, 2pm matinee is PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN.
Box Office: 705-735-9243. More info at www.theatrebythebay.com

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