Theatre on the Ridge – Bluebirds
Bluebirds runs July 9–27 at Scugog Shores Museum, 16210 Island Rd., Port Perry and is a powerful, heartfelt drama not be to missed.
Theatre on the Ridge is proud to present Bluebirds by Vern Thiessen as the second production of its 2025 summer season and perfectly timed with the unexpected and unprecedented groundswell of national pride our country has been experiencing this year.
Bluebirds focuses on the lives of the Canadian nurses who worked in war hospitals near the front lines in World War I France. The play is something of a spiritual companion piece to Thiessen’s much-lauded play, Vimy, which is deeply rooted in the company’s own heritage, as the first play the company produced in 2013. While Vimy focused on the lives of four Canadian soldiers, Bluebirds is about Maggie, Christy and Bab — three dedicated nurses patching up soldiers and trying to remain hopeful as the danger and devastation of the Great War inches towards their makeshift hospital. Amid the darkness and destruction of the war, these three women find independence, friendship, and the strength to move forward and follow their dreams.
On stage as Maggie, Christy and Bab are Shannon Pitre, seen last season in The Complete Works of Shakespeare, and newcomers Alea Carrington and Justine Christensen. At the helm of this powerful production is seasoned director Iain Moggach. Born and raised in Ottawa, Moggach has directed everything from musicals to Shakespeare to modern dramas in many cities across Ontario, including Port Perry. He is best known for his work as the Artistic Director of Theatre by the Bay in Barrie, Ontario, from 2018 to 2024. During his tenure there, he directed three full-scale productions — The Ghost Watchers (2021), A Scandal for All Seasons (2023), and Icemen (2023).
Patrons can add to their Bluebirds experience by signing up for one of the several related workshops and talks being offered by Theatre on the Ridge and Scugog Shores Museum this season. From writing a monologue, to making a stage prop or learning about the history of nursing and field medicine, there are many opportunities for patrons to engage with the story of Bluebirds. Check the full programming roster online for dates, details and other immersive Your Story Our Stage workshops also being offered this summer.
Tickets, box office, production and related programming details are available online at www.theatreontheridge.ca. Group sales available through the Box Office at 905 242-9343/boxoffice@theatreontheridge.ca
