Celebrating their 25th Anniversary season, the Firehall Arts Centre is excited to present the beloved Canadian classic, The Ecstasy of Rita Joe by acclaimed author George Ryga with previews November 17 – 20,. Opening Night is November 21 and the show runs through December 8, 2007.

The Ecstasy of Rita Joe is an important piece of modern Canadian theatre, as it was the first work that addressed issues relating to Aboriginal peoples; was mounted on stage and taken seriously.

The play recounts the story of a young Aboriginal woman who moves to the city but finds she has no place with either the white man or with her own people. But who is the villain? What is the root of the problem? The violence of the white culture or the patriarchy of Native culture, or both? The play is a tragic story told in a combination of song and montages. Forty years later, Ryga’s play is as compelling and powerful as ever and remains a play for all peoples.

The production’s stellar cast includes well known actor William B. Davis of X-Files fame playing the Magistrate, Lisa C. Ravensbergen as Rita Joe, Kevin Loring as Jamie Paul, Byron Chief Moon as the Father, Duncan Fraser as the Priest, Alvin Sanders as Mr. Homer and the talented singer/actor, Tracey Power, in the folk singer role originally created by Anne Mortifee.
Show Times:
Tues – Thurs. 7:30pm,
Fri & Sat. 8pm
Sat & Sun. 2pm matinees
with a special pay-what-u-can matinee Wed 1pm.
Ticket prices: $14- $28

www.firehallartscentre.ca