Little Willy

Little Willy

Created & Performed by Ronnie Burkett

February 11

But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Esmé is the sun
Little Willy

The Daisy Theatre gang is back with their irreverent hijinks as they
take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in Little Willy. Burlesque star
Dolly Wiggler starts the show with an Elizabethan striptease in this
riotously funny improvised mash-up of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved
plays. All the leading ladies of the Daisy ensemble battle for the role
of Juliet, including faded diva Esme Massengill in a boozy
interpretation of the lovesick ingénue. Beloved audience favourites
Schnitzel and Mrs. Edna Rural are back in supporting roles, and adding
to the fun and mayhem, The Bard himself joins The Daisy Theatre cast for
a twisted retelling of this timeless tale.


Warning: This production is intended for adult audiences only, ages 16+. Children under the age of 16 will not be admitted.


Featuring
Created & Performed by Ronnie Burkett


Marionette, Costume and Set Design Ronnie Burkett

Music and Lyrics and Music Production John Alcorn

Production Manager/Artistic Associate Terri Gillis

Stage Manager/Technical Director Crystal Salverda

Dramaturge Tanja Jacobs

Associate Producer John Lambert

Costumes Kim Crossley

Studio Assistants Angela Talbot, Gemma James-Smith, Marcus Jamin, Jesse Byiers, Alexander Mantia, with Martin Herbert

Shoes and Accessories Camellia Koo and Robin Fisher

Marionette Controls Luman Coad

Marionette Stringing Marcus Jamin

Majordomo Robbie Buttinski

The Daisy Theatre stage created by Mike Kukucska, Hamilton Scenic Specialty Inc.

“The Max Blümchen Orchest rale” pit band constructed by Eric James Ball, with puppets sculpted by Noreen Young.

The Daisy Theatre theme song sung by Laura Hubert

Music recorded at Desert Fish Studios

Mixing and mastering Jeff Wolpert

Musicians John MacLeod (Trumpet), Bob De Angelis (Clarinet and Tenor Saxophone), John Alcorn (Keyboards and Programming)

February 11

Times
Sat Feb 11 @ 8 PM
Info
The Roxy Theatre:
Nancy Power Theatre
16+

Run Time 120 minutes
Tickets
$42.00
incl. $2.00 fee
This production is intended for adult audiences only, ages 16+. Children under the age of 16 will not be admitted.

Biographies

RONNIE BURKETT, Creator and Performer

Ronnie Burkett has been captivated by puppetry since the age of seven and began touring his shows around Alberta at the age of fourteen. Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes was formed in 1986, continuously playing on Canada’s major stages, and as a guest company on numerous tours abroad. Ronnie received the 2009 Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, The Herbert Whittaker Drama Bench Award for Outstanding Contribution to Canadian Theatre, a Village Voice OBIE award, and four Citations of Excellence from the American Center of the Union Internationale de la Marionnette. In 2019, Ronnie Burkett was appointed as an Officer of The Order of Canada.

JOHN ALCORN – Lyrics and Music, Music Producer

John Alcorn is one of Canada’s premiere jazz vocalists, delivering his distinctive renditions of jazz standards on the most prestigious bandstands and concert stages across Canada. His list of citations and acknowledgements in music and theatre include both Jazz Report (Male Vocalist of the Year) and Dora (Outstanding Music) awards. As composer, lyricist, musical director, arranger and producer, he has collaborated with numerous significant Canadian theatre artists, including Daniel MacIvor, Deanne Taylor, Sky Gilbert, Theresa Tova, and Tomson Highway, and eight collaborations with Theatre of Marionettes.

CRYSTAL SALVERDA – Stage Manager

With over 30 years in the entertainment industry, Crystal has been blessed to work both across the country and internationally stage managing some wonderful productions. She has had the pleasure of working with Ronnie for the past 11 years. She has also worked with companies such as Blyth Festival, Kidoons Network, Calgary Stampede, Necessary Angel, Soulpepper Theatre, Canadian Stage, Harold Green Jewish Theatre, just to name a few. Other work experience includes Operations for Field of Dreams and Little League Classic (BaAM Productions), Sales Manager (Westsun), Concert Stage Manager (Marquis Entertainment).

Drag

REVIEWS


“Little Willy is a charmingly hilarious show with ridiculously eccentric and often tragically flawed characters.”

David C. Jones, Vancouver Presents


“Much like his de facto mascot Schnitzel who returns to the stage at the end of the show, he calls upon his audience to find beauty in the face and form of the ordinary.”

John Jane, reviewVancouver


“This may be his best, most raucously funny show since his original The Daisy Theatre wowed crowds two years running at the Cultch.”

Janet Smith, Stir



“an uproarious, improvised tour de force of Burkett’s lightning-fast wit.”

Jay Minter, On the List


“an uproarious, “If you’re a Ronnie Burkett fan, you don’t need me to tell you to go see this show. If you’ve never seen Burkett in action, don’t miss this opportunity to see a genius at work and play.”

Jerry Wasserman, VancouverPlays


“It’s raunchy and it’s funny and it’s also touching, in that sentimental way of how things used to be…”

Alan Woo, Fun! Fun! Vancouver


“Ronnie Burkett’s Theatre of Marionettes is also subversive, irreverent, small ‘p’ political and uproariously entertaining. Some tickets are still available but not for long. Don’t miss out.”

Jo Ledingham, joledingham.ca