After a successful re-opening with four shows in the first half of its 2021-2022 season, Halifax’s Neptune Theatre has announced a further five shows beginning in January that includes works from local and Canadian writers, a tribute concert and a season-closing musical.
Kicking off Act Two in January is Beau Dixon’s one-person show Beneath Springhill: The Maurice Ruddick Story, which played as part of Neptune’s Theatre at Home series last October.
Preston-born actor Jeremiah Sparks takes the reins for this latest production to tell the real-life story of how the African-Canadian coal miner saved six other miners’ lives in the 1958 Springhill, Nova Scotia mining disaster.
“Even though Ruddick had to deal with racism, it didn’t dampen his determination to help his fellow miners,” says Sparks in a media release. “Ruddick’s story teaches us that resilience and strength does not have a colour.”
February will see actor and singer Kelly Holiff performing a two-night run of Adele’s most iconic songs in Rumour Has It – The Songbook of Adele.
In March, Neptune presents shalan joudry’s Koqm, created to honour the forgotten voices of L’nu (Mi’kmaw) women, largely left out of historical colonial accounts.
“Elders have taught us that the roles of L’nu women have always been integral in our communities,” ‘says joundry. “We need to hear more about the strength of our female ancestors, particularly as they responded to the impacts of colonialism.”
In May, Neptune presents Samqwan, a multi-disciplinary show created and choreographed by Mi’kmaw artist Sarah Prosper. The Mi’kmaq word for water, Samqwan’s goal is to inspire audiences to experience the value of water from an indigenous perspective.
And finally, after a year of “antici…pation,” the cult classic musical The Rocky Horror Show closes out the season, complete with midnight performances and encouraged interaction for its die-hard fans.
And while technically not part of the season, Neptune plans to present the long-awaited Billy Elliot: The Musical in the summer of 2022.
Tickets for the five shows in Neptune Theatre’s Act Two are now on sale. Visit neptunetheatre.com for tickets and information.Â