Shows

Central Park Tango (musical)

Book: Robert Gontier   Music: Nicky Phillips   Lyrics: Robert Gontier & Nicky Phillips

Central Park Tango is based on the real life story of Roy and Silo, two male chinstrap penguins from the Central Park Zoo who wish to have a family of their own.  In this new family musical we learn how Roy and Silo meet. We see how their relationship grows and how the penguin community around them challenges and reacts to their union. A penguin musical about the modern day family.

Central Park Tango has received numerous Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators’ Reserve grants recommended by the following theatre companies: Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, Theatre Direct Canada and Smile Theatre Company. Central Park Tango is currently in development and has already received two readings at Theatre Aquarius.

In Flanders Fields (musical)

Book: Robert Gontier   Music: Nicky Phillips   Lyrics: Robert Gontier & Nicky Phillips

 In Flanders Fields is a musical based on the extraordinary life of Major John McCrae - soldier, doctor and poet - writer of the legendary elegy, "In Flanders Fields".  Set during the great Battle of Ypres in WW1, the story weaves through his life as John shares his past with his dear friend Lt. Helmer. In this one act musical we see why John is propelled to write the most famous war poem in history.

In Flanders Fields was originally commissioned and produced by Smile Theatre Company. It had its world premiere in September 2009 and went on tour throughout Ontario for two and a half months. In June 2010, Lunchbox Theatre in Calgary workshopped a new and expanded version of the show. It is slated to be produced in Lunchbox’s 2010/2011 Season.

Johnny Jackson and His Heavenly Passion (play)

By Robert Gontier

Johnny Jackson is about an eleven year old boy asking many of life’s most important questions about puberty, death and butterflies. He is on a mission to find his sister who he loves and misses dearly.  The play uses both comedy and tragedy to tell the tale of his older sister who is diagnosed with cancer.  Johnny believes that heaven is a tangible place and goes on a mission to find her there.  This is a one-man show about hope through the eyes of a child. A breathtaking story that truly delves deep into the world of loss and perseverance.