When Stone Fence Theatre brings its musical comedy, High Times at the Heart Institute, to Barry’s Bay August 7 in support of St. Francis Valley Healthcare, it will be carrying on an important tradition.
The show, first produced in 2016, has been updated and completely revamped by co-directors Shirley Hill and Sarah Wright, and it’s more timely than ever, great comedy, and 13 original rock and R&B-style songs, all paying tribute to health care in Canada and our health care workers. It was inspired by playwright/producer Ish Theilheimer’s personal experience as a heart patient. “The expert care I got and the caring people who delivered it blew me away,” he recalls, which led to his writing the show.
The show is meaningful to its co-directors too. “This show is particularly close to my heart,” says Shirley Hill, a recently-retired RN. “The challenges and gifts that come with working in health care for 40 years have helped shape who I am. I can’t imagine having a more rewarding career than nursing despite the ups and downs.”
Sarah Wright says,”I’ve seen firsthand how many people I love have been helped by the incredible work they do. Like so many Canadians, I’m deeply grateful for our public healthcare system – for the care it’s provided to me and my family, and for the compassion and commitment of those who keep it running every day.”
The show will be performed as a gala at the Paul J. Yakabuski Community Centre on Thursday, August 7 at 6 p.m., with a full-course roast beef (or veggie, if preferred) dinner by Schmidt’s Catering. Gala entertainmnent will include the piano magic of Peter Brown and the fantastic fiddling of Pembroke’s famous contest winners, Emma and Will March accompanied by their mother, Mary Fraser. In addition, there will be special musical cameos by Stone Fence Theatre stars.
Proceeds of the gala will go directly to St. Francis Valley Healthcare. Supporting local hospitals is a Stone Fence Theatre tradition dating back to 2016, when the show was first performed, raising more than $20,000 that year for local hospitals and the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Tickets for the gala cost $89 or $30 for youth. All seating is by reservation.
More information about the show is here: https://stonefence.ca/2025/03/high-times-at-the-heart-institute/
Tickets can be purchased online here: https://stonefencetheatre.ticketsplease.ca/high-times-at-the-heart-institute/ or by calling the Ticketsplease box office at 613-401-1497 or, toll-free, 1-866-310-1004.
(Richard Evans)