Unless otherwise noted, all plays by Kelley Jo Burke are available for purchase from the author. Contact kelley.jo@sasktel.net

 

Us

 

 

Our new musical Us is:

    An uplifting four-hander musical about “coming in"—finding acceptance within yourself and in your community. Set at a three day summer camp for LGBTQ+++ youth called Camp-Us, and tells the story of a diverse group of camp participants who work together to make the camp a community that offers "whatever (the campers) need."

    Just finished a triumphant 20-show world premiere run on the Regina Globe Theatre main stage, March 1, 2018 to March 18.

    A winner with the audience—“Last night I had the life changing experience of watching Us at the Globe Theatre in Regina. The show had me laughing and crying. During intermission I had to run for water to rehydrate.”… “I think the most important part of this performance was the amount and range of the stories told. The happy, the angry, the scared, the learning. The good stories, and the really, really, horrible stories. Stories that rarely get told.”… “I truly believe this play will win awards as its use of music, dance choreography, and storytelling creates a compelling reality about the truths the Pride community faces not only from the outside world but also from within.”

 

    And critics: “Burke’s script was matched wonderfully by Straker’s music. The Regina singer/songwriter penned 17 songs …were the life blood of the show….The diversity of the songs was truly impressive, from light and fluffy dance tunes to emotional ballads that revealed the darkest fears of the characters.” Regina Leader-Post, Mar 2, 2018.

 

    The 2017winner of the Playwrights Guild of Canada Stage West Pechet Family New Musical award—for best new Canadian musical in development.

 

Jurists Ted Dykstra (Chair), Clara Bullock, Meghan Gardiner, and Peter Jorgensen said the script “had incredible potential, heart, compelling characters, authenticity in both subject and the music. The jury felt it was a story that needed to be told, and was full of voices that needed to be heard. They also noted its big heart, that it came from a place honest and true, and that high school students could really benefit from seeing it.”

    Fictional but based on true stories collected by the award-winning playwright and CBC documentary-maker Kelley Jo Burke, songs and score by internationally  recognized singer-songwriter pianist Jeffery Straker.

    Brave, warm, funny, innovative, speaks to a wide audience—and earns its high-hearted ending.

If you are interested in reading Us, current post-production book and scores are available. Please contact Straybird Productions’ Kelley Jo Burke (Kelley.jo@sasktel.net) or Jeffery Straker (jeffstraker88@rogers.com) 

The Lucky Ones

 

The Lucky Ones is currently playing at Dancing Sky Theatre--contact for tickets times--meals are sold out. 

Ducks on the Moon: A Parent Meets Autism

 

Ducks on the Moon: Recent performances include shows in Regina and  Saskatoon, notably the Hayloft in Saskatoon, November 15, 2011, with special guest Peter Katz. Tentative date in Whitehorse in the early summer 2012.  It has played around Western Canada, including 2009/10 dates at the University of Brandon, Victoria's UNO festival of solo performance, Sunset Theatre in Wells, BC. Dancing Sky theatre in Saskatoon, the McKenzie Art Gallery in Regina, Prince Albert, Swift Current. North Battleford, and other locations in Regina. A Curtain Razors production, Michele Sereda, director. 

Formerly working titled Special - Premiere, Curtain Razors, Regina Sept. 2009, tour to Meacham, Prince Albert, North Battleford, Yorkton and Swift  Current.  Michele Sereda, director.  Workshop performance January 2009, University of Regina.

To inquire about rates or book a performance, email Kelley.Jo@sasktel.net.

Ducks on the Moon: A Parent Meets Autism is available through the publisher, or most on-line booksellers in Canada. 

The Selkie Wife - Premiere, Dancing Sky Theatre, April/May 2008.  Angus Ferguson, director. Most recent production Fly By Night Theatre, Toronto, summer 2010. Published by Scirocco Drama, April 2009. The Selkie Wife is sold out, except for a few copies for sale from the author. Contact Kelley.Jo@sasktel.net

 

Jane’s Thumb  - Upcoming production Fly By Night Theatre, spring 2012.  Saskatoon Fringe, August, 2003, with Thumbco., Kathryn Bracht, director. Radio adaptation by Kelley Jo Burke produced for CBC Saskatchewan, October 1997. Rachel van Fossen, director/producer.

In the anthology Two Hands Clapping, available from the publisher or most on-line Canadian booksellers.

 

Comfort and Joy - staged reading, Saskatchewan Festival of New Plays, May 2000, Mary Vingo, director.

 

Big Ocean - radio play, CBC’s Showcase, and in New Zealand, Australia, Britain, U.S. and around the world on shortwave, for the International Festival of Radio Plays, 2000.  Kathleen Flaherty, director/producer.

 

Virtual.luv - radio play, CBC’s Showcase, October 1998. Kathleen Flaherty, director/producer.

 

 

Crack! -  radio play for CBC's Studio 96, January 1996.  Kathleen Flaherty, director/producer.

Had a Great Fall - radio play, CBC Radio Saskatchewan's Ambience, March 1995.  Wayne Schmalz, director/producer.

 

Charming and Rose: True Love - premiere produced by Nightwood Theatre, Toronto, October 12 to 31, 1993.  Kate Lushington, director. (Now produced over thirty times in Canada, the U.S. and Europe.)  Fringe production by Boomer Co, 1992. Kelley Handerek director.

Charming and Rose: True Love, published in the anthology Prerogatives (Blizzard) is available from the author. Contact kelley.jo@sasktel.net

 

Playing the Game -  staged reading, 1993 Saskatchewan Festival of New Plays, Saskatchewan Playwrights' Centre, Roy Surette, director, D.D. Kugler, dramaturge.

 

Fetal Assessment - radio play, CBC Radio Saskatchewan'a Ambience, 1992.  Wayne Schmaltz, director.  Staged reading as part of Studio-Z's internet workshop program with Texas Tech theatre department, TaShawna Thomas, director, Dan Zellner, facilitator, 1996.

 

Fat Girls (wear all sizes) - Fringe production 1991 in Regina, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Edmonton. Eileen Sproule, director.  Performed by the Curtain Razors.  September 1995, at Vancouver Fringe, Stephanie Kirkland, director.

 

Goddessness - Fringe production by the Curtain Razors, 1990 in Regina, Saskatoon and Edmonton Fringe Festivals.  Kelley Jo Burke, director.