Canadian farmer Bob Hicks needed to make a few extra dollars, so he headed south to Kansas to drive cattle.  Just as he’s about to head home with a pocket full of money, he’s captured and sentenced to hang for murdering the brother of the richest man in town.  Will he be able to convince his captors to release him, or will he be the latest man to meet his maker courtesy of the town’s infamous hangin’ rock?  Join us for this hilarious western written by and starring Norm Foster.  (Some adult humour.)

Norm Foster - Playwright, Will Vanhorne

Norm Foster has been called Canada's preeminent comic playwright, and he is also one of the most prolific and most produced of all Canadian playwrights. Halifax Chronicle-Herald columnist Ron Foley writes "Foster's stage writing remains one of Canada's greatest theatrical treasures," and The Calgary Herald describes him as “one of the funniest writers of intelligent comedy in Canadian theatre today.” Mr. Foster has over 40 plays to his credit including Ethan Claymore, The Foursome, The Melville Boys, The Affections Of May, Wrong For Each Other, Jasper Station (with Steve Thomas), The Last Resort (with Leslie Arden), The Love List, Outlaw, Jenny's House Of Joy, and Mending Fences. He is the recipient of the Los Angeles Drama-Logue Award for his play, The Melville Boys, and he was recently honoured with an award from Theatre Ontario for his distinguished service to Ontario 's theatre community.

Chris McHarge - Director

Chris is entering his fifth season as Artistic Director here at Lighthouse Festival Theatre in beautiful lakeside Port Dover. A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Chris has been directing in Canada for over 20 years. He is the former Artistic and Executive Director of Theatre on the Grand in Fergus, Ontario, as well as a former Artistic Associate at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton. Chris has worked throughout Canada, in Europe and the United States, and has directed over 80 productions including close to 30 world premieres. He has been nominated for a number of awards including the Eleanor and Lou Siminovitch Prize in Theatre (2001 and 2004), the Canada Council John Hirsh Award and the Pauline McGibbon Award for directing. Chris is most proud of his roles as Dad to sixteen-year-old Caitlyn, eleven-year-old Erin, and eight-year-old Quinlan.

Walter is very pleased to be working with such a talented cast and supportive crew and staff.  Learning is the founding artistic director of Theatre New Brunswick.  He has also served as artistic director of The Vancouver Playhouse and The Charlottetown Festival.  Directing and acting assignments have seen him working coast to coast in Canada as well as stints in the USA and Australia.  Soon after his engagement at LFT, Walter will travel to Canberra, Australia to direct at the Canberra Repertory Theatre.

David last appeared at Lighthouse in the 2007 runaway hit The Long Weekend, and is glad to be back.  Narin directed the LFT production of Kitchen Witches, and co-starred with Norm Foster and Leisa Way in the The Love List. Favourite on stage moments include playing the cunning Master of the House, Thenardier, in Les Miserables at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto and originating the role of Dupuis Tarwater in Outlaw at Theatre Orangeville. David is proud to be entering his eleventh season as Artistic Director of Theatre Orangeville.  His directing credits there include the World Premiere productions of Could You Wait?, 'Twas, A Matter of Time, Little Women - The Musical, Dear Santa, Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun, and Bedtime Stories.

Derek Ritschel - Bob Hicks

Derek is very pleased to be in Port Dover for his seventh season.  You may remember him the Mending Fences, the smash hit of 2008, or from past productions of Heat Wave, The Drawer Boy, Mary's Wedding, A Stranger in Our House, A Christmas Carol and Bedtime Stories. Other selected stage credits for Derek include Of Mice and Men, Hurly Burly, The Crackwalker, Hamlet, Waiting for Godot, Strawberries in January, and Macbeth.  He has also appeared on the big screen in Blackheart, Glitter, Men With Guns, and Silent Hill.  On the small screen, he has appeared in Sesame Park, Traders, and Doc among others. This season’s for MR and HR.  http://www.derekritschel.com/

Michael Barber - Set Designer

Mike is happy to be back as a set designer at Lighthouse Theatre after designing the set for the 2007 hit A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline.  An artist and graphic designer by trade, Mike has his own gallery in the theatre's lobby.  He has also designed the theatre's brochures for the past four seasons.  Mike is involved in a number of  community and charitable projects throughout Norfolk county, donating his time and talents to help not-for-profit agencies achieve their goals.  He lives in Silver Hill with his wife Lisa and daughters Sierra and Marisa.

Renee Brode - Lighting Designer

Renee’s LFT lighting credits include Old Love, Separate Beds, 400 Kilometres, and Jasper Station.  She has also designed at Stratford Festival of Canada, Sudbury Theatre Centre, Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia, Thousand Islands Playhouse, Lost & Found Theatre and Touchmark Theatre.  Renée is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada.

Gaye Elizabeth Gardiner - Costume Designer

Gaye has worked extensively in feature films and for Theatre Orangeville where Outlaw premiered.  She now lives on Salt Spring Island where she continues to design and paint. 

Gaye has worked for the best of Hollywood past and present, from Red Skelton to Robert DeNiro, Imogene Coca to Rene Zellweger.

Crystal MacDonnell - Stage Manager

Crystal is thrilled to be working on her first show with Lighthouse Festival Theatre.  Some of her favorite stage management credits include:  Ain’t Misbehavin’,  A Year with Frog & Toad, Romeo & Juliet, Little Shop of Horrors(Sudbury Theatre Centre); Billy Bishop Goes To War, Little Women – The Musical (Theatre Orangeville); Same Time, Next Year (Showboat Festival Theatre); Caught In The Net, Lost In Yonkers (Drayton Entertainment); The Rhubarb Festival (Buddies In Bad Times Theatre) and five years at the Toronto International Film Festival.  She would like to thank her family & friends for their laughter, and everyone involved with this production for their hard work.  Enjoy the show!

Kevin Olson - Assistant Stage Manager

Kevin is excited to return to Lighthouse Festival Theatre and the town of Port Dover.  Not too long ago, he survived a tremendous season at Theatre Aquarius as Apprentice Stage Manager for Opening Night, Seussical - The Musical, Dreamgirls and Over the River and Through The Woods. Also at Aquarius, he was Stage Manager for Treasure Island, Pied Piper of Hamlin (gadz Productions) and Grease (Theatre Aquarius Performing Arts Programme).  Recently, he stage managed Kaha:wi Dance's Hobday Award-winning production of The Soldier's Tale, which was a collaboration between Santee Smith, Max Reimer and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Kevin would like to offer his deepest thanks to Daisy and his family, not to mention the dozens, if not hundreds of people who have helped him along his way in the past year.