The Lunchbox CHSR

Theatre can take you places, and they as real in that moment as anywhere.

My guests today are all involved the Notable Acts Theatre Festival. Len Falkenstein is a well known figure in local theatre, and a founder of this festival, as well as acting and directing in this year’s productions. Beth Graham is the Playwright-in-Residence and Dramaturg for this year, as well as presenting a reading of her new play Amber Hope Porter. Beatrix Culligan is a performer in the site-specific play For Whom The Troll Tolls. Brandon Hicks is the playwright of the 10-minute plays Don’t Shoot Your Mother and Sinking.

They join me to talk about creativity within constraints, advice to playwrights, and their love of the medium.

The Notable Acts Theatre Festival runs July 24 through August 3. Amber Hope Porter is part of the second Play Out Loud Readings, on July 27 at 2pm in the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. Don’t Shoot Your Mother is being performed as part of the Taking It To The Streets series, running nightly at 7:30pm from July 28 through July 31, staged in the Beaverbrook Art Gallery Courtyard. For Whom The Troll Tolls is part of the Street Scenes series, running nightly at approximately 8:25pm (following Taking It The Streets). Sinking is part of the Acting Out series, running nightly at 7:30pm from July 30 through August 1 at Memorial Hall on UNB Campus.

Creative sparks can come from anywhere — including the audience!

My guests today are the creators of the two mainstage presentations at this year’s Notable Acts Theatre Festival. Alexa Higgins is the playwright and a performer of Crane Girl, and Jean-Michel Cliche is the playwright and a performer of Tilt.

They join me to chat about the real-world inspirations for each production, the transformation of an idea into an actual play (sometimes, live in the theatre) and what theatre means to them.

The Notable Acts Theatre Festival runs July 24 through August 3. The mainstage presentation of Tilt runs July 24th and 25th, and Crane Girl runs August 2nd and 3rd. Each performance takes place at Memorial Hall on UNB Campus, and runs 7:30pm each night.

My guests today are Len Falkenstein (Director), Rebekkah Chasse (Lady Macbeth), Scott Shannon (Macbeth), and Mary Walker (Witch), who are all involved in the upcoming Bard in the Barracks presentation of Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth. We talk about how to approach iconic characters, and the somewhat disturbing relevance of the story of a tragic, over-ambitious leader.

Macbeth will be staged in the Botanical Gardens in Odell Park.

Bard in the Barracks runs from June 17 to July 7, with Macbeth showing on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays (June 20, 22, 25, 26, 27, 29 and July 2, 3, 6), with a preview performance on June 19. Patrons are advised to arrive by 7:15, with a curtain time of 7:30pm.

My guests today are Len Falkenstein (Director), Shannon Munn (Mistress Ford), and Rhett Ellis (Falstaff), who are all involved in the upcoming Bard in the Barracks presentation of Shakespeare’s comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor. We discuss the farce of this play, especially in contrast to the visual reframing as a mobster story.

The Merry Wives of Windsor will be staged on a purpose-built stage on the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral downtown. (Please bring a folding chair.)

Bard in the Barracks runs from June 17 to July 7, with The Merry Wives of Windsor showing on Saturdays and Mondays (June 21, 23, 28, 30 and July 5 and 7), with a preview performance on June 17 and an opening night on June 18. Patrons are advised to arrive by 7:45, with a curtain time of 8pm.

My guest today is musician and road warrior Rory Taillon. Rory is on the tail end of his current Atlantic Canada tour before heading back home to Ontario. He joins me to play a few songs and chat about finding inspiration, looking backward and looking forward.

Rory Taillon is playing at The Abbey Café and Gallery tonight (May 28, 2025) at 7pm.

Moving can be difficult, especially for those experiencing domestic abuse. There are people who can help.

My guest today is Michelle Tupy, the Chapter Director of Shelter Movers New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. They are extending their operations into the Fredericton area, and Michelle joins me to talk about the work that the organization does, the need for the assistance, and how they go about helping someone.

No matter how you look at it, youth are going to be living with the consequences of politics far longer than anyone older.

My guest today is Amanda Munday, the Executive Director of New Majority. Their mission is to “activate young and first-time voters, ensuring [their] voice is heard where it counts”. They recently came to UNB campus to encourage youth to be involved in voting for the federal election, and she joins me to talk about their goals, scope of activities and encouraging people across the country.

The federal election is happening on April 28, but there are opportunities to vote on campus or in other places in advance of the election day. Additional information is available at Elections Canada.

The students all gather with professor Mark Tunney for a live show send-off, both for their own individual efforts and for the their retiring teacher.

Credit: www.thehypochondriacs.com

Josh Bravener, frontman of the Fredericton staple The Hypochondriacs, stopped by CHSR on April 5, 2025 for a chat about the band’s upcoming shows, highlights from the past couple of years, and what’s on the horizon for 2025.

The nature of artists is often change, growth and experimentation.

My guests today are John Heinstein and Peter Hicks, core members of the band Sleepy Driver (among other projects). They join me to talk about exploring new directions with the band, including many of the changes it has already had over its 20 year history, and the many friends they have a chance to work with.

A new album from Sleepy Driver should be in the works over the next year, and singles are being released in the mean time. You can catch them at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre with several of their friends for a concert on April 12.