Billy Bishop Goes to War « Globe Theatre

Liar, cheat, hero.

By his own admission, William Avery Bishop was the Royal Military College's “worst student ever.” But before he can be expelled, he enlists for service in the First World War. Before Billy Bishop's wartime days are over, this colourful young scrapper from Owen Sound, Ontario, will become a hero and a lightning rod of new confidence for a young Canada.

Since its first staging in 1978, Billy Bishop Goes to War has become one of the most popular and oft-produced theatrical works in Canada's history. Anchored by its haunted hero and his clear-eyed memories of war's tragedies and black comedies, this award-winning musical epic is given extra resonance by songs that are sometimes raucous, sometimes mournful, but always steeped in the realities of wartime. Experience Billy Bishop and connect body and soul with a formative part of Canada's history.

Jacob James	Billy Bishop
Zachary Flis	Piano Player

Max Reimer	Director
Scott Penner	Set Designer
Emma Williams	Costume Designer
Robert Thomson	Lighting Designer
Dianne Woodrow	Stage Manager
Monika Dembowy	Apprentice Stage Manager

	Jacob James \| Billy Bishop Globe Theatre : Debut in Billy Bishop Goes to War Other Theatre: Selected credits include: Ariel in The Tempest , Moth in Love's Labors Lost , Tim in Noises Off , Will in Sticks and Stones , many others (Stratford Shakespeare Festival - Seven Seasons); The Russian Play/Essay, Drowsy Chaperone, The 39 Steps, Billy Bishop Goes To War (Thousand Islands Playhouse - Four seasons); Life and Times of Mackenzie King, War of 1812 (Videocabaret - Two Seasons); Macbeth (Festival of the Classics). Upcoming: War of 1812 (Toronto remount); Damnation, Rubicon (Redstar Films). Television and Film: The 99, Marco Polo (animated series), Urban Legends (A&E), Guns and Waffles (indie feature). Other: Jacob is a teaching artist with Michigan State University (Theatre Dept.), Stratford Shakespeare Festival Education Dept. and St. Lawrence College (Music Theatre program). He is a graduate of The National Theatre School, Stratford Festival Conservatory, Second City Conservatory, and York University's Teaching Artist program. "I am honored to make my debut at the Globe Theatre, and to have another opportunity to work on this outstanding play. I dedicate my work to the memory of my Grandpa Frank O'Neill and how much he looked up to his older brother Eddy, a fighter pilot shot down in WW2."
	Zachary Flis \| Piano Player Globe Theatre: A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline (2012) Other Theatre: Music Director / Larry in [title of show] (Blue Room Theatre Company); Music Director / Brad in The Rocky Horror Show (Whatstheword Productions). Other: Recently produced his first original musical, Girls Who Are Mean , under his own company (Thoughts By Zach). After completing two years of a BMUS in voice/piano performance, Zach is blessed and thrilled to make his way back into musical theatre! Love to Mom, Dad, GWAM cast, family and friends! So lucky to have had my professional career start at Globe Theatre! This one is for you, Dido!
	Max Reimer \| Director Globe Theatre: Debut with Billy Bishop Goes to War Other Theatre: The Drowsy Chaperone (National Arts Centre, Citadel, Vancouver Playhouse - Artistic Director 2008-2012); Jesus Christ Superstar (Stage West Calgary, Theatre Aquarius - Artistic Director 1996-2008); Peter Pan (Queen Elizabeth Theatre – Associate Director, Huron Country Playhouse - Artistic Director 1992-1996). Upcoming:Bah Humbug (Simon Fraser University, Woodwards); Favourite Things (Presentation House); Fiddler on the Roof (Stage West Mississauga); Gunmetal Blues (Prairie Theatre Exchange); Chicago (Stage West Calgary). Other: Jessie Richardson Award - Director, large production; Sterling Nomination - Choreography; Lieutenant Governors Award - Excellence in Business in the Arts; First Business/Arts Mentor John Hobday Award.
	Emma Williams \| Costume Designer Globe Theatre: Debut with Billy Bishop Goes to War Other Theatre: Decade (Headlong); Calendar Girls (Winnipeg/Toronto); Bird Song (West End); Calendar Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre/West End/UK tour); Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, Henry V (RSC/Roundhouse – Olivier Award-winner Best Costume Design 2009); Zorro the Musical (West End), Henry VI Parts 1-3, Richard III, Canterbury Tales (Royal Shakespeare Company), O Go My Man (Royal Court); Ordinary Angels (Royal Exchange Manchester – M.E.N Award-winner for Design); Kool Down (Somerset House); The Fat Lady Sings (Yvonne Arnaud). Film: The Darkest Days, Apollo and The Continents, Skeletons Warming, Themselves, Rabbit on the Moon, Chunky Monkey, Pierre Dupont, Fingers Crossed, Old Street, Nouvelle France, Elmina’s Kitchen, Hawkings Dream.Television: Elmina’s Kitchen, In Search of Myths and Heroes .
	Scott Penner \| Set Designer Globe Theatre : Debut with Billy Bishop Goes to War Other Theatre: Cymbeline (Stratford Shakespeare Festival); Hair (Grand Theatre London); Lawrence & Holloman, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Sudbury Theatre Centre); Richard III, The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Hart House Theatre); Twelfth Night, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Classical Theatre Project); Our Town, Sense & Sensibility (Montgomery Theatre). Upcoming: Ordinary Days (Angelwalk Theatre/ Winnipeg Studio Theatre); How it Works (Sudbury Theatre Centre); A Few Brittle Leaves (Buddies In Bad Times Theatre). Other: Website: www.scottpennerdesign.com
	Robert Thomson \| Lighting Designer Globe Theatre: The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon Most Recent Theatre Credits: Much Ado About Nothing, Cymbeline (Stratford Shakespeare Festival); Hedda Gabler (Hartford Stage-Connecticut); Krapp’s Last Tape, Hughie (Goodman Theatre-Chicago); Fernando Krapp Wrote Me This Letter, The Cosmonaut’s Last Message… (Canadian Stage); August: Osage County (Citadel Theatre); Bluebeard’s Castle, Erwartung (Seattle Opera). Other Theatre: The Homecoming, Romeo and Juliet, Caesar and Cleopatra, King Lear (Stratford Shakespeare Festival - 11 seasons designing); Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet (National Ballet of Canada - Resident Lighting Designer for 12 seasons); Picnic, St. Joan, Cavalcade (Shaw Festival - 24 seasons designing, 10 years as Head of Lighting Design). Other: Sterling Award: Robert Lepage’s Bluebeard's Castle; four Dora Mavor Moore Awards.
	Dianne Woodrow \| Stage Manager Globe Theatre : Debut with Billy Bishop Goes to War Other Theatre: Production Stage Manager credits include The Boys in the Photograph, Mamma Mia!, The Lion King, Rent, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Miserables (The Shaw Festival, three seasons); Love, Lose, and What I Wore,The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards , (Vancouver), The Charlottetown Festival and Summerside Theatre. Other stage management credits include shows at Soulpepper Theatre, The National Arts Centre and The Canadian Opera Company, Canadian Stage, The Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Vancouver Playhouse, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Rainbow Stage and the Toronto production of Evil Dead, The Musical . Upcoming: A Christmas Carol (Theatre Calgary). Other: Dianne has served on the Advisory Boards for Sheridan and Niagara Colleges, Canadian Actor’s Equity, and Toronto Arts for Youth.
	Monika Dembowy \| Apprentice Stage Manager Globe Theatre : Debut with Billy Bishop Goes to War Other Credits: Canada Rocks, Hit Country (Stephenville Festival); Sweeney Tood (Theatre Sheridan); Winter, Neddy Norris Night, Oracle At Gros Morne (Gros Morne Theatre Festival); Twelfth Night (Driftwood Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear, Arcadia, Stephen and Mr. Wilde, Julius Caesar (Hart House Theatre); As You Like It (Canopy Theatre Company); Underneath, Stranger (Praxis Theatre).

Download the play guide for Billy Bishop Goes to War

Download the Media Release for Billy Bishop Goes to War

Link to the Globe Theatre Blog and read "Ten Little Known Facts about the real Billy Bishop"

Link to the Globe Theatre Blog and read "Jacob James: The Man Behind Billy Bishop"

Link to the Globe Theatre Blog and read "Zac Flis: Piano player, musical director, and incredible Regina talent"

Read the preview article: "Globe takes flight with Billy Bishop Goes to War" by Joe Couture, Regina Leader-Post October 4, 2012

Read the preview article: "Billy Bishop Goes to War: Jacob James tackles one of Canada’s greatest heroes" by Alex MacPherson, Verb Magazine September 28, 2012

Read the preview article: "Billy Bishop Goes to War playing at Regina's Globe Theatre" by Chelsea Laskowski, CJME 980 Regina, October 11, 2012

Link to the Globe Theatre Blog and read the preview article and interview with Director Max Reimer by Nick Miliokas

Link to the Globe Theatre Blog and read the review article by Nick Miliokas

Read the review: "James right on the mark in challenging role" by Joe Couture, Regina Leader-Post October 12, 2012

	Jacob James \| Billy Bishop Globe Theatre : Debut in Billy Bishop Goes to War Other Theatre: Selected credits include: Ariel in The Tempest , Moth in Love's Labors Lost , Tim in Noises Off , Will in Sticks and Stones , many others (Stratford Shakespeare Festival - Seven Seasons); The Russian Play/Essay, Drowsy Chaperone, The 39 Steps, Billy Bishop Goes To War (Thousand Islands Playhouse - Four seasons); Life and Times of Mackenzie King, War of 1812 (Videocabaret - Two Seasons); Macbeth (Festival of the Classics). Upcoming: War of 1812 (Toronto remount); Damnation, Rubicon (Redstar Films). Television and Film: The 99, Marco Polo (animated series), Urban Legends (A&E), Guns and Waffles (indie feature). Other: Jacob is a teaching artist with Michigan State University (Theatre Dept.), Stratford Shakespeare Festival Education Dept. and St. Lawrence College (Music Theatre program). He is a graduate of The National Theatre School, Stratford Festival Conservatory, Second City Conservatory, and York University's Teaching Artist program. "I am honored to make my debut at the Globe Theatre, and to have another opportunity to work on this outstanding play. I dedicate my work to the memory of my Grandpa Frank O'Neill and how much he looked up to his older brother Eddy, a fighter pilot shot down in WW2."
	Zachary Flis \| Piano Player Globe Theatre: A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline (2012) Other Theatre: Music Director / Larry in [title of show] (Blue Room Theatre Company); Music Director / Brad in The Rocky Horror Show (Whatstheword Productions). Other: Recently produced his first original musical, Girls Who Are Mean , under his own company (Thoughts By Zach). After completing two years of a BMUS in voice/piano performance, Zach is blessed and thrilled to make his way back into musical theatre! Love to Mom, Dad, GWAM cast, family and friends! So lucky to have had my professional career start at Globe Theatre! This one is for you, Dido!
	Max Reimer \| Director Globe Theatre: Debut with Billy Bishop Goes to War Other Theatre: The Drowsy Chaperone (National Arts Centre, Citadel, Vancouver Playhouse - Artistic Director 2008-2012); Jesus Christ Superstar (Stage West Calgary, Theatre Aquarius - Artistic Director 1996-2008); Peter Pan (Queen Elizabeth Theatre – Associate Director, Huron Country Playhouse - Artistic Director 1992-1996). Upcoming:Bah Humbug (Simon Fraser University, Woodwards); Favourite Things (Presentation House); Fiddler on the Roof (Stage West Mississauga); Gunmetal Blues (Prairie Theatre Exchange); Chicago (Stage West Calgary). Other: Jessie Richardson Award - Director, large production; Sterling Nomination - Choreography; Lieutenant Governors Award - Excellence in Business in the Arts; First Business/Arts Mentor John Hobday Award.
	Emma Williams \| Costume Designer Globe Theatre: Debut with Billy Bishop Goes to War Other Theatre: Decade (Headlong); Calendar Girls (Winnipeg/Toronto); Bird Song (West End); Calendar Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre/West End/UK tour); Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, Henry V (RSC/Roundhouse – Olivier Award-winner Best Costume Design 2009); Zorro the Musical (West End), Henry VI Parts 1-3, Richard III, Canterbury Tales (Royal Shakespeare Company), O Go My Man (Royal Court); Ordinary Angels (Royal Exchange Manchester – M.E.N Award-winner for Design); Kool Down (Somerset House); The Fat Lady Sings (Yvonne Arnaud). Film: The Darkest Days, Apollo and The Continents, Skeletons Warming, Themselves, Rabbit on the Moon, Chunky Monkey, Pierre Dupont, Fingers Crossed, Old Street, Nouvelle France, Elmina’s Kitchen, Hawkings Dream.Television: Elmina’s Kitchen, In Search of Myths and Heroes .
	Scott Penner \| Set Designer Globe Theatre : Debut with Billy Bishop Goes to War Other Theatre: Cymbeline (Stratford Shakespeare Festival); Hair (Grand Theatre London); Lawrence & Holloman, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Sudbury Theatre Centre); Richard III, The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Hart House Theatre); Twelfth Night, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Classical Theatre Project); Our Town, Sense & Sensibility (Montgomery Theatre). Upcoming: Ordinary Days (Angelwalk Theatre/ Winnipeg Studio Theatre); How it Works (Sudbury Theatre Centre); A Few Brittle Leaves (Buddies In Bad Times Theatre). Other: Website: www.scottpennerdesign.com
	Robert Thomson \| Lighting Designer Globe Theatre: The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon Most Recent Theatre Credits: Much Ado About Nothing, Cymbeline (Stratford Shakespeare Festival); Hedda Gabler (Hartford Stage-Connecticut); Krapp’s Last Tape, Hughie (Goodman Theatre-Chicago); Fernando Krapp Wrote Me This Letter, The Cosmonaut’s Last Message… (Canadian Stage); August: Osage County (Citadel Theatre); Bluebeard’s Castle, Erwartung (Seattle Opera). Other Theatre: The Homecoming, Romeo and Juliet, Caesar and Cleopatra, King Lear (Stratford Shakespeare Festival - 11 seasons designing); Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet (National Ballet of Canada - Resident Lighting Designer for 12 seasons); Picnic, St. Joan, Cavalcade (Shaw Festival - 24 seasons designing, 10 years as Head of Lighting Design). Other: Sterling Award: Robert Lepage’s Bluebeard's Castle; four Dora Mavor Moore Awards.
	Dianne Woodrow \| Stage Manager Globe Theatre : Debut with Billy Bishop Goes to War Other Theatre: Production Stage Manager credits include The Boys in the Photograph, Mamma Mia!, The Lion King, Rent, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Miserables (The Shaw Festival, three seasons); Love, Lose, and What I Wore,The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards , (Vancouver), The Charlottetown Festival and Summerside Theatre. Other stage management credits include shows at Soulpepper Theatre, The National Arts Centre and The Canadian Opera Company, Canadian Stage, The Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Vancouver Playhouse, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Rainbow Stage and the Toronto production of Evil Dead, The Musical . Upcoming: A Christmas Carol (Theatre Calgary). Other: Dianne has served on the Advisory Boards for Sheridan and Niagara Colleges, Canadian Actor’s Equity, and Toronto Arts for Youth.
	Monika Dembowy \| Apprentice Stage Manager Globe Theatre : Debut with Billy Bishop Goes to War Other Credits: Canada Rocks, Hit Country (Stephenville Festival); Sweeney Tood (Theatre Sheridan); Winter, Neddy Norris Night, Oracle At Gros Morne (Gros Morne Theatre Festival); Twelfth Night (Driftwood Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear, Arcadia, Stephen and Mr. Wilde, Julius Caesar (Hart House Theatre); As You Like It (Canopy Theatre Company); Underneath, Stranger (Praxis Theatre).

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Billy Bishop Goes to War

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