Late last year Christopher Canaan, an Emmy Award-winning writer, gathered a group of actors and directors he’d worked with since arriving in New Hope from California almost six years ago, to explore the idea of starting a repertory company.
Since that meeting, The New Hope Repertory Company has steadily gone about their business of bringing that vision to life culminating in its first solo production of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer prize-winning play, “Our Town,” to be presented at the New Hope Solebury High School, July 14- 17.
“We are all proud of the Bucks County Playhouse and what it brings to the area, but it occurred to me that there is room in our community for the considerable amount of nonprofessional theater talent that thrives here,” Canaan said speaking from his new home. “There are so many people I have worked with here that would have made it in Hollywood, but just never got on the bus.”
That is saying a lot considering he has worked with Charlton Heston, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Michael Mann, Berry Gordy, Pierce Brosnan, and scores of others over more than 30 years in the entertainment industry.
Forsaking screenwriting, Canaan has returned to his first love – theater.
The Repertory Company is committed to projects ranging from classical theater to new works. Part of its mandate is to produce plays that celebrate the New Hope and Bucks County culture and emphasize the small-town experience. It is also committed to bringing local students together with veteran actors.
“What’s remarkable about this new venture,” said Canaan, “is the warm reception we have received from community leaders.”
New Hope Mayor Laurence Keller wrote, “This will be a wonderful experience for the students and community alike…What an asset to the New Hope community at large, but particularly to our younger constituency. This will be a nice compliment to the New Hope Arts Center.”
And Dr. Charles Lenz, New Hope-Solebury School District superintendent, wrote, “We are excited about the opportunities this initiative may provide for our students and families. We look forward to seeing Mr. Canaan and his fellow actors and directors continue to develop this program, and to bring to New Hope-Solebury an additional performing arts opportunity and avenue to support local art and culture.”
Nona Niedert, a professional actor/director who has worked steadily on stage and screen since childhood, is directing “Our Town.”
“I love this exquisite play, not because it is sentimental or nostalgic, but because it delivers a powerful message to a 21st century audience using funny, unaffected, and perfectly ordinary characters to show us how we each fit into the cosmic human drama – which hasn’t changed since 1901, and will never change. The decidedly unsentimental playwright Edward Albee called ‘Our Town’ ‘the greatest American play ever written.’ I love it that even the scientist Albert Einstein was moved by it, writing that “ … such delicacy and detachment touches the soul like a miracle.’”
Along with Canaan, who serves as Artistic Director of the New Hope Rep Company, founding members include Rick Goodwin, George Hartpence, Drucie McDaniel, Nona Niedert and Joey Perillo.
Production dates and times are 7:30 p.m. July 14-16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 17. Tickets may be purchased online or at the box office. For tickets or information, visit Newhoperep.org or Christopher Canaan: Ccanaan731@gmail.com.
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