Billy Bishop Goes To War

An unlikely champion, Billy Bishop stumbled his way into the Royal Canadian Flying Corps and unexpectedly became its most decorated officer. Credited with more air victories than any British or American pilot, Bishop was a hero, an icon and an enigma. A tour de force of story and song, ‘Billy Bishop’ takes you from edge-of-your-seat aerial battles to the lunacy, laughter and loss behind the lines.

The New York Times called Billy Bishop Goes to War “A high-flying ace of a show capturing the humor, the hellfire and the derring-do of an extraordinary career.” “A delightful – and cunningly wrought – work of art.” said The New Yorker.

‘Billy Bishop’ brings together the talents of three of our strongest local performers, Maryann Curmi, Don Bilotti and Dennis Brown.

Bilotti, Stage 3’s Artistic Director, takes on the title role of Billy (and a cast of 16 other characters). It is surely one of the biggest challenges of his long career. An actor/director with a huge list of regional and national credits, Bilotti calls this “ the most demanding role I have ever played, period”. “I need to draw on everything I’ve ever learned for this role”, he continues. “We go from knock down slapstick comedy to terrifying battle sequences to the most poignant, heart wrenching moments – often in the space of seconds.” “Bishop was a fascinating character and this play is the perfect vehicle to depict not only his remarkable journey but also the tragedy of war and how that tragedy can bring out the best and worst in us.”

This is a play with music and Bilotti, who doesn’t consider himself a singer, sings much of it. “Since I don’t have a standard ‘musical’ voice, I am relying on the other things that make a song worthwhile, honesty and heart. We have a secret weapon that carries the play musically, Dennis Brown.”

Multi-talented Dennis Brown shares the stage as Billy’s musical alter ego. Brown has become one of the regions best known and most respected performers. He shoulders a heavy load in the production as the intricate interplay between the music and dialogue is one of the crucial elements in the show’s success.

Brown’s credits include dozens of appearances in local productions. At Stage 3 he was last seen as Jimmy in ‘Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grille”. Recently for SRT he was Old Deuteronomy in “Cats”, was the musical director and performed in “Ain’t Misbehavin” and was the voice of Audrey II in “The Little Shop of Horrors”.

“The music adds so much to ‘Billy Bishop’” he says. “It is often like a tone poem or thematic music and at times betrays the actor by revealing a deeper or different emotion.”

Directing duties are handled by Maryann Curmi. One of our best-known local lights, she has been responsible as actor and director for the success of many productions. With an unerring flair for comedy and a sensitive eye for the dramatic and touching, she is the perfect complement to bring out the humor and richness of ‘Billy Bishop’.

“This play is storytelling at its best”, she enthuses. It is powerful and delightful with its combination of humor and poignancy. The combination of Dennis and Don is magical. It’s so funny and so sad. It is a challenge to us all and a joy to work on.”

Set design will be by Ron Cotnam, Denny Anderson and Chris Sutherst. Costumes will be by Ronda Hanson and Lighting Design by Matthew Leamy.

This production is made possible in part by Associate Producer Micro-Tronics, Inc.

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Don Bilotti in Billy Bishop Goes To War

Playwrights

John Gray
Eric Peterson

Cast Members

Dennis Brown — Narrator
Don Bilotti — Billy Bishop and Others

Musician

Dennis Brown — Pianist

Crew Members

Ronda Hanson — Stage Manager
Deanna DeLeon — Wigs and Hair
Matthew Leamy — Sound & Lighting Technician

Director

Maryann Curmi

Musical Director

Dennis Brown

Designers

Ronda Hanson — Costume Design
Denny Anderson — Set Design
Ron Cotnam — Set Design
Matthew Leamy — Lighting Design

Associate Producer

Micro-Tronics, Inc.

Others

Ron Cotnam — Set Construction
Denny Anderson — Set Construction
Chris Sutherst — Set Construction
Deanna DeLeon — Wigs and Hair