DEAR RITA MADE ITS ONTARIO, NEWFOUNDLAND, AND HALIAX PREMIERES IN 2024!
DEAR RITA is a musical celebration of Cape Breton's first lady of song, Rita MacNeil. Lindsay Kyte was chosen by Rita's son Wade to develop this show, which features new, reimagined arrangements of Rita’s songs — from her popular hits to songs that made her bandmates cry like babies. DEAR RITA weaves Rita’s lyrics into new perspectives and invites her spirit into the room as her songs and words are lived by 5 -person cast and band, through their own identities and experiences. Lindsay teamed up with PEI's award-winning composer/musician Mike Ross to create DEAR RITA, which premiered at the Charlottetown Festival in 2021 and the Savoy Theatre in 2022/23.
DEAR RITA had a spectacular run in 2024, making its Ontario premiere with Tweed & Company. This production then premiered in Newfoundland with Terra Bruce. Then, in Summer 2024, DEAR RITA ran all of August with Neptune Theatre in Halifax!
OPEN CASKET, OPEN MIC premiered in 2022 at Victoria Playhouse, PEI!
What happens when a funeral home tries to make some extra cash by hosting an Open Mic in its spare room? Absolute mayhem.
OPEN CASKET, OPEN MIC is a wild, musical adventure where the living and the dead meet — a funeral home. Its book was written by Lindsay Kyte, with the music and lyrics co-written Terra Spencer, Garry Williams, and Kyte.
What happens when a funeral home tries to make some extra cash by hosting an Open Mic in its spare room? Absolute mayhem.
OPEN CASKET, OPEN MIC is a wild, musical adventure where the living and the dead meet — a funeral home. Its book was written by Lindsay Kyte, with the music and lyrics co-written Terra Spencer, Garry Williams, and Kyte.
DEAR RITA PLAYED AT THE SAVOY THEATRE IN CAPE BRETON IN 2022/23!
DEAR RITA premiered "back home' in Cape Breton, playing in Rita MacNeil's home theatre — the Savoy Theatre.
DEAR RITA premiered "back home' in Cape Breton, playing in Rita MacNeil's home theatre — the Savoy Theatre.
DEAR RITA won the 2023 Merritt Award for "Outstanding Original Score!"
In March 2023, DEAR RITA won the Merritt award for "Outstanding Musical Score with Rita MacNeil, Mike Ross & Lindsay Kyte."
Lindsay Kyte was awarded the "Professional Development Scholarship (Songwriting)" at the 2023 Merritts!
Thanks so much to TNS and the jury!
In March 2023, DEAR RITA won the Merritt award for "Outstanding Musical Score with Rita MacNeil, Mike Ross & Lindsay Kyte."
Lindsay Kyte was awarded the "Professional Development Scholarship (Songwriting)" at the 2023 Merritts!
Thanks so much to TNS and the jury!
DEAR RITA PREMIERED AT THE CHARLOTTETOWN FESTIVAL IN 2021!
DEAR RITA premiered in Summer 2021 on the Main Stage at the Charlottetown Festival!
DEAR RITA premiered in Summer 2021 on the Main Stage at the Charlottetown Festival!
TOMPKINSVILLE WON TWO MERRITT THEATRE AWARDS!
Lindsay's play Tompkinsville, about the Canadian Co-operative Movement, was awarded "Outstanding Score" and "Best Production From a New or Emerging Theatre Company" at the 2017 Robert Merritt Theatre awards.
Congrats to our cast, crew, producers, and Ian Sherwood, who wrote Tompkinsville's music, and co-wrote lyrics with Lindsay.
Lindsay's play Tompkinsville, about the Canadian Co-operative Movement, was awarded "Outstanding Score" and "Best Production From a New or Emerging Theatre Company" at the 2017 Robert Merritt Theatre awards.
Congrats to our cast, crew, producers, and Ian Sherwood, who wrote Tompkinsville's music, and co-wrote lyrics with Lindsay.
