Featuring the songs of Rita MacNeil

“…a magical, funny, moving, tale that touches the heart…it works perfectly, producing a fast-paced play that grabs the audience at the beginning and never lets it go.” – Halifax Chronicle Herald

The play incorporates MacNeil’s lyrics to tell the tale of a little girl from Big Pond, Cape Breton, who dreams of having a singing career. From a childhood wrought with difficulty through to her struggles as a single mother on welfare, we see an artist who refuses to give up on her dream, a terribly shy woman who finds her voice as one of Canada’s first and most vocal feminists. This is the story of an artist who has no choice but to pursue her destiny, even when it brings pain and heartbreak to those around her. It is ultimately about the power of art to sustain and inspire us.

Cast Requirements: 3 Males/5 Females/4 Piece Band

Premiered at Live Bait Theatre, July 2000

Subsequently produced by Neptune Theatre, 2002 and Live Bait Theatre again in 2004

“…an intricate tapestry of songs and scenes from the turmoil of Rita MacNeil’s life…(that) moves us to laughter and tears as we watch Rita’s life unfold…this is a story that needs to be told in theatres across Canada.” – Amherst Daily News

IN THE BEGINNING: Read the first few pages of Flying On Her Own here. If you are considering producing the show please contact me at charlierhindress[at]hotmail[dot]com to receive an electronic copy of the full script.