Theatre Collingwood presents Leftovers and The Lottery: A Celebration of Shirley Jackson

Melody Johnson is performing in Leftovers and The Lottery: A Celebration of Shirley Jackson May 11-13 at The Simcoe Street Theatre, accompanied by her husband Allen Cole.

Combining reading, performance, and live piano, Leftovers and The Lottery takes the audience on an exciting journey in celebration of one of America’s finest writers.

Jackson, an American horror and history writer known for The Haunting of Hill House, was an “ordinary housewife” who shook up the world with her stories of everyday life and human nature. The show is entertaining, funny, and thought- provoking live theatre, said promoters.

“Melody is an amazing entertainer,” said Erica Angus, executive director of Theatre Collingwood.

While working on traditional theatre Johnson worked in the improv and comedy worlds, where Colin Mochrie hired her for The Toronto Second City Touring Company. After being a mainstage actor she began directing Second City’s touring company. Perhaps this is where she developed her incredible sense of timing.

Nominated for a 2023 Canadian Screen Award for her work in the animated series Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe, Johnson is an award-winning comic and dramatic actor known for quirky offbeat characters on screen (Michael Everyday, Ordinary Days). Her voice work also includes Letterkenny and Dog and Pony.

As a Toronto Second City Mainstage vet and director she’s also a Dora award winning actor, and Canadian Comedy award winner.

Cole, originally from Nova Scotia, has worked as composer, musical director, and writer for The Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, the National Arts Centre and many other theatres across the country. He won numerous awards, including four Dora Mavor Moore awards, six Robert Merritt awards, and a Best Film Score Award from The Atlantic Film Festival. His musical Rockbound won five Merritt Awards, including Best New Play, Best Music and Best Production, and was nominated for the Lieutenant-Governor’s Masterworks Award.

For tickets or more information call 705-445-2200 or visit www.theatrecollingwood.ca.