November 15 – 24, 2024
Theatre Centre / Franco Boni Theatre
Tall Poppy Productions is thrilled to present the World Premiere of The Bee’s Knees, written and directed by Judy Reynolds, running from November 15 to November 24, 2024, at the Theatre Centre. This captivating new play, featuring a large and dynamic cast, transports audiences to the early 1920s, a time when women in Canada could run for parliament for the first time. This jazz-filled production follows two sisters as they navigate the scandalous and dangerous world of politics, all while shining a poignant lens on modern-day leadership.
As the U.S. enters a contentious election cycle in 2024, The Bee’s Knees could not be more timely. The play delves into political ambition, societal change, and women’s obstacles when stepping into leadership roles. Much like today’s political landscape, the 1920s setting reveals striking parallels, reminding us that, although time has passed, the fundamental challenges of equality, representation, and leadership remain. The play’s central theme is even more resonant in a world where female politicians are still subjected to scrutiny, smear campaigns, and threats. As we look ahead to the upcoming U.S. presidential election, The Bee’s Knees forces us to ask: How far have we truly come?
The Bee’s Knees centers on Bernie, a rebellious young flapper who convinces her older, more cautious sister Dolores to run for office. Facing off against the town’s incumbent Jerry Fields, a charismatic yet unscrupulous politician, Dolores is up against more than just political competition. Together, the sisters must endure smear campaigns, death threats, a catatonic mother, betrayals from those they trust, and an unexpected romance—all while running a campaign that challenges societal norms.
With original music inspired by the jazz era, The Bee’s Knees is both entertaining and thought-provoking. While it takes audiences back to the glitz and innovation of the 1920s, it also poses questions relevant to the 2020s, examining the timeless struggles women face in politics. As the play suggests, “Fashions may have changed, but not much else.”
Judy Reynolds, playwright and director, was inspired to create The Bee’s Knees after a personal experience with her daughter:
“When my daughter was around 6 years old she asked me, ‘Mommy, can’t a woman be prime minister?’ She was raised in a feminist household and would never think to ask if women could be astronauts, firefighters, or doctors. But somehow she wasn’t picking up that women could be world leaders. I wrote The Bee’s Knees because I wanted to show her something better.”
— Judy Reynolds, Playwright
The large ensemble cast brings the vibrant world of the 1920s to life, with a colourful array of characters navigating the rapidly changing post-World War I and Spanish Flu era. From Dolores’s disapproving Aunt Virginia to suffragists fighting for women’s rights amidst societal inequities to Rita Blue, the speakeasy owner and truth-teller who bridges past and present with her music, The Bee’s Knees is a dynamic exploration of a world in upheaval.
Amid another pivotal U.S. election season, this play serves as a reminder that while political landscapes evolve, some challenges, especially for women in leadership, remain constant. Audiences will be prompted to reflect on the parallels between the 1920s and today, asking, “Is it really that different now?”
Performance Dates and Ticket Information
The Bee’s Knees runs from November 15 to 24, 2024, at the Franco Boni Theatre. This performance is 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an intermission.
Performance Dates and Times:
- November 15 – 8:00 pm (Opening Night)
- November 16, 19-23 – 8:00 pm
- Sunday, November 17, 24 – 3:00 pm
Ticket Prices:
- Adult: $38
- Student: $22
- Artsworkers: $26
Tickets are available for purchase at www.thebeeskneesplay.com.
