“Be kind - and let that kindness begin - with our animal friends”

(Laura - Beautiful Joe)

Beautiful Joe

Workshop and Staged Reading by professionals and community members

Presented by The Grey-Bruce Arts Collective

as part of The 100 Mile Playwright Festival

September 2009, Meaford, Ontario

Jenkins, (Ron Kennell) the cruel master

From L to R: Laura (Mackenzie Muldoon), Henry (Gareth Potter) and Mary Bryant, community actor

From L to R: Jenkins

(Ron Kennell), Joe (Dan Roberts) and

Tina Syjak, community actor

As I watched and listened to this clever adaptation of the novel Beautiful Joe, I was transported to a world seen through the eyes of Joe... The reading by these very gifted actors seemed to take on more than the essence of the characters in the novel, but also captured a fragment of life in the 1800's.  All-consuming and absorbing to experience.  Well done!

Vivian Baker, Board Member, Beautiful Joe Heritage Society

The Beautiful Joe Heritage Society and Mayor Francis Richardson present

Michael O’Brien playwright with an honorary plaque in Beautiful Joe Park, Meaford.

Beautiful Joe

Professional Production with Students

Presented by The Grey-Bruce Arts Collective

as part of SpringWorks Festival of Indie Arts

May 2012, Stratford, Ontario

Photography by Ann Baggley

Laura (Mackenzie Muldoon) comforts

Joe (Ryan Boyko)

“Beautiful Joe is a lovely retelling of a story I fondly remembered from childhood. The company succeeds at the great challenge of combining human and animal characters in a way that makes both believable and relatable to adult and young audiences. The kids and grownups at the performance I saw were spellbound.”

Shira Ginsler,

Education and Editorial Coordinator

Stratford Festival

Laura (Mackenzie Muldoon) with Billy the puppy (Loretta Bailey) and

Malta the cat (Vicki Laufer, student)

Jenkins, (Eli Ham) rages against

Jess, Joe’s Mother (Loretta Bailey)

Jess, Joe’s Mother (Loretta Bailey)

Bella the Parrot (Jannica Meyers, student),

Billy the puppy (Loretta Bailey). In the background,

Courtney Meloche, Composer.

My five grandchildren and I (ages 2-15 years) were mesmerized as the little dog [Joe] and his human friend survive against all odds and are saved in the end by kindness and compassion.  Beautful Joe is a thought-provoking story that cries out to be told to people of all ages.   

Marlene Miles, patron

Beautiful Joe (Ryan Boyko)

Beautiful Joe

A Classic Canadian tale adapted by

Michael O’Brien for the stage.

Presented by The Grey-BruceArts Collective

Meaford HallMay 2014

Thank You.

From The Grey-Bruce Arts Collective and The Beautiful Joe Heritage Society