Jake’s Gift presented at Rosebud

Times Reporter  

 

Remembrance Day is coming a little early to Rosebud this year with the one-time presentation of Jake’s Gift on Sept. 23.

“Jake’s Gift is coming to Rosebud as part of Rosebud Theatre’s Rosebud Presents series – where we bring in artists and performances to enhance our season by offering more variety and extending our season. There is only one performance in Rosebud scheduled and will not be here for Remembrance Day,” said Heather Little, marketing assistant for Rosebud Centre of the Arts.

“Jake’s Gift is a profoundly moving play and encourages audiences to remember our veterans. It connects the audience to one man’s story and makes the connection to all the heroic men and women who fought and still fight for our freedom and safety more tangible and personal.”

The script was written and performed by Julia Mackey. It tells the story of a Canadian World War II veteran returning to Juno Beach for the first time to find the grave of his brother who never came home. 

While on the trip, Jake meets a young French girl who helps him confront the ghosts of his past. The script was inspired by Mackey’s own visit to Normandy for the 60th anniversary of D-Day.  

“Julia Mackey absorbs audiences in her amazing transformations, seamlessly shifting between four distinct characters including a cantankerous, though warm-hearted, veteran and a precocious 10-year-old French girl,” said Little. 

 Jake’s Gift has been touring for over eight years, and has been performed over 600 times in 200 communities. It’s a multi-award winning production with a story that is so profound it was performed on Juno Beach this past summer for the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

Jake’s Gift will only have a one-time showing in Rosebud on Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $32 for regular admission, and $26 for season ticket holders. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-267-7553, or by going online to rosebudtheatre.com.