About the Book:

Cerulean Blue is a full-length comedy by Drew Hayden Taylor. The story of a struggling blues band invited to participate in a benefit concert for a remote First Nations community in conflict with governmental authorities. Upon arriving, the band discovers the entire lineup of musical acts has cancelled and they're left trapped behind barricades. Complicating the matter, there is conflict within the band and the sudden appearance of an old girlfriend makes the event even more perilous.

Cerulean Blue is about a struggling Blues Band in weeks of never ending misfortunes. After two of its founding members defect to enjoy wedded harmony and normal life, a Blues Band, Cerulean Blue, is left with only half its members. Auditions are held and for a while, it looks like Cerulean Blue will survive the crisis and possibly even prosper, until Billy Burroughs, the newest member of the band books them a gig at a First Nations protest concert. When they arrive, they discover the concert has been cancelled, a barricade has gone up on which they are on the wrong side, and an old girlfriend is making things very difficult for Billy. This play is an homage to fast-moving farces while also addressing Aboriginal issues. Cerulean Blue is an uproarious exploration of relationships, perceptions, politics, and what to do when you discover you've been dating your first cousin. Add a few spoonfuls of original blues music, and you've got a fun-filled evening.

Cerulean Blue was commissioned especially for the Ryerson Theatre School and had it's world premiere in 2014 at the Abrams Studio Theatre in Toronto, Ontario. The play was written for a large ensemble cast, which makes it ideal for community theatres and musical theatre departments in high schools and colleges – every student can play a part.

Cast: 10 female, 10 male

What people say:

"An off-the-chart comedy... Not only was the acting on point, but the musical talent was as well... I walked away smiling from ear to ear... an amazing show that gave me goosebumps, warmed my heart, and left me laughing right until the very end... There were moments when I felt as though I was disturbing the cast by laughing so hard in the front row. I had to cover my face with my program to calm myself down... The musical performances were on the same level as the fantastic acting: impeccable. Each member of the band played their own instruments and sang their own vocals live. It was a great combination of theatre and music. I got to enjoy a great production as well as a killer concert." — Ryerson Folio

"With a large ensemble cast, original music and jokes that poke fun at all of us, this play is thoughtful, warm, funny, compassionate and very entertaining ... Cerulean Blue epitomizes community theatre at its best; bringing together people, cultures, and communities through shared laughter." — The Chronicle Herald

About the Playwright:

Drew Hayden Taylor one of Canada's best known and most prolific Indigenous writers. An Ojibway born on Curve Lake First Nation near Peterborough, Ontario, he has worn many hats in his literary career, from performing stand-up comedy at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., to being Artistic Director of Canada's premiere Aboriginal theatre company, Native Earth Performing Arts. He has been an award-winning playwright (with productions of his work in Canada, the US, and Europe), a journalist/columnist (appearing regularly in several Canadian newspapers and magazines), short-story writer, novelist, television scriptwriter, and documentary filmmaker.