SINK OR SWIM Comes to United Solo Theatre Festival

Sink or Swim, Beverley Elliott's poignant, playful, achingly relatable journey through her early years in rural Ontario, will enjoy a limited engagement at the UNITED SOLO THEATRE FESTIVAL at Theatre Row. 410 West 42nd Street New York, NY, 10036 Nov 13th at 9pm and Nov 17th at 2pm (SOLD OUT), with more shows added based on ticket demand.

Voted 2016's Pick of the Vancouver Fringe Festival, this audience favorite and critically acclaimed production is a delight from start to finish!

Known to fans around the world for her recurring role as "Granny" on ABC's hit series, Once Upon A Time, Elliott's production of Sink or Swim is the enchanting prequel to her 2014 Pick of the Vancouver Fringe Festival show, ...didn't see that coming. "It's Little House on the Prairie meets Lord of the Flies," says Elliott, as she navigates uncharted waters, first surprises, big adventures, and the betrayals and epiphanies that shape us all into the adults we become. Brimming with songs and stories, Elliott's utterly engaging romp through her formative years reveals the fears and foibles of five year old "Smelly Elliott" and her experiences of trading the safety of the family farm for the daunting one room schoolhouse, classroom bullies and the choppy waters of Boiler Beach, Ontario.

Directing this enchanting production is multi-disciplinary theatre artist and award-winning songwriter, Lynna Goldhar Smith, founding member of Vancouver's Wet Ink Collective. Elliott met Goldhar Smith through Wet Ink over five years ago. "I was part of the collective over four years" she says. "I joined this all women group and started writing autobiographical short stories which brought them to laughter and tears. Encouraged by their responses, I decided to put on a show. I had written so many stories that they suggested I organize them by themes." One collection became ...didn't see that coming. Another grouping was the genesis for Sink or Swim, covering experiences from the age of age five which Elliott recounts with comedic grace and cinematic clarity. Bill Costin returns to accompany Elliott as musical director. They have worked together in the cabaret/nightclub scene, including many shows at the OASIS. "In Bill, I have found my Barry Manilow," she smiles. "His theatrical instincts are impeccable." They have penned two of the production's five original songs, Green Grass and Busy. Little Boat, a moving ballad about the power of love, written by Elliott and Edwin Coppard, is included on Elliott's recently released CD, Sunday Morning.

A truly stellar production, with a lustrous performance by Beverley Elliott, Sink or Swim is the must- see show of the season!

HappyGoodThings Productions was formed in the summer of 2014 when Beverley Elliott was writing and rehearsing her play, ...didn't see that coming, for the Vancouver Fringe Festival. The rehearsal room was filled with laughter, creativity, music, and inclusivity. Absolute joy. From this, the name of HappyGoodThings was born. It encompasses the feeling of working in the world this way. The company's mandate is to be happy and create good things. Sink or Swim is the second play to come out of this playful group of artists.

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