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Hugh Ritchie

@hughritchie7

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"...till we all meet hereafter in the invisible world..."

Photo: Becca Guilderson, Sam Vigneault, Hugh Ritchie in The Wind Coming Over the Sea by Emma Donoghue, 2026

I had never done outdoor theatre before, until my first summer at Two Planks and a Passion in 2024. Now, I can't picture my life without it. Telling stories under the open sky, hearing the birds sing, feeling the wind on your face. It's the oldest form of storytelling, and its magic has touched my soul.

Thank you to Ken Schwartz and Chris O'Neill for inviting me into your family and trusting me. I don't typically get asked to play roles like Henry Johnson in Wind or Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow, and they're now some of my favourites in my career. Thank you to Allen Cole for your tutelage and collaboration. 10 years ago you taught me music at Ryerson, and I'm overjoyed we've been able to work together professionally. Thank you to Robin Munro, John Thomson and Bonnie Thomson for leading the best stage management/production teams in the biz. I wish every theatre had the feeling of community and teamwork you lead with.

The stories and companies from the past 3 summers will stay with me forever. I have grown as an artist and as a human being. I have laughed until I cried, and cried until I laughed, and witnessed the majesty of storytelling on the North Mountain. My heart will ache, until next time.

Photo: Becca Guilderson, Hugh Ritchie in The Wind Coming Over the Sea by Emma Donoghue, 2026

Photo: Lily Falk, Tim Machin, Chris O'Neill, Hugh Ritchie, Becca Guilderson in The Wind Coming Over the Sea by Emma Donoghue, 2026

Photo: Lily Falk, Hugh Ritchie, Becca Guilderson in The Monkey's Paw by Ken Schwartz, 2026

Photo: Santiago Guzman, Hugh Ritchie in Quixote! by Ken Schwartz, 2025

Photo: Hugh Ritchie, Becca Guilderson in Quixote! by Ken Schwartz, 2025

Photo: Hugh Ritchie in The Haunting of Sleepy Hollow by Ken Schwartz, Music by Allen Cole, 2025

Photo: Hugh Ritchie in The Haunting of Sleepy Hollow by Ken Schwartz, Music by Allen Cole, 2025

Photo: Hugh Ritchie, Sam Vigneault in The Mountain & The Valley by Catherine Banks, 2024

Photo: Seb Reade, Hugh Ritchie in Chased By the Bear by Ken Schwart taken in Ross Creek Centre for the Arts by @hughritchie7

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9

2 months ago

Happy opening to this magical crew! COME FROM AWAY is a glorious tale about how kindness can turn even the worst of times into something special. I'm so proud of this team, especially my love @beccaguilderson saving the animals (while understudying a certain pilot!), and Team Standby @jadedourisohara @mista.spott. Without a doubt one of the hardest and most rewarding shows I've been lucky enough to work on. See you on the ROCK! taken in Neptune Theatre by @hughritchie7

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6 months ago

This Christmas, my favourite people in the world got together at my sister's latest home in Tennessee. After 3 days at her home, we spent 3 days at Dollywood. I had no idea how lifechanging this experience would be for me.

After learning more about Dolly Parton's life, I'm not exaggerating when I say I feel changed. I've always known Dolly as a great singer and entertainer, but she is so much more. She is truly a beacon of light. I can't think of anyone who has dedicated their life to spreading love, joy, fellowship, education and encouragement quite like Dolly. I'm very late to the party, but every fibre of my being gets it now. This trip was truly a spiritual adventure, and its lessons will stay with me forever. My favourite Christmas ever with my favourite people, Mom, Dad, Leanna and Becca. I love you all so much.

Thanks to the best sister in the world for hosting and arranging this experience. I encourage everyone to research and listen more to the one and only Dolly Parton. We need more people like her. Happy new year to all! taken in Dollywood Theme Park, Tennessee by @hughritchie7

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10 months ago

"Perhaps, after all, romance did not come into one's life with pomp and blare, like a gay knight riding down; perhaps it crept to one's side like an old friend through quiet ways; perhaps love unfolded naturally out of a beautiful friendship." - Anne of Avonlea

Anne said yes to Gilbert! 💚 taken in Green Gables by @hughritchie7

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123

a year ago

"If I'm in the plant, then I'm part of the plant, so in a way we'll always be together..."

On May 11, we closed @neptunetheatre's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. This was without question the most challenging show of my career. I'm grateful for our entire team. For our leaders Jeremy, Sarah and Liliona. For our incomparable cast, crew, band, designers, builders and countless others who made it a once in a lifetime experience.

I will dearly miss playing Seymour. What a gift to portray a character who rides every part of the spectrum of human emotion. Hope, longing, resolve, joy, anguish, regret, betrayal, sacrifice. My favourite quality of Seymour's is how he tries his best in every moment. And that's what I strove to do every day, to give it my all and leave nothing behind.

After 9 weeks, over 60 shows, and over 15000 patrons, it's time to say goodbye to Skidrow. Thanks for the memories. And contrary to the moral of the story, I'll remember to feed the plants and the people in my life with water, sunlight and lots of love.

Photos by Stoo Metz.

𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 by Jeremy Webb
𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘆 by Liliona Quarmyne
𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 by Sarah Richardson
𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗻 by Karen Basset
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 by Samantha Wilson

𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 by Rachel Forbes 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 by Kaelen MacDonald
𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 by Jess Lewis 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 by Aaron Collier

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 Alison Crosby 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 June Zinck 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 Gina Woodward

𝗖𝗵𝗿𝘆𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘆 Hailey Christie-Hoyle
𝗖𝗵𝗿𝘆𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 JB Nelles 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝘆𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 Drew Murdock 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝘆𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Logan Robbins

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 Kih Becke, Ryan Brown, Stephane Gaudet, Thaydra Gray, Kirstin Howell, Tama Martin, Katherine Norris, Hugh Ritchie, Jeff Schwager, Reeny, with Bill Carr as Mr. Mushnik and Owen Lee as the Voice of Audrey II by @hughritchie7

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a year ago

"The guy sure looks like plant food to me!!"
Over the moon to share that I'll be joining a stellar cast and creative team in @neptunetheatre 's production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS this Spring! I last played Seymour nearly 8 years ago and can't wait to put those glasses back on!

Last photo by @seannak
LSOH at the Lower Ossington Theatre, Toronto, 2017 taken in Neptune Theatre by @hughritchie7

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2 years ago

"This is no place for kids!" Last night I made my official Neptune Theatre debut in THE FULL MONTY, swinging on for one of the ensemble tracks I cover. I'm so grateful for the support of our cast and crew, and thanks to @julietomaino for giving me a shot in the first place. Swing life has been a huge learning curve, but last night was some wonderful payoff. Haligonians, get your tickets! We're running till May 19! taken in Neptune Theatre by @hughritchie7

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3 years ago

It has been 7 years since I last was a prince in the woods. Into the Woods was one of the first shows that made me fall in love with musical theatre, and without it I don't know if I'd be where I am today. The world could use a little more Sondheim in it these days.

What a joy it's been to be with this mesmerizing company of performers at the Guild in Charlottetown. Thank you to our lovely audiences for a weekend of magic, laughter and tears. Thanks @christopher73wilson for the opportunity! One more journey through the woods this afternoon! taken in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island by @hughritchie7

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4 years ago

If my math is correct, today is my 200th performance as Gilbert Blythe in the musical ANNE & GILBERT. When I was a kid, I idolized performers like Robert Preston, who played Harold Hill on Broadway hundreds of times. I only hoped one day I'd be so fortunate to work on a show I love so much for so long.

While this summer has been very difficult for personal reasons, I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my life. Change is frightening, but sometimes it is what's best for your future self to be happy.

My love goes out to all the artists whose lives were turned upside down by the pandemic, and who hopefully have had the chance to return to doing what they love. There's no better feeling in the world. taken in Florence Simmons Performance Hall by @hughritchie7

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14

4 years ago

"If you're pleased as punch with where you live and proud of what you do, you're island, you're island through and through." 'Til next time, Charlottetown. Thank you for an unforgettable summer. ❤️ taken in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island by @hughritchie7

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4

7 years ago

"I'm from Toronto and I'm not impressed - if only I had known" - Roy Gardner in Anne & Gilbert
It's hard to believe we're halfway through this epic run (75/149)! Much love to the cast and crew who make this special show come to life day in and day out. And thanks @brandonhowardroy for the sick t-shirt! To 74 more adventures in Avonlea! #halfwaythere #livingonaprayer taken in The Arts Guild by @hughritchie7

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5

7 years ago

Life through "Rosie" tinted sunglasses. #newwheels #hellosummer #1985hondaelite150 taken in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island by @hughritchie7

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5

7 years ago