Playwright Ephraim Ellis’ On The Air is ready for its close-up

Ephraim Eliis
Ephraim Eliis

After four years of play development that included a global pandemic, On the Air is having its world premiere at Lighthouse Theatre

Having been in the performing arts world since his early teens, Ephraim Ellis is no stranger to sets, stages, and scenes. Born and raised in Toronto, Ellis is most often recognized for his role as the troubled youth Rick Murray on Degrassi: The Next Generation where he cut his teeth in the entertainment world. Appearing on television on Murdoch Mysteries (CBC Television) and Falcon Beach (Global TV/ABC Family) lead to roles in film and, thankfully for us, the stage!

In addition to roles on stage in Barefoot In The Park (Upper Canada Playhouse), Simon in The Money Tree (Roseneath Theatre), and Hedwig in Hedwig & The Angry Inch (Lower Ossington Theatre), Ellis has graced the Lighthouse stage where he most recently played the role of Tom is the 2016 production of Perfect Wedding, directed by Lighthouse Artistic Director Derek Ritschel. As a side note, Ellis was first introduced to Lighthouse via his wife, Meghan Speakman, who is a stage manager working on this summer’s production of Where You Are.

When Ellis first began screenwriting for On The Air, he saw it as a sitcom pilot but wasn’t able to find a permanent home for it. However, in the spring of 2019 it occurred to him that, with some adjustments, it is exactly the type of story that would play well on the Lighthouse stage. He then reached out to Derek Ritschel to ask if he would take a look and Derek was happy to give notes and direction to sharpen the play in Lighthouse’s Play Development Program. “It’s been really rewarding to have such a keen and seasoned eye help me stick with it and hone and sculpt the play into the best version of itself,” said Ellis.

On The Air is the story of Matt Gibson, a Toronto marketing director who returns to his small northern Ontario home town to manage the estate of his recently deceased father; only to be roped into helping revitalize the local community radio station, which his father had been the station manager of. In the process he is forced to confront his relationship with his uncle, a rich avant garde DJ who thinks he should be in charge of the station, and develops feelings for Alice, the current station manager and his father’s chosen successor.

Ephraim Eliis
Ephraim Eliis

“It’s a show about fathers and sons and familial expectation, themes I’ve always been interested in, but it’s also about the relationship between art and commercial entertainment, and where that line is drawn,” said Ellis. It’s also a love story which, is a first for him.

After four years of development that included a global pandemic, On the Air is having its world premiere at Lighthouse Theatre. “This is my first play, and I can’t thank Derek and Lighthouse enough for taking a chance on me and my little story about a father and son, ambition, missed opportunities, and rock and roll,” said Ellis. On The Air hits the Lighthouse stage in Port Dover June seventh to 24 and in Port Colborne from June 28 to July 15.