Proceeds from comedy benefit Bahamas National Trust, Bahamas Feeding Network and Lend A Hand
What happens when two couples head to the country for an unplugged weekend and their true feelings about each other dish out riotous backbiting along with barbeque? It’s the storyline of a sophisticated comedy coming to Atlantis featuring well-known stars including Bahamian resident Heather Hodgson Kosoy with proceeds going to three powerful causes.
Called The Long Weekend, written by Norm Foster and produced by Hodgson Kosoy’s 2Hoops Productions, the 2-act, 2-hour comedy (20-minute intermission) was originally scheduled to run in March 2020.
“We were four days into rehearsal when the clock stopped,” says Kosoy, who moved to The Bahamas from Canada following a three-decade-long career on stage, in movies and TV, including a popular weekly series called “Meet the Family”.
In 2019, she co-produced “The Love List” with Atlantis, a comedy that sold out night after night. The following year she was preparing for her second production at the Paradise Island resort a show that promised deep belly laughs and droll cynical sarcasm delivered at staccato speed.
Instead, COVID slammed the curtain down before it rose. “We had to figure out how to get the actors out of The Bahamas instead of how to get them ready for the show,” says Kosoy, a woman in search of humour wherever it lands.
Two years later, and now with one of the major roles being played by well-known local actor D. Sean Nottage, the show is in rehearsals with a first-night premiere and party set for Thursday, February 16.
“We’re really excited about that both because of the causes we are raising funds for combined with the chance to enjoy a comedy when we could all use a bit of comic relief and for the first-nighters, the opportunity to experience the grand opening of Paradise Landing,” said the actor/producer.
Paradise Landing is the umbrella brand for a nearly six-acre redevelopment that when completed will create a downtown on Paradise Island, complete with shops, dining, residential and the country’s first purpose-built superyacht marina. The project is being developed by Sterling Global Financial headed by David Kosoy, chairman.
“We wanted the play to benefit worthy causes so it was natural to select those that have been vetted by and are the social responsibility pillars of Sterling Global Financial,” explained the actor. “Net proceeds will benefit the Bahamas Feeding Network, Bahamas National Trust and Lend A Hand.”
Each of the non-profit organizations will have one night during the 9-night run with all net proceeds to its cause from the barbequing and backbiting comedy. Performances will run through Sunday, February 19 and again the next week, Tuesday, February 21 through Saturday, February 25.
Playwright Norm Foster, OC, explains the script.
“Upwardly mobile Max and Wynn invite ‘best friends’ Roger and Abby for a relaxing weekend in the country, which quickly disintegrates into a backstabbing battle of wits filled with hilarious twists and turns as the gloves come off in this sexy, sassy upbeat comedy,” says Foster, who is Canada’s most preeminent comedic and most produced playwright.
Adds Kosoy, who plays Abby, the wife of the couple invited to see the new country cottage their ‘best friends’ want to show off, it’s a battle of wits.
“The entire show is a hilariously tangled web of truths, deception and surprises that leave the audience guessing – and laughing – all the way to the final curtain. The set might be a new home, but the scores they settle are old and deliver mischievous fun, the kind where the audience laughs aloud and is relieved it’s someone else going through the torture.”
In addition to Kosoy who plays Abby, actors include Nottage, who has claimed a DANSA Award for playing Juror #8 in “12 Angry Men”, played lead roles in several Shakespeare in Paradise productions and has appeared on the big screen, including as a stand-in double for Pierce Brosnan in 007 films.
Hodgson Kosoy who delighted audiences in her first run of sell-out shows at the Atlantis Theatre has performed across Canada on a variety of stages and as a Company member of both Drayton Entertainment and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. She has also been featured in a variety of both Canadian and American film and television productions, including a recurring role in CityTV’s award-winning television series, “Meet the Family” and the award-winning short film, “Pink”, which she also executive produced.
Also starring in “The Long Weekend” is Alison Lawrence who most recently appeared as Whoreen in Amazon Prime’s “The Lake”, and was seen in “Ghosts” (CBS) and “Murdoch Mysteries” (CBC). A well-known live theatre actress, Lawrence is also an author, writing screenplays, musicals and the popular book, Penguin “Bittergirl: Getting OverGettingDumped”.
Stephen Sparks, playwright and actor who has appeared on most major Canadian stages from coast to coast in productions ranging from a musical adaptation of “Little Women” to Disney’s “Newsies” joins the cast after a host of TV credits included “Warehouse 13” and “Lost Girl.”
Platinum sponsors are Sterling Global Financial, Sterling Hurricane Hole Ltd. and Island Site Development. Tickets range in price from $39 + VAT to $75 and are available at https://www.atlantisbahamas.com/events. Group prices are also available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nassau and Paradise Island are approximately 175 to 190 nautical miles from Fort Lauderdale, a crossing that most motor yachts complete in 12 to 14 hours at cruising speed. Bimini, the nearest Bahamian island, is only 50 nautical miles from Miami, a trip of a few hours in suitable conditions. This proximity makes The Bahamas uniquely viable as a long weekend destination for vessels based in South Florida, with a Friday afternoon departure from Fort Lauderdale placing a crew at Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina on Paradise Island by Friday evening. The return passage can be completed Sunday evening or Monday, making a three-night Bahamian stay feasible within a standard US holiday weekend.
A three- to four-night stay at Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina on Paradise Island offers substantial options including day-trip excursions to the Exumas or local snorkeling sites, beach time at Cabbage Beach or Pink Sands on Harbour Island, dining at Carnivale Bahamas and the Nassau restaurant scene, Atlantis Resort facilities including the casino and water park, historical and cultural exploration of Nassau including the Pirates of Nassau Museum and Fort Fincastle, and shopping at Paradise Landing and Nassau's Straw Market. The concierge team can arrange all activities in advance to maximize the available time.
Memorial Day weekend in late May, Independence Day around July 4th, Labor Day weekend in early September, and the Thanksgiving and Christmas-New Year's period are the most popular US holiday weekends for yacht trips to The Bahamas. The December through January Christmas and New Year's period coincides directly with the Junkanoo festival on Boxing Day and New Year's Day, making it the most culturally rich long weekend option. Memorial Day through Labor Day represent the summer off-season at Hurricane Hole, when preferred rates are available and the marina is less congested than during the peak winter season.
Preparation for a Nassau passage includes ensuring the vessel has valid Bahamian clearance documentation ready, including proof of citizenship for all passengers (US citizens require a valid passport), checking current Gulf Stream conditions and weather for the crossing, topping up fuel before departure (Hurricane Hole's fuel dock monitors VHF 16 and 11 for vessels arriving by sea), provisioning for the passage and the stay, and making marina reservations in advance given limited slip availability during popular weekends. Hurricane Hole's concierge team can assist with activity bookings before arrival.
Vessels approaching from Florida should set navigation to N 25 04.700, W 077 19.180, which places the vessel off the western entrance to Nassau Harbour. The standard western approach runs between the white lighthouse at the western tip of Paradise Island to port and the Long Cay, Silver Cay, and Silver Cay breakwater to starboard. Before entering the breakwater, vessels must call Nassau Harbour Control on VHF channel 16 to request permission to enter. After passing under both Paradise Island bridges (70-foot clearance), Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina is immediately to port.
Hurricane Hole's on-site amenities for a relaxed weekend stay include the swimming pool and pool deck, Asian Grill dockside bar and grill for casual meals and drinks, Carnivale Bahamas for upscale dining and entertainment, the Captain's Lounge and Crew Gym for crew downtime, Sawyer's Fresh Market for provisioning and grab-and-go meals, 700 Wines and Spirits for beverages, and Quality Care Pharmacy for any health needs. The concierge team can arrange Atlantis Resort day passes, beach transportation to Cabbage Beach, spa bookings, and any other shore activities. The marina's pool deck and gated community environment provide a secure, comfortable base throughout the stay.
Yes, Hurricane Hole accommodates vessels ranging from smaller center consoles to 420-foot superyachts. Slips are available for vessels of all sizes, and the marina's floating dock system is particularly suited to smaller and mid-size vessels that benefit from a consistent freeboard height through tidal changes. Weekend and short-stay guests benefit from the same full amenity package as longer-term residents, including concierge services, in-slip fueling, security, and access to all Paradise Landing facilities. Weekend transient rates are available and can be confirmed by contacting the marina at 242-603-1950 or slips@hurricaneholemarina.com.
The most comfortable Gulf Stream crossings from South Florida to Nassau occur in settled conditions following the passage of a cold front, when winds are light and from the south or southwest and the stream is relatively calm. Northerly winds opposing the northward-flowing Gulf Stream create steep, uncomfortable seas that can build quickly and are best avoided even for larger vessels. Wind and wave forecasts from NOAA marine weather, PredictWind, or Passage Weather provide the primary planning resource. Experienced captains typically wait for a minimum two-day settled window before committing to the crossing, ensuring arrival at Hurricane Hole in good conditions.
All persons aboard a foreign-registered vessel entering The Bahamas must carry a valid passport. US citizens cannot use a birth certificate or driver's license for entry by sea, unlike some historical allowances. The vessel's captain must clear Customs and Immigration at an approved Port of Entry, with Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina offering on-site clearance for arriving vessels. Required documentation includes the vessel's documentation papers or certificate of number, clearance from the last port, a manifest of passengers, and a Bahamian cruising permit obtained during clearance. The Bahamas Customs Click2Clear system allows pre-clearance submission before arrival.
Slip reservations at Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina can be made by contacting the marina team at 242-603-1950 or by email at slips@hurricaneholemarina.com. Given that major US holiday weekends including Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and the Christmas-New Year's period are among the busiest times of year for Bahamian yachting, advance reservations are strongly recommended. The marina's booking team will confirm availability, provide current transient rate information, and collect vessel specifications to assign an appropriate berth. Early booking during peak holiday periods is advisable to secure the desired dates.
