Theatre Woodstock - 60th Season, 2005-2006 December 2005
Market Centre Theatre, 22 Reeve Street, Woodstock. Box Office: 519-537-2582
Current Production: A Gift to Last
Through the eyes of his grandfather a child discovers what Christmas really means and travels to the past when its magic illuminated the life of his grandfather's family. A festive, heartwarming family show, adapted to stage from the teleplay by Gordon Pinsent. "Festive, entertaining and heartwarming. A perfect show that visits the traditions of Christmas past..." Sponsored by Woodstock Chrysler
Cast
Stuart Crew, Tracey Lamonthe, Nic Zwicewicz, Teale Poirer, Rob Utting, Curtis Melski, Chloe Weir, Arin Hoekstra, Jildert Tolsma, Jessica Dunning, Jessie Leduc, Daniel Leduc, Kevin Schneider, Sylvie Weir, and Edythe Smith
Performing December 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 & 10 at 8 pm and December 4 at 2 pm.
Tickets, Adults $18, Youth $10 available at Craftworks in the Springbank Plaza Woodstock or at the Market Centre Box Office, 22 Reeve St. Woodstock. Call 519-537-2582.
Wednesday, December 7. Try dinner before A Gift to Last with this fabulous combination ticket offer! Order tickets through the Box Office.
Notes from the President
WOW! What a show! The Foursome, directed by Joanna Sweete, had an enthusiastic response from our audiences, unprecedented in years.
This was followed by "Musical Memoirs," featuring vocalist Vicki St. Pierre, accompanied by pianist James Bourne. This event, coordinated by Tanya Thompson Simard, was a tremendous success and helped raise significant funds for the Theatre.
And now, we look forward with eager anticipation to our Christmas show, directed by Don Hastie. It is A Gift to Last, by Alden Nowlan and Walter Learning. This heartwarming show is sponsored by Woodstock Chrysler. Theatre Woodstock gives a great big thank you to them for their support.
If your organization would like to find a way to support your local theatre, please contact our General Manager, Laurie, at the theatre, at 537-8871, and discuss with her how you can support your theatre.
The Season's best, to everyone! Cheers!
Bernard Calder
Thank You, Esteys
Every so often there is an explosion of volunteers in our theatre. When I think back to the "Estey family explosion," I see a mushroom cloud. From the first involvement they had with our theatre to the last program that Judy produced, it has been a wonderful time for Theatre Woodstock and all the people who worked side by side with anyone in that family.
As a family, the Esteys weren't overwhelming to their environment nor were they easily overwhelmed. They involved themselves when they had time and when the Theatre needed them. The latter was more often the case.
From Louis Sr.'s resounding laugh, filling the auditorium with his spirit, to Louis Jr. being involved back stage assisting with moving the set, to Mitchell helping out in the booth, following his sister Devan's lead on the technical side. Devan herself was able to stage manage a full production by the time she graduated from high school and went on to study theatre.
Then there is Judy, who became a member of our Board of Directors and the head of publicity for Theatre Woodstock, working hard to put together each season and keep the publicity end of the theatre strong.
In case you were not aware, the Esteys are leaving Woodstock for Stratford in the new year. We want to wish all of them the best of luck in their new home. I know Stratford is lucky to be getting such a dynamic family in their community.
Jeff Sweete, Past President
February Production
If We Are Women by Joanna McClelland Glass, has been cast and is currently in rehearsal. I was impressed by the distance people were willing to travel to be a part of this production and hope for good driving weather this winter. The cast includes Lucy Williams from London who will be warmly remembered from 1949, Joanne Lubansky Johns also from London who was last on our stage in Thriller of the Year (1983), Dalene Flannigan, an experienced performer from Cambridge who is new to TW, and Tomara Patchett from Woodstock who will be making her mainstage début after several seasons with CAST. The production is in the capable hands of producers Sally Johnston and Elly Wijnker and Stage Manager Kath Rathburn. It is a wonderful story of three generations of a family and we all look forward to seeing you in February.
Bonnie Hartley, Director
AUDITIONS
SINGING... SEX... SLAPSTICK...
Now that we have your attention...
Theatre Woodstock is holding auditions for Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig. The play, directed by Deb Prentice, is a fast paced, laugh a minute farce about mistaken identities as the world renowned tenor 'El Stupendo' prepares for a guest appearance with the Cleveland Opera Company in the 1930's. What could possibly go wrong?
Rehearsals will begin in January. Production dates are April 21–29, 2006.
Character Ages:
- 4 women, 20 to 60 range
- 4 men, 20 to 60 range
Auditions will be held at the Market Centre Theatre, 22 Reeve Street, Woodstock.
- Sunday, January 15 - 7:00 p.m.
- Monday, January 16 - 7:00 p.m.
Mark these dates on your calendar if you want to join in the fun!
For scripts or information contact Deb Prentice (539-6108) or Ralph Flood (539-9436)
Volunteers for the crew can contact Ralph Flood by e-mail rflood@gcna.com
Announcing a new Board Member
The Board of Theatre Woodstock would like to welcome a new board member, Chris Derbowka. Chris is assuming the responsibility for publicity, succeeding Judy Estey.
Events In Our Area
Fountainhead Theatre. Angels in America. Cast includes: Don Fleckser, Tony Harding, Lesley Quesnelle, Justin Peter Quesnelle. Performance dates: Dec. 2 (7 p.m.), Dec. 3 (8 p.m.), Dec. 8-10 (8 p.m.), Dec. 15-17 (8 p.m.). Tickets: Grand Theatre Box Office (672-8800) or online at www.grandtheatre.com
Galt Little Theatre. Ghost of a chance : a dramatic comedy, by Flip Kobler & Cindy Marcus. Directed by Patsy McCleery. Nov. 17-Dec. 3/05. Also: GLT Youth Production of Deck the Stage. Directed by Gary Biggar. Dec. 7 & 8. Box office: 519-623-4070.
Guelph Little Theatre. Puss in Boots, by Jude Winterbottom & Michelle Hildebrandt. Nov. 25 (7:30 p.m.), 26–-27 (matinee, 2 p.m.), Dec. 2 (7:30 p.m.), Dec. 3–-4 (matinee), Dec. 9 (7:30 p.m.), Dec. 10-–11 (matinee). Box office: 519-821-0270 (M-Th, 7–9 p.m., Tu 2–4 p.m.)
ITOPA. Born yesterday : a comedy, by Garson Kanin. Opens Feb. 3/06. Box office: 485-3070.
London Community Players. The Man with the Plastic Sandwich, by Roger Karshner. Jan. 27-Feb. 5/06. Palace Theatre box office: 432-1029.
W.C.I. The Sound of Music. Dec. 14-–17
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CAST News
Congratulations to Devan Estey and Clint Fraser for their work on Theatre Sheridan's recent production Company. Clint and Devan are both CAST grads who are in their final year of Tech Theatre at Sheridan. Devan was Head LX (electrician) and Clint was Lighting Operator for Company.
Artistic Director Jen Paquette saw the show and was "incredibly proud" of the work done by these CAST grads.
Break a leg to CAST members Teale Poirier, Curtis Melski, Chloe Weir, Sylvie Weir, Daniel Leduc and Jessie Leduc, who are in Theatre Woodstock's upcoming Christmas production A Gift To Last from December 2-10.
Break a leg to CAST seniors Emily Gray, Kyle Rose, Katrina Norton, Laurence Marshall, Chloe Weir, Krystan McLean, and Musical Director Chuck Baxter who are in WCI's Red Players production of The Sound of Music from December 14-17.
Coming in January 2006
Don't miss CAST's upcoming productions! January 12, 13 and 14, 2006 at 7:00 pm our junior company will be performing The Short Tree and the Bird that Could Not Sing. Directed by Jason Paquette and Lori Maloney Young, also Guys and Dolls Junior Directed by Susan Garner, musically directed by Diane Bialek. Great family fun!
CAST Registration
CAST has started taking registrations for summer camp and our fall 2006 session. Register early to avoid disappointment.
Laurie Markham and Jennifer Paquette
Submissions deadline for the February issue of Backstage is January 27th. Contact the editor: John R. Smith, rnestine@hotmail.com or 519-537-6008.
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