Theatre Woodstock - 60th Season, 2005-2006           October 2006
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Market Centre Theatre, 22 Reeve Street, Woodstock. Box Office: 519-537-2582

Current Production: The Foursome

Get ready to hold onto your sides for this one!

What happens when four very different guys decide to go golfing the morning after their 25th College Reunion? Well, loads of laughter, a bit of chaos, a few beers, some interesting introspection and a lot more!

You will not be disappointed that you shared a round of golf with this fabulous foursome.

Introducing

  • Andy Brockway as Donnie
  • Ron Marshall as Cameron
  • Jeff Sweete as Ted
  • Mark Tonner as Rick
  • Jeff Harmer and Kiel Walker as Caddies
  • Directed by Joanna Sweete
  • Co-Producered by Cheryl Hylton and Tanya Thompson

Director's Notes

The Foursome has been an awesome experience from beginning to end due mainly to a stellar cast, outstanding production team and a hardworking and energetic crew. Norm Foster has written a very funny script and although I know very little about golf, I feel that I have learned a lot about relationships. Please sit back and enjoy these wonderful characters as they re-unite after 20 years and don't forget to laugh - we did, and often during rehearsals. Fore!

Performing October 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, and 22, at 8:00 pm and October 16 at 2:00 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.

Dinner and Drama Pub and Play

Wednesday, October 19. Try dinner before The Foursome with this fabulous combination ticket offer! Order tickets through the Box Office.

Notes from the President

Hello everyone and welcome to the 2005-2006 season of community theatre, brought to you by Theatre Woodstock. We have been working hard for about 60 years now, bringing you live theatre by local people and for our local people.

I want to thank Past President Jeff Sweete for his tireless efforts for the past two years as our president. Thanks, Jeff. We know we'll benefit from your wisdom in the years to come as well. And we know that we can look forward to your stage work from time to time, in fact, continuing in our next show.

And that brings me to the current season. We start off with The Foursome, a comedy by Canada's favourite playwright, as well as Theatre Woodstock's favourite playwright, Norm Foster. Directed by Joanna Sweete, the play runs October 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21 & 22. Four old college chums, home for their college reunion, hook up for a round of golf and to swap stories and discover things about each other they couldn't have believed true. This play has been a smash hit right across the country and we are delighted to be able to bring this show to our stage.

In December, Don Hastie directs A Gift to Last by Alden Nowlan and Walter Learning. A fine family Christmas show, adapted for the stage from the television play by Gordon Pinsent.

In February, Bonnie Hartley directs If We Are Women by Joanna McClelland Glass. Two grandmothers, a daughter and a granddaughter gather at a beach cottage and discuss the past and the family. In April, we bring you a hilarious romp through backstage mishaps in Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig, directed by Debbie Prentice.

In May, from CAST's Senior Company, we proudly present You're a Good Man Charlie Brown directed by Jennifer Paquette, with musical direction by Chuck Baxter.

So, we have another very fine season lined up for your entertainment, this season. In fact, it just may very well be our best season ever. Join us. In fact, why not join us as a subscriber for the entire season, if you have not already done so?

Mark Saturday night, November 12 on your calendar. Theatre Woodstock is having a fundraiser concert at the Market Centre, featuring show tunes presented by Vicki St. Pierre.

This will be a great event. Be sure to get your ticket before the show sells out.

Cheers, Bernard Calder

Edie Says "Thank You"

At TW's Annual General Meeting in June, the Board honoured Edythe Smith by naming the auditorium at the Market Centre The Edythe Smith Auditorium. As most of you will know, Edie has been a longstanding, active member and supporter of and participant in Theatre Woodstock (and, formerly, Woodstock Little Theatre). She wants to thank all those who arranged the "super presentation for me" at the AGM. She notes: "I love the Theatre and all the wonderful people that are part of it. I am proud that I was able to contribute in my small way to its constant growth and development." Hear! Hear!

Improvisation at TW

Do you like to wear your inner child on the outside? Would you like to shed your inhibitions in a safe environment and just have fun? Have you ever wanted to try your hand at Improvisational theatre? You might just be a TWIT in the making!

Please come and check out the Theatre Woodstock Improvisational Troupe on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 7:30 pm at the Annex. No experience or commitment is required, just a desire to have fun and a willingness to be a TWIT. Remaining 2005 dates: October 11 & 25, November 8 & 22, and December 13 & 27.

We'd love it you would come out to play!

AUDITIONS

Theatre Woodstock is holding auditions for our out-of-festival entry If We are Women by Joanna McClelland Glass. The play, directed by Bonnie Hartley, is a wonderful story about three generations of a family. Rehearsals will begin in November. Production dates are February 9-–18, 2006.

Character Ages:

  • 2 women in late 60s
  • 1 woman mid 40s
  • 1 woman 18

Auditions will be held at the Market Centre Theatre, 22 Reeve Street, Woodstock

  • Sunday, October 23 at 1:00 p.m.
  • Monday, October 24 at 7:00 p.m.

For scripts or information contact Bonnie Hartley (537-5836) or Sally Johnston (537-7775).

Robin Norman Bowslaugh, 1955-2005

Robin joined the Woodstock Little Theatre in 1984 when she came out to audition for Play it Again Sam and ended up being the novice stage manager for a show that already had a rookie director and producer. Two years later, she took on stage managing the enormous production of True Gold: The Joe Boyle Story which was performed in a tent at CASS. She did make-up for many shows including Oliver! but it took till 1990 for her to make her stage debut in the role of the mother in Jennie's Story for which she won the Dolly Nunan award for Best Newcomer at the WODL Festival. She played Beryl in Footprints on the Moon and several smaller parts in other shows. Her most recent role was Gwen in our 2003 production of Here on the Flight Path.

Robin served on the Board in a variety of capacities including President and frequently attended Theatre Ontario summer courses where she became a master make-up artist. She was also an active member of ITOPA and appeared in several of their productions. Robin passed on her love of theatre to her four children Tara, Erin, Daine and Chaise who all became members of our youth company CAST.

As owner of Norman Galleries (now Magnolia), Robin was a familiar face to many. During our Hunter Street years the store was a ticket agent for the theatre and general meeting place. Her irrepressible good humour, positive attitude and warm hugs made her a wonderful TW ambassador. Her talent, sense of style and dramatic personality made her a dynamic presence. Her courage and passion for life will make her unforgettable.

Bonnie Hartley

The Board of Theatre Woodstock wishes to dedicate the entire 2005/06 season to the memory of our dear friend and supporter, Robin Norman Bowslaugh.

Events In Our Area

Galt Little Theatre. Ghost of a Chance, by Flip Kobler & Cindy Marcus. Directed by Patsy McCleery. Performance dates: Nov. 17-19, 25-26, 27 (matinee). Box office: (519) 623-4070.

Guelph Little Theatre. Greetings! Directed by Mike Grant. Performance dates: Oct. 6-8, 13-15, 16 (matinee), 20-22. Box office: (519) 821-0270 or online @ www.guelphlittletheatre.com

ITOPA. You'll Get Used to It: The War Show : a musical by Peter Colley. Performance dates: Nov. 4, 5 & 6 (matinees, 2 p.m.), 10-12, 13 (matinee). Box office: 485-3070 (Mon.-Fri., 6:30-8 p.m.)

London Community Players. Mail Order Annie, by Carl Cashin. Performance dates: Nov. 18-27. Box office: 432-1029 (Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Theatre Tillsonburg. Esther, the Concubine Queen, by Laurel A. Beechey. Performance dates: Nov. 3-6, 10-13. Box office: (519) 688-3026.

Thistle Theatre (Embro). Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution. Directed by Harold Arbuckle. Cast includes Elizabeth Williams as Romaine Vole, Dave Butcher as Mr. Carter, and your editor as Sir Wilfrid Robarts. Performance dates: Nov. 4-5, 9-12. Tickets: Workshop Supply, Embro (475-4947).

CAST Stuff

Congratulations to Matt Cassidy!

CAST is thrilled to share the exciting news that Matt Cassidy has recently landed a role in the much anticipated upcoming Toronto musical Lord of the Rings.

Matt was an original member of Jennifer Paquette's (CAST Artistic Director) theatre for youth program and was also featured in TW productions Oliver (Artful Dodger) and You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Snoopy).

Jen was thrilled to be able to work with Matt to prepare his audition pieces for entry to Theatre Sheridan's Musical Theatre program. Matt was accepted and graduated - then to go on to be featured in productions across Canada. Matt is currently finishing a run of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Stage West Theatre in Mississauga in which he plays Brad.

Matt begins rehearsals for Lord of the Rings in November. The Mirvish production opens February 2, 2006 at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. Matt will be understudying the roles of Aragorn and Boromir as well as being featured in the chorus.

"An acclaimed international creative team has combined all three books into one unmissable theatrical event."

"With a thrilling score, a spectacular and ingenious design, and featuring an ensemble of over 65 actors, singers and musicians, The Lord of the Rings is the biggest most ambitious theatrical production ever staged."

Purchase tickets by calling 1-800-461-3333

CAST wishes Matt well as he embarks on a career making adventure. We are proud of you Matt!

Two other CAST alumni are currently studying at Sheridan College:

Kait Gray is going into her third year and can be seen in upcoming Theatre Sheridan productions. Keep posted for more news on how to purchase tickets! See below for info on Rodgers & Hart, A Celebration.

We wish Kayla James well as she enters her first year of the musical theatre program. Look for more news on both these CAST grads!

CAST grad Kait Gray can be seen in Theatre Sheridan's upcoming production of Rodgers & Hart, A Celebration, November 10-19, 2005

From their first hit in 1925 through to their final show-stopper in 1943, prolific songwriters Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart continually redefined musical theatre with their wit, freshness and intelligence. This rousing pastiche highlights their most popular romantic ballads and satiric gems.

"Tuneful and tasty, schmaltzy and smart." To order tickets call 905-815-4082.

 

Submissions deadline for the December issue of Backstage is November 18th.

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