Current Production: Storm Warning opens October 11th

by Norm Foster

October 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20 at 8:00 pm
and October 14 at 2:00 pm

Storm Warning is well underway. By the time you read this we will have moved into the theatre to begin building our 'cabin in the woods' set. Bringing the outside inside is always a challenge and it is interesting to have a landscaper as part of our set décor team. The last time we did this was when we constructed a beach house setting for our production of If We are Women. For that show we had to create a summer set in February, and actually wintered the grasses we knew we'd use. At least this time the play is set in the fall.

Storm Warning takes place in 1953 so we've also been doing lots of research for the time frame. Finding an old icebox proved problematic until my producer found one to rent from The Stratford Festival. Costuming has been interesting as well. Since 'retro' is in, finding pieces that look right has been somewhat easier although fabrics are often different. The music may have been the most fun as we've been listening to big bands, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis and other artists of the era.

Check out your knowledge (or memory) of 1953:

• The Korean war ends. In total 314 Canadians were killed and 1211 injured.
• Liberals win a fifth consecutive majority.
• Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are executed.
• Lucille Ball gives birth to Desi Arnaz Jr. on same day the fictional Little Ricky is born on I Love Lucy.
• Walt Disney's Peter Pan has its premiere.
• The first successful open-heart surgery is performed in Philadelphia.
• To counteract the threat of television, Hollywood thinks big and develops wide-screen processes first seen in The Robe.
• IBM introduces its newest computer comprised of 11 units the size of household appliances. It promises that when 'a new device called a transistor displaces the vacuum tube', the new mini-model will fit into a bathroom.
• The October issue of Reader's Digest contains a condensation of The Spirit of St. Louis, the autobiography of Charles Lindbergh.
• Canadian Tire celebrates 31 years in business.

So come to the theatre and meet Emma and Jack – the stars of this Norm Foster script... and see how the set turned out!!

Bonnie Hartley
Director

Box Office, phone 519-537-2582.

On Wednesday, October 17th, two great packages are available to make your evening out special; Dinner and Drama (at Six Thirty Nine); and, Pub and Play (at The Charles Dickens). Tickets and information are available from the Market Centre Box Office, phone 519-537-2582.

HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR COMEDY?

Canadian
Storm Warning
by Norm Foster
Directed by Bonnie Hartley
October 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20

Set in 1953, this is the story of a damaged World War II veteran and the free-spirited woman who attempts to change his outlook on life. Jack and Emma are thrown together by fate one weekend and their lives will never be the same. Some language may offend.

Classic
Harvey
by Mary Chase
Directed by Donald Hastie
Nov 29, 30, Dec 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8

When Elwood P. Dowd starts to introduce his imaginary friend, Harvey, a six foot rabbit to guests at a society party, his sister decides to have him committed to save the family further embarrassment. This Pulitzer Prize winning play has become a lasting favourite.

Contemporary
'Art'
by Yasmina Reza
Translated by Christopher Hampton
Directed by Jennifer Paquette
Feb 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16

When Serge buys what is in essence a pure white painting for a horse-choking sum, his best friend Marc, goes ballistic. Yvan, a third friend, gets squeezed in the middle. "...wildly funny..." - NY Post Winner of the 1998 Tony Award for Best Play and the 1996 Olivier Award for Best Comedy. Some language may offend.

It's opening night every night with 'Art'!
Begin your evening at 7:30 (1:30 on Sunday) with an art exhibit and sale in the lounge. Complimentary cheese and crackers and the bar will be open. The performance, a 90 minute one act, will follow.

Campy
The Perfect Manhattan
by Dianne Lococo
Directed by Susan Miller-Veaudry
April 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19

Neighbours from hell disrupt the lives of a posh couple and her imaginary lover. "...equal parts romantic comedy, mafia thriller, bedroom farce, supernatural fairy tale and slapstick gag-a-thon... intoxicatingly off-kilter script". The KW Record

Theatre Woodstock Auditions for 'Art'

A play by Yasmina Reza
Translation by Christopher Hampton
Directed by Jennifer Paquette
Produced by Lori Maloney Young

Wednesday, October 24th at 7 p.m.
Thursday, October 25th at 7 p.m.
at the Market Centre Theatre, 22 Reeve St., Woodstock

Casting Requirements: 3 men, ages 35-65. No monologue required.

To borrow a script, call Jennifer Paquette: 519-539-8971

Performance dates are February 7-16, 2008. This production will be adjudicated in the 'Out of Festival' category of the Western Ontario Drama League Festival.

Lighting Techie Training Workshop

November 3rd and November 10 from 1-5 pm Kevin Schneider will be offering a free lighting techie training workshop. Participants will learn lighting board operation, lighting hang procedures, basics of light design. The workshop will be held at the Market Centre Theatre. If you are interested in registering please call Kevin at 519-539-8463 or Laurie Markham at 519-537-8871.

Play Reading Committee

Have you seen, read or heard about a play that you think Theatre Woodstock should consider? Please contact any member of the Play Reading Committee or Bonnie Hartley - 519-537-5836.

We certainly are proud of our CAST kids! In August, CAST amazed audiences with their successful summer camp production of Disney's Sleeping Beauty Jr. It is amazing to think that in three weeks time the cast, staff and production crew are able to put together an amazing performance including a heartfelt camp song, and an upbeat camp dance. Congratulations to everyone involved in that production!

We started our new CAST season on September 8th, 2007. For our fall session our junior group will be working on the The Trials of Goldilocks under the direction of Jason Paquette, Danielle Markham will be stage managing. Our sophomores started working on Disney's Mulan Jr. under the direction of Joanna Sweete. Musical direction is by Betty Ford, choreography by Taylor Markham and Kevin Schneider will be stage managing. Performance dates will be January 10, 11 and 12, 2008.

Our senior company began rehearsing September 11th for their full length production of Beauty and the Beast. Beauty and the Beast staff include Joanna Sweete as director, Chuck Baxter as musical director, Juliana Sherk as choreographer, Olive Cornwell as piano accompanist, and Kevin Schneider as stage manager. Performance dates are May 23-31, 2008. Mark all the performance dates on your calendar, you won't want to miss these fabulous shows.

September 8, 2007 CAST brought a memorable event to our Market Centre Theatre. Under the direction of Jennifer Paquette, over 30 CAST Alumni came together to give a performance of a lifetime, including a special guest performance from Chuck Baxter, Diane Bialek and Vicki St.Pierre. They wowed a crowd of over 200 people, for over 3 hours. It truly was an inspirational and emotional night for many. CAST alumni raised over $3,500 for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Thank-you so much Jennifer for your leadership and hard work. This event couldn't have happened without you.

Our CAST kids continue to inspire us with their compassionate hearts. On the first day of summer camp Alexis Dubois (11 years old) presented the staff with a donation of $235.50 for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. She sold tickets for a draw at a neighbourhood party and then brought the proceeds in for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Danielle and Taylor Markham (17 and 14 years old) made and sold candy kabobs at the Alumni concert raising $300.00. Chloe Briggs (9 years old) had a yard sale selling some of her own possessions. She brought in $30.00 to give to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Jason Keyes (17 years old) donated his first pay cheque of $300.00 to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. These kids are choosing to change the world, and we are so proud of them.

Contact our Editor

Backstage is edited by Claire Lewis. You can reach Claire by telephone at 519-421-4425. Please make submissions for the newsletter to clairebear@bmts.com. "Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong... because sometime in your life you will have been all of these."