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Current Production: Harvey opens November 29th 
by Mary Chase Nov 29, 30, Dec 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 at 8:00 pm 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. I am very happy to write a few lines about one of my favourite plays of all times... Harvey. I first saw this classic of the modern theatre in 1971 when WLT produced it. Some people might say it's corny and out of date but I still think it is a funny play. Not too many people will admit to having an imaginary friend like Harvey but deep down we remember our pretend friends of our youth. Elwood P. Dowd just got his later in life and I hope you'll enjoy watching Elwood's family as they try to have him committed to a sanatarium only to be thwarted at every turn by... you guessed it... Harvey, a six foot one and a half inch tall rabbit visible only to Elwood... or is he? I am delighted to introduce the cast: George Quinn, Erin Murphy, Ankie Van Hastert, Greg Simpson, Susan Vivian, Sue Miller-Veaudry and Norm Smallboy are appearing in their first TW role and Sue, Greg and Norm are doing their first part in Community Theatre. Rob Utting, Stuart Crew and Jennea Smith have all appeared in other shows I've directed and I'm thrilled to welcome Alena Fines back to the stage after a long absence. I am being ably assisted by Brian Jackson, my SM and Sharon Ellery, my Producer. Bring your family and friends to this production. I'm sure you will have a fun-filled night. May I be one of the first to wish you the best of the season and hope great things happen next year. Donald Hastie Box Office, phone 519-537-2582.
A Note from the President Hello everyone and welcome to our newsletter. With this being my first newsletter in a number of years, I would like to tell you that it is great to be doing this again. We have a new look to our Board of Directors this year, with the addition of some amazing volunteers. We sometimes forget that the people who are trying to set direction for our theatre are also volunteering their time and efforts towards something they love. We now are lucky to have Peter Johnston on board as Vice President, Sandra Brown on board as Publicity Director, Laura Earle on board as Props/Facilities Director and Kath Rathburn as Production Director. Thank you to you all and welcome. We are busy this season with a great line up of shows coming your way. Make sure you visit us to see what we have to offer this season. Storm Warning was a great success on so many levels. Tanya Thompson and Tom Barton did such an awesome job of bringing forward a great show. Thank you to Bonnie Hartley and the great volunteer crew that made it happen. Next up is Harvey, directed by our own Don Hastie and featuring many new and first time actors to our stage. Don't want to miss that one! CAST Theatre Company, our own children/young adult casts are working on a complete season of fun with all the kids. Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, The Trial of Goldilocks, Seussical Junior, Romeo and Juliet Blues. We are also in the planning stages of "Oxford's Got Talent". The second annual talent show that highlights some of the most talented individuals in Oxford County. More to follow on this one. In closing, we are open. Open to change, open to your support, open to your applause, open to your availability to volunteer, open to your love of the theatre. Our hearts are open to supplying our membership with the best interactive ticket on the planet. Think about it, LIVE theatre in your own backyard that you can be involved in as much or as little as you like. Come be part of who we are. THEATRE WOODSTOCK! Jeff Sweete
Storm Warning Success Congratulations to the cast and crew of Storm Warning for a fabulous start to our 2007-2008 season. An innovative, living set, two wonderful characters, and some amazing special effects created an evening filled with both laughter and tears. Thanks to all who helped to make this show possible.
Next Production: 'Art'
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. February 7, 8, 9, 10 & 13, 14, 15, 16 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. I am thrilled to announce that TW's production of 'Art' has been cast! Although there was a relatively small turn out to auditions -- the calibre of actors was top notch, therefore making my decisions difficult. I am looking forward to working with Ian Culley (Marc), Dan Grass (Serge) and Jason Paquette (Yvan) on this unusual and hilarious script that someone said plays "someplace between the Three Tenors' elegance and the Three Stooges' slapstick." We had our first read through last week and the sparks were flying already! Next, we will be delving into characterization and what these three guys are all about! One thing we do know is that on the surface -- this show is about "What is art?" But at its core, it is about how it is that men behave in relationships with one another. This will provide these talented actors with tremendous opportunities to excercise their acting chops -- not the least of which will be to work as an ensemble. I have the pleasure of working with a wonderful production team led by Producer Lori Maloney Young and Stage Manager Joanna Sweete. I handed the set design over to our Master Carpenter John Lauder about three weeks ago and I have been frankly flabbergasted by what John has accomplished since then. The set is nearly built! Accompanying this production will be the art exhibit and sale. We are all excited to be working in co-operation with the Woodstock Art Gallery and in particular, it's curator, the amazing Maria Ricker. We will be featuring the work of ten prominent local artists. Please remember to come to theatre early to enjoy this part of our 'Art' event. As always, I am happy to sit once again in the director's chair. It is a comfortable chair for me and I am grateful to TW's Board of Directors for the opportunity. Jennifer Paquette
Theatre Woodstock Auditions for The Perfect Manhattan by Dianne Lococo Tuesday, January 15th at 7 pm Casting Requirements: 2 women and 3 men, ages 25-40. For scripts or info, please call Susan Miller-Veaudry at 519 539-0314. Performance dates are April 10-19, 2008.
Consider the gift of Theatre Looking for that special gift? Theatre Woodstock Subscriptions or play vouchers are available at the Box Office or by calling TW General Manager Laurie at 519-537-2582.
WODL FESTIVAL 2009 Yes you read it correctly -- 2009! In March of 2009 Theatre Woodstock will play host to the Western Ontario Drama Festival. That means five nights of fabulous entertainment performed by five of the top community theatres in our region. At the end of the week the Festival Adjudicator will present the much-sought-after awards. To make this a success, we will need the help of many volunteers. You could help serve lunch to a participating group, usher at a show, help mail out tickets, or be part of the team that plans the Awards Ball. Watch for more details in the coming months.
Betty will be starting her fourth year working with the amazing CAST staff on the Junior and Sophomore musicals as well as the last three Summer Camps. She studied piano with Fran Foster from age 8 to 19, started teaching piano at age 12 and has never stopped! Her keyboard skills and vocal talents have been heard over the years in such bands as "NSF", "Select", "Innerkip", "The Inner Five" and the local version of "Betty and the Bobs". Current involvment with both sons in Classic Rock and Jazz venues keeps her spare time filled with doing her favourite thing - making music! Her voice has been described as "an iron fist in a velvet glove". Betty began teaching Music for Young Children classes in 1989 and training vocal students shortly after. She has had the honour of watching many children grow into successful adults with music still a mainstay in their lives. She started directing musicals with young actors in 1995 and hopes to continue for a very long time. Watching her sons Nick and Trav grow into amazing musicians has been her greatest satisfaction. Daily she is blessed with wonder as she watches her daughter Desiree blossom both musically and on the stage. Being involved with music directing at various churches over the years has filled an important part of her life and Betty is currently part of the praise and worship band and loves to lead worship at that huge, new church in Innerkip. Song writing is something Betty wishes she had more time for, as well as reading and gardening. If there were only some way to add another day to the week, she would love to pursue her training in alternative healing and practice Reiki on everyone she meets! Betty looks forward to the day when she can burn incense and meditate with healing sounds filling the air. For now, her life is filled with teaching, directing, writing and making music!
Upcoming Productions Don't miss the double bill playing on January 10, 11, & 12, 2008. The CAST kids will warm your hearts with their presentations of: THE TRIAL OF GOLDILOCKS and MULAN JR.
Young People Performing Around Woodstock THE WIZARD OF OZ at St. Mary's High School: November 28, 29, December 1, 2 GREASE at Woodstock Collegiate: December 12 through 15 (tickets available at Merrifields and Craftworks)
ITOPA Audition MONEY, POWER, MURDER, LUST, REVENGE AND MARVELOUS CLOTHES by Tim Kelly, music/lyrics by Jack Sharkey. Directed by Carl Zvonkin. Production dates June 13-22. Cast 7 men, 9 women. Audition times: Sunday December 2 at 1 pm and 7 pm and Tuesday December 4 at 7 pm at the Ingersoll Lions Building. Scripts and Music available at PATINAS ($10.00 refundable deposit) Male and Female auditioners may sing either of the pre-scheduled pieces. A pianist will be available. Inquiries call Carl Zvonkin at 519-425-2820.
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. "I've had a wonderful life... I just wish I'd known it sooner!" |
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A play by Yasmina Reza
Biography: Betty Ford
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