HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-07-14, Page 23THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011. PAGE 23.
Continued from page 21
play and outstanding performance
for the 2009 production of Pyaasa at
Theatre Passe Muraille.
It was her connection with Theatre
Passe Muraille and that theatre’s
newly-forged partnership with Blyth
Festival last year that brought the
invitation from Festival Artistic
Director Eric Coates to apply to be
writer in residence at Blyth.
From a writing standpoint, the
new play is stepping outside her
comfort zone, she said. Usually her
characters speak in a combination of
broken English and different Indian
dialects. In this play, “Everybody
speaks in full sentences,” she laughs.
The graduate of University of
Toronto’s Graduate Centre for Study
of Drama and co-founder of Theatre
Jones, Roy says she wants to get
back to Blyth as part of her writer in
residence appointment but she is so
late on deadlines for the four plays
she’s working on, she’s not sure
when she can work it in.
“I’m so busy. I feel guilty
complaining,” she said. “I have
playwright friends who can’t write
because they have to support
themselves with jobs they hate.”
“I miss people at Blyth,” she said,
even though she has spent only 10
days in the village. “I’ve never felt
part of a community that fast. I was
eating in people’s homes; people
were buying me coffees and driving
me around to visit farms. It’s just an
amazing place to work.”
The fascinating life of Narcisse
Canton will come alive in Narcisse,
a new play about St. Joseph during
ten performances this summer (July
19-30). Community actors and
musicians supported by a team of
experienced theatre professionals
including director Duncan
McGregor, are currently in
rehearsals for this epic outdoor
production. The script was
researched and written by Governor
General Literary Award finalist Paul
Ciufo of Grand Bend. Tickets are on
sale now through the Blyth Festival
Box Office (toll free 1-877-8562-
5984) or online at
www.narcissetheplay.com
Narcisse Cantin (1870-1940) was
arguably the most exciting person to
emerge from the French Canadian
settlement of St. Joseph, situated
between Bayfield and Grand Bend.
Remembered as “The Father of the
St. Lawrence Seaway” he was
an endless promoter, an
extraordinary salesman and a strong
believer in his family, his faith and
the future of Canada. His dream was
to make St. Joseph the hub of
transportation for North America.
This would include a mammoth
canal linking Lake Huron and Lake
Erie.
Cantin should be placed into the
same category of inventors,
dreamers and empire builders as
James J. Hill of the Northern Pacific
Railroad, Thomas Edison, Donald
Smith (Lord Strathcona) and Sir
Herbert Holt. Unlike these other
great men, Cantin did not realize
his dreams – not through any lack
of ideas or imagination, but
chiefly because his ideas were
ahead of his time.
The history of the man and his
community, his challenges and his
vision will come alive in a
spectacular outdoor setting on the
grounds of St. Peter’s Catholic
Church, Hwy. 21, St. Joseph. For
more information visit
http://narcissetheplay.com/
The Huron Country Playhouse
continues its 2011 Season on the
brand new Playhouse II stage with
the life-affirming comedy Italian
Funerals and Other Festive
Occasions. Themes of love and loss
are explored with wit, wisdom and
warmth in this touching play on
stage for two weeks only, from July
27 through Aug. 6.
Italian Funerals and Other
Festive Occasions is an inspiring
and compelling play that is balanced
with great comedic moments,” says
Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of
Drayton Entertainment. “It’s
humorous and touching, and
demonstrates that the bonds of
family are something that should be
celebrated.”
It’s family that matters in this
heartening story. Faced with the
impending loss of his mother to
dementia, a young man clings to the
memories of his Italian-American
childhood in order to postpone the
urgent decisions of the present.
Inspired by the protagonists of great
Italian operas like La Traviata, La
Bohème and Tosca , John embarks
on a life-altering journey through
his past where he is ultimately
taught the acceptance of death as an
affirmation of life.
Director Adam Furfaro ably leads
this production with an impressive
list of Drayton Entertainment
credits, including The Wizard of Oz
(2011), 12 Angry Men and On
Golden Pond (2010), The Odd
Couple (2009), The Drawer Boy
(2008), Funny Money (2007),
Corpse!(2006), and The Buddy
Holly Story (2003 and 2006), among
others.
Italian Funerals & Other Festive
Occasions stars W. Joseph
Matheson as John, the
contemplative character who shares
funny and poignant anecdotes from
his life growing up as a first-
generation American in a
stereotypical Italian family.
Alongside Matheson are Michelle
Fisk as older sister Brigida,
Kathleen Sheedy as John’s Mama,
and Trek Buccino as Little Johnny.
Angelo Celeste is John’s Father and
Brigida’s daughter Andrea is
portrayed by Elisa Atristain. Gerry
Mendicino, Anne Louise Bannon,
Jill Diane Filion, Alan K. Sapp and
Tim Koetting also portray
extraordinary characters in this
dynamic production.
Italian Funerals & Other Festive
Occasions broke box office records
at Philidelphia’s Walnut Street
Theatre after its premiere in 1994.
With its heart-warming message and
hilarious reflections on life’s
everyday struggles, and the ultimate
triumphs of love and family, Italian
Funerals & Other Festive
Occasions speaks to all generations
of theatregoers.
“This play is as touching as a
family reunion filled brilliant
characters and a clever script that
are sure to move audiences to
laughter and tears,” says Mustakas.
Tickets may be purchased by
calling the box office at 519-238-
6000 or toll free 1-855-drayton
(372-9866). For more information
visit www.huron countryplayhouse.com
‘Narcisse’ to open July 19
Roy wins another Dora Award
Comedy to open
at Playhouse II
Musical accompaniment
Benson Brown, left, and Kenny Wilson were two musicians charged with entertaining guests
at the 25th anniversary for the Dauphin Feed and Supply open house on Saturday in
Dungannon. In addition to the music there was a jumping castle, clowns, food and plenty of
history to keep everyone busy on the beautiful Saturday afternoon. (Jim Brown photo)
Happy 25th
Anniversary
Nanci & Greg
Ducharme
on July 19
Love Evan & Danielle
Family & friends
are invited to a
Buck & Doe
for
Christine Carriere
and
Peter (Cedarboots)
Hoonaard
Saturday, July 16
8 pm - 1 am
B.M.G. Community Centre
Lunch provided
Age of majority
Tickets $5.00 advance,
$8.00 at the door
Call for tickets — Peg
519-887-6116
Happy
1st Birthday
Brayden
July 12, 2011
Love, Mommy, Daddy
and Jakob
Happy 1st Birthday
Chace Hulzebos-Coates
July 12
Love: Mom, Dad,
Granny Annie
& Poppa
Happy Birthday
Love:
Amber, Makayla,
Uncle Jason
and Aunt Charlene
CHACEY
BEAR
July 12
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