HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-04-23, Page 23The class of 1979 has gathered for
their reunion, and one question is on
everyone’s mind. Where is Mary
Lou?
Appearing for the first time on
Blyth Memorial Hall’s stage as a
fundraiser for the theatre many years
ago, Rob Bundy’s Come Back to the
Gym, Mary Lou, Mary Lou is
coming back to Blyth for two nights
only May 1 and 2. The event is a
fundraiser for the Foundation for
Education, supporting artitudes
programs in Avon Maitland schools.
The first in a trilogy penned by the
Goderich-area resident, Mary Lou,
Mary Lou was revived the year after
its debut then was presented at The
Livery in Goderich.
Duncan McGregor of Blyth is back
in the director’s chair and has
assembled a cast of volunteer
performers for this production —
with one exception. “Rob is the only
one from the original,” said
McGregor. “No one is going to
believe the rest of us were in high
school in 1979.”
Thirty years have passed since the
fictional Blyth High School
graduates celebrated at their prom.
“They set up a reunion, get music and
dancing and decide to dedicate the
reunion to an old friend, Mary Lou
Connor, who hasn’t been seen since
that prom.”
“As the evening goes on, however,
and people begin talking it’s
discovered that some have seen Mary
Lou at various times.”
During the singing of the school
song, the caretaker, played by Blyth
resident Steve Cook, hears Mary
Lou’s voice. It turns out her daughter
is there to try and discover who her
father is.
McGregor describes the play as a
comedy with a touch of mystery, one
where “the audience becomes part of
solving that mystery.
Actually, the play is very much
participatory as the audience is
involved in a sing-a-long and even a
dance-a-long, says McGregor. The
production also offers entertainment
through a “tremendous amount of
music”, he adds.
Thatotherchoir, a pick-up group
that gets together for various events,
performs as the Blyth High glee club.
Among them is McGregor’s wife
Lynda, the Foundation for
Education’s executive director.
The production of Mary Lou, Mary
Lou is a bit of a celebration for the
Foundation as well. “We are 20 years
old so this is one of the events to
celebrate the creation of this
education foundation, which is one of
the earliest in the province,” she said,
Her husband noted that
acknowledgement of the Foundation
has been written in to the play for this
production.
While the genesis of the
Foundation was supporting arts it has
expanded to include a vast program
of workshops, on everything from
supporting green projects to career
symposiums. “All we do is make
good things happen for students in
the Avon Maitland schools.” said
Lynda.
The Foundation, of course, has
maintained its mission of supporting
the arts. “We reach almost 6,000
students with arts workshops a year,”
said Lynda. “In the current school
year the value of the arts programs
we’re responsible for is $90,000.”
The Blyth production is one of
several fundraisers planned for the
Foundation including the gala
auction in the fall and the golf
tournament in the spring.
Tickets for Come Back to the Gym,
Mary Lou, Mary Lou can be
purchased by calling the Blyth
Festival Box Office or download a
form from the website
www.foundationforeducation.on.ca
Attendees have the option of dinner
and theatre or simply theatre. Tickets
for both are $35 or $25 for just the
show. However, dinner tickets have
been popular, said the McGregors,
and as a result there are only a limited
number of these left for Friday.
Saturday’s dinner is sold out.
Dinner is at 6 p.m. The latest
production of Come Back to the
Gym, Mary Lou, Mary Lou, begins at
8 p.m.
The “cast of friends” are: Bundy
(Principal Hibley), Dennis (Herbie)
and Laurie (Marj Knoblock) Nuhn of
Listowel, Robyn Nicholson (Robyn
Rocket) of Blyth, Cook (the
custodian Walter), Sarah Gusso
(stage manager) of Blyth, Eric
Lubbers (Jack Knoblock) of Clinton,
Jackie Annis (Mary Lou Jr.) of
Listowel, Nisa Howe-Lobb (Mary
Lou Sr.) of Goderich, Faye Kennedy
(Chrissy) of Goderich, Ray and
Maureen Langridge ( Mr. and Mrs.
Connor) of Bayfield and dancer,
Robin Teeuwen of Chatham.
“We knew this would be popular
with our regional folks because it’s
been done before and because they
recognize Rob’s name,” said Duncan.
“But the other nice thing is that
abundant talent we have in this area
can be showcased.”
“It’s bringing people together to
make good things happen,” said
Lynda.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2009. PAGE 23.Entertainment Leisure&Mary Lou comes back to Blyth
Mary Lou who?
Come Back to the Gym Mary Lou, Mary Lou is coming back to Memorial Hall with two shows,
May 1 and 2. One of the men in the photo is the young Mary Lou’s father. Be on hand to help
solve the mystery. From left: Laurie Nuhn, Steve Cook, Eric Lubbers, Dennis Nuhn, Rob
Bundy, who wrote the script, and Fay Kennedy. The show is directed by Duncan McGregor of
Blyth. (Vicky Bremner photo)
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Buck & Doefor
Matt Smith
&
Dawn Dolmage
Friday, April 24
9 pm to 1 am
at Blyth & District
Community Centre
Age of majority
Lunch provided
Tickets $5.00
For tickets call
Nick 519-523-9108
Happy 80th
Birthday
to
Abe Vander Veen
April 27, 2009
Love and Best Wishes
from your family
Family and friends
are invited to a
Stag & Doe
for
Tracy Robinson
and Mike Mulvey
Belmore Community Centre
Friday, April 24
9 pm - 1 am
• Lunch provided
• Age of majority
• Music by DJ
• Tickets $5.00
For tickets call
519-887-8253
Buck And Doe
for
Chad (Burg) Haggitt
and
Candy Smith
Friday, May 1
9:00 pm - 1:00 am
at the Blyth Arena
• Age of majority
• Music by DJ
• Lunch provided
$5 in advance
$7 at the door
Happy 65th
Birthday
April 26
Merv Bauer
Love your family
Stag & Doe
for
Kelly Fazekas
and
Dave (Tater) Campbell
Saturday, April 25
9:00 pm - 1:00 am
Saltford Valley Hall
Lunch provided
Music by DJ
Age of majority required
For tickets call
Ben Craig 519-526-1070
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen