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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-05-26, Page 23THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2005. PAGE 23 Entertainment & Leisure___ Craig Fair to perform at Heritage Theatre CRAIG FAIR At Wingham B 1 u e v a 1 e native Craig Fair has just finished his 18-month run of Mamma Mia in Toronto. He is returning home on June 25 for his second production at the Heritage Theatre in Wingham. Fair has spent almost two years in Toronto and says doing Mamma Mia was the most interesting experience he's have ever had. There is such a huge difference between doing a show for a few months, versus a long running show. “This has been my first experience with a long running show. Like anything, it has its ups and downs.” Fair says he saw the show four years ago. and from that moment, wanted to be in it. He entered the company in 2003. and is fortunate to be part of the cast that closes this mega musical hit. “It seems sad that it's closing, but when it first originated, they didn’t think it would last more than six months. Here we are, five years down the road. The show has had a fabulous run,” says Fair. Now he will be doing a concert at the Heritage Theatre on June 25. “1 am very excited about this; it seems that it is becoming a tradition, that I do a show every two years.” says Fair. “Here we are, two years since the last one. and I’m ready to attempt another!” This show will be a little different. In the past. Fair has had many friends performing with him, but this time he’ll be alone on stage, with only a couple of backup singers and a four-piece band. And he’ll be bringing a special guest. doing a number created lor the show. Some songs he'll perform are by Billy Joel, Martin Sexton, Stevie Wonder, Holly Cole and Maroon Five. Fair says he hopes to see many people out for both the afternoon and evening performances because it promises to be a good time, a night filled with a variety of genres of music. “Il is always a pleasure to come home and do a show,” says Fair. “It has been an interesting past few years. 1 so much appreciate all the support from my hometown.” Local fans can keep track ol Fair through his website www.craigfair.com For ticket information, contact the theatre box office al 357-4082. ‘Beauty and the Beast’ opens Playhouse season Festival hosts annual book sale Blyth Festival’s Annual Used Book Sale runs Friday evening, June 3 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Blyth Memorial Community Hall. Books range in price from 50 cents to $5, puzzles are $1, board games $2 and vinyl records are 10 for $2. Children’s books are only 25 cents each. Volunteers at the Blyth Festival have successfully co-ordinated the county’s largest used book sale for nearly one quarter of a century. Thousands of great books have delighted many avid readers while hundreds more arrive for that first sampling of spring - Lynda McGregor’s famous rhubarb custard pies. Board of directors’ co-ordinator Margaret Webster, and her group of Stage experience Continued from page 1 five to 15 are needed. There is minimal text for these actors, but stage experience is recommended. Artistic director Eric Coates is looking forward to the project. “This is a terrific opportunity for a young actor to experience professional live theatre. We have an extraordinary cast and this play will be that much more exciting because it is a world premiere.” Rehearsals for The Thirteenth One begin on Friday, July 8. Children will not be required to rehearse every day, and a complete rehearsal schedule will be available prior to the starting date. The production opens on Aug. 5 and runs in repertory until Sept. 3. Cast members must be willing to commit to all performances. Coates stresses that the time assistants spend a full five days sorting through boxes of books, grouping each into categories such as Canadiana, art books, Harlequin, cookbooks and children’s books. CDs, videos, audio tapes, and DVDs are also offered. And to ensure many hours of fun for the entire family, they’re adding puzzles and board games for the first time in 2005. If you have items you would like to donate to this fundraising event at the Blyth Festival please drop them off at Blyth Memorial Community Hall off between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday, May 30 through Thursday, June 2. It’s estimated that over $75,000 has been raised by the Blyth Festival over 25 years of book sales at the theatre. recommended commitment is not as drastic as it sounds, “Since this show shares a schedule with other plays, the kids won’t be performing every night. In fact, they will average about three shows per week, with several large breaks during the run.” The Blyth Festival will be holding auditions for The Thirteenth One at the Festival’s rehearsal hall at 423 Queen St., Blyth on Tuesday, June 7 at 7 p.m. Children should be prepared to present a short reading of prepared text or to improvise based on the director’s instructions. Please call 519-523-9300 and ask for Coates for more information. Spring is definitely in the air at Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend as excitement grows for the 2005 Season opening production of Beauty and the Beast. A tale as old as time, this Walt Disney classic sparkles as a delightful musical fantasy that captivates theatregoers of all ages with its entertaining blend of romance and magic. Beauty and the Beast is one of the most ambitious productions to ever take centre stage at Huron Country Playhouse,” says Alex Mustakas. artistic director of award-winning Drayton Entertainment. “It is an epic production,complete with stirring orchestrations, brilliantly-coloured costumes, and intricate set designs. This is one mega-musical that our patrons will never forget!” The lavish stage production centres on a strong-willed young woman. Belle, who must break the spell that turned a handsome prince into a monstrous Beast. Trying to save her beloved (but eccentric) father from the Beast's clutches, Belle agrees to become his prisoner forever. However, once she is inside the Beast’s enchanted castle, the members of his court - who have been transformed into household objects like clocks and candlesticks - decide to play the role of matchmaker. As the Beast begins to fall in love with Belle, he becomes progressively less beastly. But the terrible hex can only be broken if the Beast can get her to love him in return ... and time is quickly running out. Beauty and the Beast runs May 30 to July 2. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Huron Country Playhouse Box Office at (519) 238- 6000 or toll free at 1-888-449-4463. For more information on the 2005 season, please visit www.huroncounlryplayhouse.com Writers9 seminar set for Goderich Kelley Armstrong, a popular author of supernatural thrillers will appear at a writing seminar in Goderich. Armstrong has been compared to Anne Rice. Random House Canada will release her fifth novel. Haunted. on June 1. Bantam U.S. and Little Brown in Britain have contracted to publish her next six novels, and Warner Brothers has optioned Angelina Jolie to play the lead in the movie version of Bitten, Armstrong’s first book. She will share what she’s learned at the upcoming seminar, How to Get Published. The seminar is Sunday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Goderich Lawn Bowling Club, 110 Picton St., Goderich. The cost is $36 in advance or $39 at the door. To register, phone Debbie Bauer 519-529-7820 or e- mail: bhenry_ed@hotmail.com If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a published author, this workshop is for you. It will cover everything from getting started to getting an agent, from writing a query letter to writing what the publishers want. Bring your questions. Come and get ready to be published. The seminar leader is Brian Henry, a book editor for 22 years. He teaches creative writing at Ryerson University and George Brown College and has led workshops from Boston to Buffalo and from Niagara Falls to North Bay. He has helped many of his PARK THEATRE GODERICH 524-7811 Sorry - no passes Violence Disturbing Content Frightening Scenes IF YOU CAN’T GIT OUT GET EVEN May 27 - June 02 Fri & Sat 6:45 & 9:15 Sun - Thur Mature Theme Not Recommended for Young Children 8:00 www.movielinks.ca ton0 distance?! -800-265-3438 James and Azetta Gibbons are pleased to announce • the engagement of their daughter Rhonda Marie to Colin Barber Crouse, son of David Crouse and Margaret Barber of Mississauga. They plan to marry at Trinity Anglican Church, Blyth Saturday, October 15, 2005. . t Congratulations!p ———>