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Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, July 13, 2011
`Blood' is rich at playhouse
For the Lakeshore Advance
The 1 luron Country Playhouse
continues its landmark 2011 sea-
son with Willy Russell's Blood
Brothers.
Regarded as one of the all-time
great British musicals, this riveting
theatrical masterpiece entertains
audiences for three weeks only,
now thmugh July' 23.
Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director
of Drayton Entertainment, says
Blood Brothers is one of the most
exciting productions ever pre-
sented at the Huron Country Play-
house, and also features some of
Canada's top theatrical talent.
"This is the perfect show to con-
tinue our 40th Anniversary Sea-
son," says Mustakas. "Blood Broth-
ers is an extraordinary example of
musical theatre that moves and
inspires, while also making the
audience laugh with clever bouts
of humour."
Set in England's port city of Liv-
erpool, Blood Brothers is a nature
versus nurture tale that revolves
around fraternal twins who are
separated at birth. One brother is
raised in a family of great privilege
and one brother is raised in pov-
erty. Yet despite the twin's different
socioeconomic backgrounds, the
boys are driven by prophecy to
cross paths later in life and fulfill a
tragic fate when they both fall in
love with the same girl.
A.powertul tale that deftly com-
bines humour with pathos, Blood
Brothers is a thrillingly original
production that has earned its
rightful place as one of the most
successful musicals to emerge
from London's West End.
Treating this celebrated story
with skilful appreciation, the
director succeeds in delivering a
compelling mix of exuberant music
and light-hearted humour. The
result is a boldly uplifting experi-
ence that is guaranteed to dazzle
audiences.
Mustakas guides a tremendous
cast in this haunting rags -to -riches
story that has touched the hearts
and minds of a generation dealing
with two of the most pressing sodal
issues of our time — inequality and
unemployment.
Acclaimed Canadian actress
Charlotte Moore brings her incred-
ible acting prowess and graceful
stage presence to the role of Mrs.
Johnstone. Returning to the Huron
Country Playhouse after an eight-
year absence, this Dora Award win-
ner commands the audience and
brings the house to its feet with her
rendition of, Tell Me It's Not True.
Paul McQuillan has returned
to his roots in the lead role of
Mickey, which he tackled in his
1998 debut at the Drayton Festi-
val 'Theatre, and for which he
received rave reviews.
McQuillan makes an immediate
connection with the audience with
his great charisma, gentle voice
and convincing gaze.
111 the role of Eddie, the second
twin, is 'Tory Doctor who is an
exceptional performer with superb
vocals. Doctor and McQuillan have
brilliant chemistry, easily convinc-
ing audiences of their intimate
bond and causing the later tragedy
to have much more of an impact.
Laura McCarthy is exceptional
as Linda who eventually becomes
the focal point of this story's
heartrending love triangle.
In the role of the narrator, Bobby
Prochaska's deep voice and sultry
tone are the ideal accompaniment
to this thorny tale.
Michael Killinger and Amanda
Leigh portray the wealthy Mr. and
Mrs. Lyons, who raise one of the
twins after Mrs. Lyons makes a
secret pact with their mother.
Along with McQuillan, Killinger
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Charlotte Moore and Paul McQuillan star In Blood Brothers at the Huron Country
Playhouse.
and Leigh were also part of the 1998 pro-
duction at the Drayton Festival Theatre.
Michael Lomenda is spot on in his
depiction of Mrs. Johnstone's shamelessly
evil son, Sammy. Audiences may recog-
nize Lomenda from his recent role as the
slick Corny Collins in Hairspray earlier
this season.
This large-scale production also fea-
tures Patrick Cook, Gabi Epstein, Darcy
Evans, Marisa Falcone, and Liam
Blood Brothers is bold, witty and ener-
getic entertainment," says Mustakas. "It
has the power to captivate your attention
for the entire pe fonntuice:'
Music Director Charles T. Cozens
brilliantly leads this impressive com-
pany through a musical score that's
filled with show -stopping numbers
such as: Marilyn Monroe, 'Tell Me It's
Not True, and Easy Terms.
Contrasting the upper -crust lifestyle
with the down -trodden, Set Designer
Stephen Regenstein has created the per-
fect hackdrop for this production. Regen-
stein combines flare with subtlety to bring
the industrialized city of Liverpool to life.
Lighting Designer Kevin Fraser aug-
ments the different scenes with soft
tones and subtle changes. Fraser
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accents each poignant moment with
the perfect balance of light to empha-
size the mood onstage. Costume
Designer Angela VanderVeen has cre-
ated costumes that highlight the social
status of each character while capturing
the distinct style of the era.
Such an impressive production must
also be partly attributed to a band that
includes the talent of (,arty Green, I Ioward
Gaul, Colin Stewart and Barryl )slier.
Blood Brothers opened to critical
acclaim in London's West End in 1983,
and Willy Russell, who also penned Edu-
cating Rita and Shirley Valentine, was
honoured with the Olivier Award for Best
New Musical. After a very successful run,
Blood Brothers was remounted in 1988 at
the Albery'1'heatre and again in 1991 at
London's Phoenix' Theatre where it has
remained ever since.
For more than 25 years, Blood Brothers
has played all over the world from Broad-
way to Australia, has received multiple
Tony Award nominations, and has an
impressive list of former cast members,
including Melanie Chisholm of The Spice
Girls, David Cassidy and Russell Crowe, to
mune a few.
Blood Brothers is proudly sixmsortxi by
Agway Metals Inc./Andex Metals. Media
Sponsors are FM 96 and London City Life.
The Design Sponsor is Burnside. The
Huron Country Playhouse celebrates its
40th Anniversary with the 2011 Season.
Blood Brothers runs until July 23. 'rick-
ets can be purchased in person at 1 luron
Country Playhouse, online at www.huron-
countryplayhouse.com or by calling t►.P
Box Office at (519) 238-6000 or toll fn
1-855-drayton (372-9866).
Kineto Theatre
Forest
"X•MEN: FIRST CLASS"
Rating: PG (V1ol.nc Langur May Nand)
July: 15, 16, 17 & 19th
Starring: Jam.. McAvoy
Mich* Fa..bsnd.r, Jennifer Lawrence