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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1986-09-03, Page 8Page 8 Times -Advocate Se QUICK CHANGES — Pressed into service to help move scenery, Peter Houson is given a quick fitting with safety pins to his tuxedo trousers by singer -dancer Alan Brown (right) who plays the scoun- drel Rooster in Huron Country Playhouse production of Annie. 4 Canoeists present cheques to groups Xavier Boogemanns dream of crossing Lake, Huron by canoe was fulfilled in June. Last week he and his partner Dave Desjardine, Strathroy, distributed $4135.30 between the Grand Bend minor sports groups and beach cleaner fund. The 68 kilometre paddle from Pt. Sanilac, Michigan to Grand Bend has made a number of people in and aroung the resort very excited. Presi- dent of the GB & District Soccer Association. Tony Mennen, and referee Eddie Mommersteeg were pleasantly surprised when they arriv- ed at the municipal office for the che- que. "1 never thought it would be for $1000.00" said Mommersteeg, "We are sure thankful to Dave and Xavier." Bill Uniac, president of the GB Minor Softball Association, was also very exuberant with his donation from the canoeists in the amount of $1000.00. "We have had excellent reception from our sponsors for this year," he said, "and this cheque from Xavier and Dave will certainly come in handy for our next season". Their experience by canoe also helped the village with a generous donation of $2135.30 towards the beach cleaner fund. There still remains in the canoe account some money from the trip, which will be put to good use! Farewell Dinner On Friday evening, August 22, a dinner and reception was held at the Exeter legion hall in honor of Reverend and Mrs. Jim Sutton. The Suttons are leaving the Trivitt parish, Exeter and St. John's By -the -lake in Grand Bend, to take a charge at St. George's Anglican Church in Clarksburg. The dinner affair was ex- tremely weld attended by members of both area charges. Reverend Sutton was presented with a white stole, while Mrs. K. Sutton received a Royal Doulton figurine (Kathleen) from Ex- eter members and a beautiful water colour of the Grand Bend Anglican church painted by local artist Gordon Lambert, of Grand Cove Estates, and a handy purse, from the resort members. It's as entertaining as the stage Dekind the set at AnnI• Every theatre goer knows that there are things like rehearsals and stage crews and directors involved in putting on a production, but what they see from those plush seats in a darkened auditorium is only one half of the story being presented. As the line-up for rush seat tickets to Annie at Huron Country Playhouse spills over the patio and snakes around the entrance pillars, the cur- tain has already risen, the drama has already begun, the first act of Annie - Behind the Scenes is in progress. The scene opens with Kimberly Redick, daughter of general manager Heather Redick, calmly doing the ironing. In spite of th a being less than an hour before all the wardrobe will be needed, the pile of shirts and dresses to be ironed looms large. She plods on, uncomplaining. The door from the courtyard to the Green Room swings open and closed in a regular rhythm about every 30 seconds as various members of the chorus arrive to take up costumes in the dressing rooms strung along a narrow corridor. A gust of fresh air breaks the pattern as Theresa Stewart enters. Annie's welfare is a concern to everyone as she has been suffering with a sore throat the last few days. Sniff, "my voice is fine" she an- nounces, "it's just this (sniffle) drip- py nose -- 1 hope I don't keep wiping it on stage" as she runs her finger under her nose. "I can get you a handkerchief that will match your blue velvet dress" of- fers George Pruden, wardrobe master, with genuine caring in his voice. Annie accepts, then turns to give Sandy (Wiggins, the Milsom family dog) a pat on the head and goes to the piano to double check those high notes. Off to the side, stage left, a mini drama is quietly played out. Jennifer O'Connor (assistant technical direc- tor) sits on a bench, bravely fighting back the tears and wraps her ankle in a green garbage bag containing ice. She tries to carry on but later we learn she has been taken to the hospital with the badly sprained ankle. What this means to the choreographer is that one female maid who moves some scenery must now be replaced and the only spare body around is Jennifer's boy friend, Peter. A quick look at his legs and George (wardrobe master) decides the maid's pink dress will just not do, and dashes off upstairs to look for some black trousers to replace Wert Pa0Ntn4 air liu Utes$ lake Hirst its a Mar Deul f pip** rot fres era?,len t l mar too Peter's blue jeans. A few minutes later, George and Alan Brown ( Rooster) are sewing and pinning the black tuxedo pants around Peter's waist. He's now a butler, and ready foi duty. This crisis solved leads to another problem, that really has no solution eAcept the age old "the show must go on -- above and beyond the call of du- ty". Jason Scheffler, in charge of props, has torn the muscles in his arm and was hoping for assistance from Peter (who is now replacing Jennifer as the maid). Undaunted, Jason car- ries on at a frantic rate dashing bet- ween the Roxy Theatre Marquee winch and the New York skyline front curtain, that has to be raised and lowered three times in a matter of about three minutes. What isn't generally known is that the "curtain" is.made of solid wood and is raised and lowered by a rope and counter -balance of sand bags weighing 450 pounds. Jason, who weighs about one third of the balance, takes a flying leap in the air, swing- ing his whole body off the floor and down drops the 450 pounds of sand- bags, hovering just inches above his body as he lies on his back on the floor. The curtain is up. After a cou- ple of these curtain lifts Jason is pan- ting as if he had run the mile in half a minute. He puts ice on his arm, and winces. But wait, hold the curtain for a mo- ment, there is no light on the music stand and the orchestra has filed in- to the three foot wide space in front of the stage. Michael Mulrooney leaps to the trombone player in a single bound and returns triumphantly brandishing a bulb from some secret place. Meanwhile a solitary figure has been seen passing across the stage, out in front, and along the back cor- ridor. He smiles knowingly as he passes and walks to a control panel to stage left. Ben Gutkin, stage ANOTHER WINNER Huron Country Playhouse has an- nounced another bonus draw winner. The third $1,000.00 bonus draw took place on the Main Stage, preceding a recent performance. Colonel Tom Lawson of London was the winner. The bonus draws are attached to the Playhouse fund-raising project, "Win a $24,000 lot in Southcott Pines". Tickets are $100 each, and the chances of winning are excellent -- on- ly 500 have been printed. The last two $100.00 draws will take place September 6 at 8:30 p.m., the closing night of Annie and of the Playhouse season, on the Main Stage; and October 28 at 8:30 p.m. at the Grand Bend Chamber of Commerce meeting. The finai' draw for the beautiful VOW w000ded lot in Southcott Pines will be made on November 15, at the Huron Country Playhouse annual general meeting. Call (519) 238-8451 for ticket information. manager, is in complete control as he dons the earphones that link him to the lighting and sound technicians (Karen Wright and Lisa Hagen) closeted away in a booth at the back d the theatre. According to protocol, Ben announces he is ready on stage, and formally hands "the house" over to house manager Corina Robbins and her staff of ushers who escort the public to Those plush seats. Since she is not required on stage until later, Kimberly Timlock is Lily, gets a helping hand with her costume change from George who arranges the platinum wig and feathers. As Mary Pitt breezes in and makes one of her nine costume changes, Kimber- ly expounds, "I'd be lost without this guy". "And a push -up bra" George interjects to help explain how they achieve the blousy look of Lily. "Oh no," says Kim "that's my black knee socks in there." When you're in the play that is go- ing on behind the play, it's hard to tell where reality ends and the fantasy begins. Rush seats for Annie, outfront, are available until . closing night September 6. CONTROL TO LIGHTING — Stage manager Benjamin Gutkin with assistant Kate Greenway, have earphones in place, and everything under control during the production of Annie running at Huron Coun- try Playhouse until September sixth. and district news Connle Keyser - 23$42695 Lynne Desjardine • 23$-5148 Roberta Walker • 238.2471 Mentally handicapped people have a lot to contribute. Let's give them the opportunity! Published by the Public Education and Awareness Committee of South Huron and District Association for the Mentally Handicapped Box 29, Dashwood, Ont. NOM 1NO Phone 237-3637 Play your part HELP MINOR SPORTS — President of the Grand Bend Softball Association, Bill Uniac, second from right, accepts a cheque for $1000 from canoeists Dave Desjardine, Xavier Boogemans and captain Joe Green, right. A donation towards the Grand Bend beach cleaner in the amount of $2135.30 was also given as well as $2000 to the minor sports. re ►IUUi$ sir leis suits take atm 9r s Mater heti ire rt fstom ier IRIS rats 13kt brillbrillur$cs tit mu bent s 1 01/11141 'our Dans wiss frit Huron 'u 1 cheer beach SURPRISE DONATION -- As they look over the 21 foot racing canoe, Eddie Mommersteeg, soccer referee, left, and Tom Vlemmix, past -president of Grand Bend and District Soccer Association, second from right, accept a cheque for $1000 from canoeists Xavier Boogemans and Dave Desjardine, center, as Joe Green, navigator looks ort. The twosome raised over $4300 from donations when they crossed lake Huron by canoe in June. This Week - Feature Artist.... JOHN PETRELLA — ARTIST and NATURALIST 2 day show: Saturday, Sept. 6 1:00 - 8:00 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. fiEG GREY A )TT . L Bonus: The first 43 prints sold will receive a free remarque (original sketch) in the margin - retail value $60.00! 4 L E R A First snow Fall - Hawk Owl 14" x 24" 23 Queen Street (at Main) Grand Bend 238-5665 ti + . Each year in Canada, about 70 young children are killed and 4000 are injured in car crashes. The latest natior)nt survey showed that almost 80% of ch•rriidren under 5 are not being protected adequately in motor vehicles. Transport Canada sets tough safety standards that manutltcturers of infant car- riers, child safety seats and booster seats must meet. You can provide the best protection for your children by securing them in a properly installed seat, anchored to your vehicle by a top tether strap. Buckle up. It's the thing to do. Transport Canada Transports Canada - canad "