Times-Advocate, 1987-07-08, Page 9f
OPENING NIGHT Huron Country Playhouse was abuzz with the
excitement of opening "Babes in Arms'` Wednesday night. Dave Ban-
nister, chairman of the board, along with Manager Heather Redick
(right) were on hand to greet Joyce Block, manager and her group
from the Exeter office of V G National Trust, the sponsors of this
season's opening production.
Grand len
and district news
,Connie Keyser - 2:1li-26111
Roberta Walker - 238-2171
Times -Advocate, July 8, 1987
Page 9
Everything rolled into Babes in Arms
It's frothy, it's fun, it's song and
dance rolled into one, it's "Babes In
Arms" at Huron Country Playhouse.
It's hard to decide what aspect of
the performance was the most
outstanding. The sets were excep-
tionally pleasing, the choreography
was energetic, the four -piece pit or-
chestra had the richness of a sound
track. How is it possible that this wad
all put together in just over two
weeks!
The original 1937 Babes In Arms,
written by Richard Rodgers and
Lorenz Hart, who also wrote their
own book for the first time, centered
around the problems of the children
of travelling vaudevillains, left to fend
for themselves. The version we see
currently at the Playhouse uses the
up -dated script by critic George Op-
penheimer, written in 1959.
With the current rage to have
everything old coming up new again,
it was a perfect chance for designer
Brian Perchaluk to wreck havoc with
our treasured memories, drawing a
fine line between parody and authen-
ticity in the costumes. Were the
crinolines we thought so glamorous
really that outrageous? On the other
hand every teenager of the late '50's
knew you never rolled pant legs up
evenly, but one higher than the other.
Simple and fun as the costumes are,
where designer Prechaluk excells is
in the sets. As the audience enters the
theatre they are treated to the bright,
airy, stage door entrance to the
mythical Surf and Sand Playhouse
rather t a closed curtain. The
mood is f n, filled with expectations
and one ants the empty stage to be
filled quickly.
In the late '50's Oppenheimer
script, the young . apprentices at the
theatre are paid slave wages, fed re-
hashed.hash for.meals and of course
only want a chance to put on their own
review. Instead, the next -to -bankrupt -
producer makes them .work even
harder as stage hands for the travell-
ing, pre -Broadway production that
has booked into his Cape Cod
Playhouse.
With an abrupt scene change, Per-
chaluk portrays the inside of the
theatre from an unaccustomed view-
point. It takes a few minutes to realize
the sombre and monumental folds are
the back of the stage curtain: Once
again the audiencejs drawn into the
action.
Finally the barn in which the young
apprentices put on their show is a
delightful feast of dark wooden beams
strung_ . oil lanterns, so pretty,
that one is reminded -that -all theatr
is just a fantasy..
• The story line is cliched, and the ac-_
ting ability of most of the cast is unim-
portant, since it is the music that
holds the whole production together.
Right from the opening overture,
musical director Michael Mulrooney
fills the theatre with exuberant sound*
and maintains the pace throughout.
Those -olden goldies such as "My Fun-
•
5pecfacvlar firew.rks Iiglits resort
The 1lotrlla ut sail heals, launches
and the occasional small outboard
rocked gently in the swells' 01 Lake
[Whim just as the situ was selling Ju-
l• lirst. 11 had threatened rain and
stormy rough water all day. but a few
faithful gambled on the wind dropp-
ing and they won. •
Fifteen minutes before the
fireworks were ready the vessels.
TEAM WORK Keeping Grand Bend's Canada Day fireworks safe
and firing on schedule requires many hands on deck. Volunteers Bob
Brown(left) and Andre James were in charge of loading the mortars
and cleaning the containers under the expert supervision of Gene
Grenier of Rollie's Sports store.
clustered in the protective mouth of
the river, moved like a well rehears-
ed parade out into the lake, creating
the idyllic setting once again that one
takes for granted 'in Grand Bend.
From out ol nowhere. crowds
gathered. spread out along the
shoreline from the river to Oakwood
Park and Gene Grenier gave them a
Spectacular. unequalled anywhere in
the area.
Members of the Chamber /of Com-
merce added a few events to the even-
ing this year to keep the crowds
entertained.
Darryl Farquhar, owner of Rings.
Strings. and Things in the Queen St..
mall: introduced a unique new balloon
for the kids of all ages. About 20
gigantic sausage-shaped blow-ups
slithered and bobbed along the beach
in the breeze, only.to bounce skyward
just as it was within reach. The kids
chased while one twenty footer wobbl-
ed from the lifeguard chair.
Farquhar's band of aerial en-
thusiasts launched a battery of flut-
tering dragons, deltas and unusual
kite shapes to fascinate the
skywatchers. - •
.Right on schedule the drone of the
familiar little plane could be heard
and one by one the parachutes of the
Grand Bend Parachuting Club were
spotted in the distance. As they glid-
ed in over the water and landed with
that last swift rustling of chutes, right
on target, the appreciative crowd ap-
plauded. As always, the comment
"One of them is a girl" rippled
through the air.
Finally; with a few lest
noisemakers, the fireworks display
Kids to be entertained
The Huron ('ountry Playhouse has
announced that "Glenn Bennett and
the Magic Dragon Band" will be ap
pea ring at the Playhouse on July 13
for two separate performances at
11:110 a.m. and 2:30 p.11).
This Montreal born Singer-
- 'n. vriler began his I)erfornling
car••er m Iront of his grade one
ta's and has never looked
kirk !laving started out solo. (;Tenn
ow' performs in concert with the help
ul the multi -talented Magic Dragon
K.rnd Together they put an audience
through a non-stop hour hill of sing-
ing. laughing and even jumping up
and dow•u. -
(;lenn's songs have a way -of appeal-
ing to all ages. Kids sit with their eyes
open wide as they hear about the
strange eating habits of "Jonathon*
Edwards The 'Third'. while parents
;relate all too easily to the antics of
"My Baby Brother".
In a short time, Glenn Bennett has
gone from school workships to sell out
Family ('oncerts. Ile has Iwo records
out now for children "Let's Go On
Safari" and "I Must Ite Growin(t''.
Catholic News
All the weekend Masses were
celebrated by the new pastor. Father
Paul Beck, at Immaculate Heart of
Mary Church at Grand Bend. Ile
thanked all the parishioners for Iheir
warm welcome and expressed the
desire to work together to continue to
develop the parish community into an
even better Christian Assembly.
Father Bob left a message for
everyone: "Dear Parishioners".
I want to thank everyone who sup- '
ported me, encouraged me, and
helped me in any way to make my
last five years as your pastor so en-
joyable. The acceptance and love that
1 experienced in this community from
People of all faiths will be the main
suPPort I will carry with me for the
•
next few year, in the missions.
All [ 'can say for the very generous
gitts I received is a big "Thank you".
I ask forgiveness from anyone I
may have offended in any way. and
[ sincerely ask you to pray for me. as
I promise 1 will for you. You have a
beautiful community of which you
should be very proud. God bless all of
you until we meet again."
The next meeting of the Catholic
Women's League is June 20. at the
Alhambra hall. Please try to attend.
The Alhambra '46 Ford truck will be
left parked at the Church parking lot
during the weekend Masses for July
18-19 and July 25.26, to receive dona-
tions from parishioners for the
Bazaar garage sale on August 1. It's
a good way to houseclean and still
assist a worthy organization in their
fundraising activities.
United Church
There was an excellent attendance
at the first outdoor service. Sunday,
al Grand Bend United Church.
Rev. R. Peebles conducted the ser-
vice and his message topic was, "Im-
portance of the Bible".
Special music today was a ladies
quartette. "Horizon", from Seaforth,
who sang four lovely numbers. These
ladies are members of an interna-
tional singing organization known as,
"Harmony Incorporated", and are
associated with the Seaforth Har-
mony Ili-Lites Chapter. "Their
organization helps support theSociety
of Autism.
The Grand Bend Couples club
report a successful lawn and bake
sale held last Saturday.
About Town
Fireworks, live theatre..a score of
good restaurants and shops. riding
stables and of course; the Beach.
Something for everyone at Grand
Bend over the July' 1 to July 4
holidays. Crowds o( tourists and
streets clogged with cars testified to
the popularity of the 'Bend' as a
favorite vacation spot. The Pinery
Park was hooked up with campers, as
were most Other camp grounds.
f;ininwellmclad muscled beach boys. aach bunnies were s
miring
the rest of us watched both groups,
with occasional pangs of envy. or past ".
fond memories.
The fireworks display on Grand
Bend beach on July nothing
short
spectacular!
I�ar�Mut Mother
sunset
and calm weather as a backdrop for
the festivities. The little horseshoe of
yachts and small boats, a -twinkle
with lights, framed the area like a
painting. Four "jumpers" from the
local parachute club but their fancy
capers in the air, to land precitsely on
the beach and delight the crowds of
onlookers. Gene Grenier and his
crew, from the Grand Bend Chamber
of Commerce, put on an eye -dazzling
display with enough color, loud bangs
and variety to delight the heart of a
Chinese emperor.
The first play of the season, "Babes
in Arms" opened the same evening,
July 1 at the Huron Country
Playhouse. This delightful play
outlines the plight of a troupe of young
"apprentices" at a failing 1950's sum-
mer theatre in Cape Cod, trying to
meet the demands of the theatre's
owner, and still work on their own
musical revue. The whole production
is filled with the energy and en-
thusiasm of the young performers.
lots of dancing and bright snappy
songs. Marcia Tratt, as Bunny.
almost. steals the show with her
numbers, especially "Way Out West"
and "Johnny One -Note". Robert
Burns and Theresa Stewart, as the
young lovers, are fiercely loyal,
dedicated, romantic, idealistic, naive,
and in a word - perfect. Stephen
Beamish and Janet Martin, another
young couple, steal their own share of
scenes, beginning with battles of the
sexes and ending with billing and coo-
ing in the hay. Hilarious.
A perfect way to usher in the sum-
mer - don't miss it - "Babes in Arms"!
DEWITTE
ANTIQUES'
Open 7 days a week
Flea Market
Saturdays and Sundays
New and Old
Buy and Sell
1 mile south of
Grand Bend, Hwy. 21
238-5121
was underway.
A group of young people, who had
been rehearsing, began a chorus of
alternating ''000H" and "AAAH'• as
each of Grenier's pyrotechnics.
became bigger and more colourful in
the sky. Then a spectacular burst ol
low. short, ear-splitting flashes 01
silver sparkles raised the beat of.the.
chant to a staccato and all around in-
cluding the group collapsed in
laughter.
The finale of waterfall lights
brought- the crowd to their feet ap-
plauding, but Canada Day still -seem-
ed incomplete without the playing or
singing of 0 Canada; as the crowds
sauntered up the Main St.. hill. .
ASSAULT CHARGES -
Two assault charges were among
the 73 charges laid by the Grand Bend
OPP over the entire period of the
Canadian and American holiday
period:- -
There were 67 liquor charges this
year, down from the'8,2 which were
laid over the same holiday period last
year.
_Charged with assault were Robert
B' .dCvell, 24, of Sarnia, and Donald
K. Paquette; 28, of St. Catharines.
Powell was charged on Sunday with
the assault of doorman Harold S.
Johnson, Grand Bend, at the Sanders
on the beach. The latter did not re-
quire hospitalization. -
The St. Catharines man was charg-
ed with the assault of OPT' Constable
D. Holder of the local detachment
The offence occurred as Paquette was
being arrested for a liquor violation.
During the summer months, there
are numerous lost and found articles
reported to the detachment office.
The major list includes keys,
sunglasses, and wallets. Check for
lost or found items should he made at
the police station.
ny Valentine" and "I Wish I Were In
Love Again lust keep rolling off the
stage, one after the other. .
Meanwhile the ensemble of appren-
tices liven the stage with some of
the most dynamic energetic dance
numbers ever packed into such• a
small stage pace. Even the cross-
overs during the set changes are a
choreographic delight directed. by
Glen Kotyk. Throughout the script
there are song and dance numbers
worked in so that the audience is
treated to a vast variety of dance
styles, everything from - the
Charleston to classical ballet and a'
parody thereof. Literally a visual
feast, that places great demands on
the talents of this young cast. It is
especially notable in the mini -
interludes at stage right.. -
Although there is no leading lady or
star as such, Artistic liirector Steven
Schipper has gathered together an ar-
• ray of exceptional talent to carry the
show. - .
• Theresa- Stewart as the lead . in-
genue Susie. romps around the stage
the ease of familiarity but
sometimes Tows -away her -Ji
Never mind; ail is forgiven by thatrd
sounding voice. -
Stephen Beamish, as Gus. the
lovable doddering oaf in baggy
overatls, is a treat to -watch. Ile
stumbles, he goofs in his amorous at-
tempts, then smiles as he glides kith
professional aplomb into a waltz step.
Janet Alartin fills the bill most adt•-
quately as the teenybopper
_ glamorgirl who thinks she can eon
whatever she wants by seducing the
- appropriate man. She's trashy but
still innocent enough to be appealing.
Kymberley Huffman. as the movie
star Jennifer Owen who comes to play
the lead at the Surf and Sand
Playhouse; has a beautiful voice that
seems totally unsuited to the stage.
Her biography states much of her ex-
perience has been in TV commer-
cials, and it shows. She is beautiful to
look at, but her acting ability is over-
shadowed by the professionalism of
her "stage mother" Aileen Taylor -
Smith.
Who Wouldn't [all for the young
handsome Valentine White, director
of the apprentices. as played by the
talented Robert Burns. He's tall, good
looking, can` sing, dance, play the
piano and act too. -
Kept quietly under wraps until she
opened her mouth to sing were the
comic talents of Marcia Trait as Bun-
ny..But when she -let -go with "Way
Out West" and -Johnny One -Note" -
there was toe tapping and hand clap- -
nc•s Ding- throughout the theatre.
•7 ac -i the gest-of-Rodgers-and-Hart__ _
tunes,- some great comic threatrical-
moments. some hidden Treasures of -
-nostalgia, and mix it with the relax-
ed, atmosphere of Huron Country
Playhouse. -and you have a three Week
run of.a sure winner.
"Kabel In Arms" will keep the
laughs rolling; until ,July 18.
WINNING HANDWORK Nina Stonehouse and Louise Hall, both
members of the volunteer auxiliary of.the Twilight Haven Home for
the Aged, Petrolia,'proudly display the group's award winning quilt
at the Lambton Heritage Museum annual competition and sale. This
"group sewn" winner in Tri-State Tulip design will -be the first prize
at the auxiliary's October 31 draw and fall tea. The paper tole pic-
ture Nina holds in third draw prize.
Just arrived
White Georgian Sets
With custom made pillows and cushions
(6 sets only)
Hwy. 21 (next to the Thirsty Fox)
Grand Bend 238-8750
ca
ZimitEd Edition
¶J7 ozi9inaL Lal EutEtu Ca1u2o, j'ulnd DEnc1
The Lakeview Casino was built
in 1919, and destroyed by fire
in 1981
Framed Print
16" x 20"
Guy Lombardo was the first of
• many big bands to play at the
Casino over the years.
Mounted Print
11"x 14"
Plate
9'/" Diameter
22 K Gold 1 rim
.32 .95
WHITE'S PHARMACY LTD. rr
22-81 CRESCENT
GRAND BEND, ON. NOM 1TO
2384540