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The Citizen, 1988-04-27, Page 43Entertainment Theatre review THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988. PAGE 43. Box office already tops $5 million at Stratford Rock and Roll pulls out all the stops Happy Birthday Will, there’s $5 million in the till I Six days before the 424th anniversary of the Bard’s birthday, on April 23, Stratford Festival General Manager, Gary Thomas announced that the Box Office has topped $5 million in advance tickets sales for the Festival’s 36th season. The exact dollar amount was $5,023,590.00 when the Box Office closed on Sunday, April 17. BY KEITH ROULSTON Theatricality is the name of the game in The Grand Theatre’s production of “Rock and Roll’’ as director Larry Lillo pulls out every trick in the theatre’s considerable bag of technical tricks. When the audience applauds the technical wizardry on the stage you know you’ve wowed them and this fast-paced production had people applauding staging several times and on their feet at the end in a standing ovation. John Gray’s story of a reunion of a rock and roll band from Musha- boom, Nova Scotia gives plenty of room for theatricality. His music itself is driving 1960’s rock and roll and with the choreography of Valerie Moore, the cast makes the most of it in dance sequences. What with the music, and dancing, and people descending CHSS band, choir perform Friday On Friday evening, April 29, Central Huron S.S. in Clinton will once again be alive with art and the sound of music. This year’s Spring Music Con­ cert promises to present numbers with the same excellence already experienced twice before this year, and people have come to expect. If you enjoy the music from Okla­ homa, then you’re in for a treat. Mr. Walker’s art classes will once again present its talents in a varried and interesting display. Adding interest to the concert this Spring will be aperformance by the choir and band from Morning Star H.S., Mississauga. The Morning Star students will be in our area as part of the music exchange between Central Huron and Morning Star. The two Music Clubs will join to form a massed choir and band, always the highlight of the even­ ing. A special invitation is extended to area grade eight students, especially those who have register- ed for the music program at C.H.S.S. from the heights on gigantic guitars or disappearing into the floor, there’s a danger that the actors might get lost in such a big production but they hold their own. Doug Bennett as Parker, the fat-kid who proves to be what the band “The Monarchs" needs to become a hit has made an excellent debut in theatre. As leader of the band “Doug and the Slugs" he’s had plenty of experience in performing music before large audiences but he pulls off an energetic, often funny perfor­ mance. And of course his voice adds greatly to the rock and roll music. But the sweetheart of the show is Louise Pitre as Shirly, the girl who longs to sing in the band but isn’t allowed, so instead marries the band’s guitar player. The band doesn’t know what it’s missing but the audience does as she sings, struts, and dances her way into the hearts of the audience. When she finally gets her chance to sing with the band on the 15th anniversary of its break up you wish the band could stay together just to hear her sing some more. David Kirby, who spent a season at the Blyth Festival a decade ago, plays her husband Brent, the guy so dull he bores himself. Randy Kempf plays Chink, the other guitar player for whom the band was the only glory time in his life. Alec Willows plays Manny the rich kid who joins the band as drummer as a rebellion against his strict, religious father. Mr. Willows is the only actor to have ever played this part in various productions of the play across Canada over the years Maurice Godin as “Screamin’ John" representing the spirit of rock and roll gives an eerie performance that rivets the atten­ tion of the audience when he’s on stage. He gets the spectacular entrances, dropping from the ceiling, crawling out of the trunk of a 1958 Chevy or rising from a coffin. Friday’s opening marked the last opening for Larry Lillo, the Grand’s Artistic Director who is returning to Vancouver to take over the Vancouver Playhouse. He can go knowing he’s left with a hit on hishands. Besidesthestanding ovation he knows that the show has already sold so well it has been held over for an extra week, with 18,500 tickets already sold as of last week. Rock and Roll will now play at the Grand until Saturday, May 21. PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA HAPPY 21 ST BIRTHDAY DEB THURS.,FRI.,SAT. 5P.M.-12A.M. BLYTH INN EAT IN OR TAKE OUT 523-9381 Love Friends & Family ft ft ft ft ft ft ft ft I Phone 357-1630 for 24 hour movie information ■ ft Playing from Friday to J Thursday, April 29to May 5 g Showtimes: Friday and • Saturdayat7and9p.m. ■ Sundayto Thursday One £ show each eveningat8p.m. ft PICTURES RETURN TO SNOWY RIVER PART II______ the legend continues We’ve Re-Opened our Dinina Room for another season of SUNDAYDINING Join us May land help celebrateour Reservations now being taken foraspeciai MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH 11-2, May 8 & MOTHER’S DAY BUFFET from4:30-7 U H . 37„y5l'JW« KK1US Blyth 523-9381 COMMERCIAL HOTEL SEAFORTH LIVE Country & Western MUSIC THIS FRI. & SAT. MATINEE SATURDAY 4-6 “YUMA" Recording^ Artist f* t In Person TERRY CARISSE 7 Night Only THURSDAY. APRIL 28 Tickets *4.00 • At The Door *6.00 TURNBERRY ST BRUSSELS 8 ‘Specialguests-Morning Star H.S. Mississauga i ENTERTAINMENT Friday 9 -1 Saturday Matinee 3 - 6 Saturday 9 -1 no cover charge ------------ „ —............... lei '1 ■J L SPECIALIZING IN: Family Dining Banquet Facilities Take-Out and Pizza TRYOUR DELICIOUS SPECIALS OPEN SUNDAYS Admission: Adults $3.00 Students $1.00 EVERYONE WELCOME Next Week - Transit ......................................................... ..............