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The Lucknow Sentinel, 2015-08-12, Page 66 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, August 12, 2015 Members of St. Andrew's Church choir were honoured to be invited to take part in "Railroad to Ripley", the theatrical play written specifically for the 2015 Ripley Reunion by Murray Yungblut. Front from left: Dianne Simpson, Marilyn Johnston, Sheila MacDonald, Doreen Platten, Shirley Golloway. Back from left: Elaine Pollock, pianist Shirley Harris, Jean MacDonald. July 31, 2015. Author/Director/Actor Murray Yungblut acts as narrator to introduce the play "Railroad to Ripley" and each of the three scenes. The play by the HAWK theatre was performed at the Ripley Community Centre July 31and August 2 during the 2015 Ripley Reunion, for which it was written. OPENS AUG 21 ALL EVENTS FREE WITH ADMISSION!+ O XPogo Stunt Team naw Daily 9a5 © President's Choice SuperDogs HolyWoofr Daily © CNE Midway Daily Z"' CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION AUG 21TOSEPT 7 2015 LET'S GO TO THE EX! /4 THEEX.COM q Ll a .'sN L 0 Info Line: 416.263.3330 Does not IncIuderldes, food and games. All programs subject to change. The cast of "Railroad to Ripley" is made up entirely of people who had been born in the area or who have been long-time residents. Front from left: Don Simpson, Sam Finnie. Centre from left: Keith VanderHoek, Helen Orr, Lynne Jewson, Paul Harris, Fran Farrell, Producer Gail VanderHoek. Back from left: Author/Director/ Actor Murray Yungblut, Bradley Reid, Eoin MacKay, Ron Rock. July 31, 2015. Valerie Gillies/Lucknow Sentinel Scene Three of the HAWK theatre play for the 2015 Ripley Reunion is set in the new dry goods store in Ripley when townspeople come and go discussing the celebration planned to mark ten years since the railroad has come to Ripley. Present on stage at this particular time were Alex and Lottie McIver, played by Ron Rock and Fran Farrell, Proprietress Esmeralda, played by Lynne Jewson and Minerva and Walter MacLeod, the couple from Purple Grove played by Helen Orr and Keith VanderHoek. Response to "Railroad to Ripley" was overwhelming HAWK theatre played to a full house Valerie Gillies Lucknow Sentinel Murray Yungblut was approached by Keith Van- derHoek a couple of years prior to the 2015 Ripley Reunion and asked if he would be interested in writing a play for the Reunion. Yungblut relates, "I took about two seconds to say yes. But, I said, it would have to be historical." The result was "Railroad to Ripley" performed by the HAWK theatre in the Ripley Community Centre on the c y . ,. ? , The Lucknow Sentinel Birthday Club Reed Petteplace August 13, 2008 7 years old Madison Grace Cranston 5. August 16, 2007 8 years old Your child can be a member is of the Sentinel's birthday club c Kf call 519-528-2822 to register Kf Lucknow Sentinel 619 Campbell Street 519-528-2822 LET'S ALL DO OUR PART! PLEASE RECYCLE 1 1 1 BOTTLES 1CANS iia (0 evenings of July 31 and August 2. In the Author and Direc- tors Message printed in the program, Yungblut states, "The events and the facts presented in this play are more or less as they hap- pened although I've taken some liberties with the exact dates to bring the sto- ries together. The only his- torically accurate name is that of Reeve Robert Johnson:' Through the three acts, Yungblut's play tells the story of how Ripley came to be and points out the process and the importance of the decisions made by the early settlers in bringing the rail- road to Ripley. The colourful and varied cast are all locals that were born and raised (designated by *) in the Ripley area or are long-time residents of the area. The cast included: Alex and Lottie McIver (Ron Rock* and Fran Farrell), Esmeralda (Lynne Jewson), Rev. Rathburn (Murray Yungblut), Reeve Johnson (Sam Finnie), Angus (Eoin MacKay*), Thomas (Bradley Reid*), William (Paul Har- ris*) Minerva and Walter MacLeod (Helen Orr* and Keith VanderHoek*), and Jack (Don Simpmson). Producer Gail Vander - Hoek commented that one of the unique things about "Railroad to Ripley" is that the author is not only also the director, but is an actor in the play, as well. Pianist Shirley Harris related that Yungblut decided to have one song run through the play with the idea of a train going through. He rewrote the lyrics to "This Train is Bound for Glory" and asked the choir members at St. Andrews if they would perform it. Harris said the ladies were hon- oured to grant Yungblut's request. The HAWK theatre per- forms annually, but this was an extra project in addition to the regular productions. When asked if this extra load made it more difficult, Yung- blut said it really was not an issue. He explains that this is better than the other plays. Yunblut says his heart was in the whole subject matter, the people the place and the audience. What sets this play apart is that it was "written for one audience and one only." It was obvious that Yung- blut touched the hearts and minds of the one audience he wrote this play for. There were exclamations and peals of laughter to be heard, elic- ited by both the script and the song with the delivery enhanced by the enthusias- tic performance of the cast of characters.