On Staging

Discussion Kyle sits down with Cherie Dianne Caslyn, director of Take a Bow's forthcoming production of Noise's Off, presented in Cochrane at the Cochrane Ranchehouse Theatre May 1st through the 10th. They discuss the difficulties of doing it all in the effort to bring a production to life. Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/noises-off-by-michael-frayn/ About the show: Called “the funniest farce ever written,” Noises Off presents a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called Nothing’s On. Slamming doors, on and offstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this hilarious, high-energy comedy. Mixing mockery and homage, Frayn heaps a hilarious melée of stock characters and situations into his side-splitting play-within-a-play.

Discussion On April 24th, and running until May 2nd, Morpheus Theatre presents Gilbert & Sullivan's Patience at the Pumphouse theatre, directed by Winnifred Hume with musical direction from Aly Carigan and choreography from Kylie Bullock. Kyle sits down with Kylie and Winnifred to discuss the difficulties of bringing a 143 year old production to life in the modern day. Tickets: https://www.morpheustheatre.ca/?portfolio=patience-or-bunthornes-bride About the Show: All of the maidens in the village are besotted with Reginald Bunthorne, a moody and handsome poet, but he has eyes only for the simple milkmaid, Patience. The problem? Bunthorne’s artistic ways are all just an act to attract women to him–he doesn’t even like poetry! Besides, Patience is in love with her childhood sweetheart, who happens to be a real poet named Archibald Grosvenor, but feels she cannot marry him because he is just too perfect. In the meantime, the serious (and decidedly non-poetic) platoon of Heavy Dragoon Guards that were meant to marry the village maidens find themselves dismayed and perplexed by their sudden loss of prospects. One of Gilbert & Sullivan’s most successful shows, Patience is a rollicking satire that pits the straight-laced ideals of the Victorian era against the passions and indulgences of the 1870s Aesthetic Movement, ridiculing each side of the spectrum.

Discussion Opening April 9th through April 12th at the Studio at Vertigo Theatre in Calgary, Baker Miller Pink presents The Painter and the Lake, directed by Cayley Wreggitt, choreographed by Samantha Ketsa. Kyle sits down with Cayley and Samantha to discuss what this new work is about and how it came to be. Tickets: https://purchase.vertigotheatre.com/EventAvailability?EventId=2601 About the Show: Peter, a down-on-his-luck painter, has hit a rut. In search of a muse, he traverses the Kananaskis backcountry until he discovers Lillian, a pristine mountain lake. But something sinister lurks beneath her surface, unearthing ghosts from Peter's past and challenging his relationship to art as a passion and a profession. “The Painter and The Lake” is presented by Baker Miller Pink as a Resident Company of Vertigo Theatre.

Discussion Opening February 27th and running through March 7th at the Pumphouse Theatre in Calgary, Scorpio Theatre presents Terry Pratchett's Guards! Guards! directed by Chris Gamble. Kyle sits down with Chris, and producer Carl Bishop, to talk about how the show has come together and the long road it has gone down for Scorpio to realize this fantastical production. Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/guards-guards/ About the Show: Welcome to “Ankh-Morpork”, the (second) greatest city in all of Discworld. As cities go, it is on the far side of corrupt and polluted and is subject to outbreaks of comedic violence and silly brou-ha-ha’s on a fairly regular basis… but things are about to take a sinister turn. A secret organization, The Unique and Supreme Lodge of the Elucidated Brethren of the Ebon Night, have concocted a most ingenious plan – by utilizing a stolen magical book, they plan to summon a fearsome Dragon to terrorize the city and replace the leadership of Ankh-Morpork with their own puppet king. Defending the city against this monster threat is the underpaid, undervalued City Night Watch – the drunken and world-weary Captain Vimes, the cowardly Sergeant Colon, the small opportunistic Corporal Nobby of … unknown origins…and their newest recruit, Lance-Constable Carrot, whom is a dwarf (by adoption only). They may be called the Palace Guard, the City Guard, or the Patrol. Whatever the name, their purpose in any work of heroic fantasy is the same: it is, around about Chapter Three, or ten minutes into the play, to rush into the room, attack the hero one at a time … and be slaughtered. No-one ever asks them if they wanted to.

Discussion Opening February 19th and running through February 21st at the Glenmore Christian Academy in Calgary, Small Time Theatre presents Frozen Jr directed by Bree Johnson. Kyle sits down with Bree and costumer Cami Price to talk about what Frozen means to them and how they've brought their own love of the Disney movie to this junior production of the broadway musical. Tickets: https://smalltimetheatre.shop/ About the show: The enchanting modern classic from Disney is ready for your Broadway Junior stars! Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!

Discussion Opening January 23rd and closing February 7th at the Old Church Theatre in Okotoks, Dewdney Players presents The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play directed by Sherene Seders. Kyle sits down with Sherene to discuss the difficulties of realizing this novel in radio play form and how to market this work to an audience in new and novel ways. Link to Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/dewdney-players-presents-the-great-gatsby-the-old-church-theatre-8/ About the Show: Scott Fitzgerald's beloved classic comes to life as a 1940s radio broadcast in this spirited adaptation of The Great Gatsby. An ensemble brings more than two dozen characters from the novel to the stage of the WBFR radio station for a live broadcast, punctuated by 40s-era commercials. A story of triumph and tragedy that reflects the decadence of the Jazz Age and the perils of the American Dream. Still, ain't we got fun?

Discussion At the Bert Church Theatre in Airdrie on December 19th and 20th, Nose Creek Players present All Roads Lead to the Station, written and directed by Haley Day. Kyle sits down with Haley over zoom to discuss the efforts taken to put up her first written work and the unexpected difficulties and joys that come from that experience. Tickets are limited: https://tickets.airdrie.ca/TheatreManager/1/login?event=578 About the show: It is 1917 when we meet fourteen-year-old Peter Harris, who has been uprooted from his home in Nova Scotia and sent to stay with his Uncle Hubert in the small but bustling town of Airdrie. With his sister serving as a nurse overseas to help with the war efforts, Peter dreads having to spend Christmas away from his home, his sister and everything he holds dear to him. While in Airdrie, he starts working at his uncle’s general store and soon meets the colourful folks of Airdrie, each with their own holiday hopes, hardships and humour. Through these encounters, Peter begins to understand that Christmas isn’t just about where you are- it’s about the people who make a place feel like home.

Discussion Opening December 18th and running until December 21st, Swamp Donkey Musical Theatre presents Nuncrackers, directed by Trisha Gizen. Kyle sits down with Trisha to discuss what putting up the show a second Christmas in a row means and the complications, and easements, that happen when you do something again. Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/s/events/all/?search_string=nuncrackers About the Show: The Nunsense Christmas musical, Nuncrackers, is the first TV special taped in the Cable Access Studio built by Reverend Mother in the convent basement. It stars the nuns you love, plus Father Virgil and Mount Saint Helen’s most talented students. This show is filled with wacky Nunsense humour! Certain to tickle your funny bone and likely to tug at your heartstrings, Nuncrackers is the perfect way to make your holiday season merry and bright (synopsis from concordtheatricals.com)!

Discussion With only four shows - December 11, 12 and 13th at the Glenmore Christian Academy in Calgary, Small Time Theatre presents the Junior production of The Sound of Music, directed by Lena Chalmers. Kyle sits down with Lena and Ingrid Koller (part of the set design team) to talk about the meaning of this Rogers and Hammerstein musical, and what theatre for young people with Small Time has meant to them and their families. Tickets: https://smalltimetheatre.shop/ (as of publishing the performance is sold out) About the Show: The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do Re Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows Maria, an ebullient postulant who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, the von Trapp family must make a moral decision.

Discussion opening November 28th and running until December 13 at the Hope Community Church in Strathmore, the Strathmore Theatre Players Guild presents A Christmas Carol, adapted by Lynn Stevens, directed by Angela Woodford-Reeves and Jeanette Brown, produced by Lauren Nelson and starring Courtney Nelson as Scrooge. Kyle sits down with Courtney and Lauren to discuss how important this work is not only in general, but to Strathmore itself and how many groups have come together to bring this show to life to inspire audiences this Holiday Season. Tickets: https://thevaultonline.ca/collections/strathmore-theatre-players-guild About the Show: By suggesting famous Christmas carols, this talented author incorporates appropriate music for the re-telling of this classic story. You’ll meet all the great characters: Christmases Past, Present, and Future; Tiny Tim; Bob Cratchit; and, of course, Ebenezer Scrooge! This is an inspiring musical that captures the essence of the great tale, and of the meaning of Christmas.

Discussion Opening November 7 through November 8 at Theatre 1308, The Unicorn Collective presents The War Brides Are Coming, written and directed by Gail Whiteford. Kyle sits down with Gail to discuss the importance of this work, at this time of year and why audiences should take the time to recognize their own immigrant history and some specific Canadiana of the War Brides of the second world war's arrival in Canada for the first time. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-war-brides-are-coming-registration-1783334705109?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawN6DspleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFYeUpIbkM1Mm5vR3o2eTVNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhoQQZB3qDX2VTfPIfDBPG49Vdoukyu49QuRRirAXwXapYt9eXjaZ4kc3XYo_aem_0ZeJBkCdDcw3kXmC6m1P7A&brid=mBlCma7pADd49bwF6d7Xng About the Show: This year is the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe and the 80th anniversary of the War Brides arriving in Canada. Over 65,000 came to Canada with their husbands and their children. The War Brides came from all over the United Kingdom and from nearly every country on the European continent. The women represented a diversity of experiences and backgrounds. The Unicorn Collective is proud to celebrate the arrival of the War Brides by presenting their production of “The War Brides Are Coming”, a play based on the arrival of two war brides about to start a whole new life in Canada. Come celebrate with us.

Discussion Opening October 17th and running through October 25th at the Pumphouse in Calgary, Scorpio Theatre presents The Affections of May directed by Stuart Bentley and Nicole Dickinson. Kyle sits down with Stuart and Nicole to talk at length about how this production came to be along with Stuart's history with the production and the inextricable link between comedy and tragedy on stage. Tickets: https://www.morpheustheatre.ca/?page_id=7805 About the Show: After being deserted by her husband, a woman suddenly finds herself the centre of attention in a small resort town.

Discussion Opening October 17th and running through October 26 at the Swamp Donkey Theatre in Bragg Creek, Swamp Donkey Musical Theatre presents String, directed by Juleta Severson-Baker. Kyle sits down with Juleta to talk about this new musical and what it took to bring it to life under lights. Tickets: https://www.showpass.com/s/events/all/?search_string=string+the+musical About the Show: String is a captivating musical where myth and modernity intertwine. After angering Zeus, the Fates, the goddess sisters who spin, measure, and snip the strings of life for every human on Earth, find themselves banished to a modern office building in the mortal world, where they continue their work hidden among the mortals whose destinies they weave into one giant, glorious tapestry. When eldest sister Atropos accidentally loses her pair of scissors in the building, she meets Mickey, the building’s overnight security guard. Soon love gets the better of her, and she finds herself falling for him, stealing his string to keep him immortal and defying all of the rules she has to follow as a goddess. This exception to the rules begins to disrupt the natural order—can the tapestry of the Universe and her sisters stand this flaw? Fall for this original, uplifting, and belty musical about fate, love, and the imperfections that make us human (synopsis from broadwaylicensing.com).