Peterborough Blogs
TASSS Students Bringing 'Mean Girls' High School Drama In Theatrical Production For December
/The famous film and book ‘Mean Girls’ is being brought to life by the students of Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) in a theatrical production slated for four December dates.
Hannah-Marie Toll (left) and Mattie Davies (right) rehearse for TASSS’s upcoming production of the popular film/book, ‘Mean Girls.” The production is slated for four shows on Dec. 7, 8 and 9 (twice). Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Director Jessica Sisson and music director Michaela Hetherington have been preparing for the production since June — and informed the students then — and have worked diligently to prepare the production for December.
The students have worked equally as hard according to both Sisson and Hetherington.
“We have a certain standard here that we like to meet each year. We help support students and push them towards meeting that standard and they have not disappointed,” said Hetherington. “They give up lunches, after schools, they've given up their evenings; there are some upcoming weekend rehearsals that they're going to have to attend and participate in.”
“For many of them, this is their first time doing something like this so they're learning curve is so substantial,” said Sisson. “For me, that makes it even more rewarding because to watch them go from never having sung on stage to belting out a number as a lead is pretty incredible to watch.”
Twenty-five cast members will receive two course credits for being involved in the production —vocal and acting/dance — and are mainly comprised of Grade 11 students. The workload of acting in a play and juggling other courses teaches time management to the actors and actresses, including grade 11 student Kelly Hoang, who plays Cady Heron as one of the lead roles.
“A lot of it comes down to planning my time and knowing when everything is,” she explained. “If I have an English essay due tomorrow, then maybe I should focus more on that rather than focusing on this which has a further deadline.”
The production has several musical numbers and choreographed dances. Any funds raised from ticket sales and concessions fund the school’s next theatrical production. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
More than 70 students in other grades are contributing to the school’s production.
Grade 12 students are aiding in the play’s development in a production class. Behind-the-scenes work such as stagehands, dressers, ushers and front-of-house concessions are done by Grade 9 and 10 volunteers.
Dance students aided in choreography, the construction class helped create set pieces, those studying fashion did costume design and anyone in media aided in the technology aspect.
“As much as it’s a class that we teach, it is a whole school journey that happens to bring it to the stage,” explained Sisson.
With only eight days away from the first show, the numerous rehearsals and heavy workloads have helped the students bond and create chemistry to provide genuine quality theatre.
“It's been phenomenal,” exclaimed Emma Robertson, Grade 12 student playing Glenn Coco. “We're always complimenting each other which is awesome. I feel very comfortable with the team.”
“We all support each other and cheer each other on,” added Hoang.
Performances are scheduled for the following dates and times:
Dec. 7: 7 p.m.
Dec. 8: 7 p.m.
Dec. 9: 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased for $20 through School Cash Online or at the door at TASSS (cash only).
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Folk Under The Clock Presents Adventure Stories and Songs with Adam Shoalts and Ian Tamblyn
/Folk Under The Clock is bringing Adam Shoalts and Ian Tamblyn to Market Hall Performing Arts Centre for an evening of adventure stories and songs Nov. 25.
photo courtesy of folk under the clock.
Adam Shoalts has been declared one of the ‘greatest living explorers’ by Canadian Geographic. He is a professional adventurer and the author of four national best-selling books. ‘A History of Canada in Ten Maps’, ‘Alone Against the North’, ‘Beyond The Trees’, ‘The Whisper On The Night Wind’.
His career has included mapping rivers, leading expeditions for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Mountain Equipment Co-op, archaeological digs, tracking endangered species and completing a 4,000 kilometre solo journey across Canada’s Arctic.
In 2022, Shoalts canoed and hiked a 3,400 kilometre solo journey from Lake Erie to the Arctic and his story is featured in his upcoming book, ‘Where the Falcon Flies’ to be released in October.
Ian Tamblyn is a musician, adventurer and playwright. He has been a working musician since 1972 and has released over 34 albums as well as acting as producer for many other artists. He has also written fourteen plays and over one hundred theatre soundtracks.
In 2012 he was made a fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society for his guiding and creative work in the Canadian Arctic. He has worked with many Adventure Tour companies where he guided, sang and studied wildlife from Scotland to the Arctic and Antarctic. In 2022, Tamblyn was appointed an Officer of The Order of Canada.
His songs have been covered by numerous artists and there is a tribute album of his work entitled, ‘Coastline of our Dreams’ featuring artists like Lynn Miles, Susan Crowe, Hart Rouge and Valdy. His song ‘Woodsmoke and Oranges’ is a Canadian classic known by most canoers.
Tickets are $45 incl. HST and fees and the show begins at 8 p.m. For more information, visit the website.
New Stages Theatre Announces Eight Contemporary Professional Shows for the 2023-2024 Season
/New Stages Theatre has announced the launch of their largest season to date, including a staged reading series, cabaret tribute to founding Artistic Director Randy Read, a week-long festival of new work and a holiday production in December at Market Hall.
photo courtesy of new stages theatre.
The full season line-up includes:
October: THIS IS HOW WE GOT HERE by Keith Barker
A staged reading at Market Hall. A beautiful drama by Métis playwright Keith Barker about two families in north Ontario grieving a tragic loss, when they are surprised by a mysterious visitor.
November: LET’S GET RANDY
An outrageously fun cabaret tribute to Randy Read’s 25 years as the founding Artistic Director of New Stages. With all-star performers gathering from near and far to sing and sling stories, get ready to get randy!
December: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY adapted by Joe Landry.
A holiday production with a unique twist on the beloved classic, our play is set in a 1940s radio studio, with 5 actors playing all the roles and creating all the sound effects in front of you, the live studio audience. It’s going to be a wonderful night at the theatre!
February to March: BRAND NEW STAGES
From Feb 27 to March 3, enjoy a week-long festival of exciting new work, including:
LOOKING FOR LEAR by Dreda Blow and Brad Brackenridge. Presenting a family-friendly workshop production by Nervous System at Market Hall.
LIFE WITHOUT by Steve Ross. A staged reading of this riveting family drama at Market Hall.
TUSSAUD/ANTOINETTE. Written and directed by Jody Christopherson. Presenting a staged reading at The Theatre on King.
May: LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE by Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally) and Delia Ephron
A staged reading at Market Hall, directed by Linda Kash. An intimate collection of stories told by women about pivotal moments in their lives and how they were shaped by the clothes that they wore.
June: YELLOW FACE by David Henry Hwang.
A staged reading at Market Hall. A satirical play about the once-common practice of casting White actors to play Asian roles on stage and screen. At once wickedly funny & vital viewing.
For subscription package and ticket details, visit the website.
‘The Cavan Blazers’ Is Back By Popular Demand at 4th Line Theatre This August
/4th Line Theatre is presenting a remount of its flagship play ‘The Cavan Blazers’ by Robert Winslow, coming back by popular demand this August for the theatre’s 31st summer season.
photo courtesy of 4th line theatre.
The Cavan Blazers was the first play produced by the newly-formed 4th Line Theatre in 1992. Its epic scale, including a cast of 44 actors, horses, chickens, fire and fights, established the theatre’s long-time aesthetic of presenting epic theatre on the outdoor stages at the Winslow Farm in Millbrook, Ontario.
The play explores the settler experience and what happens when the old hurts and angers from the homeland are brought over to a new country. The Cavan Blazers chronicles the religious conflict between the Catholic and Protestant Irish settlers in Cavan Township in the early to mid-nineteenth century. Violence erupts when a Protestant vigilante gang known as the Cavan Blazers tries to stop a Catholic Settlement from being established. This gritty and intense play will have the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
“The story inside The Cavan Blazers is one as old as time and as modern as the recent conflicts in Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Ukraine. It is a cautionary story of what can happen when people become entrenched in a way of thinking and are then unable to free themselves from that thinking,” said 4th Line’s managing artistic director Kim Blackwell.
Returning to the 4th Line stage in The Cavan Blazers are JD “Jack” Nicholsen as Patrick Maguire, Colin A. Doyle as Dane Swain, Thomas Fournier as Charles McCarty, Matt Gilbert as Father Phelan, Justin Hiscox as Elijah Coe, Mark Hiscox as Thomas Rutherford, Ken Houston as a horse rider and King William of Orange, Robert Morrison as William Grandy, Kelsey Powell as William Armstrong and Julia Scaringi as Martha Cooney. 4th Line Founder, playwright and actor Robert Winslow will portray Justice John Knowlsen. The Cavan Blazers will feature actress Katherine Cullen as Ann Maguire, and musician Jason Edmunds, making their 4th Line debuts this August.
Community volunteer actors include: Indigo Chesser, Jasper Chesser, Michelle Chesser, Logan Coombes, Lily Cullen, Peter Dolinski, Michael Field, Andria Fisher, Cadence Fisher, Eli Fisher, Linda Gendron, Sierra Gibb-Khan, Cody Inglis, Josh Lambert, Adrianna Malloy, Deirbhile MacQuarrie, Caoimhe MacQuarrie, Riordan MacQuarrie, Saoirse MacQuarrie, Siobhán MacQuarrie, Ayla McCracken-Reed, Venessa McCracken, Ian McGarrett, Brogan McKellar, Darragh O'Connell, Zach Newnham, Zack Radford, Mikayla Stoodley, Phil Stott and Evan Tsimidis.
The creative team includes Set Designer Kim Blackwell, Fight Director Edward Belanger, Costume Designer Korin Cormier, Musical Director Justin Hiscox, Choreographer Rachel Bemrose, Sound Designer Esther Vincent, Directing Intern Shelley Simester and Assistant to the Director Sierra Gibb-Kahn. The stage management team includes Emily Brown and Gailey Monner.
Queensville Players Theatre Group to Host Benefit Concert for Rowghan MacHart’s Transition Home June 17
/The Queensville Players community theatre group is hosting a benefit concert for cast member Rowghan MacHart on June 17; raising funds to support the re-fitting of her home with wheelchair accessible features.
photo courtesy of the queensville players.
After a collision on Hwy. 7 claimed the lives of 52-year-old Stefphanie Hart, 46-year-old Jonathan MacDonell and 18-year-old Riddick Hart in November of 2022, the Queensville Players of Keswick, Ontario are hosting a benefit concert for now 14-year-old Rowghan Hart who suffered life-altering injuries as a result of the accident.
Karin Simpson, president of the Queensville Players group and musical director for the show said that all four family members had roles in their production of Disney’s High School Musical, with Riddick playing Troy Bolton.
“Over the course of three months, we would rehearse anywhere from nine to twelve hours a week, and the MacHart’s would come all the way from Peterborough to Keswick,” Simpson said. “For the three hours (round-trip) to get there, and the three hours to rehearse, they came as a family. It was important to them that they did the show together.”
A week before the show started, Simpson says the crew was in the theatre everyday rehearsing. She says she remembers how close they all grew to each other as the MacHart family would stay at her home on occasion.
On Sunday, November 20 the group had another run of their show at the Stephen Leacock Theatre.
“People came from all over to see the show and were left raving about it, but (the cast) was really sad on that Sunday because we knew it wouldn’t be until Wednesday that we’d get to see each other again,” recalls Simpson.
It was that Tuesday, November 22 that the accident happened on Hwy. 7 near Drummond Line.
The next day, Simpson and the cast of the High School Musical production gathered at the theatre with a trauma team, sharing fond memories of the MacHart family. At the time Simpson recalls not knowing if Rowghan was going to live due to the injuries she sustained.
“We stayed there in the theatre and just held space with one another,” she said. “We had to cancel the show, there was no way we were going to go on with the level of grief that we all felt. Their roles were not replaceable.”
It was after the tragedy that Simpson says the Queensville Players knew they needed to do something for the MacHart family.
“When a tragedy like this happens you always feel helpless because you want to help so much, but of course the one thing that everybody wants in the world is the one thing that you can’t do- to bring them back,” said Simpson. “So with this (concert) we just want to wrap Rowghan in as much love from the community as possible and support her financially, emotionally and physically through whatever we can do.”
As a part of the event, two Ed Sheeran concert tickets to his June 17 show at the Rogers Centre in Toronto were raffled off, and on the day of the benefit concert there will be more raffle items and a 50/50 draw to participate in.
All proceeds from the Rowghan MacHart Benefit Concert will go towards the renovation of her home, making it wheelchair accessible.
“She’s going to face a lot of challenges, and there are many things that we’re not going to be able to foresee happening in this moment,” said Simpson.
She says the Queensville Players intend to support Rowghan through a similar benefit concert next year as well.
“The need for support will be an ongoing thing and the desire to be there for her will also be everlasting,” she said.
The matinee concert will take place at 2 p.m. June 17 at the Stephen Leacock Theatre in Keswick. Tickets are available for purchase using the link.
For those who wish to donate to the MacHart family GoFundMe, follow this link.
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Norm Foster’s ‘The Long Weekend’ Presented by the Peterborough Theatre Guild
/The Peterborough Theatre Guild has announced the final play of the season ‘The Long Weekend’ written by Norm Foster, coming to the Theatre Guild July 5 to 9 and July 12 to 15.
photo courtesy of the peterborough theatre guild.
The Long Weekend is a full-length comedy by Norm Foster. During a weekend visit between two couples, the true nature of their relationships come to the surface as the four so-called 'best friends' slowly discover how they really feel about each other.
Successful lawyer Max and his wife Wynn are about to show off their beautiful new their summer home to their best friends, Roger and Abby. But it doesn't take long to uncover the true feelings behind this long friendship. What is meant to be a relaxing holiday weekend turns into a battle of wits as their pasts catch up with them, the gloves come off and old scores get settled in comedic fashion.
photo courtesy of the peterborough theatre guild.
The Theatre Guild’s adaptation is directed by Jason Shulha, with project manager Margaret Pieper, and will feature David Adams, Siobhan MacQuarrie, Chelsey Mark and Jennifer Hilborn. The July 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15 shows will begin at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances July 9 and 15 beginning at 2 p.m.
Norm Foster’s writing delivers non-stop mischievous fun and scrumptious plot twists. The production is described as a hilariously tangled web of truths, deception and surprises that will leave the audience guessing – and laughing – all the way to the final curtain.
Tickets for the show can be purchased for $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $15 for students online or via phone.
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New Stages Theatre Presents Staged Reading of ‘New Magic Valley Fun Town’ at Market Hall
/New Stages Theatre is presenting a staged reading of ‘New Magic Valley Fun Town’ by Daniel MacIvor for one night only at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre March 26.
photo courtesy of new stages theatre.
MacIvor is one of Canada’s greatest playwrights and winner of the Siminovitch Prize.
Set in a trailer on Cape Breton Island, old friends reunite after 30 years apart for a night of drinks, laughter and memories, but some of those memories aren’t easily washed away. MacIvor’s bittersweet comedy tackles sensitive topics that many Canadians will be familiar with, yet he handles them with such compassion and humour that you are left feeling shaken but somehow lighter and more hopeful by the end. The play premiered in 2019 to great acclaim.
“I wish only that both the audiences who have followed MacIvor and those who have never heard of him to see this play and marvel at a voice maturing into a new form of greatness,” said J. Kelly Nestruck, The Globe and Mail Theatre Critic.
New Stages is welcoming an all-star cast to town for this staged reading. Dora-winning actor, Maritimer Shawn Wright, who joins us on his day off from playing Voldemort in the spectacular Mirvish production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Local legend Beau Dixon returns to Peterborough’s stages after years of performing onstage in Toronto, Stratford and on hit TV productions like Station Eleven and The Expanse. Linda Kash is well-known to Peterborough audiences and Peyton LeBarr, who has been a performer for over 20 years working across Canada and the UK, and she now calls Peterborough home.
Tickets for this one-night-only event at Market Hall (140 Charlotte St.) are $22 ($11 for students, under-waged and artworkers) and are available online. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Something Rotten! Coming to The Peterborough Theatre Guild This April
/The Peterborough Theatre Guild is putting on the production of Something Rotten! written by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell starting April 28.
photo courtesy of the peterborough theatre guild.
Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as ‘The Bard.’ When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. Amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.
Created by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick and screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, Something Rotten! was lauded by audience members and critics alike, receiving several Best Musical nominations and hailed by Time Out New York as "the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years".
Something Rotten! features large song and dance numbers, and a wacky cast of over-the-top characters including Robert Ainsworth, Nate Axcell, Kate Brioux, Paul Crough, Rachel Dalliday, Mark Hiscox, Matt Kraft, Marsala Lukianchuk, Brian MacDonald and Brandon Remmelgas who are each given their own special moment in the show to shine.
Shows take place at the Peterborough Theatre Guild (364 Rogers St.) on April 28, 29, 30 (matinee) and May 4, 5, 6, 7 (matinee), 11, 12, 13. Matinee performances begin at 2 p.m., and evening shows at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $32 and can be purchased online or via phone.
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4th Line Theatre Presents Community Reminiscence of The Ontario Farmerettes
/4th Line Theatre’s managing artistic director Kim Blackwell invites members of the community to join her and playwright Alison Lawrence to share stories and memories of the history of the Ontario Farmerettes.
The Ontario Farmerettes. Photo courtesy of 4th line theatre.
