Here Are Photos Of The Local Cast Of "RENT" That Plays Showplace

Peterborough's Art For Awareness presents RENT from February 20th to 28th at Showplace Performance Centre. Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Here are cast photos below by Sara Connelly (SC Photography) that were photographed in the alley behind St Veronus in downtown Peterborough...

RENT follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. By donating partial proceeds from this local production to PARN-Your Community Aids Network & the Youth Emergency Shelter (YES), Art for Awareness aims to educate, entertain, and normalize the stories of those living with HIV/AIDS, addiction, and poverty and sexual identity. 

RENT is produced with the generous support of Adam Scott Performing Arts, PTBOCanada (we're a media sponsor), Theatre Trent, the Anne Shirley Theatre Company and CMHA Haliburton Kawartha Pineridge.

RENT is Produced and Directed by Geoff Bemrose & Sarah Tye, Choreography by Rachel Bemrose, Musical Direction by Brian MacDonald and Vocal Direction by Pamela Birrell.

RENT runs February 20th to 28th at Showplace. Tickets are $21 for students and $26 for adults. For more info, go here and see the poster below.

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PTBOCanada Preview & Pics: The Curious Savage At Peterborough Theatre Guild

The Curious Savage is the latest production to take the stage at the Peterborough Theatre Guild. Written by John Patrick and directed by Glen Walker, this is a must watch performance. You're whisked away to the year 1950, where we see Mrs. Savage (played by Linda Driscoll) join the other residents of the sanatorium known as "The Cloisters". After the passing of Mrs. Savage's husband, she inherits $10 million—but her stepchildren disagree with how she wishes to spend it so they have her committed into the home. From there, many stories unfold at the home throughout this touching production that is filled with mystery, humour, and cleverness. You will find yourself drawn to the stories of each character, wishing for them to find their right path. These characters are exceptionally portrayed by Linda Driscoll as Mrs. Ethel Savage, Rebekah Fallaise as Fairy May, Jessica Mauro as Florence, Josh Butcher as Hannibal, Frankie Black as Jeffrey, and Carole Jones as Mrs. Paddy. Here are some preview pictures below...

The Curious Savage runs until October 11th. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or by calling 705.745.4211.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Curtain Opens For "Enchanted April" Friday At Peterborough Theatre Guild

Enchanted April by Matthew Barber—adapted from the novel by Elizabeth Von Arnim—is brought to life on the stage of the Peterborough Theatre Guild under the direction of Judi Wilson. Set in 1922 in both England and Italy, it follows the story of two women who dream of vacationing in a castle in Italy after discovering an ad in the newspaper—with the cost being quite dear at that time of £60 for a one month stay. So with that, Lotty (Julia Johnston) and Rose (Sheila Charleton) place an ad of their own to find two additional ladies to accompany them on their journey to help share in the cost. Two vastly different women respond to the ad and Lady Caroline Bramble (Emily McFarland) and Mrs. Graves (Jennie Ryan) share the castle with Lotty and Rose, both who are eager to escape their husbands and take in the flowers and sunshine the Italian coast promises to offer. During their stay, the ladies all discover something new about themselves and blossom in ways that they didn't expect and that take them by surprise. 

The production also stars Ray Ulbikas, Kenn Gibb, David Adams and Maria DeCiccio.

The show runs this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. It continues next week from Wednesday to Saturday at 8 p.m. with the finale a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, August 17th.

Tickets are available by calling the box office at 705.745.4211.

More pictures from the production here...

[Photos and story by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Peterborough's Art For Awareness Hosting Auditions For The Musical Rent

Peterborough's Art for Awareness is holding open auditions for the musical Rent, to be produced at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough, on February 20th to 28th, 2015. Directed by Geoff Bemrose and Sarah Tye, Rent tells the story of a group of struggling artists living in the Lower East Village of New York City under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Its landmark 12 year run on Broadway and multiple awards (not to mention feature film adaptation) have made Rent one of the most beloved and recognizable musicals of the past 20 years. Auditions will be held at Revolutions Dance Studio (159 King Street in Peterborough) on the following dates:

• September 7th at 6-10pm
• September 9th at 6-10pm
• September 11th at 6-10pm

Learn more here about the audition process, and preparation involved.

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PTBOCanada Play Spotlight: Shakespeare Vs. The Merchants of Venom

The Peterborough Theatre Guild is constantly abuzz with new productions taking the stage. With Oliver still running at Showplace, Shakespeare Vs. The Merchants of Venom kicked off last night in the Gwen Brown Studio at the Guild.

This one-act play is the work of Wyatt Lamoureux, who has had the ideas swirling in his thoughts for years and was delighted to finally bring it to fruition on stage. Directed by Keith Smith and co-starring with Lamoureux is Jessica Mauro as the Devil. 

The play keeps you on your toes throughout with quick wit and fast-paced scenes that also includes well placed audience engagement as well as some book tossing and a stellar sword fight. Both actors give an outstanding performance that captivates the audience and brings you right into the scenes alongside them.

Both have such passion and play their roles with such intensity. If you're a classical theatre buff, you will most enjoy this production and I highly recommend you go see this brilliant performance and see for yourself.

The show runs May 8th to 10th only. Seating is limited so make sure to get tickets early by contacting the Box Office.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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PTBOCanada Review: Peterborough Theatre Guild Presents "Oliver! The Musical" At Showplace

Jackson Freeman plays the role of Oliver (photo Neil Morton)

Opening night for Oliver! The Musical presented by the Peterborough Theatre Guild took place Friday (May 2nd) in front of a full house at Showplace Peterborough. Directed by Gillian Wilson, with Brian MacDonald as music director, choreography by Melissa Beeby and Peter Sudbury as orchestra conductor, Oliver stars Jackson Freeman as Oliver.

As well, there are a host of other familiar names in Oliver from local theatre productions who you've most likely seen in other plays, including Brian MacDonald, Kate Suhr, Lindsay Unterlander, Chuck Vollmar and Isaac Martin—in addition to so many others that make for a superb cast.

Set in the slums of London in 1837, we follow the story of orphan Oliver Twist. If you're like me and remember the story well—I was part of the chorus in our high school production—you'll find yourself singing along to some of the well-known songs like "I'd Do Anything" and "Consider Yourself".

This fantastic musical continues until May 10th. Tickets are $25/adults, $22/senior, $15/students and can be purchased at the Showplace Box Office. 

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Guys & Dolls Play At Adam Scott This Week(end)

Guys & Dolls, presented by Adam Scott Performing Arts and directed by Geoff Bemrose, runs this week—February 19th to 22nd, at Adam Scott.

It's put on by Adam Scott Performing Arts—which offers students Grades 7 through 12 professional level performance opportunities in Musical Theatre, Dance, Drama and Music.

Watch the trailer preview below...

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Art For Awareness Special Screening Of 'Erasing The Stigma' On Bell Let's Talk Day

This Tuesday, January 28th at 7:00 pm at Market Hall, Art For Awareness will be screening the DVD of their recent, original multimedia dance production Erasing the Stigma for local organizations. Art for Awareness (AFA) is a group of dedicated people committed to producing high-quality theatre with a social message. Erasing the Stigma addresses depression, anxiety disorders, postpartum depression, schizophrenia, addiction, eating disorders, the culture of technology/social media, suicide, the justice system, coping mechanisms, support workers, medication, and building hope through the use of real testimony via video clips, live music, original choreography and spoken word. The show seeks to normalize the struggles faced by people living with mental health issues in an educational, entertaining, and compassionate way. For more info on Art For Awareness and Erasing the Stigma DVD, email here. We covered Erasing the Stigma last year here.

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Adam Scott Performing Arts Presents Guys And Dolls

Adam Scott Performing Arts—which offers students Grades 7 through 12 professional level performance opportunities in Musical Theatre, Dance, Drama and Music—is putting on a new play, Guys and Dolls, from February 19th to 22nd. Check out their Facebook page for more deets or follow them on Twitter.

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