Hello Readers!
Hey this is Blog
#500,
Boy, that’s a
lot of words and thoughts and here are more…
An
exciting week with Sadie- to be sure!
The
Garage Door Players- who I am happy to say are celebrating 10 years of
entertaining audiences this year, play Norm Foster’s “Sadie Flynn Comes to Big
Oak” at the Gravenhurst Opera House.
We’re
taking Sadie on the road.
North.
Not
too far. Just 20 minutes or so.
We
are the final show in a Summer Season at the Gravenhurst Opera House. The season
included Dragonfly Theatre Company’s “Blithe Spirit” as well as Dave Campbell
and Tim Webb’s productions of “Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks” and “The 39
Steps”.
Know
what many people are asking us?
Why
are you taking a local company and heading’ north?
Simple.
The
Orillia Opera House only hires Equity Actors- for summer theatre.
That
doesn’t mean the actors in other summer shows are any better at their craft
than the actors in Sadie Flynn- a non-equity production, it simply means they
are members of a union- Actor’s Equity. That seems to be a stipulation to be a
part of summer theatre at many venues- except at the Gravenhurst Opera House. Well,
at least for this current season.
Funny,
a week ago Tom and I headed to see a show at a theatre not-too-far from
Orillia. A summer show and yes, it was Equity. Now, I am not “Equity” expert- neither
is Tom, however, we both thought the show sucked. Yes, there were some good actors.
Very good actors, it’s just that there were many not-so-good actors and
together the show failed- in my humble opinion.
So,
it doesn’t always follow that an “Equity” show gives you a great show. Same can
be said about any show from any company. Yes, I consider my actors professional
(non-equity). They are paid for what they do and yes, they can also perform
poorly.
If
I allow them too.
As
a director one has to be sure of the cast that is assembled. This Sadie Flynn
has not been immune from problems. The initial three actors playing the female
parts in the Orillia “Sadie” back in May/June could not continue to Gravenhurst.
So I re-cast the parts.
Then
I had to look for a new “props” person. Then a few scant weeks ago I replaced
the lead character.
I
had my reasons.
This
rehearsal period was short for the Gravenhurst Show.
Seven
rehearsals and an “Italian” red-thru up to tech day (that’s when we move into
the venue and set up props and lighting) followed by a dress rehearsal and then
the run.
Fast
eh?
I
am confident in the case of this Gravenhurst Sadie Flynn Comes to Big Oak that
my actors will NOT perform poorly. These actors are all top-notch and have been
in theatre for many, many years.
So,
this comedy from Norm Foster runs until Saturday August 31.
Come
and laugh with us.
It’ll
take your mind off your problems.
Tickets
and information at www.gravenhurstoperahouse.com
Come
just for the show or have dinner in the Trillium Court downstairs (provided by
David Friesen of Riverwalk in Bracebridge) and then casually stroll upstairs to
your reserved seats.
How
nice is that?
Hope
to see you there
