With the hustle and bustle of summer long past, Shuswap Theatre is gearing up for another busy seasonson of live performances.
Coming to life Nov. 4 is the first theatre production of the season – Renovation, a musical written and directed by Peter Blacklock. Running until Nov. 12, Renovation follows the Cutler family who has decided to go from suburban to urban, selling their house in the “burbs” to be closer to work as well as to the kids and Granny Agnes’ activities.
Purchasing an older house with a wonderful location, there’s the potential for renovation; unfortunately, their experience lacks in that department. Even though advertising from Brother Renovation promises it will be easy, things quickly start to go awry. When brother-in-law George, the family “expert” arrives to help, we come to the end of the line.
Brother Renovation sees an opportunity for a new advertising campaign and he and the Hammerheads pretend to come to the rescue, but their real motivation is to lead the Cutlers down a road of desperation.
If not for help from an unexpected source, the Cutler family and the renovation would be lost forever.
Tickets are now on sale at Wearabouts – adults $17, seniors $15, students $7 (with student ID) and children 12 and under $5.
If you need a good laugh, the upcoming Leading Ladies and If I Were You may be just what the doctor ordered. Running Feb. 24 to March 3, Leading Ladies is a hilarious and modern farce written by Ken Ludwig and directed by Julia Body. And If I Were You, a pointed comedy written by Alan Ayckbourn and directed by James Bowlby, runs April 27 to May 5.
There are three second-stage performances to look forward to this season as well – including Stressmas, Under Milkwood and The Herbal Bed.
On stage Dec. 11 to 18, Stressmas is a quirky Christmas musical featuring clowns as characters, written by Lana Caputi, Leora Cashe and Alison Kelly and directed by Lana Caputi and James Bowlby. Under Milkwood, a staged-play reading by Dylan Thomas, and directed by James Bowlby, will include two performances on Jan. 20 and 21.
And in the spring, The Herbal Bed, a staged-play reading by Peter Whelan, and directed by Kim MacMillan, will run March 9 and 10.
Staged readings provide an opportunity to appreciate the story, language and characterization of a fine script.
After only a few rehearsals, actors read the play from the stage without set or props and with minimal movement in a public performance. Shuswap Theatre often chooses plays being considered for future mainstage productions.
And the theatre society is thinking generations ahead, making youth a priority.
Shuswap Theatre has offered four new youth-theatre programs this fall, including Kid’s Theatre available for six to eight year olds and nine to 13 year olds, Youth Performance Theatre for those 14 to 20 and Youth Technical Theatre also for those 14 to 20-plus.
To learn more about these programs, contact James at 250-832-8383 or 250-833-5134 or Lana at 250-675-3727 or 250-250-801-7775.
For all the latest on the Shuswap Theatre, visit www.shuswaptheatre.com.