It’s curtains up on the 37th season of community theatre in Salmon Arm.
Shuswap Theatre opens with the popular musical, Little Shop of Horrors, Nov. 15 to 30.
Directed by Julia Body, the production is based on the book and lyrics of Howard Ashman, with music by Alan Menken.
A down-and-out skid row floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood.
Its not long before “Audrey II” morphs into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, rhythm and blues-singing carnivore, who offers the floral assistant fame and fortune in exchange for feeding the plant’s growing appetite – eventually revealing itself as an alien creature yearning for global domination.
The winter production, which will run Feb. 21 through March 8, 2014 is Distracted, a drama written by Lisa Loomer and directed by Adele Kuyek.
What’s wrong with nine-year-old Jesse? He can’t sit still, he curses, he raps, and getting him into or out of his pyjamas is a mission impossible.
His teacher thinks he has attention deficit disorder. His dad says, “He’s just a boy.” And Mama’s on a quest for answers.
Is Jesse dysfunctional, or just different? Mother talks to professionals and neighbours alike, each with their own diagnosis as to what ails the boy.
Throughout the production, Jesse is an offstage voice becoming at once louder and angrier, but in danger of fading away as his parents’ marriage is in peril.
This is a hilarious, provocative and poignant look at a modern family and an epic dilemma.
Next up, is the laugh-a-minute The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr, a parody of the bard’s plays, with all of them performed in shortened form, by only three actors.
Directed by Evelyn Birch, the third Mainstage Production is an abridged version of the Complete Works of William Shakespeare and runs April 25 to May 10.
Written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, this fast-paced, gag-a-second delight deconstructs all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays, plus the sonnets, into a two-act whirlwind.
Attend the play prepared to be part of the action as the audience becomes integral to this unique experience. This will be Shuswap Theatre’s entry into the OZone Festival to be hosted in Winfield in May 2014.
Enjoy the wacky entertainment provided by Shuswap Theatre’s Laughing Gas Improv troupe on Saturday, Dec. 7.
This performing improv group has regular, closed practices on the first and third Monday of each month. The performing group is working on a program where others can join in on occasion. Stay tuned.
Just in time for Christmas, Shuswap Theatre is co-presenting a seasonal favourite The Nutcracker, in partnership with FACES of Blind Bay.
The production will feature students of dance, music, drama and art.
For the older set with young-at-heart attitudes, Ida and Old Baldy’s’ Seniors Theatre resumes Oct., from 9 to 11 a.m. at the theatre on Hudson Avenue.
Directed by Peter Blacklock, these fun, non-intimidating sessions also run Tuesday afternoons at Sorrento Memorial Hall and Wednesday mornings at Cedar Heights.
Seniors who wish to get out and explore the world of theatre, may call Blacklock at 250-675-3004.
For more information on Shuswap Theatre’s action-packed season or acquiring season tickets, visit www.shuswaptheatre.com or call 250-832-9283.