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Performing ArtsCommunity Players Aim to Impress with Annie Get Your Gun
The Stratford Community Players' (SCP) 22nd season is out to prove "there's no business like show business." The Players are slinging their rifles and sporting their cowboy boots for the stage and film classic Annie Get Your Gun, playing at Stratford City Hall Feb. 9-11 and 16-18. "We decided to return to our musical theatre roots for this season's show," says SCP president Mary Dolan Bohnert. "We're perhaps best known for staging high-quality versions of big Broadway productions, like Guys and Dolls and Anything Goes, so we decided to keep with that tradition for 2012." The SCP is counting on the flashy, Wild West-themed Annie Get Your Gun to impress audiences with its sharpshooting acts, big dance numbers, tender romances and some of the most witty, well-known songs ever penned by composer Irving Berlin, including "There's No Business Like Show Business" and "Anything You Can Do." "The show's going to be great entertainment for both families and theatre lovers of all ages," says Bohnert. Taking the title role of Annie Oakley is Alison Enns, who last charmed SCP audiences as Sgt. Sarah Brown in 2010's Guys and Dolls. Longtime SCP favourite Scott Mountain returns to take on the part of Frank Butler, Annie's great love - and sometimes nemesis. Direction is by Jim Hill, who played Teddy in last year's stage comedy Arsenic and Old Lace and has extensive experience in the region's community theatre circles. Kelly Aarts, owner of the local Dance Aarts Academy, is choreographer and has lined up several intricate numbers for the big cast to perform. Vocal direction is shared by Hal Goodman, Karen Rempel and Rich Sumstad, and Dave Spence is conducting the show's orchestra. Set in the late 1800s, Annie Get Your Gun follows the poor but spirited Oakley as her extraordinary shooting skills land her an unexpected break in Buffalo Bill's traveling Wild West show. A romance soon blossoms between Oakley and Butler, the show's star rifleman - but as Oakley's career begins to climb, the pair soon find themselves caught between their competitive natures and their love for each other. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. on each of the six dates, with an additional performance at 2 p.m. both Saturdays. Tickets remain $20 and are general admission, available at Sinclair Pharmacy, 12 Wellington St., or at the door. Special needs seating may be arranged by e-mailing info@stratfordcommunityplayers.com. Founded in 1990, the SCP is Stratford's oldest active community theatre organization. For more information and to browse rehearsal photos, visit stratfordcommunityplayers.com.
Perth County Documentary ContestGrades 7-12, Perth residents were invited to write a song and/or create a documentary on the theme “Back Home”: exploring the spirit and value of community, the environment and local heroes. The documentary contest required students to speak to the theme in 5 minutes. The judges’ panels were comprised of experts in their fields. Judges included broadcaster and writer Ted Boniface, award winning producer/director Chuck Scott, and Christine St. Lawrence, part of the development team for the Stratford Symphony Orchestra. Winners were selected and constructive commentary provided. Doc winners
Honourable mention
Documentary cash prizes of $300, $200 and $100 were awarded and videos are posted to multiple websites. Students have benefited from looking at this region through the lens of the environment, entrepreneurship and role models. The discussions in class and the people that donated their time and expertise (including those that didn't make it past the cutting room floor) all had impacts on the future of these students. Hope for a viable lifestyle in this region, and the world at large, has an economic impact we cannot measure in immediate dollars and cents. The transfer of communications skills and the empowerment of youth are invaluable investments in our future.
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Performing ArtsDance
Multi-Discipline
Music Theatre
Theatre Production |
