MIRA MOMENTS
Theatre production among upcoming events in Mira
Columnist Alice Ross says the Mira Players get racy with their spring production.
When you think of the word “racy,” what comes to mind? I think of naughty, spicy, exciting and even risquè. I also think of clever, witty, lively and entertaining.
If you are not familiar with the Mira Players, it is a community-based theatre group that has prided itself in producing sold-out shows to local audiences for more than three decades. It’s gearing up to do so again but this time the players are stepping outside their comfort zone and pushing the envelope with the spring production of “Hotbed Hotel.”
And yes, I will go as far as to call it a tad “racy.”
Albert Bridge native, Kelly Lynn Kirk, has directed the last several Mira Players shows. Kirk also agrees that this dinner theatre production is a bit more racy than previous endeavors and admits to laughing out loud while reading the script during the show selection process.
For this column, I thought it would be fun to introduce you to the “Men” of Hotbed Hotel, written by Michael Parker, and set in a small, charming, “one star” hotel in the Florida Keys.
Mira resident, Doug Wrathall, got his acting chops while working as an extra on the set of the CBC drama series “Pit Pony.” He joined Mira Players in 2002 and plays Mr. Sam Lewis, a New York businessman and prospective buyer of the hotel. Mr. Lewis claims to be very prim and proper, urging everyone to control their “animal impulses,” but as you will see later in the play, he is anything but.
This will be the second Mira Players production for Southern Ontario native and retired Canadian Navy engineer, Allen White. White plays Hopkins, the hotel’s drunken handyman. Kirk describes this character by stating, “Hopkins has a plan. Drink as much as possible and do as little as possible.”
White says he was fortunate to marry a “Caper” and he later retired to Cape Breton, settling in the Marion Bridge area. He admits that his experience with theatre is limited to mostly that of spectator, and says that outside of Grades 5 and 6 drama classes, he had only attended a handful of dinner theatres. White says he auditioned for Mira Players at the suggestion of his wife Carol, who is stage manager for the current production.
“She thought it would be a good distraction from my retirement job.”
Montreal native, Bob Lewandowski, a retired ophthalmologist, has made community theatre his pastime. He has been with Mira Players for two years, as well as the Boardmore Playhouse and previously with the Band Shell Players. He has a dual role in Hotbed Hotel playing the role of the Major, a retired British Army Officer and Abdul, a mysterious Arab Sheik. Lewandowski admits that although he enjoys the humor in this production, his roles are very challenging.
Of Lewandowski’s character, Kirk says that he makes the Major’s dry lines absolutely hilarious.
And finally, Mira Players veteran, Harvey Pyke, plays goofy hotel owner, Brian Cody. He joined what he calls this “wacky theatre group” in 1993 to help him escape some of the stresses of teaching. Pyke also admits “it is a wonderful way of escaping the demands of adulthood by becoming some character in the land of make-believe.”
Pyke sums up this production very eloquently, so I will give it to you in its entirety.
“Hotbed Hotel is a charmingly naughty story involving some of the zaniest characters Mira
Players has ever presented. On the lighter side of infidelity and sexuality, it makes for an intriguing and fast-paced story. It is amply witty, with precise timing, and a plot with more twists and turns than Trout Brook Road. Hotbed Hotel should prove to be an evening of sidesplitting laughter.”
And in keeping with the old adage, “behind every great man, there is an even greater woman”...or something like that, in the next edition of Mira Moments I will reveal the kooky and sometimes overly flirtatious women of Hotbed Hotel.
This production will hit the Marion Bridge Rec Centre stage May 5 and 6t, 12 and 13 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at Mullins Rite Stop, the Marion Bridge Rec Centre on Monday and Wednesday nights between 7 and 9 as well as Thursday nights at Chase the Ace. For more information, call Beth at 902-727-2325 or visit the Mira Players Facebook page.
The wheels on the bus go round and round and such will be the case on Saturday, April 29, when the Mira Gala Pub Crawl fundraiser hits begins. The cost $20 per person and can be purchased from Krista at Church’s Valu Foods in Marion Bridge. Please visit the Mira Gala Facebook page for further details. But don’t delay, this event has a history of selling out fast.
More great fundraisers are being planned in efforts to make this year’s Mira Gala celebrations the best ever. The next general organizational meeting will take place Sunday, April 2, 7 p.m. at the Mira Centre. Anyone wanting to help in any capacity, are welcome to attend.
Members of the Mira Centre are gearing up for their fundraising season and appealing to residents for support. According to the group’s president, Jean MacQueen, “the bulk of fundraising happens for our club in spring and summer and we really count on the public.”
The group is particularly concerned with the return of the Mira Community Market. The market will resume Friday, April 7, from 4-6:30, following its winter hiatus. MacQueen says there are fewer vendors this season. The group is appealing to any individual or group who wants to showcase their product to attend.
MacQueen points out that it is also a case of use it or lose it.
“If people don’t attend, then we can’t keep it going.”
There is no admission fee for the monthly market and everything from baked goods, jewelry, crafts, soaps and clothing will be on hand.
Another fundraising highlight for the centre is the silent auction, Saturday, April 22. Viewing will take place at 6 p.m. with bidding starting at 7. Alfie MacLeod will be the auctioneer.
Following an absence, the centre is also excited to once again host a spring fashion show and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring fashions from Alia and Tan Jay. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased
at the door or the Tan Jay store, Mayflower Mall.
The group is also exploring a new fundraising concept to take place in May. “Treats and Treasures,” will offer attendees a chance to purchase new and gently used goods. But unlike a flea market, you will be given a shopping style bag when you pay your $3 entrance fee. You are then free to fill your bag with as many items as you can fit into it.
If anyone would like to donate goods for any of the centre’s fundraising efforts, please phone Jean at 902-737-5306 or Beth at 902-727-2325
If you’re looking for a journey of the mind, body and soul, yoga with Laurie-Don takes place Thursdays, 7 p.m. at the Mira Boat Club. Cost is $10 per person.
Think you know it all and want to show off your trivia skills? The Boat Club is also hosting a trivia night, Friday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m. It’s only $2 per person and the pot will be split with the winner.
For more Mira event information, please visit Marion-Bridge. ca, the Mira Gala and Mira Boat Club Facebook pages.