The Fates & Mister Mcgee
With the changing of the seasons, it is time once again for the annual Halloween play at the historic Lakeview Inn in Lac Brome. The Fates & Mister Mcgee is a musical dark comedy written by local playwright Stephen Paglia and directed by the multi-talented Linda Carey. A tradition now in its fifth year, Stephen Paglia’s playwriting grows sharper and wittier with each passing autumn.
In this show, Mack Mcgee is on the run from the law and seeking refuge in a grand old hotel while he dodges his pursuers and waits for the heat to cool down. The last thing he expects is to meet the residents of the Three Fates Hotel and to fall into their stories of loss, love and redemption. Through song and story Mack learns reality isn’t always what it seems, and truth is bigger than all of us.
Five years ago, the idea of writing a Halloween play for the Lakeview Inn was just a spark in Paglia’s imagination. It seemed a perfect fit; a ghost-themed show set in what is arguably Lac Brome’s most haunted establishment. Well, with each passing year, the themes get smarter as the skills of producing the shows get ever more honed. The production values and sets continue to blossom.
This year, having garnered such a musically gifted cast and director, they are presenting a full-blown musical, with song selections that bring us back to the 1940s, peppered with good old timey gospel and torch songs.
Linda Carey, who is well known to Knowlton Players’ audiences as a talented actor, costumer and musician, steps up as director for this production. It is always exciting when a new director comes to the fore with their ideas and inspiration. Relative newcomer to the area Genevieve Lapensee joins the cast and she is a vocal powerhouse. Rounding out the ensemble are Stephen Paglia himself and his son Gabriel Paglia, who is proving himself to be a gifted young actor. We should be keeping our eye on him!
Enjoy The Fates & Mister Mcgee at the Auberge Lakeview Inn, 50 Rue Victoria, Knowlton Qc. October 25, 26 and 31 and November 1 and 2. The show will start at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 7:00. Tickets are $15 each and are available at Brome Lake Books or can be reserved by calling 579-438-8816 or 450-243-6183.