Two very different plays well worth seeing
It seems almost normal in this day and age to be entertained by crime, espionage, blatant sexuality, cut-throat deception and salty dialogue, so to attend the theatre to see something exactly the opposite is a satisfying exhale.
I went to see a musical set in Avonlea, P.E.I., on a farm called Green Gables.Yes, I’m talking about Canada’s favourite orphan-sweetheart, Anne, with an e.
Kelowna Actors Studio has timed it perfectly to stage Anne Of Green Gables at the cusp of our whole country being ripe in patriotism and celebration for Canada’s 150th anniversary.
Reading through my review notes, the word “charming” kept repeating itself over and over again on my scribble pad and that’s just what this show emphasizes.
Anne Shirley is an orphaned girl who was wrongly dispatched to a family farm owned by the Cuthberts, a brother and sister getting on in years who applied to the orphanage for a boy to help with the farm chores.
Instead, they get a fiery redheaded girl who charmed her way into their hearts, as well as everyone else’s in her wake. Anne is no ordinary girl and no ordinary girl plays her. Kate Hammer is the darling of the valley and this role was tailor made for her. Kate’s vocals were pitch perfect. Her enthusiastic smile and presence on stage gleamed like her character’s heart.
Hammer exuded chemistry between herself and her fellow actors, which was especially apparent alongside Ron Green, who played Mathew Cuthbert, her adopted guardian.
Green gave a loveable performance that seemed to twinkle with charm and I really felt him radiate pure love for his adopted child. I also enjoyed watching the interactions between Anne and her bosom buddy Diana Barry, played by Julia Chambers.
Chambers, who could sing a lead as well as meld into harmonies, showed vocal strength and I loved how she took her character, wrapped it in innocence then tied it up with an underlying depth that revealed confidence and sass. Especially funny was a scene when the girls mistakenly share a few glasses of wine believing it was just raspberry cordial.
The whole cast, from ensemble to the rest of the characters on stage, deserve applause, along with the choreography (Jennifer Davies), musical direction (Roslyn Frantz), theatrical direction (Angela Quinn), costume design (Hazel Rodgers and Lori Lawler), wig design (Karlisa Hiebert), and everything else, including the sets and lighting.
The whole package paints a pocket of time that is so different from now. Anne Of Green Gables runs until May 7 at the Kelowna Actors Studio, 1379 Ellis St. Dinner and a show secure the best seats in the house, but theatre seating is just as comfortable. To book online, visit Kelownatickets.ca or call the box-office on 250-862-2867. Dinner service begins at 6 p.m. curtains up at 7:30 p.m.
————— From sweet to savoury and decadent, the Fred Skeleton Theatre Company presents Age of Arousal, written by Canadian, Linda Griffiths. This is a full-on play about a time in history when there were double the amount of women populating the world as men — a time when men were scarce because of war, disease, syphilis or drink and women were never really regarded as anything but the property of their fathers or husbands.
Also around this time, 1885, the typewriter was invented and opened up unforeseen job opportunities for women to train as secretaries in business offices.
This is where the story begins and marks the dawn of feminism. It’s a story of Mary (Janet Anderson), a charismatic ex-suffragette in her 60s who runs a school to train these future secretaries and is aided by her zealous teacher-lover, 30-something Rhoda (Chantal Ethie).
When Rhoda literally bumps into childhood friend Virginia (Shannon Mason-Brown) on the street one day, she finds Virginia, her sister Alice (Sarah Goddard), and their much younger sister, Monica (Siobhan Barker) are living in poverty. They are all invited into the school for secretaries, even though the older sisters are deliciously inept at the keys, and Monica is more interested in her own sexual revolution than a working career.
This kind of risque business in the secretarial school erupts with discoveries, contradictions and epiphanies that titillate and entertain.
Expertly cast under the direction of Rob Mason Brown, this is another clear hit for this small yet perfectly formed theatre company that consistently makes creative and wise choices for intelligent audiences.
Age Arousal is on at the Creekside Theatre for three more performances; May 4-6. Tickets can be bought online at creeksidetheatre.com or by calling 250-766-9309. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students. Show time at 7:30 p.m.
————— Tomorrow night, get a taste for the avant-garde with another concert hosted by Skin and Bones, when they present jazz improvisationalists V. Vecker and Darren Williams. Tickets are $12 and the concert is held at the The Naked Cafe, 571 Lawrence Ave., beginning at 8 p.m.
————— On Saturday, we’re spoiled for entertainment choices and here’s a few on offer: Go For Baroque concert Hosted by Okanagan Festival Singers, who will perform pieces by Handel, Bach and Mozart with soloists Leroy Wien, Nancy Washeim, Loretta Bell-Hardy, Jerald Fast and Michael Kurschat.
Also included is the full, rich sound of four-part mixed choirs and the Okanagan Festival Camerata under noted baroque specialist Nancy DiNovo.
The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30 or $15 through snapd.com, at Mosaic Books, Wentworth Music or the door.
For more information see ofsingers.com or call 250-868-2523. The concert will be held at the First Lutheran Church, 4091 Lakeshore. Black and White Salsa Formal A night of elegance, showcases, appetizers and social dancing in the styles of Bachata and Kizomba. Attendance is $40 per person and tickets can be purchased through okanagan.snapd.com. This event takes place at the Laurel packinghouse, 1304 Ellis St. and begins at 7 p.m. For links and more information, look for their Facebook page. Kelowna Folk Club The Kelowna Folk Club is hosting its monthly house concert on Saturday, featuring Carolyn Anele.
This talented singer has a sweet persona and a sense of fun. She is a natural storyteller, a grounded personality and, alongside innovative melodies and well-crafted lyrics, this is another choice I highly recommend. Check out kelownafolkclub.ca for more information and to reserve your spot. Tickets cost $20, but they usually sold out immediately. Held at a private home. Showtime: 7:30 p.m.
A Celebration Of Canada And The Netherlands
The Kelowna City Band and Winkler Prins Harmonie are combining for a concert titled A Celebration Of Canada And The Netherlands at the Kelowna Community Theatre. The concert starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10-$20 and can be purchased through kelownatickets.com.
You can always come to the Cache Lounge at the Prestige Beach House on Abbott and Highway 97 (the corner just before the bridge) where I will be singing from 8 to 11 p.m., with Sean Bray (guitar) and Brian McMahon (double bass).