Swift Current Little Theatre rehearsing for spring production
Swift Current Little Theatre will be in the spotlight performing a live production next month for the first time in nearly two and a half years.
Little Theatre will be showcasing a four performance run of the Norm Foster play “Jonas and Barry in the Home” on March 24, 25, 31 and April 1. The Friday, March 24 curtain raising night will be the lone Regular Performance of their spring production, with Pub Nights set for March 25, March 31 and April 1.
Veteran local actor Kurtis Bakanec will be making his directorial debut in helping bring “Jonas and Barry in the Home” to the stage.
“We’re just glad to get back on stage again, and welcome back our patrons,” Bakanec said from the Producer’s Table before a recent rehearsal.
“We invite our patrons, as well as those who are interested in just seeing what we’re all about - because it has been three years so there likely will have been a lot of new people who have moved to town or who are not familiar with our group.
So it would be nice to see some new faces amongst our regular patrons as well.”
“We’re just excited to be able to put on a show again after not having one since last decade,” he chuckled.
“Jonas and Barry in the Home” is written by Little Theatre go-to playwright Norm Foster, with this new show marking the 15th production of his works they have showcased.
“Norm Foster is a very talented writer. He writes about everyday characters and every day situations so his plays are just very relatable, and I think that’s something our audience will enjoy as well.”
Written by Foster in 2018, “Jonas and Barry in the Home” revolves around the two main characters of Jonas (played by Bruce Rayner) who already lives in a retirement home, and Barry (performed by Ken Johnson) who is moving into the home. Barry’s daughter Rosie (Nicole Garies), works at the home and convinces her dad to move there as she is worried about his health.
“It’s a comedy. It’s about the relationship that develops between Jonas and Barry,” Bakanec explained. “There are some more dramatic elements to it,
which I think balance off the comedy very well. But it’s at heart a comedy. People will laugh. There are some very funny lines in this play, some funny situations.”
Bakanec said is has been an enjoyable transition to serving as producer after being on stage for many productions with Little Theatre and through the Lyric Theatre.
“It’s an interesting experience being the one to call the shots rather than be the one to obey orders. It’s a new experience but at the same time, having
done theatre in Swift Current for about 15 years it’s nice for me to have the perspective of how the actors prepare for the performances, how their characters develop over time. And it’s just very gratifying to not only see the progress that they’ve made, but the small part that I’ve been able to play in their character development as well.”
A Ticket Blitz to ensure tickets for the four-performance production will be held at the Swift Current Mall on March 2 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Remaining tickets will be available at Pharmasave.
SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
ALCOHOLIC ANNONYMOUS MEETINGS IN SWIFT CURRENT. Info: 306-773-7494.
FEBRUARY 23
CRIBBAGE, 1:30 p.m., Swift Current Library.
LEARN TO USE WORD AND EXCEL, 6:30 p.m., Swift Current Library.
SWIFT CURRENT
SQUARE DANCE CLUB, 7 p.m., First United Church. Info: Renz 306-778-2197.
FEBRUARY 24
LYRIC OPEN STAGE, 7 p.m., Lyric Theatre. A fun venue for local performers, both new and seasoned. Hosted by Tanja Wicks. Info: 306-773-6292.
FEBRUARY 25 FIRST UNITED
CHURCH 3RD AVE. BOUTIQUE AND GARAGE SALE, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., First United Church.
NEW BEGINNINGS NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS GROUP, 6:30 p.m., AA Clubhouse (Lions Hall basement). Info: www. southsaskna.org.
FEBRUARY 27
TOPS SK3871, 9:30 a.m., Community Baptist Church. Info: Vi 306-7736156
STEAM CLUB, 4 p.m., Swift Current Library. Children aged six plus.
Pre-register 306-778-2752.
TOPS SK972, 6:30 p.m., Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. Info: Gisele 306773-8113 or 306-741-7317.
S.C. GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, 7 p.m., S.C. Genealogical Office. Creating A Family Tree - Part 7 (Searching Online - Ancestry). Pre-register at 306741-1024.
RENZ’S ROUND DANCERS, 7:30 p.m., First United Church. Info: Renz 306-778-2197.
FEBRUARY 28 BRIDGE AND WHIST,
1 p.m., Swift Current Library.
TYPING FOR BEGINNERS, 3 p.m., Swift Current Library. Pre-registration required 306-778-2752.
NEW BEGINNINGS NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS GROUP, 8 p.m., AA Clubhouse (Lions Hall basement). Info: www. southsaskna.org.
MARCH 1
MAJONG, 10 a.m., Swift Current Library.
FIRST UNITED CHURCH 3RD AVE. BOUTIQUE AND GARAGE
SALE, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., First United Church.
BINGO, 7:30 p.m., Royal Canadian Legion Branch #56.
MARCH 2
SWIFT CURRENT SQUARE DANCE CLUB, 7 p.m., First United Church. Info: Renz 306-778-2197.
MARCH 3
PUBLIC RECEPTION, Gladys Wozny Siemens: The Archival Shore, 7 p.m., Art Gallery of Swift Current. Exhibition on display at the Art Gallery of Swift Current until March 18.