Pipestone Flyer
Wetaskiwin, AB – Once again, the Wetaskiwin Theatre Society attracted a fine crowd to enjoy a dinner-theatre hosted by the RAM, the Reynolds-Alberta Museum. The Society and Waterworks Players’ 12th season offered regional theatre fans six performances of “Sorry, Wrong Chimney!”, a light-hearted comedy full of big laughs, big noises and plenty of action. The play was directed by Cheryl Miller and Gillian Fureness who welcomed the audience in a friendly and light manner. A well-designed program was offered to spectators, showcasing each actor.
The buffet dinner was prepared and served by the Pipestone Food Co: Brady and his congenial team delivered a delicious and plentiful fare, and the dinner crowd enjoyed the spacious impromptu facility of the RAM’s main hall, where white-clothed tables were set among antique tractors, and below vintage planes.
A well-rounded actress with eleven seasons behind her, Esther Hagen was hilarious and confident in her first lead role. With a vast experience in musical theatre, Miss Hagen embraced the role of a housewife bent on silly misconceptions with the enthusiasm that she invests in all her roles. As a young wife wanting to enhance the romance in her marriage, she was required to wear a colorful and appealing two-piece negligee during the entire play, and managed to keep her decency while involved in some amusing romps with male actors.
Sharon Miller was happy with a ‘meatier role” than her first foray into acting, and played the role of the Santa Robber’s getaway girlfriend with gusto and budding talent! Don Berner, an ‘older’ actor with a lot of comedy in him, was memorable as he played the role of a policeman taking his pants off when he gets hypnotized, to reveal his Christmas-themed boxer shorts, to eveyone’s great delight!
The rest of the cast was articulate and full of comedic energy: Erik Anderson (a seasoned actor with several theatre companies), Debbie Edwards (brilliant in her first role in front of the curtain), Merv Leibel (not a villain this time!) and Ross MacGregor (in a dynamic role played with fun and finesse) completed the group and collaborated in a funny, memorable theatrical success!
The Wetaskiwin Theatre Society is in the midst of a dynamic fundraising campaign to build “an affordable venue for community groups to use”, and is offering several levels of financial contribution… It has a website (www.wetaskiwintheatresociety.com) and a Facebook group (Wetaskiwin Theatre Society) to maximize its exposure in the community, and to raise awareness for its building fund.
On December 1st, the Wetaskiwin Theatre Society’s building fund will benefit from an intimate concert by local artists, a production held at on the Waterworks Theatre’s newly constructed stage. Although the seating will be ‘rustic’, this performance promises to be eclectic and highly entertaining. This three-hour concert will feature local artists such as Blackpool, Don Burbridge, Rev K, Pants and Animals and Friends, Heidi Schwonik, Bill Tozer, Terry Wilton and Glad Hand. Tickets are $20. and are available at Warren’s Music or by calling the Theatre Line, 780-352-8383. Don’t miss out on this unique show, we’re told “it’s gonna rock”!