What's Up in the Theatre?
In the two dozen years that it has been producing large cast musicals and operettas, the Perth Community Choir’s annual production has come to belong to the entire area. This year’s presentation, the great 1950’s Lerner and Loewe hit My Fair Lady, comes to the boards of the PDCI Auditorium on November 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19 at 8PM. This is a “must see” for musical fans in the area and beyond; tickets are available from Ticketmaster at 755–111,
The Smiths Falls Community Theatre brings that perennial favourite Arsenic and Old Lace to the stage at Duncan Schoular School. This show also goes up on November 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19 at 8PM. Tickets are $10 in advance from Smolkins, Bands Kiosk and Special Greetings in Smiths Falls and Pauline Aunger Real Estate in Perth, or $12 at the door.
The Valley Players of Almonte kick off the run of their fun comedy Lone Star Love Potion with a wine and appetizer gala at Almonte’s old Town Hall on Nov. 17. This bedroom farce tells the story of a wealthy, eccentric businessman who passes away, leaving seven people to congregate at his Texas ranch for the reading of the will. The huge estate and a mysterious love potion are bequeathed to his niece, nephew-in-law, and butler. A rainstorm floods the nearby creek, forcing the group to stay overnight in the mansion. The characters secretly test the love potion, and end up in multiple embraces and rendezvous — all with a comedic flair. The run continues on Nov. 18, 19, 20, 24, 25 and 26, with all shows at 8PM except for a 2PM matinée on the 20th. Tickets are available at The Miller’s Tale or at the door.
Then come the Mississippi Mudds with their English-style panto with a difference! The Story of Snow White by Dave Buchanan is going to appeal to the entire family: for example, did you know that here in Cornucopia the DWARFs are the Dynamic Women Against Restrictive Fairytale Stereotypes? Now you can run with that in your imagination! The Carleton Place Town Hall Auditorium is the place, and show times are November 25 and 26, and December 2 and 3 at 8PM, with 2PM matinées on Nov. 27 and Dec. 3. Tickets are from the Remembrance Gift Shop, at $15, or $10 for children 12 and under.
Coming up next month, Theatre Night in Merrickville’s production of FrUiT CaKeS, and Barn Door Productions’ A Christmas Carol.
— Ian Doig