THE SCORE April 2009
Singin' in the Rain
Brockville is still abuzz with the success of the BOS production of "Singin' in the Rain". This marked the debut of Todd Noel as stage director, and what a debut! With veteran music director Mary Ross Comstock, choreographer, Mary Hughes, and producer, Jeneatha Oxley, this team mounted a show that most people are calling the Society's best ever. The cast, headed by A.J.Benoit, Trish Herbison, Iain MacNeil, and Lisa Leroux in lead roles, kept the audience in stitches with their antics and had everyone humming with their interpretations of the most singable score. Backed by a great cast of players and some very special cameo performances, these actors brought the audience to their feet after every performance. A talented crew under the direction of stage-manager, Tammy MacKay, kept the show slick and effortless. Congratulations too, to Raul Cirne (ever to be known as Brockville's very own "Rainman") and his team who provided the magic of the sets and special effects. The props ladies under Claudette Shea, Charyl Trussell and her team on costumes, Barry Whiteland with make-up and Julie Crowley, who was in charge of wigs and hair, all helped to make the show so memorable. The most remarkable aspect of this success is the effort that these amateurs put forth for months just for the pleasure of the Brockville audiences. No one was paid for all these long hours. The payment is the fun and camaraderie as well as the satisfaction of a job well done. That's what amateur theatre is all about. There are no divas, only valued team members striving to give Brockville the very best that they can give. They were well rewarded with the stellar reviews of the show and the positive feed-back of the audiences each night. Congratulations to all involved!
Performing Arts Hall of Fame
On Thursday, March 26, Mary Ross Comstock was inducted into the Performing Arts Hall of Fame. This was a well deserved honour considering her lifetime of performance on the piano, teaching elementary school music and an extensive list of shows acting as musical director for the BOS. She was also director of the Brockville Concert Band and the Brockville Police Choir. Although her siblings were forced to do the dishes each night as she practiced at the piano (for her, just more pleasure!) they profess that they bear no grudges, only pride in her accomplishments. Well done, Mary! Your friends from the cast and crew of Singin' in the Rain applaud you!
The Lions Club Music Festival
Many of the young people from the cast of Singin' in the Rain are participating in the up-coming Music Festival which starts on the afternoon of Sunday19 and runs for the entire week. We wish them well as they "strut their stuff" for the audiences and the adjudicators. Hopefully we can all get out and support them in person. You can check for their classes in the Programs which are available at the Arts Centre, St. John's Church and the Presbyterian Church Hall.
Rumour Has It….
Peggy Miller and her husband are moving to Woodstock shortly. Peggy has been a most supportive and active member of the BOS for many years, acting as VP and President of our organization as well as performing in many of our productions. She will be sorely missed. We wish her well in her new home.
Cinderella is on her Way!
Great news! We are thrilled to announce that "Cinderella" by Rodgers and Hammerstein will be the 2009 – 2010 BOS production in February, 2010. At time of printing, the production team is almost complete:
Producers………..Jeneatha Oxley and Peter Yerdon
Stage Director…..Tammy MacKay
Music Director….Caroline Hosick
Choreographer…..TBA
Set Design……….Calvin Prescott and Raul Cirne
Set Construction…Raul Cirne
Stage Manager…...Marianne Bimm
Lighting…………..TBA
Sound…………….TBA
Costumes…………TBA
Make-up………….TBA
Publicity………….Peter Yerdon
Auditions will be held in June with rehearsals starting in early September. Watch for the exact dates in the upcoming Score and in the Recorder and Times. We are so excited to be presenting a favourite family show. There are sure to parts for all ages as well. It's hard to believe that we are already back in the planning stages after just wiping up the last of the "rain" and storing all those black umbrellas!
Gala, Gala, Gala
Peter Yerdon announces that planning for the next big Gala is well under way. Does the man ever sleep? After last year's huge success we are anxious to try for even bigger and better things. Watch for more news as the plans develop.
It's Party time!
On April 30, the cast and crew of "Singin' in the Rain" are having a pot-luck reunion to view the film Todd Noel has completed of the production. Having witnessed Todd's editing skills in the short clips in the production, we're all chomping at the bit to see ourselves on the big screen.
Date: Thursday, April 30
Time: 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Potluck in Musitheatre 7:30 pm to 9 pm
Screening in BAC (with open bar)
RSVP to Jeneatha by April 19 at jeneatha@sympatico.ca
Upcoming Events:
Brockville Theatre Guild's Production of Norm Foster's "Opening Night, Apr. 24, 25, 26 at BCI TISS Production of "Guys and Dolls", May 28, 29, 30 at TISS BCI Music Theatre Class Production of "Gone With the Breeze" early June (watch for exact dates)
Congratulations to the St. Lawrence College cast and crew of "Footloose". What a show!