Sudbury Theatre Centre

It’s a bird!…It’s a plane!…It’s… a Canadian folk hero?

Bet you didn’t see that one coming, right?

While we’re extremely sad to say goodbye to the wonderfully delightful cast of “The Love List”–what a fantastic show that was!–we’re more than pleased to be bringing a wildly energetic and eye-opening slice of Canadiana to the STC stage. Lindsay Price’s “The Flying Bandit” is a one-man-show that tells the unbelievable TRUE story of Canada’s greatest bank robber, the “Flying Bandit” AKA the “Gentleman Bandit” Ken Leishman.

Known for his good looks, outstanding fashion sense and his brazen thefts, Leishman dominated newspaper headlines in the 50’s. Although his bank robberies brought him to the public’s attention, he attained nearly legendary status when he perpetrated the largest gold heist in Canadian history! (With a little help from some unsuspecting Air Canada employees, no less!)

Both Lindsay Price and actor Craig Mason–who plays the entire cast of characters in this production–are extremely excited to be bringing this show to Sudbury audiences. In fact, the’ve created this little video to give you all a bit of insight into the character development process. Check it out:

“The Flying Bandit” is playing from March 18th – 28th ONLY, so call the STC box office and reserve your seat today!

…just how much we’re looking forward to “The Love List”?

Greetings!

 It’s been a busy month here at the theatre, so let’s catch up a bit, shall we? 

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Congratulations go out to the members of STC’s Students on Stage programme for their incredible work putting together an impressive run of performances of their original production Spin: A Tale of Ultra Modern Ad-Ventures.  This talented group of young theatre enthusiasts spent over 100 hours designing costumes, building sets, learning lines and rehearsing, and the work was well worth it!  Public performances were held on January 30th and 31st, and hundreds of students from around the city attended some highly entertaining (and maybe even a little bit educational!) matinees.

Awesome job, team!  You always make us proud!   

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The reviews are in for the amazing production of Celebrities do Sudbury Satire, and there seems to be a consensus amongst all those who laughed themselves silly on the evening of January 23rd:  a man in drag is always funny.  And, more specifically, when the man in question has a certain mayoral-charm about him, well, the laughs come that much quicker and last just that much longer! 

Sudbury celebs serenade an appreciative crowd!

(Recognize any of these passionate Sudbury-Saturday-nighters?  Maybe you should look a bit closer…)

 Many thanks go out to all those who came out and helped raise funds for both the STC as well as Haiti relief, and a special ‘Thank you!’ goes out  all the brave/generous/foolhardy celebs who made the event a complete success.  

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The official start of the second-half of the 09/10 season will be upon us in two-week’s time, and if you haven’t booked your tickets yet for the STC’s production of Norm Foster’s The Love List, you’d better hurry up!   

 Recognized as one of Canada’s most popular and prolific playwright’s, Foster has the almost Midas-like ability to turn everything he touches into pure gold!  The Love List is no exception, as it will have audiences howling from start to finish. 

A story that is both completely authentic and totally unbelievable, The Love List focuses on what happens when lonely statistician Bill is asked by his philandering friend Leon to fill out a dating service questionnaire listing the top qualities he’d want in an ideal mate.  (Did we mention that the dating service is run by a mysterious gypsy woman?)  Bill does as he’s asked (but not without a bit of hesitation) and, lo and behold, his perfect woman magically appears!  After the initial shock wears off, Bill finds himself in absolute heaven…at least until he decides to change a few of the qualities on his list.

 Then things get weird. 

 The Love List is proudly sponsored by Big Daddy 103.9, and we encourage you to tune-in in the coming weeks to try and win some free tickets!  We know they have some fun things planned, and we don’t want to give anything away, but we have a suspicion that you might be well-served to think about just what it is YOU would want in a perfect partner…_________________________________________________________________________________________

 Ok, friends—that’s all for now!  Please check back in the coming days for some great features on The Love List as well as other upcoming STC shows/events.  Until next time, enjoy these stills from Charles Way’s Sleeping Beauty! 

Queen Guinevere (Alexis Koetting) and King Peredur (Jeff Miller ) try and make their way through the dark and dense woods.

Evil Witch Modron (Katherine East) holds the infant Briar Rose.

Good Witch Branwen (Deborah Drakeford) and Gryff (James Wallis) observe the kingdom through a magical mirror.

Modron (Katherine East) asks Briar Rose (Leah Coombs) to take a turn using the spindle.

Cursed by Modron, Briar Rose (Leah Coombs) falls into a deep sleep while her parents (Jeff Miller & Alexis Koetting) can do nothing but hold her.

Gryff (James Wallis) and Prince Owain (Curtis Tweedie) meet the Tylwyth Tegs on their quest to save Briar Rose.

Gryff (James Wallis) and Prince Owain (Curtis Tweedie) finds themselves caught in the web of the fearsome Spider King (Jeff Miller)

Gryff (James Wallis) and Branwen (Deborah Drakeford) watch as Prince Owain (Curtis Tweedie) prepares to awaken the "Sleeping Beauty" (Leah Coombs) from her near hundred-year sleep.

Greetings theatre fans!

We trust that everyone had some safe and very merry holidays!  The stage was dark here at the STC for a two-week period, but we’re back in the swing of things and we’re working hard to ensure that the second half of the 09/120 season is just as good (and maybe even better!) than the first.  We want to wish you the very best in 2010, and we hope that you’ll join us as we continue to celebrate the magic of live professional theatre.

 We’ll be kicking things off here at STC with a very important fundraising event.  Although we’ve decided to give the semi-annual PG Eh? Indoor Golf Tournament a break—it’ll be back in 2011, we promise!—another STC fundraising favourite is making its triumphant return: the hilarious “Celebrities do…” series!  This year it’s all about finding the funny in our local surroundings, as forty-five Sudbury celebs take to the stage to perform sketch comedy routines skewering local news headlines from the past year.  The wonderfully talented Judi Straughan has done it again, as she’s put together a show that gives us permission to laugh at ourselves and this beloved crater we call home.  Recognizable personalities from television, radio, print media and the political scene will all be accounted for, so if your idea of fun is seeing respectable citizens in uniquely humiliating (but always good-naturedly so) situations, we’ve got you covered! 

Check out this partial list of participants:

- Marcus Schwabe & Jason Turnbull (CBC Radio)

- Luke Nugent & Shannon Dowling (KICX Radio)

- Jim Szilva, Rick Wyman & Carrie Tantalo (Big Daddy 103.9)

- Terry Callaghan & Mellaney Dahl (Q92)

- Janet Gasparini, Russ Thompson & Doug Craig (City Councillors) 

- Rich Griffin & Gary Beech (EZ Rock 105.3)

- Michelle Toner (CTV)

- Glenn Thibeault & France Gelinas (Politicans)

- Randy Pascale (Channel 10 News)

- Vicki Gilhula (Editor, Sudbury Living Magazine)

…and many, many more! 

Not too shabby, eh?

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And now, here are some snaps of the Sleeping Beauty cast members and STC staff spreading a little Christmas cheer around 170 Shaughnessy Street. 

Catherine East (Evil Witch Modron), Leah Coombs (Briar Rose) and Anita Ansamaa (Paint & Props) share a laugh while enjoying the festivities.

Anita Ansamaa (Paint & Props), Ben Whiteman (Sound & lighting), Curtis Tweedie (Prince Owain) and James Wallis (Gryff) evaluating a particularly funny entry into the staff colouring contest.

Roni Clark (P/T Box Office), Sheila Proulx (Seamstress) and Mike Johnson (Head Carpenter) are all smiles.

David Savoy (Artistic Director), Kathy Heimbecker (General manager) and Marie Whitehead (Board President) sample Leah Coombs' prize-winning enrty in the cookie baking contest.

The weather outside may be frightful, but inside the STC it’s so very delightful, thanks to all those who have been stopping by to enjoy our wonderfully magic poduction of Sleeping Beauty! 

The positive response to the last show of 2009 has been overwhelming–just take a look at some of the glowing reviews posted on the site!–and we’re so pleased to be able to offer a holiday entertainment option that is the very definition of family-friendly!  If you haven’t had a chance to experience the show, there are still tickets available for this weekend’s final performances.  Call the STC box office ASAP for more information!  (We expect these last remaining seats will fill up quickly!)

For the past two seasons, the STC staff, as part of our in-house holiday celebrations, has organized a Christmas Colouring Contest.  (Who says grown-ups can’t have a little fun with Crayolas?) Actors, backstage crew members and administrative staff alike will all take a shot at creating a colourful masterpiece worthy of being named best in all kingdom! 

As in years past, the very talented Veronica Campeau has created some wonderful black and white  images meant to excite our imaginations, and we’d like very much to share them with you.  Feel free to download the images below and send your colourful creations our way (marketing@sudburytheatre.on.ca) so we can see how we measure up!  (We’ll  even post a few of the more impressive submissions.)

Picture #1

Picture #2

Picture #3

While we certainly say this a lot, it bears repeating (especially around the holidays): we just couldn’t do any of this without you.  The support shown to the STC in this first half of the season has been absolutely amazing, and despite some challenging economic realities, our dedicated patrons have continued to show their love for live professional theatre. 

We’re looking forward to a 2010 filled with many surprises–both on stage and off–and we wish you nothing but happiness and joy during the holidays! 

Cheers!

It finally happened, theatre fans: the snow has arrived.  We know, we know…you’re depressed, right?  Thoughts of backaches, buried cars and perpetually wet clothing are dancing in your head. 

 Let’s all take a deep breath.

 …

Better? 

No? 

Not even a little bit?

 Well, maybe we can help improve your mood by reminding you that the most AWESOME, INCREDIBLE, VISUALLY SPECTACULAR show of the holiday season is opening at STC this Saturday night!

 That’s right: Charles Way’s Sleeping Beauty will be playing at STC (weekends only!) until the 20th of December.  We absolutely guarantee that this show will blow you away and make you forget all about your winter woes. 

Whoa, whoa whoa! Wait a second, you’re all saying.  I know all about Sleeping Beauty: evil witch casts a spell; princess gets pricked by a spindle; sleeps until a prince kisses her; blah, blah, blah…

 How’s that old story supposed to get me excited? 

 Well, our frigid friends, this isn’t the same old story you’ve heard a million times before.  We’ve kept the core of the classic story and ditched the rest.  We’re talking about new and interesting characters, amazing effects, fearsome creatures and adrenaline pumping sword fights!  (We’ve even brought in a fight choreographer from Toronto, for goodness sake!)  This show is the very definition of a holiday spectacle, and you know that the initials STC are synonymous with high quality entertainment.

Incredible hand-made costumes?  Check.  Breathtaking sets?  Check.  Exciting action sequences?  Check!  Boring rehash of an old story?  Not a chance! 

 And did we mention that there’s a special FAMILY RATE available!  What could be better?

Oh, and one more thing:  in case you haven’t heard,we’re making life easy for you this stressful holiday season by offering you the opportunity to give the gift of live, professional theatre!  STC gift cards are available for purchase at this very moment, and they can be used toward a variety of STC products and services such as:

 Please, please, pleeeeeeaaase don’t fall into that same old gift-giving routine that has yielded so many forced smiles and uncomfortable silences on Christmas mornings past (just how many ties can your dad have, right?).

An STC gift card is a truly unique idea that gives your loved one the freedom to explore the performing arts at their convenience.  Whether you’re giving a theatre fan the chance to continue to enjoy what the STC has to offer, or introducing a newcomer to the joys of  the stage, the STC gift card truly is a can’t-miss Christmas gift. 

Until next time, stay strong!

And now, as promised, here are some exclusive stills from STC’s production of “Doubt, A Parable” (enjoy!):

Sister James (Shannon Currie) and Sister Aloysius (Elva Mai Hoover) discuss their suspicions.

Father Flynn (Gordon Bolan) demonstrates some basketball technique.

Sister James (Shannon Currie) is reprimanded by Sister Aloysius (Elva Mai Hoover)

Sister Aloysius (Elva Mai Hoover) offers Father Flynn (Gordon Bolan) some sugar while Sister James (Shannon Currie) serves the tea.

Father Flynn (Gordon Bolan) realizes that Sister Aloysius (Elva Mai Hoover) and Sister James (Shannon Currie) aren't really interested in his thoughts on the upcoming Christmas pageant.

Sister Aloysius (Elva Mai Hoover) meets with Mrs. Muller (Janet Bailey), the mother of the boy she feels is being abusedFather Flynn (Gordon Bolan) makes an important call to the Bishop's office. Set for STC's production of "Doubt, A Parable"

Father Flynn (Gordon Bolan) makes an important call to the Bishop's office.

Set created for STC's production of "Doubt, A Parable"

First off, a great big Thank You! goes out to all of you who have been contributing reviews to the site. We’re very impressed by the thoughtful responses we’ve been getting so far (overwhelmingly positive, knock on wood), and we hope that you’ll continue to let us know what you think about your experiences here at the STC.

Here’s something we thought you’d enjoy: exclusive production stills from our season-opening show Leading Ladies! You can bet we’ll be posting some pictures from Doubt, A Parable in the near future, but for now please enjoy these fine photos of men in dresses, courtesy of Rob Provencher at Westmount Photography.

Meg (Laura Caswell) and Leo (Jeff Miller) share a dance.

Tango! L to R: Doc (William Vickers), Jack (Mark McGrinder), Audrey (Ashley Magwood), Butch (Mark Agostinucci), Florence (Linda Goranson) and Duncan (Michael Rawley)

Doc (William Vickers) makes a subtle advance on "Stephanie" (Mark McGrinder)

Leo (Jeff Miller) tries to convince Jack (Mark McGrinder) he'd make a lovely woman.

"Maxine" gets a surprise visit from an old friend L to R: Mark McGrinder, Mark Agostinucci, Linda Goranson, William Vickers, Ashley Magwood, Laura Caswell, Jeff Miller and Michael Rawley

Cast, Crew and Admin. Staff L to R: (Back Row) Kathy Heimbecker, Evan Bate, Mike Johnson, Jeff Smith, Mark McGrinder, Jeff Miller, Mark Agostinucci, Anita Ansamaa, Ben Whiteman, (Front) Stephanie Woolger, David Savoy, Joanne Kelemen, Judi Straughan, Michael Rawley, Laura Caswell, Josephine Ho, Ashley Magwood, Linda Goranson, William Vickers

As Monty Python used to say “And now for something completely different”. After the madcap hilarity of our season opener, Leading Ladies, we invite you to share another theatre adventure with us.  Tonight is the opening night of John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer and Tony Award winning play DOUBT – A Parable.

The rehearsals were an amazing journey with a dream cast of actors. The set is pure theatre magic.

Even if you have seen the recent movie, you will still be intrigued by seeing our production, live on stage – definitely within reach. In fact, one of our volunteers saw our dress rehearsal and said that even though she had seen the movie twice, she thought our production was better. What better recommendation could we ask for?

In a tensely packed 90 minutes, the play takes you on a journey from doubt, to certainty and back again – and still leaves you ready to ask more questions. You all can make your own second act for the play, as you debate, discuss or even argue about the story you have just seen on our stage.

And of course, no trip to STC would be complete without the chance to win valuable prizes. No 50-50 draw for this one but we are holding a raffle for an amazing assortment of gifts and goodness. Get a head start on your holiday shopping!

I’ll see you at the theatre – and I would love to hear from you. Leave us a comment on our blog. If you loved it or hated it – we want to know what you thought.

Enjoy!

David

David Savoy

Artistic Director