Sudbury Theatre Centre

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 20^th 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"

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

Hello friends!

Well, we’re all set to open our production of John Patrick Shanley’s PULITZER PRIZE-winning drama Doubt, A Parable here at the STC, and over the last couple of days we’ve been receiving some fantastic media coverage. It would be a shame if you missed out on learning a little bit more about this outstanding show, so here’s a link to the Northern Life’s preview article (which contains a fantastic interview with the talented Janet Bailey), along with one from the Sudbury Star.

And in case you missed these little video gems, here are two really great looking commercials created for us by Eastlink and CTV:

It’s so great to have such wonderful and supportive partners!