Sudbury Theatre Centre

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 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!

Wow. 

What else can you say about this outstanding video created by the STC’s resident lighting and sound guru Ben Whiteman?  The entire two-week build of the “Leading Ladies” set has been condensed  into five-and-a-half minutes of glory here for your viewing pleasure. 

Over the course of a season we invariably get asked–just a  little more often than we’d like!–when a new show will be “travelling in” to the STC.  What many people don’t realize is that nearly everything you see on our stage is created  here at the theatre, including costumes, props and, as you’ll see, the sets!  The STC’s production team is absolutely incredible, and there really isn’t much they can’t do.  So, next time you sit down to enjoy live, professional theatre at the STC, think of all the blood and sweat that went into the creation of each wall and doorway, as well as the (numerous) tears shed by our intrepid backstage crew for your enjoyment!

Impressed?  Let us know!

Hello!

If there’s one thing you can say about life in the theatre, it’s that there’s never a dull moment.  We haven’t said goodbye to our Leading Ladies quite yet (FYI: There are still tickets available for this weekend’s closing performances) and we’re already knee-deep in preparations for our next production, Doubt: A Parable.  Time flies when you’re having fun!   

We will be bringing you more information about Doubt in the coming days (along with a very special time-lapse video of the set construction for Leading Ladies and some exclusive production stills), but right now we wanted to let you know about some of the special discount packages we have available for purchase just in time for the holiday season (hey, don’t get angry with us—we did have snow this week, didn’t we?).

First off, we have a fantastic Dinner and Theatre Package available to those looking to supplement an evening of live professional theatre with some outstanding local cuisine.  Each package is available for $95.00 (+GST) and includes tickets for two to an STC production and a $50.00 voucher for one of our amazing restaurant partners:

Alexandria’s

Apollo

Mr. Prime Rib

Respect is Burning Supperclub & Anywhere Catering

Simon’s Gallery Grill

The LakeHouse

Ristorante Verdicchio

We’re also proud to be able to offer an Overnight Theatre Package that includes two tickets to a show and overnight accommodation for two at the Quality Inn (with continental breakfast) all for $140.00 (+GST)!  The Quality Inn has been a dedicated supporter of the STC over the years, and we are extremely proud to be able to offer you, our loyal patrons, the chance to enjoy their warm hospitality.  The Quality Inn is only two blocks away from the theatre, and they offer a host of amenities such as:

Business Centre

Lounge

Fitness Centre

High-Speed Internet  

Free Parking

Indoor Pool

Restaurant

Free Local Calls

Conference and Meeting Facilities

…and more! 

We will be dedicating a portion of the website to these package offers very soon (the site is still a work in progress—bear with us!) but for now, if you’d like any additional information about the packages, or if you’d like to go ahead and purchase one (or two!) today, please stop by and see us at 170 Shaughnessy Street or call the STC Box Office at 674-8381 x21.

Talk to you soon! 

Hi gang!

Well, what a weekend it’s been here at the STC!  You want to talk about laughter??  Our ears are still ringing!  The laughs were so intense we were wondering if it would be wise to invest in a few oxygen tanks for the lobby; some people just didn’t seem to come up for air! 

But don’t just take our word for it; check out these glowing reviews from the Sudbury Star and Northern Life.

We know this sounds cliché, but tickets really are going fast!  Be sure to give us a call at 674-8381 x21 to reserve your seat for one of the funniest theatre experiences you’ll ever enjoy!  The play runs until the 18th, and there will be shows this Thanksgiving weekend. 

Let’s keep the laughs going!

An STC blog, you say?

That’s right!  We’ve jumped on the blogging bandwagon—better late than never!—and  we’re hoping you’ll come along for the ride (might be a bumpy one at first, but we’ll get the hang of it).

We’ll keep it brief for this first entry, but you can expect regular updates as the season progresses.

First thing’s first:  The new website you’ve (hopefully) been perusing is the culmination of a lot of hard work on the part of the incredibly talented and dedicated design team at 50 Carleton.  The entire gang over there is passionate about what we do at the theatre, and their support has played a huge role in allowing us to grow into the successful organization we are today.  So, to Tony Jurgilas and the rest of the crew: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  You rock our world.

Still with us?  Just a few more things to mention before we let you get back to exploring the new cyber- digs…

We at the STC have always seen ourselves as an organization that plays an integral role in the continuous cultural development of our great community.  We take great pride in the fact that the productions we choose to present are always selected with the understanding that we must strive not only to entertain, but also to bring shows of the highest quality that speak to the issues that are important to northerners.  In other words, people, you’re always on our minds.

But are we on yours?  Ah, that’s the question—hopefully one that you’ll answer with your participation on this site.  We want you to become more involved in what goes on around here, so to that end we’ll be introducing new interactive features on the site like comment posting as well as a space for you to share your personal reviews of our productions.  And if that isn’t enough to keep you coming back we’ll also be offering exclusive online content such as behind-the-scenes video footage of what goes on on the other side of the big red curtain, new photos, interviews with staff and actors and…well, whatever else we can dream up!  (Maybe even a choice recipe or two from the fabled STC Cookbook.)

Phew!  This didn’t turn out to be very brief at all, did it?  Let’s leave it here for now, shall we?  Oh!  One more thing before we sign off:  For all you Twitterers (or is that Tweeters?) out there, be sure to become one of our official followers so we can let you know when to check back here for the latest updates on all things STC.

Thank you so very much for your interest in live, professional theatre!  We’ll see you around!