Last Chance to Catch Jimmy Dean

Tonight is Closing Night. Call Tix on the Square or take your chances at the door. It's a great show with a nice strong, even cast! A wonderful way to start the 51st Season!

Following the show, the cast, crew and production team will strike the set and clean the theatre and then they will have a little party (a well-deserved celebration of their hard work!).

Drumroll Please...

I am very excited to announce the cast for Beautiful Thing....

Jamie - Doran Werner
Leah - Maura Frunza
Sandra - Amelia Duplessis
Ste - Joel Taras
Tony - Randy Brososky

This cast is a mix of newcomers and old-timers (although Randy might object to being called old- 'cause he's not - in fact he is younger than I am!). If you see one of them, please congratulate them! Well done all, and well done Justen Bennett for selecting such a great cast!

Auditions - A Beautiful Thing...

One of the things I have been doing as AD of Walterdale is sit in on all the auditions for the shows this season. This past Sunday and Monday night we held the auditions for our February show, Beautiful Thing. Being involved in all the auditions, even just as an observer has given me a great opportunity to see the depth of our talent pool. I am not sure of the exact cast for this show, but I have an idea based on my own assessments of who is in running. I know that based on those who came out we shall have a strong cast. This is exciting as I figured this would be the most challenging show in our season to cast.

I have also gotten to observe the same people auditioning more than one time. One thing I am tremendously pleased with is that over the course of consecutive auditions I have seen marked improvement in some of the auditioners. That means that they are either learning from the experience, or they are going away and training or re-thinking their approach. For me, as a Director at Walterdale, it makes me excited to think that some of these people may audition for me down the line. Please, please, please do not stop coming out for auditions. There were people we saw that were good, but just not right in the mix or right for the part... there will be a part for you eventually! I know it! One long-time Walterdalian told me this weekend, she auditioned 12 times before she finally got into a Walterdale show, but it was worth it!

Another benefit to this round is that Justen Bennett, the Director, had me do a little introduction to Walterdale while he sorted readings. I hope that some of the people listened and will take me up on the offer to fine a role in our community even if they do not get cast. Walterdale is about opportunity, but sometimes the opportunity looks different than you think it will!

Walterdale on Twitter

http://twitter.com/walterdaleplays

I don't tweet (?) but someone on the Board does. If you are a Twitter Fan, check it out.

Jimmy Dean - We are Up and Running!

Wednesday marked the Opening Night for Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. I was very nervous to do the opening night pre-show speech. I know why. I can get up and do the mot ridiculous things from a script, but when it is me up there I get very nervous. Also, I personally dislike pre-show speeches. I feel they interfere with the artistic concept of the show so part of me rails against doing them! I tried to make it short so we could get to the good stuff - the show! I was very pleased to see the way this show came to life. Since I sat in on auditions I saw the potential and it was gratifying to see the cast fulfill that. Stand outs for me were Zoe Hawnt as Sissy (now) as I had never seen her onstage in that sort of role before and she was very fun! I also was quite impressed with Keltie Squires who stepped into the show a mere 3 1/2 weeks before Opening. Actually, though, the whole cast was very even. No one felt as though they were out-acted by any of the others. It was a true ensemble, very connected and active in a challenging piece that flits back and forth from 1955 to 1975. I thought that the Director and her Production Team dealt well with the challenge of the time switch and they produced a lovely, fast-paced, conceptually consistent, well executed show. For me, as AD, it was a good start to 2 years!

The following articles were in the local papers today.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/entertainment/columnists/colin_maclean/2009/10/16/11420006-sun.html

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Come%20Back%20Five%20Dime%20Jimmy%20Dean%20Jimmy%20Dean/2110178/story.html

Come Back to the Walterdale, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean

We are a little over 2 weeks away from Opening Night for Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. It opens October 14th (Wednesday) at 8:00 p.m. I am pleased to say that I have my babysitter booked and I am good to go for this one. If I can, I may check out the Director's Preview on the Monday night, but I may wish to wait for Opening. Ooooo, I can't decide! I have heard great things from the Cast and Production Team about how things are going. I love the set. It went up so quickly and easily and it is charming and provides a beautiful backdrop for this lovely piece.

Remember, Walterdale is likely the most economical theatre choice in the city. You can get tickets at Tix on the Square or at the door (cash only at the door). Tickets range from $12 - $16 and if you are severely strapped for cash, the first Thursday (October 15th) is a 2 for 1 night (bring a friend). You can't beat those prices!