All Alone... Or am I?

FORTRESS MENTALITY

“There was a time when you could have looked up into the sky and seen the entire thing turn into a river of sparkling diamonds.”...Fortress Mentality tells a story about a man who has decided to flee his every day life for the safety and seclusion of a fortress. Little does he know that his perfect world will soon be disrupted by an unexpected appearance. What can go wrong when you are all alone? What sort of life would you live if no one was watching? This play takes a look at society and the sacrifices one man has to make to avoid failure.

Written and Directed by: Tom Blazejewicz

Starring: Mat Simpson, Loriel Medyniski, Justen Bennett (Beautiful Thing - Dir., Hamlet, Selection - Playwright, Sinbad, Les Liaisons Dangereuse, Board of Directors)

Planet Ze Design Center- 10055 80 Ave

August 12th, 8:00 pm

August 13th, 8:00 pm

August 14th, 2:00 pm

August 14th, 8:00 pm

August 19th, 8:00 pm

August 20th, 8:00 pm

August 21st, 2:00 pm

August 21st, 8:00 pm

Can you spare 15 Minutes?

Mostly Water presents 15 Minutes

Efren Askew is a man with a curse; he’s a brilliant writer, but only writes in an alcohol-induced trance, blacking out for days at a time and remembering nothing afterward. As Askew’s celebrity grows and Hollywood begins to devour him, he comes face to face with the fleeting nature of fame. Mostly Water treads the boards and is joined by a talented group of local performers (Dana Andersen, Peter Brown, Dave Clarke, Chris Craddock, Jeff Haslam, Mark Meer, Davina Stewart, Dale and Syrell Wilson) who make cameo video appearances in a hilarious meditation on one man’s 15 Minutes of fame. Mostly Water features Sam Varteniuk and is managed by Amy Neufeld.

15 Minutes runs from August 13-15, 17-21 at 6 PM at Filthy McNasty’s Public House, located at 10511 Whyte Ave (Venue 23).

A Little Bit of History...

Hooray for Yesterday Presents: OUR MAN TOMMY DOUGLAS

Written By Tony Cashman
Directed By Frank Glenfield (too many too list) & Tim Marriott (Children of a Lesser God, Board of Directors, many, many more)

Featuring Doug Verdin (Most recently - Best Little Whorehouse in Texas - Set Designer, Mail Order Bride - Sound, Crimes of the Heart - Lighting Design)

2nd Floor Strathcona Library

Fri Aug 13, 3:45 pm

Sat Aug 14, 11:30 am

Sun Aug 15, 7:15 pm

Mon Aug 16, 3:30 pm

Tue Aug 17, 12:15 pm

Wed Aug 18, 12:15 pm

Thu Aug 19, 3:30 pm

Fri Aug 20, 7:30 pm

Sat Aug 21, 12:15 pm

It's all about Women and Transportation Today...

SPIN - a one-woman comedy

How does a love-sick, aspiring triathlete win the attention of her strong, fast, sexy coach? Why, by doing the most challenging triathlon of all: Ironman Canada! But will her mind and muscles endure the rigorous training, or will her heart keep her from crossing the finish line?

August 13 5:45 pm – 6:40 pm

August 14 4:15 pm – 5:10 pm

August 17 9:00 pm – 9:55 pm

August 19 10:00 pm – 10:55 pm

August 21 2:00 pm – 2:55 pm

August 22 12:00 pm – 12:55 pm

Walterdale Playhouse - Venue 3

Written and performed by Tiana Leonty (Hamlet, Mockingbird Close, Mr. Twiddles- dir.)

Direction and dramaturgy by Tracy Carroll (Dramaturge - Kiss Within a Kiss)

Stage management and design by Rachelle Saunders

All She Wants to do is...

DRIVE

"Americans don’t buy automobiles, but instead buy dreams of sex, speed, power and wealth" John Keats, 1957

More than just a means of transportation, cars have become incorporated into the human psyche as an extension of self. Drive is a collective creation that explores the relationship between man and machine and the piece of ourselves we invest in cars. This show features Holly Cinnamon, a newcomer to Walterdale who will be appearing in Perfect Pie in October, 2010.

BYOV 10139 - 87 Avenue, Strathcona Community League Skating Rink

Friday, August 13th: 8:00pm

Saturday, August 14th: 8:00pm

Sunday, August 15th: 8:00pm

Monday, August 16th: 8:00pm

Tuesday, August 17th: 8:00pm

Wednesday, August 18th: 8:00pm

Thursday, August 19th: 8:00pm

Friday, August 20th: 8:00pm

Saturday, August 21st: 8:00pm

Sunday, August 22nd: 4:00pm

Last Year it was Zombies... This year, something different...

Happy Whackin' Jim McCrackin

This is the story of Jim McCrackin's last big job. He kills people for money. Deal with it. Ridiculous action and mystery all wrapped in the comedic multi-media stylings from the crazy creators of last fringe's smash hit, "FOR THE LOVE OF A ZOMBIE." Yeah... THOSE guys.

August 13 - 12:15 pm – 1:20 pm

August 14 - 6:30 pm – 7:35 pm

August 15 - 9:15 pm – 10:20 pm

August 20 - 2:15 pm – 3:20 pm

August 21 - 11:00 pm – 12:05 am

August 22 - 4:00 pm – 5:05 pm

King Edward School, 8530 101 Street (Venue 5)

Playwright: Amos Altman

Director(s): Brent Felzien (poster designs, One Acts), Neil LeGrandeur (You are Here)

Cast: William Banfield (You are Here, The Lion in Winter, One Acts), Amanda Blair (Kiss Within a Kiss, Crimes of the Heart), Cliff Kelly

Stage Manager: Kimberlee Stadelmann (Director of Productions, Hamlet - Costume Designer, Production Managed numerous shows, You are Here - SM)

Something for the Wee Ones...

THE FAIRY CATCHER'S COMPANION

The Fairy Catcher’s Companion follows the story of sisters Charlotte and Beatrice Starling. The Starling Sisters have been waiting for their father to return home from war, but after two years without a letter, they are beginning to worry. Finally, an official typewritten letter arrives imploring Charlotte and Beatrice’s mother to travel to collect their father. Beatrice and Charlotte are shipped off to live with their stern Aunt Bernadette at Prince Manor- a dark, drafty countryside manor. Charlotte and Beatrice are at their wits end waiting to leave Prince Manor, until they find a peculiar-looking book called “The Fairy Catcher’s Companion” and use it to catch a real-life fairy named Fusser. But could having a fairy friend be more trouble than it’s worth?

Featuring Ellen Chorley, Lana Hughes and Stephanie Wigston (Kiss Within a Kiss, Perfect Pie), directed by Amy Neufeld (Trial of Salome - Director), assistant directed by Derrique DeGagne and written by Ellen Chorley.

VENUE 11- Strathcona Community League

Saturday, August 14 at 4:45 pm

Sunday, August 15 at 11:00 am

Tuesday, August 17 at 4:30 pm

Wednesday, August 18 at 12:45 pm

Thursday, August 19 at 11:00 am

Friday, August 20 at 12:45 pm

Saturday, August 21 at 2:45 pm

It's very simple really...

Check out the listings for Fringe 2010 Shows with a Walterdale connection, like this one...

Simple Simon

Set in a dilapidated trailer, the play introduces Donny, a heavy duty equipment operator employed in the Fort McMurray oil sands. His wife, Margi, has been left at home in Flat Bush, Alberta, to look after Simon, her mentally handicapped brother-in-law. At times funny, at times painfully familiar, Simple Simon paints the story of these two high school sweethearts whose passion has faded and the need for reconnection has come ...into sharp focus.

Venue: Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre (OSPAC),8426 Gateway Boulevard

August 12 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm

August 14 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

August 15 9:30 pm – 10:30 pm

August 16 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm

August 19 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

August 22 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Playwright: Michael Beamish (God Bless You, Billy Wilder)

Director: Clare Mullen (Walterdale member)

Cast: Murray Cullen (Hamlet), Rebecca John (Sinbad, Hamlet - master painter), Matthew Beairsto

Stage Manager: Molly Pearson

Keeping It Real - Fake Life at Fringe 2010

FAKE LIFE by Michael Davison (Steel Magnolias - Crew)

Witness a story where boy meets girl, boy likes girl, and comedic genius ensues. Rose (Katie Fournell) and Zippeal (Michael Davidson) go through their youth with flare and fun as they discover not only what it takes to be in a relationship but what it takes ...to be in a friendship. Promising twists, turns, heartache and maybe, just maybe something more powerful then true love,Straight from the pages of the heart comes a story of real lives directed by Amanda Bergen, beautifully lit and run by Brennan Campbell, and with the soft-hearted guidance and dramaturgy of Christopher Craddock, Edmonton’s No Snowcones is proud to present Fake Life at the Edmonton Fringe.

Playing at Venue 4, the Academy at King Edward

August 12 @ 9:00pm

August 14 @ 3:15pm

August 15 @ 1:15pm

August 17 @ 7:15pm

August 19 @ 1:30pm

August 21 @ 9:00pm

Lighting Up the Fringe!

Megan Lindmark, Stage Manager of DeathTrap and Lend Me a Tenor, tries her hand at directing this Fringe with the Leo Llama Productions WHERE HAVE ALL THE LIGHTNING BUGS GONE? by Louis E. Catron

Venue: Fringe Cabaret Lounge at the Transalta Arts Barns
10330 84 Avenue

Come for a walk in the park and experience an affectionately witty show about the poignant, unspeakable wonder of love. Two people meet and fall in love through encounters of imagination and reality. Two perfect strangers leave you wondering if they are strangers at all......

Cast: Erika Moore & Luc Tellier

Directed by Megan Lindmark

Production Manager: Helen Fulford

August 13 2:30 PM

August 14 8:00 PM

August 16 6:30 PM

August 18 10:00 PM

August 21 4:00 PM

August 22 12:00 PM

Putting on a Game Face at the 2010 Fringe...

Recently we saw David Johnston as Melvin P. Thorpe in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. What people don't know is that every night he had off from BLWIT he was in rehearsal for his Fringe Production:

Game Face

Venue: 5

Written by: Morgan Smith & Scott C. Bourgeois (seen in Sinbad and The Lion in Winter)

Performers: Brian Bergum, David Johnston (Kiss Within a Kiss and BLWIT), Elena Porter (Sea of Green, Lend Me A Tenor, and Hamlet), and Morgan Smith

Director: Ryan Hughes (former Walterdale director, The Burning Blood)

Stage Manager: Jennifer Best

Designer: Melissa Currier

Synopsis: High school sucks. Just look at Wallace. Yesterday he was the biggest loser in school. Now he's Wally the Woodchuck! All of a sudden he has friends. A perfect little cheerleader girlfriend. You think being the mascot changes things? Think a costume will protect you? Watch your back, Woodchuck...From the people who brought you Fringe favourite "Cheerleader", and the Sterling-nominated "Breaking Face", Human Loser Theatre and Allspice Theatre present Morgan Smith and Scott C. Bourgeois' brutal, strange and hilarious new comedy "Game Face" at the 2010 Edmonton Fringe Festival. High school drama has never been so...odd.

Come get your Game Face on!

Fringe 2010 - Walterdale off the deck...

Famished: the Musical features a number of Walterdale members, past, present and future.


Curtis Knecht been in a number of past Walterdale shows, and will be directing The Threepenny Opera in the 2010/11 season. Mel Samson is SMing Much Ado about Nothing in the 2010/11 season. Kat Evans is the designer for Threepenny, and has been in past Walterdale shows. John Evans and Dean Krawchuk have been in past Walterdale shows.

Famished plays at Venue #1 Westbury Theatre at the TransAlta Arts

August 12, 9:45 pm – 10:35 pm
August 15, 12:15 pm – 1:05 pm
August 18, 7:15 pm – 8:05 pm
August 19, 2:15 pm – 3:05 pm
August 20, 8:30 pm – 9:20 pm
August 22, 3:45 pm – 4:35 pm

Focus on the Fringe - Walterdale in the Off Season!

It's almost August in Edmonton and that means one thing to the theatre people - THE EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL FRINGE! Many Walterdalians participate and over the next few entries I will be highlighting shows that feature our members.

First up is The Way of All Fish by Elaine May
Venue #7: Yardbird Suite

A bizarre office exchange between a self absorbedexecutive and her seemingly drab secretary. Over an impromptu dinner together, the executive's condescending graciousness drains away as the secretary explains her fantasy of gaining immortality.

Director: Wendi Pope

Cast: Mary-Ellen Perley and Kristin Johnston

Stage Manager: Tim Marriott

Showtimes:

August 14 8:45 pm – 9:35 pm

August 15 12:00 pm – 12:50 pm

August 17 7:00 pm – 7:50 pm

August 19 2:15 pm – 3:05 pm

August 20 11:00 pm – 11:50 pm

August 22 4:00 pm – 4:50 pm

Seasons Come and Seasons Go...

We are wrapping up the 2009-2010 Season at Walterdale with a Sold Out run of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. This has been a nice season for us, with overall attendance increasing as well as a tremendous turn-out at auditions. We'd like both to continue, because strong auditions create stronger shows and stronger shows encourage audiences... it's a process.

The first show for next season (Perfect Pie) is cast, but auditions for our December show are coming up in late August (after Fringe). We are presenting Much Ado About Nothing directed by Anne Marie Szucs, with Assistant Director Monica Roberts, Stage Manager Melanie Samson, Set Designer George Millar and Costume Designer Ephram Di Medicci. Combined, these individuals have been involved in Pieces, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, Antony and Cleopatra, Crimes of the Heart, Kiss Within a Kiss, The Mail Order Bride, Selection, and Beautiful Thing at Walterdale. There may be more, but that was just off the top of my head.

For audition information: http://walterdaleplayhouse.com/?page_id=57

Playing to Sold Out Houses...

The first five shows of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas were Sold Out. So what does that mean? Can you still get a ticket? Probably, if you act now and contact Tix on the Square. There are 5 shows remaining in our run so you may be able to get tickets online in advance. If the night you want is sold out, you can try to get in by showing up right at 7 p.m. when the box office opens and get your name on the waiting list. Occasionally people don't show up (they forget or something comes up) and we can accommodate people. I say, occasionally, however because I don't want to make a promise that can't be kept.

For us at Walterdale this has been delightful. The cast of the show say that they can feel an incredible energy and love from their audiences and they feel so blessed to be able to do this show every night and entertain all of those in the house. I am just glad I bought my tickets early. I would hate to not be able to see it again!

Opening Night - SOLD OUT!

Get your tickets folks! Opening Night for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is SOLD OUT according to Tix on the Square. This is thrilling news for us and we are excited to be able to perform the show for a packed house. I haven't seen a sold out Opening Night at Walterdale since I joined the theatre in 2006 (although I am sure it has happened in the past), so this bodes well for the rest of the run, that is, if you have your tickets!

The cast and crew have just finished 2 Previews where we worked out the scene change and costuming bugs and where we got to practice with laughs and responses from our kind audiences. We are ready to Romp and Stomp tonight! Yee Haw!

Heading to Texas - the Lone Star State! Yee Haw!

Tonight is our Full Dress for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. This show certainly packs a punch - lovely, lace-clad southern women, stompin' football players, a cursing sheriff, colourful local townspeople, a maniacal TV Reporter, an evasive Governor and a beautiful and smart Madam at the centre of it all. I have been busy juggling media, set-painting and directing this week but the show is so fun it doesn't even seem like work!

Media Photos were taken earlier this week and you can check them out in the link. Some great shots merely scratching the surface of what you will see. Notice, we saved the sexy ladies for a surprise - you gotta come to the show to catch them. Thanks to Douglas Stewart for the great photos!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/douglasdollars/sets/72157624271958035/detail