My Cleopatra at The Edmonton International Fringe

MUSICALMANIA! Presents MY CLEOPATRA

A new musical by C.W. Oxley

This new, fast-paced musical explores the relationships between the famous Egyptian queen and those closest to her. Her actions are witnessed and criticized by the goddess, Isis, and recounted by 20th century professor, Arthur Weisz.

My Cleopatra premiers at the 31st Edmonton International Fringe Festival with two Walterdale alumni - Nadine Veroba in the role of Cleopatra (most recently seen at Walterdale as Claudia Nardi in Nine) and Martin Galba in the role of Marc Antony, as well as co-Director (most recently onstage at Walterdale as Vittorio Vidal in Sweet Charity; Directed The Fantasticks and You're A Good Man Charlie Brown).

My Cleopatra

Directed by Martin Galba & Brooke Connelly

Choreography by Martin Galba

Set Designed and Built by Bruce Veroba and Johannes Irnich

Cast:

Nadine Veroba, Julien Constantin, Jerry DeZutter, Martin Galba, Meghan Schech-Watson, Joey Chartier, Halle Connelly, Deborah Dowds, Meghan Dunlop, Michelle Freebairn, Johannes Irnich and guests from the New Belhi Sisterhood of Wetaskiwin!

Venue: Campus Saint-Jean: 8406 rue Marie-Anne Gaboury

Playing

Aug17-5:30pm

Aug18-8pm

Aug19-2pm

Aug21-8pm

Aug23-5:30pm

Aug24-4:30pm

Aug25-8pm

 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/167662590034782/

Middleton: A Folk Musical

Poiema Productions presents MIDDLETON a folk musical

Poiema Productions present an original folk musical from the heart of the East Coast. Come take a trip to Middleton, Nova Scotia; a small town steeped in love, grief, and gossip where life seldom changes but is rarely what it seems. Featuring Erik Reuter, who debuted at Walterdale in Nine.
Playwright: Brianne Jang & Sara Vickruck
Lyrics by Danielle Knibbe,
Music by band, marilla
Director: Louise Large

Cast: Melissa Heagy, Candice Fiorentino, Sara Vickruck, Brianne Jang, Brennan Campbell, Corben Kushneryk, Walterdale member Erik Reuter, Trent Wilkie

Design: Melissa Heagy, Candice Fiorentino

Advisories: Violence, Sexual Content, Adult Language, Gunshots

Rating: Mature Content; Age Restriction: 13+
Website: http://www.poiemaproductions.com/

Venue #: 5: King Edward School - 8530 101 Street

Schedule:
August 17 11:00 pm – 12:30 am
August 18 6:15 pm – 7:45 pm
August 20 12:15 pm – 1:45 pm
August 21 2:45 pm – 4:15 pm
August 22 9:15 pm – 10:45 pm
August 24 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

The Way to Miami & Revelations: A Double Bill

The Way to Miami & Revelations: A Double Bill

The Way to Miami by Donald Steele

Revelations by Walterdale member Phil Kreisel

No matter how we feel about family, it is the glue that holds us together. But, when painful events and family secrets surface, they must be dealt with whether we will or no.

 

In JAnATS’ Double Bill production our first encounter is with the retired couple Frank and Leola as they prepare to move to Miami. However, Leola’s not sure she’s ready to leave everything behind. As she sets the table one more time, secrets and regrets begin to surface, threatening their plans.

The second encounter finds Penny in her new house- a fresh start. Her daughter Tess has come to help. As the boxes are unpacked, so is Penny’s past, resulting in unsettling revelations that affect both women.

The Way to Miami & Revelations: Double Bill features many Walterdale members.  It stars Mary-Ellen Perley (Leola and Penny), Dale Wilson (Frank) and Jennifer Muir (Tess). It is directed by Mary Jane Kreisel, with Stage Manager Phil Kreisel and designed by Mary Jane and Phil Kreisel. Graphic Design by Natalie Motoska

Promotional Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ped9kJAGpKU 

Venue 44: La Cite Francophone - Suzanne Thibaudeau Auditorium
8627 91st Street

Friday, August 17th – 12:00 PM
Saturday, August 18th – 9:15 PM
Sunday, August 19th – 4:30 PM
Monday, August 20th – 1:45 PM
Tuesday, August 21st – 7:45 PM
Wednesday, August 22nd - 3:00 PM
Thursday, August 23rd – 4:30 PM
Friday, August 24th – 4:30 PM
Saturday, August 25th – 3:15 PM
Sunday, August 26th – 12:00 PM

* Photo and video credit: Jerry Aulenbach

Stories of Love & Hate at the Edmonton Fringe

Every year we like to see what our members are up to at the Edmonton International Fringe.  Here's the first of many productions that involve our talented Walterdale membership!

TAKE A BITE PRODUCTIONS presents

A super-concentrated double-bill. A Hate Story: Venus, Cupid and St. Valentine recall the sugary holiday’s beginnings. A Love Story: a drunk driver killed Jeff, Chloe’s fiance and Isabelle’s brother. Do they want revenge against Jeff’s killer, or each other? Come see how sexy, violent, and absurd both love and hate can really be...

Directed by Walterdale member Maria Colonescu (Wyrd Sisters), wqinner of Honourable Mention-Outstanding Director, ADFA 2012, and featuring Walterdale's Justin Deveau (Love of the Nightingale, Wyrd Sisters, reasons to be pretty), Doug Verdin (Love of the Nightingale, The Importance of Being Earnest), and Heather Morrow (Wyrd Sisters) along with Nicole Grainger.

Written by Heather Morrow (Take a Bite, Fringe 2011) and Maria Colonescu. Sound Design by Darrell Portz, Stage Manager Faun Rice.

Website: http://www.takeabite.ca/

Genre: Comedy/Drama
Ticket Price: Adult: $12.50 Student/Senior: $11
Advisories: Violence, Sexual Content, Adult Language, Gunshots; Mature Content
New Work: Yes

Venue #4: Academy at King Edward School; 8525 101 Street
Schedule:
August 17 10:30 pm – 11:40 pm
August 18 3:30 pm – 4:40 pm
August 20 2:30 pm – 3:40 pm
August 23 5:30 pm – 6:40 pm
August 25 12:00 pm – 1:10 pm
August 26 8:00 pm – 9:10 pm

Next Up - Auditions for The Misanthrope

The Misanthrope

by Molière
in a version by Martin Crimp

PERFORMANCE DATES: December 5–15, 2012
AUDITION DATES: September 2 & 3, 2012; Times: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Walterdale Playhouse (10322 83 Avenue)

DIRECTOR: Janine Hodder
STAGE MANAGER: Bethany Hughes

Keeping Molière’s tradition of biting sarcasm and fast-paced social commentary, this new translation of his masterpiece The Misanthrope thrusts its world of players into current day London. When a playwright with the “unfashionable habit of speaking his mind” becomes enamoured with a self-serving American film star, the results unveil the deception and decadence of the modern High Court.

CHARACTERS:

• Alceste, a playwright – male 20s to early 50s
• John, his friend – male 20s to early 50s
• Covington, a critic – male 20s to early 50s
• Jennifer, a movie star – female 20s
• Ellen, a journalist – female 20s or 30s
• Marcia, a teacher of acting – female 40s or 50s
• Julian, an actor – male 20s or 30s
• Alexander, an agent – male 20s to 50s
• Also required, A Motorbike Messenger and Simon, a musician

Please note: ages are relative and relational and never specifically mentioned in the script. We are concerned more about how old you will read in relationship to the rest of the cast and onstage in costume.

• The auditions will comprise of the following:
  • READINGS FROM THE SCRIPT – These can be emailed out to people in advance of their auditions.
  • CALL-BACKS (if required): Sunday, September 9th
• Rehearsals will begin Sunday, September 16th. Rehearsals will be on Sunday Afternoons, Monday & Thursday evenings in the autumn of 2012, and they will increase closer to performance as required. Please bring any conflict dates you have to the audition. Headshots and résumés are recommended, but not required.
• Copies of the script are available for reading at Walterdale. Contact the Theatre Administrator at walterph@telus.net or 780.439.3058 to sign one out (not available during Fringe). Copies are also available at Theatre Alberta – please call ahead.
• Walterdale is a volunteer/member organization. We cannot engage Equity performers.

To book an audition, please contact Janine Hodder by e-mail atjaninehodder@yahoo.com
(Drop-ins will be accommodated as time allows)

Endings and Beginnings... Introducing the Cast and Team of the The Weir

Another show closed at Walterdale last night, however, there is no rest for the building.  In the middle of the run of Nine, Director Anne Marie Szucs and her team were busy holding auditions for The Weir, the first show of the 2012-2013 season.

I am please to announce the Cast and Production Team of Connor McPherson's The Weir, coming to Walterdale's stage in October 2012!

CAST

Cody Porter - Jack

Justin Deveau - Brendan

Kieran O'Callaghan - Jim

Gavin O'Toole - Finbar

Gwyneth Kellii - Valerie

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director - Anne Marie Szucs

Assistant Director - David Johnston

Stage Manager - Kayla Lee Willey

Assistant Stage Manager - Ian Fitzgerald

Assistant Stage Manager - Anglia Redding Turkiewicz

Production Manager - Catherine Wenschlag

Set Designer - Jim Herchak

Light Designer - Brad Melrose

Sound Designer - Darrell Portz

Costume Designer - Patti Zeglen

Dialect Coach - Marliss Weber

Props Coordinator - Elinor Tofin

Master Builder - Richard Hatfield

Master Painter - Kristen Finlay

Lighting Operator - Liz Furber

Sound Operator - Nathan Stasiewich

It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This...

Vue Weekly released their review of Nine. Here's a snippet...

"The music is truly what has made the story such a success, and the Walterdale cast pulls of demanding choreography and vocals effortlessly with the accompaniment of a live instrumental quartet. On top of high-energy musical numbers and an intricate plot, the cast was required to take the Italian aspect one step further with accents, which can be tricky territory. However, each cast member pulled off every rolling "R" and nuance as if it were second nature."

Only 3 more shows.  There are tickets available at the door tonight and you can get your tickets online or by phone through Tix on the Square for the other two evenings.

* photo of Nadine Veroba (Claudia), Kristin Johnston (Luisa) and Erika Noot (Carla); photo by Janine Hodder

A Couple of Excellent Reviews!

We are enjoying the praise!

From Sound and Noise:

"This play allows you to connect with the characters at many different levels, in different circumstances, and touch you and make you reflect about life in the way plays should. I think you will enjoy the live music as well. The Walterdale, the cast, and director Kristen M. Finlay should all be proud of their production, which is—as they promised—full of talent, fun, and powerful, insightful, songs."

From St. Albert Gazette:

"It’s a large-scale project with 24 actors, many playing multiple parts. Ambitious in scope, it shows once again that Kristen M. Finlay is an imaginative director, an artist that turns a desert into a blooming garden."

A Very Excellent Beginning...

Wednesday night was Opening Night for Nine at Walterdale.  We were thrilled to be SOLD OUT and even more thrilled to receive a standing ovation from a very enthusiastic audience.  It was nice to finally have people in the seats to watch the production.  Thursday night was also SOLD OUT and the audience showed their appreciation in the same way that the opening night audience did. The Friday night show has just started but there are still 7 opportunities to catch the show as it runs to the 14th of July. 

Comments from audience members suggest that people are really enjoying this production.  Here are a few:

Great job everyone! Very enjoyable. The directing, choreography, music and acting was all fantastic. We really got into the heart of the characters. Wonderful.

Hey everyone! Just wanted to say great job!! You all are fantastic! Last night was awesome :)

Saw the show Thursday night- wonderful!! A thoroughly enjoyable evening- thank you all!!!

There are more, in the FB event.

* photo of Erika Noot and Cory Christensen by Janine Hodder.

A Few More Previews about Nine...

Radio Interview/Preview on CKUA can be found here.

Preview Article online for Sound & Noise can be found here.

Preview Article for St. Albert Gazette can be found here.

Preview Article for Vue Weekly can be found here.

We Open Tonight!

Photo by Janine Hodder

Preview Article in Sound and Noise

Sound and Noise released a Preview Article on Nine today. You can read the article online here.

Bradley Bergeron as La Fleur, Cory Christensen as Guido Contini, and John Evans as Necrophorus.

Photo by Janine Hodder. 

Walterdale Casino - Volunteers Needed!

Walterdale Theatre Associates is having its Casino at the Palace Casino at West Edmonton Mall on Saturday July 7 and Sunday July 8. We have been successful in filling almost all of the Casino Volunteer positions.  However, we still have 5 empty spots for Chip Runners, and 3 spots for Count Room Staff. The dates and times for these shifts areas follows:

Chip Runner:

1 - Saturday July 7, from 11:30 am to 7:00 pm

2 - Sunday July 8, from 11:30 am to 7:00 pm

2 - Sunday July 8, from 7:00 pm to 2:15 am

Count Room Staff:

2 - Saturday July 7, from 9:45 pm to 3:00 am

1 - Sunday July 8, from 9:45 pm to 3:00 am

If you are able to volunteer for any of these positions, we would appreciate it very much if you would let us know ASAP.

If you can help out pleae contact the Casino Coordinator, Alex Hawkins at the following:

hawkins27@shaw.ca
780-465-5821 Home