Auditions for Much Ado About Nothing

We are halfway through auditions for Much Ado About Nothing. Last night was so much fun and it was terrific to see and hear so many good actors. Usually I am a little scared at auditions for Shakespeare. It's great when it goes well but it can be a train wreck when it goes wrong, but there were so many strong people and everyone was definitely bringing their A-Game! We are back tonight for the second round and I am definitely looking forward to it!

AGM and Open House

This September 18th, 2010, in conjunction with Alberta Art's Day, we will be having an Open House and AGM. Come out and check out the shows we are doing this season and sign up for something if you are interested in being a part of one of the teams. Come to the AGM and meet the new Board. We'd love to see you!

http://walterdaleplayhouse.com/?p=583

Perfect Pie

Our first show up on deck this season is Perfect Pie, by renowned Canadian playwright Judith Thompson. For more information on Thompson you can start with this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Thompson

Perfect Pie tells the story of the childhoods of Patsy and Marie and the impact it had on their later lives. It is told in flashbacks as the adult Patsy and Marie (now Francesca) meet after many years to revisit their past and the event that led to their separation. The four characters onstage are amazing opportunities for any actress and the themes of changing friendships and survival are universal that are sure to appeal to a variety of audience members.

We hope you get a chance to check this work out on our stage.

And So Fringe 2010 Ends...

Thanks to all the performers and audiences who visited our building this year. I saw several shows in the space and was impressed by how you all used and played in it (Bash'd, This Lime Tree Bower, Social Sundays, Spin, and Night Sweats). There were a couple I didn't get to, but I am sure it all went well. Thank you to the wonderful Technicians who took care of the building (including dealing with a flood) and to the Front of House staff that welcomed all the visitors. We hope that many of you might return to Walterdale for a show or two this season!

Can't Wait to See the Shows!

Fringe is here! I hope to get to 3 shows tonight to kick off the Festival. So far I have 28 shows scheduled (I am waiting to buy tickets because I am coordinating with friends on a few shows). I also have 2 1/2 unscheduled days that I can fill as I choose. It is expensive, but it is technically my 'holiday' this year and it will be far less expensive than the 2 trips I took to Minnesota last summer! I will also get to see so much THEATRE! Yay! I do confess, I avoid the stand-up routines and I do focus on the shows from local performers, particularly those I know, but I have squeezed in a few interesting choices that are from far and wide merely because they intrigued me in their descriptions. I know that there are hits and misses, but I have rarely gone to a Fringe show where there wasn't something I liked/learned from the production (even that Tap Dance show a few years back...).

Anyhow, here goes... You show me yours!

Anxiously Awaiting...

I deliberately chose to do nothing for Fringe this year so that I could actually go and see some shows. I am so excited for all those artists who are taking risks on the Fringe stages to produce new works and test drive their skills in the 38 stage festival. Please take some time to check out those shows that have a Walterdale connection. I have highlighted as many as I could find in this blog. If you have a show and a Walterdale connection and you don't see yours here, let me know and I will do a write up for you! I am excited to see how those skills we have seen at Walterdale have translated to the Fringe!

Rules for the Heart...

Raw Meet Productions presents To HELL With The Rules!

Starring: Gregory Caswell, Megan MacDonald, Boris Derow, Erika Conway (Lend Me a Tenor), George Krissa, Lindsey Walker (The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas)

Director:Melissa Barkman

Stage Manager:Ha Neul Kim

Greg and Amy are bigger than Oprah! They are a killer celebrity couple made famous by their love for each other and their commitment to helping "lost souls" find their way through love and Greg and Amy's "love rules". On the other side of things, Will has just come out of a divorce, and Eleanor has been broken up with on Facebook a staggering eight times. Greg bets Amy that he can make Will and Eleanor succeed as a couple. The only problem – Will has a secret that can shatter everything, including Eleanor’s chance at a happy ending. Can Greg save his marriage, fame, and fortune from public humiliation? Find out in this hilarious ride through the ups and downs of romance in the new decade.

Performances run nightly August 13 – 22 (excluding Monday, August 16) at the BYOVenue Cook County Saloon 8010 – 103 Street, Edmonton, AB.