theatre Archives - Page 11 of 12

“Possessed by Esther Cox” dinner theatre

“Possessed By Esther Cox”

Reviewed by Lorne DeGroot

Live Bait Theatre’s latest production, “Possessed By Esther Cox,” written by Charlie Rhindress and Karen Valanne, opened in Springhill on Monday, July 22. The show, which originally premiered at Live Bait in 1996, was a wonderfully funny, historical romp, presented skillfully by a multi-talented cast.

The house was full as the lights dimmed, and from the outset, the outlandish antics of Grandma, aka Heather MacIntyre, along with the zany shenanigans of the entire cast, kept the audience in stitches.

Grandma’s son, Earl, played by Paul Allen Jr Brisk, was the fusion of Elvis Presley and Meatloaf. Earl sang with operatic quality even while suffering a wardrobe malfunction while strutting the stage. Grandma’s other son Rudy, played by Morgan Grant, was a lovable but uncontrollable souse. Gertrude played by Hannah Tuck, headed the Welcome Wagon committee, welcoming Grandma to her newly purchased, haunted Amherst retirement property.

One by one, the characters in this play were possessed and dispossessed repeatedly by the ghost of late Amherst legend, Esther Cox. The villain, Heloise Hardball played by Carley Varner, was hell bent on buying the whole town of Amherst, and turning it into an amusement park, despite strong local resistance to her vengeful plan. Momma’s boy, Woody Gump, played by James Hand, was the only one of the farcical characters not touched by the ghost of Esther Cox.

Audience participation delivered an elevated level of hilarity. The music and vocals were tight and professional, inspiring the entire assembly to engage their voices in harmony.

Two thumbs up for a fantastic night of rib tickling laughter, lively music, and fine acting which all together made for an exceedingly entertaining opening night for director Charlie Rhindress and the entire cast.

The show runs until July 27 in Amherst and then August 7-10 at the Sackville Legion. Tickets are available by calling (506) 536-2248, visiting Live Bait online at www.livebaittheatre.com or in person at Bargain Bennies in Amherst or Robert Lyon Graphics in Sackville.

July 29, 2019

Albertine in Five Times by Michael Tremblay

New Moon Theatre goes on tour for the first time with Tremblay play

Saint Andrews, New Brunswick — New Moon Theatre, under the auspices of the St. Andrews Arts Council, will present three performances of Michel Tremblay’s brilliant play — Albertine in Five Times this fall. The six-woman show will play to audiences in St. Andrews at the W. C. O’Neill Theatre Arena at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 25, 26 and 27 followed by a performance in Fredericton at Theatre New Brunswick’s Open Space Theatre on Saturday, November 3 at 7 p.m. Two performances at the Eastport Arts Center, Maine on Thursday, November 8 and Friday, November and 9 at 7 p.m. (Eastern)/8 PM (Atlantic) will take the production across the border and the Bay.

Suzanne Tisdale, director of the play, is thrilled about this new production and its exciting outreach. She says, “We have loved playing to audiences in St. Andrews for the past few years and look forward to a collaboration with TNB and with our neighbours in Maine. We have been working hard to build important links with Eastport and this initiative will be a great way to strengthen those bonds. The play is one that will resonate with audiences everywhere and we know that audience members in all three communities will relate to the issues raised.”

Men and women everywhere are affected by aging, especially now with Baby Boomers being in the majority. Albertine in Five Times hits on this theme as Albertine advances through five decades of her life. It also reaffirms the sexual harassment issues that some women experience and have been highlighted in the Me Too Movement in recent years.

In Albertine in Five Times, a woman at 70 faces her past. Master Canadian playwright, Michel Tremblay, hits on a painful reality that an older woman has more years behind than in front of her. Memory has a way of disguising the truth, but Albertine comes to terms with the drama of her history through her younger selves. We meet not one Albertine, but five Albertines, each one representing a successive decade along the path that is her life. The play opens with Albertine at 70 entering a home for the elderly. Albertine at 30, 40, 50, and 60 appear, each with a story to tell.

Director Suzanne Tisdale and Co-director Peggy Fothergill were inspired to bring the play to audiences across the province because of Tremblay’s beautiful language and because of this play’s enduring themes. Fothergill says, “The social history of Quebec women from the 1940s to the 1980s may seem like a long time ago, but the topics are current. The impact of oppression and poverty on women’s lives is still being felt in our own country now and around the world. It is in our daily headlines, as is the theme of aging. That is the brilliance of Tremblay. His themes are enduring.”

October 4, 2018

Glengarry Glen Ross

“Lies. Greed. Corruption. It’s business as usual.”

Glengarry Glen Ross

October 3-6 & 10-13, 2018 | BMO Studio Theatre, 112 Princess St.

An award-winning satire for modern society. Four cut-throat salesmen will do anything, legal or otherwise, to sell plots of land to reluctant buyers. Note: adult language and themes, content may be offensive to some.

August 22, 2018

Dave and Charlie – the Bromance Continues

Dave McClelland and Charlie Rhindress, who worked together on dozens of shows at Live Bait Theatre over a twenty year period, will be reunited for a very special evening of laughter and reminiscences on Sunday, August 26 at 8:30 pm at Ducky’s Pub.

The two Live Bait veterans, and long-time friends, will share stories and readings from past shows and interview one another about their respective careers over the past decade, which has seen McClelland regularly appearing in British film and television, while Rhindress has become a best-selling author. The evening will also feature musical performances from Heather MacIntyre, one of the stars of Live Bait’s three most recent dinner theatres. Admission to “Dave and Charlie” is by donation, and seats can be reserved by emailing livebaittheatre@gmail.com or by phoning 536-2248.

ALSO ANOTHER BIG ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION EVENT ON AUGUST 27 – Hooks, Lines and Singers: 30 Years of Live Bait. A big reunion celebration with many friends and stars from previous seasons! See the details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/306827846731096/

August 13, 2018

Hooks Lines and Singers: 30 Years of Live Bait Theatre

Live Bait Theatre is excited to launch the year long celebration of their thirtieth anniversary with a “Hooks Lines and Singers: 30 Years of Live Bait” celebration. The event will be held in the Tantramar Regional High School Theatre on Monday, August 27 at 7:30 pm. The evening will be in the style of the old “Hooks Line and Singers” fundraisers Live Bait has done in the past, with reflections on the 30 years of Live Bait including a presentation by former Board member Sandy Burnett, as well as music, performances of scenes from some of Live Bait’s biggest hits from the past, and reminisces from past participants in Live Bait shows and activities. There will also be a silent auction (people who have silent auction items to donate please contact Live Bait Theatre).

There will also be appearances by many faces familiar to past Live Bait patrons, including: Andrea LeBlanc who played Granma Krazy in countless dinner theatres; other members of the Krazy family including Stephanie LeBlanc, Lara Fawthrop and Blaine Totten; Pamela Halstead who was in the world premiere of “The Maritime Way of Life”; Deb Allen who was in “Of the Fields, Lately”, “For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again” and “The Heart That Knows”; Jennie Del Motte who has appeared in a number of dinner theatres and musically directed a number of shows; and Heather MacIntyre who was in “Guilty! The Story of the Great Amherst Mystery” in 1993 and has more recently appeared as Ma/Granma in three dinner theatres. Other names will be added to the list as they are confirmed, and participants in past shows are encouraged to contact Live Bait if they are able to attend. In addition to the above mentioned people, Live Bait is very excited to be bringing back Dave McClelland who performed in many Live Bait shows over the years.

Also in attendance for the evening will be founding Artistic Director Charlie Rhindress, former Artistic Director Karen Valanne, and other patrons and supporters from throughout Live Bait’s history. “It’s hard to believe that Live Bait Theatre has been around for 30 years! When we started the company it was a summer project for three Mount A students who had no idea there would even be a second season”, said Rhindress. “I’m so excited to be helping with the 30th Anniversary reunion show and to have the chance to share the stage once again with some of the people who played such a big part in the history of the company.”

TICKET INFO.

Admission to “Hooks, Lines and Singers: 30 Years of Live Bait” is $15. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3584794, and at Rob Lyon Graphics. They can also be purchased by phone at 536-2248 or at the door.

ALSO ON THE CELEBRATION WEEKEND – “Dave and Charlie, the Bromance Continues”

Dave McClelland and Charlie Rhindress, who worked together on dozens of shows at Live Bait Theatre over a twenty year period, will be reunited for a very special evening of laughter and reminiscences on Sunday, August 26 at 8:30 pm at Ducky’s Pub. The two Live Bait veterans, and longtime friends, will share stories and readings from past shows and interview one another about their respective careers over the past decade, which has seen McClelland regularly appearing in British film and television, while Rhindress has become a best selling author. The evening will also feature musical performances from Heather MacIntyre, one of the stars of Live Bait’s three most recent dinner theatres.

Admission to “Dave and Charlie” is by donation, seats can be reserved by emailing livebaittheatre@gmail.com or by phoning 536-2248. See the facebook event for that event here –
https://www.facebook.com/events/1880829752211960/

August 13, 2018

Hooks Lines and Singers: 30 Years of Live Bait Theatre

Live Bait Celebration Brings Back Stars of Previous Shows

Live Bait Theatre is excited to launch the year long celebration of their thirtieth anniversary with a “Hooks Lines and Singers: 30 Years of Live Bait” celebration. The event will be held in the Tantramar Regional High School Theatre on Monday, August 27 at 7:30 pm. The evening will be in the style of the old “Hooks Line and Singers” fundraisers Live Bait has done in the past, with reflections on the 30 years of Live Bait including a presentation by former Board member Sandy Burnett, as well as music, performances of scenes from some of Live Bait’s biggest hits from the past, and reminisces from past participants in Live Bait shows and activities. There will also be a silent auction (people who have silent auction items to donate please contact Live Bait Theatre).

There will also be appearances by many faces familiar to past Live Bait patrons, including: Andrea LeBlanc who played Granma Krazy in countless dinner theatres; other members of the Krazy family including Stephanie LeBlanc, Lara Fawthrop and Blaine Totten; Pamela Halstead who was in the world premiere of “The Maritime Way of Life”; Deb Allen who was in “Of the Fields, Lately”, “For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again” and “The Heart That Knows”; Jennie Del Motte who has appeared in a number of dinner theatres and musically directed a number of shows; and Heather MacIntyre who was in “Guilty! The Story of the Great Amherst Mystery” in 1993 and has more recently appeared as Ma/Granma in three dinner theatres. Other names will be added to the list as they are confirmed, and participants in past shows are encouraged to contact Live Bait if they are able to attend. In addition to the above mentioned people, Live Bait is very excited to be bringing back Dave McClelland who performed in many Live Bait shows over the years.

Also in attendance for the evening will be founding Artistic Director Charlie Rhindress, former Artistic Director Karen Valanne, and other patrons and supporters from throughout Live Bait’s history. “It’s hard to believe that Live Bait Theatre has been around for 30 years! When we started the company it was a summer project for three Mount A students who had no idea there would even be a second season”, said Rhindress. “I’m so excited to be helping with the 30th Anniversary reunion show and to have the chance to share the stage once again with some of the people who played such a big part in the history of the company.”

TICKET INFO.

Admission to “Hooks, Lines and Singers: 30 Years of Live Bait” is $15. Tickets can be purchased here, and at Rob Lyon Graphics starting August 2. They can also be purchased by phone at 536-2248 or at the door.

ALSO ON THE CELEBRATION WEEKEND – “Dave and Charlie, the Bromance Continues”

Dave McClelland and Charlie Rhindress, who worked together on dozens of shows at Live Bait Theatre over a twenty year period, will be reunited for a very special evening of laughter and reminiscences on Sunday, August 26 at 8:30 pm at Ducky’s Pub. The two Live Bait veterans, and longtime friends, will share stories and readings from past shows and interview one another about their respective careers over the past decade, which has seen McClelland regularly appearing in British film and television, while Rhindress has become a best selling author. The evening will also feature musical performances from Heather MacIntyre, one of the stars of Live Bait’s three most recent dinner theatres.

Admission to “Dave and Charlie” is by donation, seats can be reserved by emailing livebaittheatre@gmail.com or by phoning 536-2248.

August 2, 2018

A Record of Us

Solo Chicken Productions presents

A Record of Us

Directed by Lesandra Dodson & Lisa Anne Ross.

June 5, BMO Studio Theatre, 112 Princess St.

Using the text of celebrated New Brunswick author David Adams Richards as the catalyst, the company has built a performance that evokes the raw beauty, the enduring humour and the hardscrabble realities of this province.

Tickets: $17.50, student $12.50 | www.ticketpro.ca | 1-888-311-9090

May 24, 2018

Solo Chicken Productions the coop Presents A Record of Us in The Black Box Theatre

Fredericton, NB – Solo Chicken Productions is excited to announce that they are taking the coop’s inaugural work, A Record of Us, on the road for their first tour of New Brunswick. In early June the company will perform their inaugural work in Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton and Sackville, forging new partnerships with Saint John Theatre Company, the Aberdeen Centre, and Live Bait Theatre. A Record of Us was created using the text of celebrated New Brunswick author David Adams Richards as the catalyst, resulting in a physical theatre performance that evokes the raw beauty, enduring humour, and hardscrabble realities of life in this province.

A Record of Us premiered as a main stage offering at the 2016 NotaBle Acts Theatre Festival and was created through residency opportunities with Charlotte Street Arts Centre, and the Fredericton Playhouse. The creation of A Record of Us began in the spring of 2015 when Lesandra Dodson and Lisa Anne Ross first launched the coop, which is a performance collective for professional artists to research, develop and perform original works of physical theatre while supporting the artistic growth of emerging NB artists through training and performance opportunities. This piece celebrates the work of a new generation of NB artists who are now making a resounding impact in their field – since the premiere in 2016 the coop company members have been busy training and creating theatre across Canada and are thrilled to be returning to Fredericton to share the work across the province.

A Record of Us is directed by Lesandra Dodson and Lisa Anne Ross, and features the collaborative work of Jean-Michel Cliche, Kira Chisholm, Alex Donovan, Ian Goff, Alexa Higgins, and Lexi McCrae. The tour will include Technical Direction by Trent Logan, and Stage Management by Dee Chiasson.

May 9, 2018