By Dan White – Special to the Sydenham Current
Joni and I have just returned home from back-to-back rehearsals for the dinner theatre presented by the Wallaceburg Concert Band and Wallaceburg Brass Quintet. Our quintet rehearsed the charts we will be playing shortly after the doors open at 6 pm. Following that, we moved straight into a rehearsal with the cast for the show.
Eight musicians from WCB have stepped up to perform, four of whom have some experience from our previous dinner theatre. Clare and Dave Babbitt, Sharon Ball, and Joni did a wonderful job in 2020 and have returned for more. Danna Parker, Chris Mann, Corrie Denure, and Janet Barnes have also stepped up and are thoroughly enjoying their improv initiation.
For the past six weeks, we have been doing improv routines and building characters, and we are now ready for the performance on May 13 at the UAW Hall! It has been a joy to watch these eight cast members step outside their comfort zones, work tirelessly to develop their skills and confidence, and create characters that weave a story together.
The exciting thing about this type of theatre is the direct interaction between the cast and the audience, as the audience attempts to decipher who committed the offense. In this case, the offense is a stolen object, and everyone has a reason to want it gone. Working with local talented artists and being part of something that entertains and supports local arts is truly rewarding.
We are grateful to over 35 Wallaceburg businesses that have donated door prizes, which will be drawn at the end of the performance. The generosity of the local businesses in this town is astounding!
If you’re interested in attending the dinner theatre, you’ll need to act fast as sales end on May 11, and we are already over 70% sold out. Tickets are $50 for dinner (catered by The Black Goose) and the show, and they can be purchased by calling Joni at 519-627-4602.
Now, let’s take a intentional digression. My youngest son, Jacob, owns a hardscaping business called Bluewater Stone in Sarnia. Currently, they are working on a farm outside of Wilkesport. Coincidentally, the farm owners are friends of ours, and their two children were students at SCITS. Joni and I dropped by the farm to do some drone video work for Jacob, and we had a pleasant chat with the mom, Lisa, and her son, Evans. Evans, who happened to be home from school, was eager to show us his restored 1953 army jeep. We went for a little spin, and it was an absolute hoot!
While chatting with Evans, we suggested creating a drone video of his jeep this summer. When we got home, we couldn’t help but think about that jeep. It’s from the same era as the ones in M.A.S.H., one of my all-time favorite shows. We watched a few videos and stumbled across a wonderful brass quintet playing the theme from M.A.S.H. We reached out to the quintet, Simply Brass, to inquire about purchasing their arrangement for the WBQ. Our expectations were low, considering that the ensemble is from Croatia and consists of professional musicians.
To our surprise, they responded almost immediately and not only were willing to share their arrangement, but they also sent it to us free of charge. We had our first read-through tonight, and the idea of creating a video with that chart and Evans’ jeep is brewing. We just need to discuss it with Evans and ensure the chart is performance-ready. It’s incredibly cool that Simply Brass was so willing to share, and we will definitely keep in touch with them.
Speaking of tickets, we have already seen one show in Stratford this season and will be attending two more.
Recently, we had the pleasure of attending Monty Python’s Spamalot with Jacob and Erin, and it was an incredibly enjoyable experience. This show demands an extravagant presentation, given that it’s A) Monty Python and B) a musical that openly satirizes the conventions of musicals. It came close to perfection! If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend going!
However, when you decide to go, keep in mind that Stratford can be quite costly for most people, with tickets reaching $149 each. The average person cannot afford to spend $300 on two tickets, plus meals and transportation. But fear not, there are ways to enjoy the shows without breaking the bank. For example, we purchased tickets to see King Lear on sale for $23 each in celebration of Shakespeare’s birthday (April 23). By signing up for the Stratford mailing list, you can always find great deals. Alternatively, you can take a chance and try for rush tickets on the day of the show. Unsold tickets are available at half price, as long as you’re not concerned about the seating location. Just do a quick search to ensure the show isn’t sold out, and you’ll be able to experience a world-class performance at a reasonable price.
While you’re in Stratford, don’t forget to indulge in the delectable treats offered by Rheo Thompsons’ Chocolates and Chocolate Barr’s. They are absolutely worth it!
We sincerely hope to see you on May 13 at the dinner theatre. It’s a decision you won’t regret!
