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T he dysfunctional family unit reaches a new level of ferocity as London Community Players bring the darkly comedic drama August: Osage County to the Palace Theatre. The run - which continues until April 17 - marks the first time the play has been staged in London. Popularized by the 2013 film starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, the story exposes the dark side of a Midwestern American family who reunite after the mysterious disappearance of its patriarch. Written by Tracy Letts, the play premiered at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre in 2007 and went onto Broadway, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2008. It earned many other awards, including the Tony for Best Play the same year. Letts also wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation, but it was the stage version that received far greater critical and popular acclaim. Justin Quesnelle had wanted to direct this play since he first read the script back in 2008, and he didn’t delay when he was approached to take on LCP’s fifth show of the season. “Typically when I read a play, I end up pausing frequently to think about i FAMILY MATTERS: LCP’S AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY London Community Players presents August: Osage County at The Palace Theatre (710 Dundas Street), April 7 - 17. For tickets, call 519-432-1029. PLUS! may 12-22 PUPPET FESTIVAL FAMILY WEEKEND may 21 & 22 FOR INFORMATION & TICKETS springworksfestival.ca Interested in Acting and Voice improvement classes for theatre, film or radio? Looking to improve your public speaking for seminars, lectures or speeches? This workshop may be for you. Contact Jeff at UPSTAGE Acting and Voice: athespian@gmail.com 16 FEATURES A how it could be designed, staged, cast, et cetera… my director/producer hat inevitably goes on. But not with this play,” Quesnelle remarked. “I completely lost myself in its complex characters and powerful story. August is the unforgettable portrait of a family in crisis, in the American tradition of O’Neil and Williams, written with a tremendous amount of wit and compassion. It’s a beautiful play,” he added. When Beverly Weston walks out of his house one August morning and does not return, his three adult daughters, along with their own families, return to the family home in Osage County to comfort their mother, Vivian. Undergoing cancer treatment, Vivian is addicted to various painkillers which cause uncontrollable outbursts - behavior that does exactly endear her to her daughters, who all have their own issues to deal with. “Their return turns the key to the family’s long-held Pandora’s box from which springs a lifetime of secrets, lies, and revelations,” Quesnelle said. One would be hard-pressed to find a play that has as many complex, wellwritten characters as this one, and Quesnelle is excited to direct a cast that’s firing on all cylinders. “It is an ensemble piece in the truest sense. There are no un-essential characters in this play which means that the production is only as strong as its weakest link. I am thrilled to say that every actor in this talented company is more than up to the task,” he enthused. KEEP CALM AND PARTY ON: ELIZABETH’S NIGHT AT THE PALACE i nyone who has been to the Palace Theatre in the heart of the Old East Village knows what a special place it is. Built in 1929 and purchased by London Community Players (LCP) in 1990, there have been several large refurbishment projects undertaken to keep the heritage building both functional and beautiful throughout the years. The latest fundraiser organized by LCP is for repairs to damaged interior auditorium walls, and rumour has it that there will be a lively party when the theatre is magically transformed into The Boar’s Head Public House - an Elizabethan-style pub that attracts eclectic patronage from William Shakespeare to the Queen herself! Save the date on April 30 for Elizabeth’s Night at The Palace and plan to hang with royalty. Your $40 ticket includes passed appetizers and table presentations catered by Steel Grill, a signature Boar’s Head Pub drink, prize draws, and live entertainment that includes - but certainly not limited to - a spectacular Elizabeth I of England professional re-enactor (who shall remain nameless so as to add to her royal mystique). Music will be provided by The John A. Mac- Donalds, a local band that performs original material with modern Celtic and pop with such instruments as Irish pipes, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, and accordion. Well-known on the London/Port Stanley/Grand Bend circuit, the group have opened for Celtic rockers Mudme and Alan Frew of Glass Tiger. A silent auction will begin at 6:30pm with an exciting live auction at 9pm. The fabulous list of items to bid on includes tickets to Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, Theatre Orangeville, Shaw Festival, Sanderson Centre For the Performing Arts, Theatre Collingwood, London Community Players and the Palace Theatre present Elizabeth’s Night at the Palace, April 30 (doors open at 6:30pm), 710 Dundas Street. Tickets are $40. Call 519-432-1029. and Blythe Festival. Tickets for Royal Wood at Aeolian Hall, London Comicon passes, gift certificates to the Farmer’s and Artisan’s Market and the Western Fair District, dinners at local restaurants, plus many more varied items - from Elizabethan undergarments items to a $600 bicycle - are also up for bid. Though guests will be among royalty at this pub, don’t be intimidated by Her Majesty, said Sue Brooks, LCP’s coordinator of volunteer and mentoring programs. “This event is going to be every bit the party as much as the fundraiser. Anybody who knows about Elizabethan times knows things were bawdy and fun,” Brooks said. Guests are encouraged to come in period costume, be it as a wench or country squire, lord or lady, court jester or troubadour, archer, or other character of the era. “Those who may not want to dress up are asked to come in ‘Actor’s Black’ - which is their own interpretation of head-to-toe black - be it a smashing black cocktail dress or an evening gown with long gloves, or a wonderful and interesting black hat,” Brooks invited. People who have never been to the Palace before are especially encouraged to come out. “We’re using the entire building for the event. We put on productions but we also do rentals, so we want to show the kinds of things we’re capable of doing in this space,” thearts THE COMPANY OF AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY IN REHEARSAL The cast includes Deighton Thomas, Dinah Watts, Nyiri Karakas, Sarah Green, Chris Kevill, Leah Bartholomew, Eva Blahut, Rebecca Surman, Sandi Gribbin, Lesley Quesnelle, Peter Pownall, Tyler Parr, and Josh Carroll. “It’s also worth mentioning that the house itself plays a pivotal role in the production, making full use of the Palace Theatre’s large stage, and was designed by Joe Reccia,” Quesnelle pointed out. This is a play with universal appeal, Quesnelle stated, adding that it captures the essence of live theatre’s ability to entrance an audience and leave them on the edge of their seats. “Our goal has been to give audiences a memorable and moving theatrical experience,” he said. “Catching lightning in a bottle is a rare thing. We’ve somehow managed it with this production and cannot wait to share it with London audiences. This is powerful theatre not to be missed.” - Amie Ronald-Morgan Brooks said. “We are hoping to get some brand new people who have never crossed the doors here at the theatre and see how magical of a place it is, and have them come back for our many incredible productions,” she added. A pre-pub night feast on the stage is already sold out, so don’t wait to order your tickets to the pub party. Call the Palace box office posthaste and start planning a costume fit for a queen! - Amie Ronald-Morgan ESTABLISHED IN 1989 APRIL 7 - MAY 4 • 2016 PHOTO CREDIT: JUSTIN QUESNELLE PHOTO COURTESY OF DWAYNE MAILMAN
thearts LONDON ARTISTS’ STUDIO TOUR 2016 E ver wonder how an artist works, or what that looks like, sum and substance? Plan to fill your weekend with art and learn something new as the 23rd annual London Artists’ Studio Tour opens the doors to 33 studios over three days, April 15-17. The biggest tour in its history, this juried event is a fantastic way to go behind the scenes and learn more about the artist’s craft among such widely-ranging disciplines as painting, drawing, photography, wood/ glass/steelwork, clay, jewellery making, and textiles. Participants are carefully selected to reflect the diversity of the artists living and working in London. Each year, thousands of people visit the studios - which can be any space from a converted basement, attic or garage to a repurposed industrial area - located throughout the city. Many studios are located centrally, but are also as far-flung as Hyde Park, Byron, Lambeth, Hamilton and Gore, to Adelaide and A pril is the time for music students across London to demonstrate their instrumental abilities as the Kiwanis Music Festival returns to the city. At no other juncture during the concert calendar year can one find a higher caliber of young talent, all striving to do their best performances, in such a short span of time. Special attention is being given this year to pipe organists. The Lutheran Social Services Organization has generously donated significant prizes to all pipe organ classes to foster church organ students, as there is a need for these types of musicians in most churches. Last month, the fest sponsored a hymn and service playing workshop for youth who intend to enter classes this year. The hope is to raise interest and support this particular discipline as churches are finding it increasingly difficult to find qualified people to succeed their retiring pipe organists. Furthermore, elementary or secondary i Fanshawe Park Road. Tours are self-guided and free to all, and with a little planning, it is possible to see them all. This year, 17 artists are repeating their involvement from last year with new work, 11 are veteran artists returning from other years, five are brand new to the tour, and four of the studios will feature guest artists. The artists will be on hand to discuss their creative processes, answer questions, and of course, show their work in a casual and welcoming environment. Many of the pieces will be available to purchase for those so inclined. The artists involved this year include Paul Abeleira, Kevin Bice, Eric Cantor, Brian Dirks, Carol Finkbeiner Thomas, Corinne Garlick, Susan Garrington, Bijan Ghalehpardaz, Jamie Jardine, Kim Kaitell, Peter Karas, Lunch Thief, Ryan Machan, Jeanette Marshall, Catherine Morrisey, Mark Stanley, Beth Stewart, Marijo Swick, Kim Wilkie, Ian MacEachern, Doug Magrath, Richard Sturgeon, Jerry Vrabec, Vivian Tserotas, Marlies Gueth, David Moynihan, Joanna Mozdzen, school students with special needs may enter instrumental, vocal or speech arts classes that have been designed for them. Highlights of this year’s fest are as follows: - April 11, 7pm: Class A secondary school bands (at Saunders Secondary School). - April 12, 7pm: Secondary school senior orchestras (Saunders Secondary School). - April 13, 1pm: Pipe organ solos, Gerald Bales Award, Paul Westermeyer service and hymn playing awards, Royal Canadian College of Organists award (Wesley-Knox United Church). - April 13, 7pm: Challenge Class secondary school bands (Saunders Secondary School). - April 20, 8pm: Piano competition award (First St. Andrew’s United Church in the sanctuary). - April 30, 8:30am: Piping and drumming competition (Central Secondary School). The Rose Bowl Competition takes place this year at von Kuster Hall, located in the Music Building, Don Wright Faculty of Music, Elly Pakalnis, Bernadette Pratt, Chris Snedden, Shirley Clement, Susan Skaith, and Katie Zink. Tours are open Friday, April 15 (7pm- 9:30pm), Saturday, April 16 (10am-5pm), and Sunday, April 17 (12pm-5pm). For studio locations, visit London Artists’ Studio Tour online or pick up a map brochure at any library, art gallery, theatre, or one of many art venues and shops. - Amie Ronald-Morgan TALENT ON DISPLAY: THE 56TH ANNUAL KIWANIS MUSIC FESTIVAL The 56th Annual Kiwanis Music Festival takes place at various venues in London until April 30. Admission is $3 per session at the venue or $10 for a VIP pass (good for all sessions); Kids 12 and under free. A SCULPTURE BY JOANNA MOZDZEN THAT WILL BE ON VIEW DURING THE LONDON STUDIO TOUR APRIL IS KIWANIS TIME IN LONDON! Western University, on April 22 at 8pm. The Stars of the Festival awards concert, which showcases the very best of the month’s class competitions, takes place May 24, 7:30pm, at Centennial Hall. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for children 12 and under. Tickets to all other Kiwanis events are $3 (cash only) per session; again, free for children 12 and under. A VIP pass for admission to all events excluding Stars of the Festival can be purchased for $10 at any venue. - Amie Ronald-Morgan Mattis nec Maecenas! Sunday June 5th 2:30 pm Tickets 15 dollars www.cantorionchoir.ca AND FRIENDS PRESENT OUR COME TO THE MUSIC! 519-438-8648 SPRING CONCERT Children We Support … APRIL 7 - MAY 4 • 2016 <strong>CELEBRATING</strong> 27 YEARS 17 PHOTO CREDIT: JOANNA MOZDZEN MTPLONDON.CA Deb Matthews, MPP London North Centre Working hard for a stronger Ontario 242 Piccadilly Street | 519-432-7339 | debmatthews.ca WHAT’S YOUR DAMAGE, LONDON? Heathers MAY 6-14, 2016 The McManus Studio at The Grand Theatre the musical BOOK, MUSIC & LYRICS BY KEVIN MURPHY & LAURENCE O’KEEFE Heathers: The Musical is presented in special arrangement with Samuel French Inc. 519.672.8800 or GRANDTHEATRE.COM Chalmers Presbyterian Church 342 Pond Mills Rd. @ Commissione Children We Support… Cantorion supports London Community Chaplaincy’s Art and Music Children Programming - with this concert and other activities
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