Markham Stouffville Review, November 2023

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2 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW COMMUNITY NOVEMBER 2023 MLT delivers a great mix of mystery and comedy BY JEFF JONES Markham Little Theatre returns to the Flato Markham Theatre stage for the first time this season with The Game’s Afoot. Equal parts murder mystery and comedy, the play, written by award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig, runs from November 15 to 18th. “There is nothing like a good murder mystery,” says show director Kerry Harman. “We have period costumes, a fabulous set with hidden goodies, lighting, sound and weapons. We think you’ll love it.” The play features a fictionalized version of legendary American stage actor, William Gillette. Gillette became a star on Broadway in the late 1800s after he persuaded Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to let him adapt Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes for the stage. Gillette then took the fortune he earned and built a castle in Connecticut that was apparently full of devices from Sherlock Holmes stories like rotating walls, two-way mirrors and secret passages. In The Games Afoot, a retired Gillette has invited former castmates and a surprise guest to this same castle for the Christmas holiday. The guests banter in quotes from favourite plays as secret behind-the-scenes drama is revealed, as you might imagine from a room full of ageing and nostalgic actors, until a murder turns the party to chaos. “This show has it all,” says stage manager Sarah MacDonald. “It’s a spoof and the cast and crew are having a wonderful time bringing it to life.” The cast of The Game’s Afoot. The cast is a mix of MLT mainstays and folks new to the company. Gillette is played by Imre Szabo with his guests being portrayed by an ensemble that features John Fetherston, Noah Bicknell, Michèle Browne, Shelagh Carlini, Nicky Marsh, and Katarina Matthiessen. The cast is rounded out by Catherine Hughes as the inspector who tries to make sense of the whole thing. “Rehearsals are going very well,” says Harman. We spent the first few weeks working on characters; now we’re onto the action. Just come prepared to laugh and enjoy.” The play is full of twists and turns, thrills, and more than a little farce. Perhaps the largest challenge for the creative team, however, is the setting of a castle in the 1930s. “Clothing and set design are key,” says Harmon. “This is a big show to produce, and we want it to reflect the ostentatious glory of Gillette’s mansion. The set will feature some Art Deco pieces, and the team is already sourcing props.” In addition to Harman and MacDonald, the production team features Phil Mitchell and Keith Pybus (with help from René Vriends) collaborating on set design; Maria Cerone designing costumes; an ambitious sound design by Annie Clark; lighting design by John Sellens; and Carl Gambacort and Steve Birtles on props. “The show will be big and beautiful,” says Harman. “We have a lot of fun with plays like this one,” adds MacDonald. “Sound effects, beautiful costumes, lighting effects, a great set, and fantastic actors – it’s going to be an exciting show.” With 55 years of shows under Markham Little Theatre’s collective belt, these seem like predictions you can trust. Founded in 1967, with its first production performed at the local High School, MLT is a volunteer army of Theatre creators almost unmatched in Ontario. The group has seen Markham through half a century of changes and remained a constant. Today, with a headquarters at the Markham Museum and as regular tenants of the Flato Markham Theatre, they continue to set the standard for local arts in Markham. “This play will bring you the best of MLT,” says Harman. “What a fantastic way to spend an evening.” The Game’s Afoot will be presented at Flato Markham Theatre from November 15 to 18. All shows begin at 8 p.m., except the 18th at 2 p.m., with ticket prices starting at $25. Visit markhamtheatre.ca for more information Lest we forget Remembrance Day PAUL CALANDRA, MPP Markham-Stouffville Suite 400, 37 Sandiford Dr. Stouffville, ON L4A 3Z2 (905) 642 2588 • paul.calandra@pc.ola.org
NOVEMBER 2023 COMMUNITY 3 MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE REVIEW GivingTuesday encourages people to help others BY GEORGE REDAK Local Journalism Initiative Reporter GivingTuesday started ten years ago as a simple idea: encourage people to do good, even if just for a day. This initiative quickly picked up momentum globally, and in 2013 CanadaHelps.org along with several other partners brought GivingTuesday to Canada. Today, the initiative is embraced by foundations across Canada, with the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation playing a key role in receiving donations from the York Region. In 2016 the MSH Foundation created Bear Necessities, a program designed Enbridge Gas receives funding for hydrogen project Enbridge Gas in Markham will receive provincial funding that focuses on opportunities for hydrogen to serve as a clean alternative fuel for transportation and other uses for a “groundbreaking project.” It’s receiving about $1.787 million through the new Hydrogen Innovation Fund for a hydrogen-driven Combined Heat and Power (CHP) facility that can also blend hydrogen with natural gas to produce energy. “Our groundbreaking project – the first of its kind in North America – will demonstrate the potential of using hydrogen, natural gas or a range of blends to power a CHP system,” says Enbridge Gas President Michele Harradence. “The system can quickly switch between energy sources, making it a reliable and efficient way to reduce emissions.” The project is one of the first six projects that will receive a combined $7.5 million in funding through the new Hydrogen Innovation Fund, which is administered by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO). “As Ontario explores pathways to achieve a low-carbon energy future, one of the fuels that shows considerable promise is hydrogen,” says IESO President and CEO Lesley Gallinger. Announced in February, the fund will invest $15 million over the next three years to kickstart and develop opportunities for hydrogen to be integrated into Ontario’s clean electricity system, including hydrogen storage. Premier Doug Ford’s government says its Low-Carbon Hydrogen Strategy will position Ontario as a clean manufacturing hub. The strategy identifies innovative projects, from hydrogen production and hydrogen hubs to exploring electricity rate options for hydrogen producers, to meet that goal. “Our government is leveraging one of our province’s clear strengths – our worldclass clean, reliable and affordable electricity system – to make us a leader in the growing hydrogen economy,” says Minister of Energy Todd Smith. By 2050, the hydrogen economy could create more than 100,000 jobs across the province while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50 megatonnes per year. This reduction in GHG emissions would be equivalent to about a quarter of Ontario’s 2005 emissions or removing 15 million cars off the road, the province reports. All the money raised from Bear Necessities will be used to expand MSH. to create a comfortable environment for patients at MSH. By 2018, the program delivering teddy bears expanded to include soft sleep sacks for infants as well as plush blankets for patients. The initiative will relaunch this fall for the first time since the COVID pandemic began. “Giving a bear hug allows our community to provide comfort in a tangible way,” says Suzette Strong, CEO of Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation. “Your support this Giving Tuesday will support some of our most vulnerable patients, from our tiniest patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to women fighting cancer in our chemotherapy clinic, to our elderly patients.” All the money raised from Bear Necessities will be used to expand MSH. By 2030, the goal is to be able to serve 500,000 patients a year. Expanding Emergency Care and doubling the volume of cancer patients, surgeries and mental health needs are of the utmost priority. The date for this year’s GivingTuesday is November 28. This is the official global celebration, however, the primary objective of the movement is to highlight the value and importance of generosity. The most successful campaigns are a year-round effort. Donations and volunteering are encouraged on whatever days make sense for each individual. In many ways, GivingTuesday is not just about that one single day. It is meant as a message to citizens of more than 80 participating countries to help, donate and volunteer with any foundation that they have a close connection to. All GivingTuesday partners are responsible for organizing their own GivingTuesday campaigns and activities, allowing communities across Canada to get involved. There are no restrictions on who can participate, and all are welcome to become a part of this movement. From charities and non-profits to small businesses, corporations, schools and community groups, GivingTuesday is about bringing everyone together under one shared commitment: to be generous and create positive change. Visit lifesavinggifts.ca to purchase a Bear Necessity and double your impact thanks to Shahan and Aida Güler’s pledge to match donations this Giving Tuesday on November 28.
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