Christmas Greetings!

First of all, congratulations to the cast and crew of Ethan Claymore by Norm Foster.  The play was very successful and people have stopped me in the streets and stores to comment on what a wonderful story this was, especially at this time of the year.  Ethan Claymore isn't a Christmas play, but it is set at Christmastime.  As is with most Norm Foster's scripts, there is laughter, warmth and always a life lesson.  Ethan's brother, Martin, was able to love and apologize his little brother Ethan for wrongs when they were young siblings and Ethan was able to return the love and forgive his brother, Martin for the way he treated him...throughout their lives.  As a "shadow being", Martin came back from the dead and was able to "heal" the many years of hate before "crossing over".  My wish for everyone who finds themself in a similar situation, is to pick up the phone...write an e-mail...send a letter and start reaching out and forgiving and getting back to loving while still living!

We have had an incredible season so far!  The rest of the season promises to continue in that same manner!  We have no intention of slowing down!  If We Are Women by Joanna Glass is in rehearsal and moving along beautifully.  The four actresses cast are fantastic and already, after three rehearsals, the bonding has begun.  But...be forewarned...this is "out of the box" for Sidekick, but we know our audiences are sophisticated enough to "handle" the content and especially the language.  This play also tells a story...an 18 year old daughter/granddaughter, her mother and her two grandmothers all come together to support the mother as she mourns the death of her partner.  We eavesdrop into the conversations in the present and into their insight for the future and their reflections of their pasts. 

The cast is:  Bernice Fehr is "Ruth"; Ellen Beck is "Rachel"; Emile Greene is "Jessica" and Monica Maito is "Polly".   We welcome Emile back to the stage.  She was "Sister Aloyisius" in Sidekick's "Doubt" and Bernice to the stage, finally after working backstage with me on several productions.  Newcomers to Sidekick are Ellen and Monica.  Also, I am working with a new Assistant Director, Darsey Meredith.  One always learns something new with every project...this time it's like a brand new start altogether!  I am very excited about this play and hope that you'll enjoy it and more importantly, accept the differences. 

We are 9 days away from Christmas Day.  A very exciting time of the year for millions of children of all ages!  I haven't spent Christmas in my home for 9 years and I am happy to report that I have a brand new tree, new ornaments, new decorations, a new beginning and it's the whole "Canadian" family here from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day!  We are all happy that our family Christmas gathering is back on track!

Sidekick had a Christmas gathering last night for members and it was well attended and everyone had a great time.   Lots of food, drink and laughter!  Even Santa paid us a visit bringing Kinder Eggs to all the children that were there.  Personally, I think we should have  "Christmas" get-together every month!!!  It was wonderful seeing some old faces along with the brand new ones. 

We all look forward to 2013 and what that will bring for Sidekick.  Since moving into the Tsawwassen Arts Centre, we have grown immensely and have no intentions of slowing that down!  We have three more productions scheduled for our 16th Season and look foward to seeing as many of you as possible at the shows.  You won't be disappointed!

From all of us to all of you, we wish you a Merry Christmas and A Very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.  To all of you that celebrate in other ways, all the very best!

My wish is that peace will prevail.  I, for one, am so very tired of the violence, the blood shed and the continuous wars that just go on and on and on.  If "man" can lay down his weapons for one day to respect and celebrate Christmas and the birth of Christ...why can't they just stay "down"?  Why do they have to be picked up again?  Can't we just please stop all this insanity in this world?  Children and teachers should not be gunned down in a civilized culture...in any culture!  Enough is enough.  Our prayers and our love are with all those victims.

Let's try to make the future a much better world to live in for our children...

Carroll

Two down and three to go!

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Ethan Claymore by Norm Foster!  This heartwarming play opened on November 15th and had record opening night and weekend audience numbers!! 

If you are starting to get into the Christmas spirit...thinking about putting up the lights...the wreaths...the big inflated snowmen...decorating the tree...baking, then you might want to include Ethan Claymore in your preparations!  This is a lovely story about a widowed egg-farmer in rural Ontario who hasn't celebrated Christmas for five years, since his wife passed away.  His nosey, but very loyal, neighbour has made it his mission to get Ethan back into the land of the living and starting anew. 

This results in typical Foster dialogue.  It brings laughter with tears...humour with serious life lessons.  If Ethan Claymore was a painting, the artist would be Norman Rockwell. 

The cast is perfect with Todd-Elliot Gates leading the troupe as Ethan Claymore.  John Kevener as Douglas McLaren (the neighbour) is your typical country bumpkin...outspoken with a heart.  Lisa Gach as Teresa brings a spark into Ethan's life and holds her own as the only female in the cast.  Mark East as Martin, Ethan's brother is hilarious.  Ethan and Martin are forced to look back on their relationship as children through flashbacks where Jeremy Parks as Young Martin and Gabriel Wallace as Young Ethan, portray their characters beautifully.  Everyone is wonderful and you truly feel as though you are peeking in through a window.

This is a play for everyone!  Children from 10 will get it and not be bored!  A 12 year old proclaimed "I loved it!" and other comments from children in attendance were "It was great!" and "I want to see it again!"  Adults leaving the theatre commented with "Another wonderful show!  We loved it!", "Beautiful story...made me laugh and cry!"  "Congratulations!  The cast are great!"  and our favourite..."We're telling our friends to get out and see this beautiful story!"

There are six more shows (November 22 to December 1 - Thursday, Friday and Saturday) left!  Reservations are filling up fast!!!  Don't miss out on the opportunity to kick off your Christmas Season with the true meaning of Christmas...friends...family and love!

Call 604-288-2415 to book your seats now!

See you in the theatre!

Carroll

Well, we closed our first production of the 16th Season, The Affections of May by Norm Foster.  The cast, Laura-Sutherland Smith, Derek Christiansen, Ted Hubert and Simon-Mortimer Lamb were impeccable!  The crew of Margaret Currivan and Bernice Fehr were truly "Sidekicks" to Director, Carroll Lefebvre.  Saying "good-bye" to everyone in the wee small hours of Sunday, Sept. 30th was truly bittersweet.  This has been a long haul for some involved, but the last few months have been a real pleasure and lots of laughs.  It's going to take a while to get this one out of our heads! 

We sold-out six out of nine shows and almost sold-out two others.  WOW!  Still boggles my mind when people, who live in Tsawwassen, tell us that they didn't know the arts centre was there!!  They all loved the show and the experience and will be back!  Looks like we may have to consider doing 12 shows instead of just 9 to accommodate the "walk-ins" and non-subscribers!  Our subscription list went from 32 (14th Season) to over 150!!  I think we're doing something right!  Definitely, considering the many comments we hear, the people who buy the tickets think so.  It took us a long time and a lot of discussions with a lot of people, but I'd say that we are on our way to a long time in Tsawwassen!

The cast of Ethan Clayborne also by Norm Foster, is in rehearsals as we speak!  Director Carroll Lefebvre is very happy with her cast, Todd-Elliot Gates, John Kevener, Mark East, Lisa Gach, Jeremy Parks and introducing, Gabriel Wallace.  Everyone is from Delta...North Delta, Tsawwassen and Ladner!  This heartwarming story opens on November 15 and runs to December 1 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings only).  If you don't want to miss it...reserve EARLY!  It's not really a Christmas play...but it does take place at Christmas time and it definitely brings the true spirit of Christmas to everyone!

We would like to thank everyone who voted for us in the South Delta Leader "The Best Of...".  We won a Silver for Best place to see a Musical or Dramatic play AND the real surprise was I won a Silver for Best Blog!  BUT...because the folks at blogspot decided to improve the site (it's worse), I can't access the "winning blog...Bits & Pieces" and had to create this one!  I hope you'll continue to read about us and I will go into the old blog and copy and paste the last message in this blog for all to read! 

Please join and leave your comments!!! 

We are very fortunate to have The Delta Optimist on board as a valued partner with Sidekick and welcome Murray Lott from Ladner as our newest partner!  YOU TOO, can be a partner with Delta's longest running, award-winning theatre company!  Just contact us and let's talk!  We bring in approximately 4000 people a season into The Tsawwassen Arts Centre and 80% are local!!  Probably every single business's target market....so think about it!  Plus, you'd be supporting the performing arts in your very own community.

Well, it's the "day after" and the usual case of "what to do" has hit...but because I have a couple loads of laundry (from the play) and things to put away (from the play) I do have something to do...not to mention we are back in rehearsal tomorrow for another couple of months!  No rest for the wicked!!!

The Autumn in now upon us and the crispness of the colder weather is seeping in every day!  But we still have some sunshine to enjoy, so make sure you get out and take advantage of the Indian Summer before those dreaded days of gray and rain and bone chilling dampness are upon us yet again!

I won't be back before Thanksgiving, so we wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving and hope that you spend it with family and friends.  While you are partaking of the many wonderful foods that come with a Thanksgiving dinner, take time to think of those who are less fortunate.  The food bank can always use more donations at this time of the year.  Giving "thanks" means...giving!

Break-a-leg...

Carroll

Our 16th Season has opened with a huge BANG!  Norm Foster's "The Affections of May" is a resounding hit and selling out with waiting lists!  Congrats to the amazing cast of very talented actors and crew!  BRAVO!

Subscriptions have grown to the max!  We are almost in the same bracket (wink wink wink) as the Canucks!  If you're not a subscriber (season ticket holder), you just can't get a seat!!  Perhaps we will have to look at "holding over" or a longer run for each show from now on...something to definitely ponder over the next couple of weeks.

Ethan Claymore, another Norm Foster goodie has been cast!  Director, Carroll Lefebvre, is very pleased with her cast. 

Ethan Claymore - Todd-Elliot Gates
Young Ethan - Gabriel Wallace
Martin Claymore - Mark East
Young Martin - Jeremy Parks
Douglas - John Kevener
Teresa - Lisa Gach

A heartwarming story of two brothers and relationships.  A nosey neighbour who only means well and a newcomer to town that stirs up lost feelings in Ethan.  Typical Foster, humour with warm emotional lessons in life.  Sure to sell out, so reserve early to avoid disappointment.  November 15 - Dec. 1, 2012.

We have our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, October 3 at 7:30 at the Sidekick Rehearsal Hall in the Tsawwassen Arts Centre.  Come on out and join a great group of people!  Who knows...you just might have fun!  We do everything...not just act!  So if you're afraid to take the plunge and go on stage...we have lots more for you to do!!!  Can you paint a wall?  Sew?  Type?  Hand out programs?  Search for props (shop)!  There's something for everyone!  It really isn't ALL ABOUT ACTING!!!  If you can't make the AGM, then please send an e-mail to carroll.lefebvre@hotmail.com.

See you soon!

Break-a-leg...
Carroll

 

The Affections of May by Norm Foster

Starring

Laura Sutherland-Smith - May Henning

Derek Christiansen - Quinn

Ted Hubert - Hank Beavis

Simon Mortimer-Lamb - Brian Henning