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Theatre Orangeville promoting subscriptions as new season opens

October 10, 2019   ·   0 Comments

By Constance Scrafield

David Nairn, Artistic Director, wants the world to know about the wonderful new season at Theatre Orangeville and why it makes sense to buy five- or three-play subscriptions and enjoy these hilarious, interesting, entertaining shows. All the shows are staging one night as a Relaxed Performance. There are subscriptions for them too.

“We offer three-play subscriptions because we have so many snowbirds,” Mr. Nairn explained. “Even if you do go south, you might want to still buy a five-show subscription, which, basically, gives you the fifth play for free – and give the two winter shows to other people – who have, maybe, never been to the theatre.”

So, you share what brings you pleasure with them; they have a great time and want to come again and you support your theatre.

“Some people buy two lots of subscriptions and take different people, couples with them to each of the shows. You can still buy a three-show subscription by the Gordon Lightfoot in February.”

In every way, first timer or old friend, it is always a great time to watch some of the best actors in Canada tread the boards, as it were, in our local professional theatre. In fact, among the three Central Countries of Durham, York and Headwaters, in all that vast area, the only professional theatre is in Orangeville. There are beautiful arts centres that welcome shows and concerts but no theatres as we have it here. Quite a claim.

“This season is about families,” Mr. Nairn started to explain, “and what family means. Putting a new season together, themes quickly come together. Not just to throw enough mud against the wall, it’s a process, carefully considered. Everybody loves a comedy; some love drama and some don’t. I like a variety. 

“The sense of family and place and what constitutes a family.”

He began with the upcoming play, Come Down from Up River by Norm Foster, opening next Thursday, October 17, “This is an important play – same sex marriage which is interracial needs to be shared. These are real family issues. When difficulty strikes a family, it strikes all families. This is a powerful, very funny, true – all too human story.”

Come Down from Up River runs to November 3.

He commented, “The way you change thinking is through art. Art affords the opportunity for discovering a different face to different issues.”

Back to the Theatre Orangeville stage for the Christmas show, having premiered here in 2001, is Little Women. Opening November 28 and running to December 22.

“It’s been produced again. Jim Betts and Nancy Early have worked on it a bit since then. The music and lyrics are by Jim Betts and the book is by Nancy Early.”

As an aside, Mr. Nairn noted, “There’s a movie coming out at the same time, with Meryl Streep. 

“Our production of Little Women stars some young people from this parish. Colin Simmons is playing the part of Laurie. Kiara-Lynn McKenna is in the show, too. She was Matilda this year.

“It’s tremendous fun. Colin has gone on to conquer the world and, of course, directed the Dream in August. It’s been quite some time since this actor has been on our stage.”

Making the point about what age group would best appreciate this production, Mr. Nairn said, “We’re calling it for grade four and up. Not designed for four- or five-year-olds.” There are entertainments for that age group over the pre-Christmas season here. The T.O.Y.S. are doing a Christmas concert and, on November 14, Dufflebag Theatre are doing a PJ Performance of Cinderella.

Early Morning Rain, the Legend of Gordon Lightfoot, is a new show by Leisa Way. Ms. Way has written several other of these “shows about” celebrity singers and musicians. Dolly Parton – Rhinestone Cowgirl, Peggy Lee – You Give Me Fever – and her fabulous non-stop show Across the Pond, the British Invasion are some of the 12 shows she has put together. 

The shows are not “tributes,” they are stories and the music of the people they celebrate.

As Mr. Nairn said, praising Gordon Lightfoot, “He writes about the Canadian family, which his was. It is the definition of who he is. Coming from the small town of Orillia, he wrote about Canadian life. He went to L.A. to study composition and a big record company wanted him to move there and sign with them but he insisted he was a Canadian and was going home. His songs have been covered by everybody.

“And what could be better, when we’re so bound in cold, in February, and we’re all just screaming for something great to do, than this wonderful show with these great songs – the whole theatre will singing along.”

Early Morning Rain opens February 13 and is playing until March 1, 2020.

Later in March comes Alison Lawrence’s play, Too Close to Home, a World Premiere.

“Alison has worked here before as an actor – some time since. This is fairly unique in that it’s an older woman with a younger man. We have different stories of families. Families are made of individuals and so, all families are unique. 

“It’s great to be doing a new play. A young man, also from this parish, John Daniel is starring in this production. He played Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream here. In this play, he is a troubled teen. He’s brilliant.” Too close for Comfort opens March 12 and goes to March 29.

Tying up the season is Mark Crawford’s The New Canadian Curling Club: a collection of new Canadians are advised that if they really want to understand what it means to be Canadian, they should learn to Curl.

“This is a very funny play that takes on a sheet of ice in a curling club,” Mr. Nairn informed us. “An homage to who is a Canadian.”

There will be five people of different ethnicities, including the coach with his own opinions, in this play, which opens April 23 and runs until May 10.

“This play has heart and truth and is a reflection on who is Canadian.”

What does it take to belong: Is being Canadian a simple matter of history or can commitment and love stand true as well? 

For tickets or subscriptions, more information, go to the Box Office at 87 Broadway or the Information Centre on Buena Vista Drive at Hwy. 10; call at 519-942-3423, or online at www.theatreorangeville.ca

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