A quick reminder that there is a member event on May 20th at 4:00pm. We will meet in the Member Lounge for a Wine & Cheese mix and mingle as well as a Q & A session with actors in our production of Harvey.
Interested in joining our Chemainus Theatre Membership program? Click here for details.
Erin Ormond and Ella Simon start out seeing the world in black and white but before long, their characters’ lives take on a more colourful tone. Photo: Cim MacDonald
All is not what it seems in the Chemainus Theatre Festival’s presentation of Mary Chase’s play, Harvey, which runs until May 28.
Of course, it all starts with Harvey, the six-foot white rabbit, who can apparently only be seen by Elwood P. Dowd, but the story unfolds surprisingly from there.
“He’s nuts, he needs to be committed,” claim Elwood’s relatives, Veta (Erin Ormond) and Myrtle Mae (Ella Simon), but once the audience meets Elwood, they realize he’s a pretty cool guy, for all his oddities.
This production welcomes the Festival’s artistic director, Mark DuMez, back to the stage in the role of Elwood, and there couldn’t have been a better choice to breathe vibrant life into the gentle fellow with the imaginary pal.
All DuMez’s own well-known courtliness is a superb asset in this production; Elwood looks on the world through his own colourful kaleidescope.
And colourful is a key word here.
When the play begins, the set and the characters, are monochromatic, indicating subtly the sterility of their lives.
The only dash of colour is supplied by Elwood with his brilliant turquoise sweater and socks. Slowly, as the scenes change, more and more colour is added to the costumes and the set as his exuberant life flows outward, warming the world around him.
But no one sees it.
Veta is obsessed by trying to climb the social ladder, but, in some of Erin Ormond’s best work at Chemainus, we see that she’s not as sure of herself as she hopes to portray.
As her daughter, Myrtle Mae, Ella Simons is in her element, bringing all her delicious abilities in physical comedy to bear.
At the sanitorium, Bernard Cuffling as Dr. Chumley, Mack Gordon as Dr. Sanderson, and Jay Clift as Duane Wilson are ably joined by Simon in her other role of the flirtatious Nurse Kelly.
There’s an element of French farce to this play: people are whisked on and off stage through doors, but Elwood meanders surefootedly through it all without even realizing he’s in any danger.
In fact, it’s his family who realize they are in danger as the play nears its conclusion, and act decisively to bring this fun evening to a surprising conclusion.
This comedy has a lot to say, comments star, artistic director
DuMez talked about Harvey and playing Elwood.
Older theatregoers may feel they know the story or even have seen it on TV.
“They did a movie of it with Jimmy Stewart and also did a remake of the play when he was older. But the original play came before the movie; Mary Chase wrote it in the 1940s. What I’m finding is that a lot of people have a vague, or a fuzzy memory of something about a rabbit,” he said, adding that the story stands up well.
“The premise has a lot to say. It’s a really interesting and engaging comedy in its own right. The idea that Elwood sees a white rabbit that he hangs out with and is one of his best friends taps into Celtic mythology and into the trickster legends of other cultures. But, of course, there is also the question: is he mentally ill or does he have a drinking problem? And how does that impact his community and his family?”
The possibility of mental illness may sound a bit grim, but this is a comedy.
“I say it’s got a lot of hop, when I’m being facetious. It’s got a lot of bubble,” DuMez said. “It’s funny. The characters are very sturdy, they have very strong agendas. And the actors, the company we’ve got, are all people I’ve been on stage with or had the pleasure to direct. That’s making it a lot of fun.”
The costumes are gorgeous and they’ve been working with two revolving sets, he said.
“I think the play leaps off the page a lot; for being an old play, it really pops.”
Younger audiences who’ve never heard of Harvey, or the concept of an imaginary friend, can just sit back and enjoy the comedy, he said.
“It’s very approachable, very understandable.”
The idea of having an imaginary friend can be found in many cultures, and at many times of life, but “if that friend is substantial enough in your imagination you have to question if it’s imaginary or not. That’s what the story plays with,” he said.
And then, there is the utterly useless “reality” of the social climbers in the story.
“That allows people to consider the idea: if we don’t have kindness, what are we living for? To be present with people in the moment is important.”
Wearing his artistic director’s hat, DuMez said he’s delighted with the way this season is going at Chemainus.
“It’s been wonderful. Last season was good and I think we’re reaping some of the benefits of that audience loyalty and enthusiasm. We’ve had a great start to the season this year. It’s been really fun, and we’re hoping for more of the same.”
lexi.bainas@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
Julie McIsaacI had two imaginary friends growing up: Lulu and Jyson. Turns out my older sister had a couple as well: Teeman and Coca. Naturally, when my little brother came along, I assumed he would introduce us to his invisible pals. I waited. He grew. Started talking. But never mentioned his imaginary friends. Because – shocking! – little bro didn’t have any. No lack of imagination on his part; that boy has always been very good (scarily good…) at talking himself out of sticky situations. But when I asked him what his friends’ names were, he had no idea what I was talking about.
Wanting to fix what to me seemed desperately broken, I quickly bestowed three upon him: Ketchup, Mustard and Relish. But despite their great names, he wasn’t interested. He couldn’t see them, he said.
As an adult, I realize now: he had no need of them. For whatever reason – possibly my sister and I provided ample entertainment? – my brother was always perfectly at ease with the (visible) world as it was. I’ve always felt a little sorry for him, though.
May Harvey remind you of all the magic that is possible between people, both visible and invisible.
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Julie is a director, playwright and performer, recently returned from the UK where she earned her Master’s degree from the University of York. She is a three-time Jessie nominee, was an apprentice at CTF in 2005-2006, and directed the holiday hit Countryside Christmas (2011). Her play The Out Vigil recently premiered in Vancouver, and was featured in the 2015 New American Voices Festival in London’s West End. For Lulu and Jyson.
July 18 – 22, 2016 or July 25 – 29, 2016
Ages 10 – 18
Join us for a weeklong celebration and exploration of what makes theatre so incredible! During the week we will utilize teamwork, collaborative skills, music, costumes, props, scene work, laughter and new friends to create our own musical production. Taught by industry professionals, as well as guest actors who are starring in Chemainus Theatre Festival productions. If you are between the ages of 10 and 18 years old, you are eligible and you won’t want to miss this camp experience!
This week long camp will culminate with the campers having an opportunity to perform in a final presentation of our own version of “Footloose” the Musical on stage at the Chemainus Theatre Festival The Theatre Camp will run Monday to Friday, July 18 – 22 & July 25 – 29, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Registration for the week of July 25 will open when the July 18 week is almost full.)
The students will gain an insider’s view into Chemainus Theatre’s production facilities as the camp will be held in our professional rehearsal hall located at 9574 Bare Point Road, Chemainus , BC.
MARK DUMEZ
A sweeping statement: Science often discounts mystery. The quest for knowledge might sweep the jester off the stage, clean up the fool and try to cleverly eradicate, through measure, fact and study, the place of the trickster. Some think the more we know – the more we know. Others are of the mind that the more we know, the more there is to discover. And in this dance of knowing and not knowing, we might be mindful to keep the jester at the party.
Enigma, myth, the profound mystery – the wise recognize at some point that we are not as big as we think we are. The trickster, in many cultures, helps to illuminate this child-like understanding.
And so, we welcome Harvey. Like Shakespeare’s Puck – he is a Pooka. And, in being a thing unseen for some and seen for others, examines our faith in what is beyond the regular senses. Perhaps he is a mask for a drinking problem, perhaps a debilitating mental illness, or, in another reading of his antics, a bearer of light and levity into Elwood’s once dreary life – enabling him to be present with all. If the latter, wouldn’t you like to meet him? It’s been a thrill to tread the boards again – enjoy the show!
Greetings Awesome Audience!
We couldn’t be more thankful for your show of support by attending today’s performance.
The theatre is off to an excellent start for 2016 and (drum roll please) recently set a new all-time record for season tickets, eclipsing the old mark set back in 2007.
We send an extra shout out to all of the donors who make charitable gifts to support our programming. Take time to peruse the list of amazing folks at the back of this program. If you’re names not there, we would love to add it. As a not-for-profit, we rely on charitable support to provide a financial base that allows us to plan ahead with confidence and continually pursue artistic excellence on stage and off-stage through various outreach opportunities.
“The perks build from there as we strive to pull back the curtain and provide exclusive access to interact with the stars of the Chemainus stage.”
As a thank you to donors (whom we call Members), we bestow all sorts of special perks: including being first to hear company news such as the season announcement and advance access to tickets for hot selling shows. When two shows were added to our sold out run of Elf the Musical, Members had first crack at snapping up the seats.
The perks build from there as we strive to pull back the curtain and provide exclusive access to interact with the stars of the Chemainus stage at exclusive Member-only events.
This year we’ve added a few new events – including a workshop and play reading in Victoria and our inaugural Member Day in July. Member Day will provide a chance to experience the inner workings of the costume shop, rehearsal halls and scenery shop followed by a time to dine together in the Playbill before taking in our summer blockbuster Footloose.
The Chemainus Theatre will only flourish with the support of its patrons. Hopefully this has enticed you to look in to Membership. Give because the arts are worth supporting and give because it opens up the world of live theatre at behind the scenes events. After all, sometimes the best seats in the house aren’t even in the house.
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Johnny Cash (Jonas Shandel) partners for a duet with June Carter (Samantha Currie) during ‘Ring of Fire’. The show is a musical journey through the life of Cash, a country music legend. It plays April 6 to 23 at the Chemainus Theatre.
— Image Credit: [Cim MacDonald Photo]
The ultimate tribute to Johnny Cash will be back in Chemainus by foot-stompin’ demand.
Ring of Fire runs April 6-23 at the Chemainus Theatre Festival, featuring many of Cash’s greatest hits woven together with his fascinating life story from farming to iconic superstar.
“It’s a musical journey through Johnny Cash’s life,” explained musical director Kraig Waye.
“It’s not extremely heavy on story, but through a series of little interludes and vignettes it takes you through his early life in Arkansas through to the beginning of his musical career in Memphis, of course some of the Gospel songs in his career. Then as the show progresses it lightly touches on some of the troubles he went through, obviously his relationship with June Carter.”
The show features over three dozen Cash songs including such favourites as ‘Walk the Line’, ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’, ‘Country Boy’, ‘A Thing Called Love’ and, of course, ‘Ring of Fire’.
“It’s really interesting. You really get a chance to touch on all the genres and the different styles that he was able to incorporate into his career over the decades,” Waye said. “You get a little flavour of his Gospel roots and his early boom-chicka-boom, the train chuggin’ country, and then even some features later like the ’70s country like ‘Man in Black’ and the Kris Kristofferson song ‘Sunday Morning Coming Down’. There’s even a murder ballad in the show, the song ‘Delia’s Gone’.”
The cast includes artists who will be familiar to the audience and newcomers to the festival stage. Performing stories and songs that were stepping stones on Cash’s journey are Alexander Baerg, Timothy Brummund (as narrator and voice of Cash when he looks back), Scott Carmichael, Andrea Cross, Samantha Currie (as June Carter), Daniel Kosub, Mark MacRae and Jonas Shandel (as the up-and-coming, youthful Cash).
“There’s one who’s playing sort of the younger Cash, that’s Jonas Shandel, so he does the bulk of the lead singing and then the other is Timothy Brummund, who acts as the narrator and also the older conscience of Cash, the reflective version,” Waye explained. “The rest of the folks lend wonderful support in various roles musically and through some of the scenework.”
The show runs around two hours and has been a pleasure to musically direct, Waye said.
“It’s been fantastic. This show’s a real treat,” Waye said, adding that his good friend Zachary Stevenson who directed last year’s Ring of Fire gave him a number of helpful tips in the runup to rehearsals. “I’m putting a little bit of my own flavour in, but a good majority is just to stay true to Zach’s vision from last year,” Waye added.
Outstanding work has also been done behind the scenes, from set/projection designer Erin Gruber, costume designer Crystal Hanson, sound designer Paul Tedeschini, live mixer Andrew Nicholls, lighting designer Rebekah Johnson, stage manager Anne Taylor and apprentice stage manager Linzi Voth.
Conceived by William Meade and created by Richard Maltby Jr., Ring of Fire is a musical biography that portrays a story about hitting rock bottom and finding the faith to carry on.
“We’re excited to bring this show back for a second season,” said Sales and Marketing Director, Michelle Vogelgesang. It’s exceptionally performed, and many people asked to see it, both again and for the first time. It seems that everyone can connect with his character: as a wild gentleman, a rustic poet, a saved sinner, and an American music hero.”
Ring of Fire runs April 6-23. For tickets call 1-800-565-7738 or visit www.chemainustheatre.ca.
Elwood P. Dowd is unlike anyone you’ve ever met. He insists on introducing his friend Harvey to everyone around town – trouble is, Harvey is an invisible six-foot-tall rabbit.
Such eccentric behaviour just won’t do in the eyes of his easily embarrassed (and social-climbing) sister. Something must be done, and a trip to the sanatorium for an “cure-all” injection is planned. But things are about to get stranger yet.
See what happens when the real patient is mistaken, the doctors begin to behave oddly, and Elwood is suddenly as hard to spot as his imaginary friend.
Harvey is a Broadway comedy of errors with “unassuming charm,” (The Hollywood Reporter). The play, by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Mary Chase, promises to make you laugh as you wonder whether the world needs more “normal” people, or more “Harveys”?
On stage at The Chemainus Theatre Festival May 6 – 28, 2016.
Tickets are available now at 1.800.565.7738 or chemainustheatre.ca.
Reignited by Foot-Stompin’, Crowd-Pleasin’ Demand!
Great music, memorable characters, and slice of life stories often win our favour, and hearts, at The Chemainus Theatre Festival. Imagine our thrill to discover that you, our patrons, feel the same way. Along with praise for the 2015 production of Ring of Fire, we received numerous requests and suggestions to honour the legendary Johnny Cash with a second run of the rockabilly musical about his life story.
For a show to take The Festival stage a second time it must offer a special kind of magic. It must be exquisitely performed, replete with emotion, and fondly remembered. Could this tribute to a wild, gentlemanly singer, songwriter, and rustic poet fit the playbill for a consecutive year?
It was an easy decision. One listen to the deep throttling voice of the American music legend and we knew that the acclaimed Broadway show deserved a second time in the spotlight. Now the challenge was upon us: to relight the original spark of sensation. Fortunately, the original production and artistic team also share our enthusiasm for Ring of Fire. We are excited to work with many of the cast and crew again, as well as welcome a few new talented people to the current production. Judging from their red-hot rehearsals, the best of the Man In Black is back. Thank you for joining us to relive the rowdiness, resilience, and iconic songs that punctuate the incredible life of Johnny Cash!
The theatre is off to an excellent start in 2016 and (drum roll please) we recently set a new all-time record for season tickets, eclipsing the old mark set back in 2007.
An extra shout out is due to all of the donors who support our programming. Take time to peruse the list of amazing folks at the back of this program. If your name isn’t there, we would love to add it.
As a thank you to donors (whom we call Members), we bestow all sorts of special perks: advance access to tickets, advance notice of the season, and invites to interact with the stars of the Chemainus stage at exclusive Member events.
The Chemainus Theatre will only flourish with the support of its patrons. Give because the arts are worth supporting and give because it opens up the world of live theatre at behind the scenes events. After all, sometimes the best seats in the house aren’t even in the house.