Kristen Finlay – Page 14 – Walterdale Theatre

Scona Alumni Theatre Co. presents HEATHERS THE MUSICAL

Scona Alumni Theatre Co. presents Heathers The Musical

Directed by Linette Smith
Music Direction by Matt Graham

A darkly delicious story of Veronica Sawyer, a brainy, beautiful teenage misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High: the Heathers. But before she can get comfortable atop the high school food chain, Veronica falls in love with the dangerously sexy new kid J.D. When Heather Chandler, the Almighty, kicks her out of the group, Veronica decides to bite the bullet and kiss Heather’s aerobicized ass…but J.D. has another plan for that bullet.

Brought to you by the award-winning creative team of Kevin Murphy (Reefer Madness, “Desperate Housewives”), Laurence O’Keefe (Bat Boy, Legally Blonde) and Andy Fickman (Reefer Madness, She’s the Man). Heathers The Musical is a hilarious, heartfelt, and homicidal new show based on the greatest teen comedy of all time. With its moving love story, laugh-out-loud comedy, and unflinching look at the joys and anguish of high school,. Are you in, or are you out?

Tickets available through the Fringe Box Office as of August 9 at noon.
Show 9:00 PM nightly except for Monday August 21/17

Foote in the Door presents DISENCHANTED at the Edmonton International Fringe!

This summer (August 17-27) Foote in the Door is excited to present the Edmonton premiere of the all female musical Disenchanted! at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival – the hilarious hit show that pokes fun at our favorite Disney princesses.

What is DISENCHANTED!?
Poisoned apples. Glass slippers. Who needs ’em?! Not Snow White and her posse of disenchanted princesses in the hilarious hit musical that’s anything but Grimm. Forget the princesses you think you know – the original storybook heroines have come back to life to set the record straight. After multiple sold-out runs nationwide, these royal renegades tossed off thei…r tiaras to bring their hilariously subversive, not-for-the-kiddies musical to you – and what you thought about princesses will never be the same!

-from Disenchantedworldwide.com

Tickets are $13.00 and will be on sale online or from the Fringe Box office starting at noon on August 9.

Show length: 80 minutes
Venue is licensed, come and enjoy a beverage on the patio outside before the show!

Show Dates and Times:
August 18 7:00pm
August 19: 8:00pm
August 20 4:00pm
August 21 7:00pm
August 22 7:00pm
August 23 7:00pm
August 25 7:00pm
August 26 2:00pm, 8:00pm
August 27 4:00pm

Disenchanted! Cast & Crew

Snow White: Ruth Wong-Miller
Cinderella: Kathleen Sera
Sleeping Beauty: Larissa Pohoreski
Belle/Ariel/Rapunzel: Trish Van Doornum
Mulan/Princess Badroulbadour: Lynn Sutankayo
The Princess Who Kissed the Frog: Jameela McNeil

Director: Joy van de Ligt
Music Director: Erin Craig
Costume Designer: Kathleen Sera
Choreographer: Larissa Pohoreski

Lucky Wench Productions presents THE SUNSET SYNDROME by Alison Neuman

Emily watched her husband of 60 years fight a battle with dementia and its related complications. A few years after his passing, she too is diagnosed with dementia. As Emily struggles with difficult decisions about her future, she reflects on important moments from her past.
—–
Director: Catherine Wenschlag
Asst Director: Rebecca Bissonnette
Stage Manager: Kevin Heaman
Cast: Grace Chapman, Shelby Colling, Kohl Littlechild, Andy Northrup, Rosanna Sargent, and Peg Young as Emily
—–
Tickets: $13 Adult/$11 Seniorhttps://www.fringetheatre.ca/festival/box-office-information/

Show times:
Fri Aug 18 – 7:00pm
Sat Aug 19 – 12:00noon
Sun Aug 20 – 3:30pm
Mon Aug 21 – 5:15pm
Wed Aug 23 – 5:15pm
Thu Aug 24 – 8:45pm
Fri Aug 25 – 1:45pm
Sat Aug 26 – 10:30pm
Sun Aug 27 – 12:00noon

All performances at:
Campus St. Jean Auditorium
8406 Rue Marie-Anne Gaboury NW
Edmonton, AB T6C 4G9

Straight Edge Theatre presents Evil Dead: The Musical

Music by Christopher Bond, Frank Cipolla, Melissa Morris, and George Reinblatt
Book and Lyrics by George Reinblatt

August 17-27, 2017 as a part of Edmonton International Fringe Festival
All performances will be held at La Cite Francophone – 8627 91 St, Edmonton, AB T6C 4S8

Based on the cult-hit Horror franchise, five college students spend the weekend in an abandoned cabin in the woods, accidentally unleashing an evil terror… that dances and sings!!. From the folks who brought you the Sterling nominated 2016 Fringe hit, Bat Boy, come witness the horror and musical mayhem!

Director – Amanda Neufeld
Musical Director – Daniel Belland

Stage Manager – Bethany Hughes

Ash: Matthew Lindholm
Cheryl: Jaimi Reese
Annie – Amanda Neufeld
Shelly/Jake: Josh Travnik
Scott: Stephen Allred
Linda/Ed/Moose: Nadine Veroba

Show times:
F Aug 18 @ 6:45pm
S Aug 19 @ 4:45pm
S Aug 20 @ 2:45pm
M Aug 21 @ 9:00pm
T Aug 22 @ 2:00pm
W Aug 23 @ 9:15pm
T Aug 24 @ 4:30pm
F Aug 25 @ 11:00pm
S Aug 26 @ 4:30pm

Introducing the Cast of A DOLL’S HOUSE!

We’d like to welcome the first cast of our 2017/18 Season:

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen

Directed by Alex Hawkins

Cast:

Nora Helmer – Nicole English

Anne-Marie – Leslie Caffaro

Torvald Helmer – Tim Marriott

Mrs. Christine Linde – Marsha Amanova

Nils Krogstad – Dave Wolkowski

Dr. Peter Rank – Dale Wilson

Creative Team:

Alex Hawkins – Director

John Anderson – Assistant Director
JOAN HAWKINS – Set Designer/ Master Painter
Geri Drittich- Costume Designer

Jackie Lotery – Production Manager
Cassie Duval – Stage Manager
Pierre Valois – Master Builder
Alayna Hunchak – Props Master
Richard Hatfield- Technical Advisor/Lighting Designer

A Doll’s House runs from October 11-21, 2017

Tickets are available at Tix on the Square – 780.420.1757 or www.tixonthesquare.ca

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES – Allan Cabral de Sá is Young Buddy!

What is your role in this production? My role in Follies is Young Buddy, the thirty years old memory of Buddy himself. He is a youthful, eager, and energetic character in the show who demonstrates to be very committed to his romantic relationship with Sally and his friendship with Ben. Young Buddy had a good life at his time (1940’s), and he was also responsible for introducing Phyllis to Ben. Little did he know that Ben was interested in Sally as well…

What is your background in theatre? My background in theatre started three years ago, when I auditioned for my first play – I don’t even know why I auditioned, but it felt like it was the right thing to do at that time. Before that, I’ve only sung in rock bands and never really considered acting. After graduating business school, I originally wanted to take a university level music program. Some close friends and mentors started suggesting that I applied for the Theatre Arts program at MacEwan University. They said “I think that suits you”, so I gave that a shot. It was the right thing to do. This is my first show at the Walterdale Theatre, and I’m very grateful to be surrounded by people with different backgrounds, sharing their talents with each other on a daily basis.

Why did you want to be involved in this show? I wanted to be involved because I love Sondheim’s music. On the other hand, it is a career goal of mine to work with the best people I can, and I did have a taste of that in this show.

What do you love about doing theatre? What I love about doing theatre is the ability it has to touch hearts. The audience must leave the theatre more awake and alive than when they first arrived there. I see it as a business of compassion, even if the play is a greek tragedy.

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? A little line in the beginning of Act 2, when I say “No!”. It took me so long to find the right motivation for it and make it feel natural!

What has been the best thing about doing the show? To learn new material, meet new people and build relationships… Simple things like smiles and hugs are very meaningful to me.

Allan Cabral de Sá, Veronica Masik, Aidan Spila and Teagan Kamstra

Photo Credit: Nanc Price Photography

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES! Christina O’Dell is Young Heidi and Sound Op.!

What is your role in this production? I am doing double duty this show; onstage I am playing Young Heidi, the recollected self of a once famous operetta star, and then as soon as I am offstage I scoot down to the booth to take my place as the show’s sound operator. It’s my first time on the tech crew, which is very exciting! It’s also likely the first time a tech will be dressed a gown and tiara in the booth…

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? After having basically grown up onstage, I took a 6 hiatus from theatre while I was at university. I returned to performing after finishing my masters degree, and Follies will actually be my 18th show since graduating 6 years ago. I’m beyond thrilled to be back at the Walterdale this time around too; it’s my third show here, and it always feels like coming home!

What brought you out for this production? Barb, our lovely director, was the one who brought me to this show. Initially she just needed a sound operator, and as I was very interested in learning about the technical side of things, I jumped at the chance. As the process unfolded, she ended up needing a soprano and also someone to do a bit of tap dancing, so I jumped into those roles as well; it really is quite exciting having both an onstage and an offstage presence in this show!

This show is about theatre and nostalgia – got any good theatre stories? What do you love about doing theatre? Honestly I love the sense of play that is inherent to theatre. As adults we have so few opportunities to play and engage in story telling and make-believe! As for wild theatre stories: I was was once in a show called Titanic the Musical, and before one of our matinees a massive snow-storm triggered a power outage that resulted in our curtain time being delayed……we ended up having to cut half an hour from Act 2 on the fly; the Titanic sank very abruptly that day!

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? I would say picking up the tap dance last minute…it has been an exhilarating challenge!

What has been the best thing about doing the show? The best part by far is being back with my Walterdale family; I feel so lucky that I get to come to rehearsal to play and explore alongside these wonderful and talented people.

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES! Erin Foster-O’Riordan is Heidi Schiller!

What is your role in Follies? I play Heidi Schiller, diva of divas, and muse of many early 20th-century Austrian composers.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I started dancing at the age of three, and have always loved performing. I’ve been active in local theatre for about 14 years, and have had the chance to work with some amazing people and play some amazing roles such as Polly in Crazy for You (Festival Place), Cathy in The Last Five Years (Round Barn/TOWTTB), and The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods (TOWTTB). I also have been able to collaborate with some dear friends while working on projects under the Round Barn Productions banner which Monica Roberts and I co-founded a number of years ago, including twice producing the 60’s inspired SHOUT! The Mod Musical. I am also a sound designer, and have worked with many wonderful production teams to help establish mood, time and place in their shows. At Walterdale, I have designed sound for Crimes of the Heart, Village of Idiots, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The Rabbit Hole, Love of the Nightingale, Proof, Nine, and Chess. I have also had my one-act play, Uncle Robert’s Funeral, produced as a staged reading. The last time I was onstage at Walterdale was almost 11 years ago in 2006’s Steel Magnolias as Truvy Jones.

What brought you out for this production? Being (ahem) past the age of playing any of the memory girls, I was enticed by the number of mature roles for women in this show. I was also enticed by knowing that many of my fellow mature woman actors would be auditioning, and the chance to work in that kind of ensemble is rare. Also–Sondheim. I’m a sucker for Sondheim.

This show is about theatre and nostalgia – what do you love about doing theatre? I think this show is also about the fleeting camaraderie of theatre–relationships that are brief and beautiful. There is something lovely about the point-in-time magic of any show you are a part of–relationships that quickly become intense and personal because you are working with each other intensely and personally. But then it’s over, and you may never see or work with some of those people again. Yes, you have friendships that transcend that point in time, but for the most part, doing a show is a unique experience with a built-in expiry date–knowing that makes me breathe it in more deliberately somehow, and not take it for granted. It forces you to be present in the moment.

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? Time management. Life is very busy!

What has been the best thing about doing the show? I have gotten to do things that are completely new to me. I have never had any experience with tap, so even learning the “faking it” version has been a lot of fun, and I have never sang a song that is so operatic before. I want to thank Michael and Barb for trusting that I had those capabilities when I really did think I did!

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES! Alyssa Paterson is Young Carlotta and Co-Choreographer!

What is your role in this production? I’m in the ensemble as a memory girl (Young Carlotta), and I’m also dance captain and co-choreographer for the show.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I grew up doing a lot of musical theatre, and took a long break from it before joining the cast of Chess at Walterdale last summer. I had such a fantastic time that I knew I had to come back for Follies!

What brought you out for this production? I’ve always held a secret desire to be a showgirl, and this show lets me do that! Plus the show contains some of my favourite Sondheim songs, and I knew that there’d be lots of great dancing.

This show is about theatre and nostalgia – got any good theatre stories? I was once in a show where I had to “die” onstage while holding my “baby” in my arms, which was a plastic doll wrapped in a blanket. One night during the scene, the actor who was supposed to scoop the baby out of my arms didn’t make it in time, and the doll started falling off of me and rolling onto the bed. I had to pretend to be dead, so I could only lie there, completely still, as I felt it happening! Thankfully the other actor just managed to catch the doll before it fell onto the floor…

What has been the most challenging part of doing the show? As dance captain, I get to sub in for the dances of missing cast members when they’re away. There’s plenty of dancing in this show, so it’s a lot for me to keep straight in my head.

What has been the best thing about doing the show? It’s been a long time since I’ve done any choreography, and I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with Barbara (the director and co-choreographer) to create and set the many dance numbers in this show. I’ve also loved getting to know the fabulous cast and crew – this show is filled with talented and lovely people!

Meet the Cast of FOLLIES – Leslie Caffaro is Sally Durant Plummer!

What is your role in Follies? I play Sally, a former dancer attending a reunion of her fellow Weismann girls. She still tries to maintain a veneer of bubbliness, but is forced to face some dark realizations during the reunion.

What is your background in theatre? I didn’t start acting until I was an adult, taking some local classes and then doing a summer session at New Actors Workshop in NYC. A friend suggested I audition for the Walterdale, funnily enough I’d already seen shows there but hadn’t realized it was a community theatre. This is my 11th Walterdale show (not all of them musicals). I’ve also done shows with Abbedam, Two One Way Tickets to Broadway and Round Barn productions. In theory, I am still reworking a musical I wrote and co-directed for Stagestruck.

What brought you out for this show? It’s a musical! I had worked with Barb Mah before on Sweet Charity, my first real musical, which was a magical experience, and hoped to work with her again. I’d seen a show Michael Clark had done and was impressed by the characterization in the songs. The challenge of approaching these complex characters was also exciting.

What do you love about doing theatre? I love the open, accepting atmosphere in theatre and the sense of collaborating on a common goal, and of course playing and pretending and escaping my own little world for a while.

What is the most challenging thing about doing this show? I’ve never done a Sondheim show before so the music itself was challenging for me. Also, on paper, I didn’t find my character Sally to be very likeable but didn’t want this to interfere with presenting a multidimensional character.

What is the best thing about doing this show? The best thing about this show are all the people involved who constantly inspire me. As I’ve played with many of them before it’s almost like a reunion within a reunion and there’s also the joy of finding new partners in crime.