Making jewellery in Morrisburg: a unique summer job

 

“George is absolutely bowled ‘agoogaly’ by his wife’s announcement,” said actor Brian Young, who plays George Harper in Upper Canada Playhouse’s new comedy, Wife Begins At Forty, coming August 2 until the 26th. “He thought he was happily married, nicely content and all was well. And then his wife Linda informs him that after 17 years of marriage, she wants a change. And he isn’t part of it.”

George’s frantic efforts to save his marriage and his happy domesticity are the subject of the Playhouse’s sparkling Arne Sultan, Earl Barret and Ray Cooney comedy, Wife Begins At Forty. Set in the home  George and Linda share with their teenaged son, Leonard, George’s elderly father, Bernard, and the family dog, Chopper, the play reflects the ups and downs of married life with a sure and very funny touch.

The play has all the traditional  and hilarious trappings of farce, but Richard Bauer, who directs the production, describes Wife as “a family farce. Not so many doors slamming. And we have a tremendous backstage crew. They definitely control the chaos and keep us in line. John Thompson designed our set and Sean Free built it and is handling our technical side.”

Bauer,  who plays the role of neighbour Roger Dixon,  also has a strong and talented cast with which to work comedy magic.

Fresh from the outstanding Playhouse production of Here on the Flight Path, is Melanie Janzen as Betty Dixon. 

“I think I am trying to channel Ethel Mertz (from the classic I Love Lucy show) in this role,” Janzen explained at the press conference. “Betty is supportive and wise in her own way and she understands that marriage does have its trials.”

As Roger, Bauer describes his character as “a bit of a cad and a playboy. He and Betty sort of stir the pot and offer advice to the Harpers. In fact, Roger is trying to ‘arrange George’s affairs.’”

Walter Learning who directed Flight Path, plays Bernard, George’s elderly father, a former R. A. F. pilot from World War II. 

“Bernard is full of vim and vigor and he loves life, including his little flirtations with Mrs. D.,” Learning laughs. “It’s true that he’ll share war stories with anyone who will listen, and he has become a bit forgetful by times, but he has a deep affection for his family.”

That family also includes grandson Leonard, played by UCP newcomer, Kyle Orzech.

“It’s been wonderful here at Upper Canada Playhouse,” the 22-year-old actor said. “I’m very comfortable in this role, working with older people. (“Not that old,” the rest of the cast chimed in). Sorry, ‘seasoned professionals’ I should say. Leonard is a typical 17-year-old, more interested in doing his own thing. Frankly, Leonard can be a bit of a punk, living for himself. But it is great to play this character.”

The focal point of the comedy is the obviously changing relationship between George and Linda, a married couple played by Brian Young and Alison Lawrence, who are, in fact, an actual married couple.

“Yes, we met doing a production of Wrong For Each Other,” Young laughed. “Turned out we were right for each other.”

Is it challenging to be a genuine couple and to play a couple breaking up?

“Brian and I have worked together seven times,” Lawrence explained. “On stage we have developed a kind of ‘short hand’ and that makes it easier to get into our characters. We separate real life from the acting.”

“Since George and Linda have  intimate moments together,” Young added, “it’s really so much easier doing them with your actual wife.”

The last cast member is South Dundas boy, Chopper Thom, a Golden Retriever making his acting debut as Chopper Harper, the family dog. 

“It was a little challenging holding dog auditions,” director Bauer said. “We brought Chopper out for audiences and asked them to clap and shout, and he seemed quite comfortable. Of course, a dog can upstage you,” he added with a laugh, “so he keeps the rest of the actors on their toes.”

“Chopper is a joy,” Learning said. “He loves everyone.”

Laughter is set to begin again at Upper Canada Playhouse on August 2 when this newest production in the theatre’s outstanding summer season opens its doors.

Tickets for Wife Begins At Forty are available at the box office or by calling 613-543-3713.

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 WDMH’s cancer care navigator program supports patients and their families throughout their cancer journey. A new free workshop series is focusing on how to live well with cancer. 

On Tuesday, February 24, WDMH will be hosting “Living Well with Cancer: Self-Care and Coping” – an education session presented by Kimberly Janssen, WDMH’s Social Worker. During the session, Kimberly will discuss the unique needs of cancer patients and provide coping skills and strategies. Family and friends will also learn how to provide support while taking care of themselves. 

“This is important for people with cancer as often the disease can take over one’s life,” explains Kimberly. “The goal is to remember that while cancer can be life-altering, it doesn’t need to be all-consuming. We want to encourage people to live well with cancer and not let cancer define them.” 

“It’s all part of our effort to support our patients and their families,” adds Linda Johnson, WDMH’s Cancer Care Navigator. “We want to help patients be the healthiest they can be during their cancer journey.” 

The session is on Tuesday, February 24 at 2:00 in the hospital boardroom (Room C1-401). For more information, or to sign up to attend, please call Linda Johnson at 613-774-2422 ext. 6798 or email nursenavigator@wdmh.on.ca 

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Stage actor. Genie nominated film star. Radio personality. Model. Composer. Singer.

Especially a singer.

Terra Hazelton, who will be coming to the St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage on Saturday, November 17, with her band, Easy Answers, is a multi-talented Canadian artist who will be offering a stunning mixture of blues and jazz at her show. 

Sandra Whitworth, of the St. Lawrence Stage, described Hazelton as a “..powerhouse singer. And the band is just a whole lot of fun. This is just going to be a terrific show.”

When Hazelton was asked how someone just 33 could have already accomplished so much, she laughed. “My passion for the arts started at a very early age.” 

Hazelton first earned her acting chops with the Loose Moose Theatre Company of Calgary, an organization founded by Keith Johnstone. Artistic director, Dennis Cahill, has had a profound effect on some of Canada’s best performers, including members of the Kids in the Hall, and of course, Terra Hazelton.

At age 14, Hazelton was already learning improvisational comedy and taking part in children’s theatre productions.

She credits Cahill and  the company with infusing her with “a taste for the stage, for telling stories and for making people laugh. My theatre experiences really nurtured all my natural urges to perform. And,” she laughed, “I also found I had a strong affinity for singing.”

Time spent at the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, really exposed Hazelton to the classic lyricists and composers, to Broadway legends like George Gershwin and Cole Porter. And her career soon took a new direction. “I discovered I loved that kind of music, loved singing it. I began veering away from my original Broadway stage ambitions” and instead found singing taking precedence. 

She returned to Toronto and started performing in cabarets and on stage. 

Then came the moment Hazelton calls “kismet.”

She had been performing around Toronto, particularly at the Brunswick House, when legendary singer/guitarist Jeff Healey heard her sing. His band, the Jazz Wizards, had been formed about a year earlier, and he was looking for a vocalist. 

“He sort of ‘musically courted’ me,” Hazelton laughed. “He came around to hear me at different clubs for a while, and then he offered me a wonderful job” as his band’s featured vocalist. 

It was a magical match: Hazelton toured with his band and Healey eventually produced the young performer’s debut record, “Anybody’s Baby” in 2004.

“The reaction to her (Hazelton) has been overwhelmingly positive to say the least,” Healey said. “I can say that I’ve rarely, if ever, seen a vocalist receive more of an outpouring of affection and adulation.”

Hazelton’s repertoire is grounded in her interpretations of classic jazz and the blues. 

“Jeff exposed me to some of the early great jazz musicians, singers from the 20’s and 30’s. I love Bessie Smith, for the blues and Connie Boswell is my favourite for jazz. Boswell was really the Brittany Spears of the 1930’s. Some of these artists are a little less known today, but I love singing them. Let’s just say my blues choices are earlier than my jazz choices.”

Hazelton is very much looking forward to her performance with Easy Answers at the St. Lawrence Stage. “It will be a great evening.”

Tickets for Terra Hazelton’s concert on November 17 are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. They are available at the Basket Case, Strung Out Guitars and Compact music or on line at the St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage.

 

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