Belleville:

Join us as we celebrate our 60th Anniversary Season of excellent community theatre!

On September 22 we had our annual open house event where we unveiled our new mural. The artwork was originally created by Genevieve Laurier and has been recreated in larger scale by three of our set painters. This colourful piece is also featured on our season poster and brochure.

Guests were treated to short scenes from the five plays we will present this Diamond Anniversary Year. Afterwards, we gathered in the Green Room for a reception catered by Amore Fine Food & Catering.

For this very special year, we have chosen productions from our past that reflect the diversity of our history. Directors were asked to choose plays that had special meaning to them and to our audience.

Our first show was originally done in April 1982 and there is a unique link between the two shows. Steve Forrester was the director. Jitters is a Canadian comedy by David French. The action takes place on the night of a preview of a new production and introduces the audience to the back stage of live theatre. The cast features familiar talent like Bill Petch, Heather Muir, Mike Leeming and Chris Marshall and we introduce newcomers Colin Leonard, Ozz MacDonald, Lynette Thibeau and Shalyn Gurr. We open just after Thanksgiving on October 13th.

When director Liz Marshall was asked, why did she chose this play, she said “I remember how much I enjoyed the production that Steve did in 1982 and I’ve always loved plays about theatre people (Noises Off, Odeum!). When I read the script again, I realized what a delightful tribute it was to theatre people everywhere, community or professional: to the actors who put themselves in front of an audience, night after night; to the people who support them backstage; and to the audience who applaud their efforts, never imagining the craziness that often occurs in order to get the show on the road. Why did I choose this play? Because I’m a theatre person and I love it!”  

Our second show was first performed at the Guild in November 1959. It is Little Women by Marisha Chamberlain, based on the timeless story by Louisa May Alcott. Set during the Civil War period it is the story of 4 sisters, Amy, Beth, Meg and Jo. Follow them through their squabbles, their laughter and their tears. Auditions will be held on September 24th and 25th. Visit our web site for details.

Wait Until Dark was first performed in January 1970 on our stage. Written by Frederick Knott, it is the story of a young blind woman alone in her Greenwich Village apartment where she is harassed by a trio of criminals in search of a doll filled with heroin

The Woody Allen classic Play It Again, Sam was performed on our stage in October 1980. After a messy divorce, a neurotic movie critic spirals into a deep depression and looks for solace in classic movies, particularly the romantic saga of Casablanca. His fantasies lead him to see advice from his idol, Humphrey Bogart.

And we end the season with the delightful story that originated with Lucy Maude Montgomery, about the world’s most beloved red head Anne Shirley from PEI. Anne of Green Gables - The Musical was first performed at the BTG in March 1976. The book is by Don Harron, Lyrics are by Don Harron and Norman Campbell and additional lyrics are by Mavor Moore and Elaine Campbell.

The Belleville Theatre Guild offers elevator service right in to the theatre, a barrier-free washroom and room in the front row for wheel chairs and other mobility devices.

Visit us on our web site at www.bellevilletheatreguild.ca or “like” us on facebook.

Subscriber tickets have been kept at the unbelievably low price of all five plays for $75.00. Don’t let this bargain get away. Join in the Celebration! See you at the Open House!

Submitted by Debra Tosh
info@debratosh.com
613 968 3701