Play Attribute Dump

Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers, is struggling to overcome a string of failures and a shortage of funds. A possible break in his fortunes occurs when he receives a script from a student—a thriller that he recognizes as a potential Broadway smash. His plan is to offer collaboration to the student for co-credit. Or is it?

It is the 1958 Springfield High School senior prom, and four teenage girls who are the school’s “trophy-winning” song leaders are asked to step in as the entertainment. They are replacing the boys’ glee club, the Crooning Crab Cakes, whose lead singer was caught smoking behind the girls’ locker room and suspended from school.

As they sing and dance to popular songs of the 1950s, tension between two of the girls, Betty Jean and Cindy Lou, increases. They fight about a boy, but eventually make-up as the other girls, Missy and Suzy, also sing about their loves. Act One culminates with the vote for the “Queen of Your Dreams,” the prom queen.

Act Two takes place ten years later, at the girls’ ten year reunion. The girls have again been asked to provide the entertainment. Suzy, Missy, and Betty Jean stayed in Springfield after high school, while Cindy Lou went to Hollywood before coming back to Springfield. Each of the girls tells the story of the man in her life and what has happened since high school. The evening ends as magically as it began.

Missy Miller – Kelly Fuoco

Suzy Simpson – Beverley Soifer

Cindy Lou Huffington – Stefania Wheelhouse

Betty Jean Reynolds – Danielle Denault

In this brilliant and powerful drama, Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal, takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with one of the male students.

Father Brendan Flynn– Tim Mabey

Sister Aloysius Beauvier – Susan Monaghan

Anissa Stambouli – Sister James

Lesley Hammil – Mrs. Muller

Orchestrations by Christopher Jahnke

Associate Orchestration by John Clancy

Originally Produced by Cameron Mackintosh

“Just So” is a fantastical musical based on a series of short stories by Rudyard Kipling. Join us on a musical journey with the Elephant Child and the Kolokolo Bird guided by the whimsical Eldest Magician. We encounter a series of animals as they begin to evolve into the forms we know today as our adventurer’s travel across the world in search of a mysterious foe.

Great fun for all ages, with fabulous musical numbers and some life lessons along the way.

Eldest Magician – Chris Ingley

Elephant Child – Shelby Shannon-Caines

Kolokolo Bird – Matt Lorz

Parsee Man – Ananth Krishnan

Cooking Stove – Yazen Jaouni

Rhino – Simon “Seth” Ellis

Giraffe – Leigh Delle Palme

Zebra – Maisaloon Hammoud

Jaguar – Michael Gareau

Leopard – Sam Levere

Kangaroo – Nicole Boyle

Dingo – Alivia Greenberg

Amma – Ella Lorz Paul

Chorus – Sarah Beuree, Evie Cohen, Rachelle Eastman

Dance Captains – Nicole Boyle, Emmett Workman

PIT BAND

Keyboard 1 – Kevin Dixon

Keyboard 2 – Mathieu Charlebois

Percussion/Drums – Greg Klowak

Horn – Graham Rowland

Reed 1/2/3 – Jessica Rollins, Larry Sargent

Guitar – Ivan Matte

Welcome to Almost, Maine, a place that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States. It’s almost in Canada. And it’s not quite a town, because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it almost doesn’t exist. One cold, clear, winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, the residents of Almost, Maine, find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s dream.

Actor One – Nicholas Maillet

Actor Two – Bernie Horton

Actor Three – Guy Buller

Actress One – Shauna MacEachern

Actress Two – Shirley Manh

Actress Three – Jennifer Pfitzer

This extremely funny ‘Canadian’ 3-hander romantic comedy is a fun exploration of long-distance relationships, adventure, and family ties. Rural Ontario boy Declan O’Doyle is obsessed with having relations. He dreams about it, talks about little else and now he’s turned to the internet to assist in his search. A heartwarming play about love, sex and all things Irish!

Declan O’Doyle – Braydon Hall

Victoria MacCarthy – Katie Torresan

Cheryl O’Doyle/Moira MacCarthy – Kathleen Walsh

Cecily, Reggie and Wilfred are in a home for retired opera singers. Each year, on the 10th of October, there is a concert to celebrate Verdi’s birthday. Jean, who used to be married to Reggie, arrives at the home and disrupts their equilibrium. She still acts like a diva, and refuses to sing; however, the show must go on. Enjoy this funny and poignant tale of a “fab four” who have come together, in their retirement years, in search of a little harmony.a

Cecily “Cissy” Robson – Jenny Haynes

Reginal “Reggie” Paget – Ian Stauffer

Wilfred “Wilf” Bond – Mike Kennedy

Jean Horton – Janet Rice

Bobby Swanson (voice-over) – Howard Miller

Words and music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley

Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley

The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth.

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka’s rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences.

Tickets available at the door (general admission) – cash only

(Pay what you can – suggested donation $ 10)

Welcome to the 10-Minute Play Festival! Now in its third year, this wonderful event started as a training initiative and continues to welcome aspiring creatives to Kanata Theatre.

This year the festival includes seven 10-minute plays.  Our community of budding playwrights continues to grow with the addition of a writer’s circle to complement our mentoring program.  This year, the plays were adjudicated in March and these seven were selected.  This wonderfully creative format offers a wide variety of shows in an hour and a half, and features many newcomers working alongside veterans on and off stage.  This opportunity often sparks a new beginning for emerging talent.  Thank you for supporting this initiative!

Do Not Resuscitate: Written by Brian McCullough; Directed by Danica Coote

There are those who would prey upon the elderly.

Muse: Written by Heather Hogan; Directed by Diane Cote

The journey a parent lays out for their child isn’t always the adventure chosen.

Murder and Other Hobbies: Written by E.J. Nash; Directed by Annie West

Be careful, or the show might not go on…

Screen Time: Written by Jane Stott; Directed by Kiara Cote

Two brothers playing a video game in the family room – unsupervised while their mother is away from the house.  There is only one headset and one set of controls reflecting an optimistic parental expectation that this will cause the brothers to share.

A Dark and Stormy Night: Written by Andrew Stodart; Directed by Jon Peirce

A dark comedy about the struggles of a determined yet somewhat naive playwright attempting to write a 10-minute murder mystery.  His loving but sarcastic partner eventually helps him deal with his biggest challenge in the most drastic way.

Lessons in Loss: Written by Shauna MacEachern; Directed by Karine Charland

The heart-wrenching drama of a sun-setting mother-daughter relationship.

The Key: Written by Mary Ellen Vice; Directed by Brian McManus

Two friends make a most irregular visit to their local coffee shop.  Why today? Secrets are revealed and the stakes are high.  A friend is recruited on an unorthodox recovery mission.

In 1940’s New York, the performer who everyone wanted to see live was Florence Foster Jenkins, an enthusiastic soprano whose pitch was far from perfect. Known as “The First Lady of the Sliding Scale,” she warbled and screeched her way through the evening to an audience who mostly fell about with laughter. But this delusional and joyously happy woman paid little attention to her critics, instead she was surrounded by a circle of devoted friends who were almost as eccentric as she was.

Based upon a true story, the play spins from Florence’s charity recitals and extravagant balls, through to her bizarre recording sessions and an ultimate triumph at Carnegie Hall in this hilarious and heart-warming comedy.

Florence – Sarah Edwards

Cosme – Jesse Lalonde

Dorothy – Barbara Kobolak

St. Clair – Robert Johnstone

Mrs. Verrinder Gedge – Kathleen Walsh

Maria – Lavinia Salinas

Music Director  Kenny Hayes

It’s a love triangle – Orsino is in love with Olivia, but she’s mourning for her dead brother, so has rejected all his advances so far. He sends Cesario (who is really Viola) with love letters to woo Olivia on his behalf. Unfortunately for the Duke, Olivia is taken in by Cesario’s disguise and falls in love with him.

Orsino– Ian Gillies

Curio – Alan Wong

Valentine – Ravneek Kaur

Viola – Abbey Sugars-Keen

Sea Captain/Priest – Greg Winklemaier

Sir Toby Belch – Dale McEachern

Maria – Mary Ellen Vice

Sir Andrew Aguecheek – Brian McManus

Feste – Kenny Hayes

Olivia – Emily Walsh

Malvolio – Brian Daley

Antonio – Roy van Hooydonk

Sebastian – Nicholas Maillet

Fabienne – Kim Strauss

First Officer – Harold Swaffield

Second Officer – Ilona Henkelman

MUSICIANS

Percussion – Beth MacGillivray

Vioin – Joe MacGillivray

Flute – Tanya Chang

Guitar – Alan Wong

Guitar/Vocals – Kenny Hayes

Based on the memoir by Jean Shepherd

Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of growing up in the midwest in the 1940s follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case before his mother, his teacher and even Santa Claus himself at Higbee’s Department Store. The consistent response: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” All the elements from the beloved motion picture are here, including the family’s temperamental exploding furnace; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the boys’ experiment with a wet tongue on a cold lamppost; the Little Orphan Annie decoder pin; Ralphie’s father winning a lamp shaped like a woman’s leg in a net stocking; Ralphie’s fantasy scenarios and more.

Ralph – Peter Whittaker

Ralphie – Chance Kelly

Mother– Elle Attson

The Old Man – Bernie Horton

Randy – Grayson Kelly

Miss Shields – Michelle Makitra Robb

Flick – Cameron Pereira

Schwartz– Milo Tibbits

Esther Jane– Molly Penton

Helen – Evelyn Park

Scut Farkas – Connor Corcoran

Desperado – Michaela Agnew

Black Bart – Cameron Wood

When her mother dies after an expensive illness and a lifetime of bad choices, tentative but tenacious young Jackie is left with a mound of debt. One glimmer of hope: a stamp collection, potentially valuable, is among her assets. Philip, the brusque and arrogant stamp dealer to whom she takes the collection, won’t even take a look without his $2000 fee. Charming Dennis, a former stamp collector and small-time grifter down on his luck, who just happens to be hanging out in Philip’s shop, is only too willing to look at Jackie’s collection.

Trouble brews and the game is on in this dark, edgy suspenseful tour de force. Its plot twists will leave the audience gasping for breath.

Dennis– Adam Pelletier

Philip– Tom Kobolak

Jackie – Annie West

Sterling – Michael Clarke

Mary – Elizabeth Foulds

Set in the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn, New York in September 1937 during The Great Depression, this coming-of-age comedy focuses on Eugene Morris Jerome, a Polish-Jewish American teenager who experiences puberty, sexual awakening, and a search for identity as he tries to deal with his family.

Eugene – William Mann

Kate – Lauren Solski

Blanche – Anissa R. Stambouli

Laurie – Jamie Cachero

Nora – Evelyn Shaw

Stan – Matthew Walker

Jack – Brian Derby

The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Watch as our intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises, and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than forty characters.

Detective Holmes – Elizabeth Foulds Rodgers

Doctor Watson – Sarah Hearn

Actor 1 – Paul Arbour

Actor 2 – Gordon Walls

Actor 3 – Jenny Pfitzer

Based on book by Jennifer Lee

Based on the Disney film written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee

The enchanting modern classic from Disney is ready for your Broadway Junior stars! Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage.

A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!

Tickets available at the door (general admission) – cash only

(Pay what you can – suggested donation $ 10)

Join us for Kanata Theatre’s fourth Annual 10-Minute Play Festival!

Expect comedy, drama, and adventure! Due to some mature themes, parental guidance is suggested.

Litany of the Bells: Written by Mary Ellen Vice; Directed by Michael Gareau

A fracas breaks while preparing for a ladies’ book club meeting.

Biffy Comes to Town: Written by Andrew Stodart; Directed by Matt Walker

An excitable teenager (is there any other kind?) anticipates a meeting with her Rock Star idol.

Devil’s Advocate: Written by E.J. Nash; Directed by Jamie Cachero

A soul newly arrived in Purgatory pleads his case for entry to Heaven.

Executive Perks: Written by Brian McCullough; Directed by Christine Pressburger

A wife deals with her husband’s ‘shady’ enterprise.

Dead Air: Written by Catherine Clark & Jennifer Pfitzer; Directed by Ilona Henkelman

Pandemonium ensues during a Radio Station’s Childrens’ Hour.

Kathy’s Room: Written by Brian Derby; Directed by Susan Monaghan

Two ghosts hinder a realtor’s efforts at selling a house.

Tipperary Blues: Written by Claire Bosnich; Directed by Kiara Côté

A mysterious lady and a bootlegger meet in prohibition Chicago.

So, you’re in what you always thought would be a dream job. You love all things historical and being an unemployed actress, currently work as an historical tour guide. But the sheer boredom of the repetitive tours as well as your intense sense of creativity from your stage time begin to challenge you. Would little embellishments of the truth hurt as you deliver your assigned patter? And what happens when the boss confronts you about the ambiguities?

Lettice Douffet – Barbara Kobolak

Lotte Schoen – Susan Monaghan

Miss Framer – Ann Empey

Bardolph – Timothy Foss

Tourists – Ann Empey, Lindsay Endicott,  Joy Forbes, Nicole MacLaren, Suman Roy, Tammy Southin

Miles and Lacy haven’t had too much luck navigating life so far. Career and relationship success have eluded them and so they engage the help of “narrators”, perceived only by them, to keep them focused and to guide them in making better choices. My Narrator follows Miles and Lacy and their respective narrators, Bob and Barb as they all figure out how to find the fulfillment and happiness they seek.

Barb – Juli Heney

Lacy – Tara Sprickerhoff

Miles – Kenny Hayes

Bob – Michael Clarke

Kanata Theatre has entered My Narrator by Norm Foster into the 2024 Eastern Ontario Drama League (EODL) One-Act Play Festival (Nov 1-2), this year hosted by Studio Theatre Perth. This Festival is a traveling annual event in which community theatre companies from all over Eastern Ontario participate.

The Festival is comprised of nine one act plays performed in three sessions over the two days. Patrons can purchase a full festival pass for $60.00 which gives access to all three sessions or individual tickets for $24.00.  The individual ticket is for one session of three one-act plays.  Tickets may be purchased through the Studio Theatre box office at (613)267-7469 or  online.

Kanata Theatre will be presenting our production during the Saturday, November 2nd afternoon performance.

Please contact the Studio Theatre Perth box office for additional information.

Thanks for your support us as we take My Narrator on the road!

A tale of seduction set in France among aristocrats before the revolution, this is a classic drama for exploring decadent sexuality, morals and manipulation played as the ultimate game with tragic results. The plot focuses on the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont, once lovers, now rivals, who amuse themselves by ruining others, and who ultimately destroy each other.

Azolan – Cameron Bishop

Cecile Volanges – Ava Gustine

Emilie – Sumeyra Ulas

La Marquise de Merteuil – Megan LeMarquand

La Presidente de Tourvel – Lindsey Keene

Le Chevalier Danceny – Thomas Jestin

Le Vicomte de Valmont – Stavros Sakiadis

Madame de Rosemonde – Sandy Wynne

Madame de Volanges – Sharon Bernbaum

Major Domo – Arsenii Skvortsov

Chorus – Justine Brown, Amy McCallum, Arsenii Skvortsov, Selvam Sitaraman, Andra Smith

There will be a special talk-back session on Nov 12th after the show where you’ll get to ask questions and hear insights from our director, fight choreographer, and cast.

Cinderella lives a life of drudgery, bullied by her horrible ugly stepsisters, Salmonella and Listeria. Her only comfort is her BFF, Buttons! Prince Charming will soon hold a ball to find his bride to be. Could this be the chance that Cinderella has been waiting for? Despite the best efforts of her two stepsisters, Cinderella gets to go to the ball with the help of her magical fairy godmother! Bring the kids and enjoy a ‘panto’ at its finest. Boo for the villain, cheer for the hero and spend some quality family time enjoying a holiday production that is sure to warm your hearts.

Join us for an evening of slapstick comedy, jokes and innuendo. Be prepared to join in with the fun…

Fairy God Mother – Meredith Millman

Buttons – Jay Scott

Salmonella – Julia Coleman

Cinderella – Danica Coote

Listeria – Taylor McSheffrey

Prince – Jadds Yater

Chorus #1 – Sofia Perez

Chorus #2 – Cameron Wood

Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as both a witness and a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated.

Rachel Watson – Shirley Manh

Anna Watson – Ashley Gillard

Megan Hipwell – Elizabeth Foulds Rodgers

Tom Watson – Cameron Bishop

Scott Hipwell – Michael Clarke

D.I. Gaskill – Chisholm Pothier

Kamal  Abdic – Nandeesh Kumar

Kanata Theatre is proud to be entering The Girl on the Train as their submission to the EODL Full-Length Play Festival this year. Adjudication occurs on February 7th. Audience members are encouraged to remain after the play for the detailed adjudication.

The Eastern Ontario Drama League (EODL) fosters development and interest in the performing arts. It serves as a resource centre for theatre activities in Eastern Ontario and provides community theatre groups with a communications medium throughout the province. EODL promotes artistic and technical standards and encourages education in theatre arts. Our two annual drama festivals (EODL Full-Length Play Festival and EODL One-Act Play Festival) are the principal means by which we advance these aims. EODL is a proud advocate for theatre in Ontario.

The 2024-25 EODL Full-Length Play Festival is a travelling festival running from November 2024 through March 2025. It features 11 productions by 8 community theatre groups across Ontario. An EODL Adjudicator attends a performance of each production in its home location and will conduct a public and detailed adjudication. Following each public adjudication, the Adjudicator will share comments with the cast and crew. An Awards Ceremony and Gala takes place after all entries have been adjudicated and award recipients are announced across various categories (click here for more information).

Talk Back: Join us on February 12th’s Performance 

We are excited to have the psychologist Dr. Bob Cormier who has worked in Kingston penitentiaries in the early part of his career present a Talk Back with our audience. Upon his move to Ottawa, he has held numerous positions in the Department of Solicitor General and Public Safety, including Senior Director, Research & Community Development, and Executive Director of the National Crime Prevention Centre. He currently serves on the Ontario Review Board.

Imagine getting so fed up with the ‘same old same old’ that an all-out venture to a time when life was simpler is the only solace you can find. You leave your management position and opt to live an ‘I Love Lucy’ lifestyle, managing your house as a stay at home wife, complete with all the 50s clothing, appliances and décor, while your husband works as a real estate agent. What could be better? What could possibly go wrong?

Alex – Olivia Hegger

Fran – Naomi James

Johnny – Phillip Merriman

Judy – Katie Torresan

Marcus – Paxton Rodriguez

Sylvia – Tara Marcoux-Tynski

Set in John Barrymore’s old untouched circa 1930’s apartment in New York City, I Hate Hamlet follows successful television actor Andrew Rally as he struggles with the challenges of taking on the dream role of Hamlet, for the stage. To add to the angst he is already dealing with, he is also at odds with a girlfriend who is keeping a firm grip on her chastity, and thanks to another friend, a wannabe medium and amateur séance holder, he is now playing host to the ghost of John Barrymore himself.

Felicia Dantine – Les Bunbury

Andrew Rally – Josh Sparks

Deirdre McDavey – Shirley Manh

Lillian Troy – Juli Heney

John Barrymore – Chris Cottrell

Gary Peter Lefkowitz – Adam Pelletier

The KT Kids present Finding Nemo Kids

Book, Music and Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

Book Adapted by Lindsay Anderson

Music and Orchestrations Adapted and Arranged by Myrna Conn

Based on the 2003 Disney / Pixar film Finding Nemo written by Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds and directed by Andrew Stanton

Directed by Dana Mercer

Dive into the magic of Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo in this enchanting musical stage production! Follow the heartwarming journey of the lovable clownfish, Nemo, and his overprotective father, Marlin, as they embark on an unforgettable adventure across the Great Barrier Reef. Along the way, they’ll meet an array of colorful underwater creatures, each adding their own charm to this aquatic tale.

Organized KYOS

Directed by Ilona Henkelman

Get ready for a whirlwind of creativity in Organized KYOS (pronounced ‘chaos’), an exciting showcase by Kanata Youth on Stage. This dynamic performance features a mix of scenes, skits and monologues, with most of the content created by the KYOS youth themselves. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see original, youth-driven theatre in action!

Tickets available at the door (general admission) – cash only

(Pay what you can – suggested donation $ 10)

Music and Book by James Valcq

Lyrics and Book by Fred Alley

Based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff

A troubled young parolee yearning for a fresh start follows her dreams to Wisconsin, only to find a small town with a gritty heart aching with longing and regret. Unexpectedly discovering the healing power of community while working at the Spitfire Grill, Percy reawakens the entire town’s capacity for rebirth, forgiveness and hope.

“THE SPITFIRE GRILL” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

“‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” But wait! A mouse is stirring – because Santa missed his house last year. Before you can say “Merry Christmas!”, we’re off on the wild adventures of a mouse, an elf, and a spunky little girl who just won’t take no for an answer.

“Ken Ludwig’s ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Bessie, Alice, and Margaret have two things in common: they are married to George Joseph Smith, and they are dead. Surfacing from the bathtubs they were drowned in, the three breathless brides gather evidence against their womanizing, murderous husband by reliving the shocking events leading up to their deaths.

“The Drowning Girls premiered at Alberta Theatre Projects on March 6, 2008, as part of the Enbridge playRites Festival of New Canadian Plays.

The Drowning Girls is produced by permission of the Playwright and Marquis Literary (Colin Rivers) www.MQlit.ca”

What happens when the writer loses the plot? Emma Watson is 19 and new in town. She’s been cut off by her rich aunt and dumped back in the family home. Emma and her sisters must marry, fast. But there’s a problem: Jane Austen didn’t finish the story. Who will write Emma’s happy ending now?

Robin Hood and his band of outlaws steal from the rich, creating a fearsome reputation amongst those who dare to travel through Sherwood. But they do not share their spoils with the poor and are unloved by the people. It is down to Marion to boldly protect the poor and convince Robin that he must listen to his heart if they are to save the country.