One of the wonderful cultural assets in Summerland is Centre Stage Theatre.
This facility, jointly owned by the District of Summerland and School District 67, is currently being used by Summerland Secondary Drama students for their production of Bonnie and Clyde — the musical.
There are only three more shows; tonight, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at either the Summerland Secondary Office or The Beanery Coffee House.
Over a two year period from 1932 to 1934, at the height of The Great Depression, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow became legendary folk heroes.
This musical touches on the great tragedy of the Depression, the lost lives and dreams and the lack of opportunity.
Although Clyde Barrow had run-ins with the law from an early age, the lack of jobs (at one point an image of a young child holding a sign, “Why Can’t you Give my Dad a Job,” is projected onto the set) and the drought that turned much of the American mid-west into a dust bowl underpin the story.
Underfunded law enforcement agencies stumble as they lack the manpower to keep pace with the fearless and alluring Bonnie and Clyde.
Romance, touches of humour, poetry and the inevitable gunfight that followed numerous robberies at banks, stores and gas stations fill this great performance of Bonnie and Clyde.
As they do with all their large productions they have a double cast with 16 people playing the eight lead roles. So, you might want to go twice in order to watch both groups of talented young performers.
Just a reminder that this Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Arts Centre, 9533 Main St., the Summerland Community Arts Council will be holding their Annual General Meeting.
As always the SCAC welcomes new members to its board and its many committees.
We organize a wide range of programs that includes six shows in the Art Gallery, various workshops for children, youth and adults and the ever-popular Summer Arts Program.
The coming year promises to be another exciting year so please come and join us as we work to enhance and promote the Arts in Summerland, for a community without art is a community without heart.
The Arts Palette column is written by David Finnis, publicity chair and president of the Summerland Community Arts Council, P.O. Box 1217, 9533 Main St., Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0.
