“Parting is such sweet sorrow” following a performance by the Gold Fever Follies.
Bold, witty and based on historical Rossland and Trail political relations, this year’s “Summer is Coming” promises plenty of laughs and great songs in a story told through the eyes of two young lovers.
Opening today, the show runs twice daily to Aug. 22 at the Rossland Miner’s Hall.
Written by Brian Turner, a Trail born, Warfield raised and Rossland schooled script writer, the play gives a Kootenay twist to the Shakespearean classic tale of Romeo and Juliet.
Set in Rossland in 1903, the cities are at each others throats because of politics and past grievances, explains Amy King, the show’s assistant music director, accompanist and actor.
Instead of the Capulets and Montagues feuding as in the original, Rossland and Trail fill those roles, she said.
Aaron James portrays Julian (Romeo) a Rossland volunteer firefighter who falls head over heels for a girl from Trail named Romola Mezzonotti, played by Alexandra Willett.
After the two characters meet and it’s love at first sight, the question becomes, “Can the two live in peace even though they are from different worlds?”
“Come and find out,” said King.
“Also, see how well you know the story of Romeo and Juliet (because) every character has a connection to a specific character in the classic Shakespearean tale.”
This is King’s second year being part of the Gold Fever Follies, now in its 29th season.
“I decided to try my luck a year ago and got in,” said the recent Canadian College of Performing Arts graduate. Originally from Pense, Sask., King was cast as a romantic lead in the 2014 “Off the Rails” production which brought her to the West Kootenay for the first time.
“We would take cast trips to Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Montrose and nearby lakes and rivers,” she said. “While staying in Rossland I fell in love with this part of the country.”
King portrays the Velvet Queen, the proprietor of the Velvet Hotel and head of the Garter Girls in “Summer is Coming,” as well as chorus/narrator.
“Behind the scenes I play the piano for the show, stage manage and run lights at the same time,” she said. “It’s a job that is quite a challenge, but is such a thrill to do.”
