The Revelstoke Theatre Company’s new comic production of Short Shorts has attracted lots of new talent to the company for the show.
The production consists of six, ten-minute plays taken from Snappy Shorts, a book compilation of Toronto-based Tarragon Theatre’s plays from the past two decades. The Toronto company’s mission is to create and develop new plays.
Producer and artistic director Anita Hallewas said the shorter, ten-minute format wasn’t as daunting as their past shows, prompting new performers to step off the sidelines. “People didn’t feel to scared. We’re hoping this has a knock on effect,” Hallewas said.
“It’s quite a lot of people involved in the one production which we’re quite excited about,” she said. “We’ve got so many new performers that haven’t been involved in the company.”
How does she describe the show? “They’re all about 10 minutes long – they’re all funny.”
Two theatre company members will make their debut as directors in Short Shorts.
Lynn Kaulback is mentoring first-time director Jacolyn Daniluck in her production of Thirty-Six C, starring Gillian MacLachlan and Emily Beaumont.
Martin Ralph is helping John Devitt with his debut directing On the Door, featuring Imogen Whale and Janet Pearson. Whale is performing in Revelstoke for the first time, while Pearson is appearing on stage for the first time.
Aspiring Francine starts Patti Shonek and Ana Pollo, who interact with the audience in the first show on the ticket.
Satish Shonek fills the uniform of a U.S. immigration guard in The Audition, which also starts Dante Hamilton. It’s directed by Lyn Kaulback.
In addition to directing, Darren McKay acts alongside Robyn Abear in You May Already Be a winner, directed by Martin Ralph.
Denny Kaulback directs Sarah Harper and Tanya Peters in Firing Francine.
The show at new venue McGregor’s at Powder Springs Inn also features dinner packages at the inn’s restaurants.
Hallewas is currently the chair of the Revelstoke Theatre Company. “The company’s growing which is exciting – we’ve got a lot of things happening,” she said. “I feel like we’re getting everything together in terms of our vision to grow and get bigger”
Short Shorts plays on Nov. 1, 2, 3 and again on Nov. 8, 9, 10. Doors at 7:30, curtains at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Powder Springs Inn or at revelstoketheatrecompany.org.
