Audition Dates for Noel Coward's "Nude With Violin"
After the stunning success of “The Rocky Horror Show”, Portal Players Dramatic Society, along with directors Derek and Debbie Burke, are pleased to announce audition dates for the second show of this season, Noel Coward’s bright & lively comedy, “Nude With Violin”.
This brilliantly witty British comedy revolves around the events following the death of renowned painter, Paul Sorodin. Flocking to his graveside are bereaved relatives, his business manager, and various colourful characters from his past. Their grief is not entirely untinged with greed, as they await the reading of the great man’s will. Many surprises lay in store when shocking revelations prove that all is not as it seems to be. Despite its risqué title, “Nude With Violin” is suitable entertainment for audiences of all ages.
With a varied cast of interesting characters, “Nude With Violin” will be a great deal of fun for actors of any skill level. Required cast members include 8 males ranging in age from 14 to mid-sixties, and six women from 18 to mid sixties. Auditions will include readings from the script, but those auditioning are also asked to come prepared with a short comic monologue.
Auditions will be held at the Capitol Theatre on Monday November 23rd and Tuesday November 24th at 7:00pm each night. For more information, please contact Theatre Manager Elliot Drew during box office hours at (250) 723-1195 or by e-mail to capitoltheatre@shaw.ca.
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Portal Players Announces 2009-2010 Season of Plays
Portal Players Dramatic Society has announced the selections for its 2009-2010 season. This year marks 30 years of providing first class live theatre to the Alberni Valley, and this season is sure to continue that tradition.
The season opens on October 30th with Richard O’Brien’s “Rocky Horror Show”, directed by Cindy Solda, who also directed “Jesus Christ Superstar” for Portal Players in 2007. This musical cult classic has been thrilling audiences since 1973, and was the basis behind the wild movie, “THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW”.
When the newly engaged couple of Brad and Janet blow out a tire on a dark and stormy night, they seek help and shelter at the mansion of Dr. Frank’n’furter, a mad scientist with a propensity for fishnet stockings and high heels. A crazed evening ensues as Frank unveils his newest creature creation and seeks to corrupt the young couples’ innocence. Full of over-the-top characters, wild choreography, and instantly memorable music “Rocky Horror Show” is sure to provide audiences with great entertainment and lots of riské titillation. As most people know, this rock musical features fantastical adult themes.
Those looking for a little extra fun to go with this show can upgrade their ticket for our Halloween Spectacular performance on Sat. Oct. 31st, for an additional $15. On this night, audience members are encouraged to dress up and join in with the traditional audience participation for the show. Everything you’ll need will be provided and you’ll even be taught how to Time Warp. After the performance, you’re invited to stick around for a meet and greet with the cast.
The season continues on February 12th,, when the work of the great Noel Coward graces the Capitol Theatre stage. “Nude With Violin” will be directed by the award-winning team of Derek and Debbie Burke, as Portal Players first 2010 play. This light comedy happily satirizes the world of modern art, and is sure to keep audiences giggling throughout.
When brilliant painter Paul Sorodin dies, his family, friends and business associates gather with grief and greed in their hearts for the reading of the will. Sebastian, valet and companion to the famous painter, steps forward with surprising revelations that make it clear that Sorodin was not who he seemed to be. An eccentric Russian princess, an ex show-girl, an Eleventh hour Immersionist and a mute but effective gentleman named Fabrice all step forward with revelations of their own. By the time they’re done, the truth and a few reputations will be arranged and rearranged.
The season closes with Portal Players’ entry in the North Island Zone Drama Festival. Scott Lowe directs the Tennessee Williams classic “The Glass Menagerie”. This play opens on April 23rd for two performances before travelling to the Village Theatre in Qualicum to compete in the annual zone drama festival. After the competition, the play returns to The Capitol Theatre for another 7 performances.
Amanda Wingfield is obsessed with finding the perfect suitor for her daughter Laura. Her son Tom is eager to leave home in pursuit of adventure but does not want to abandon his sister. Together they conspire to find a man for Laura, despite her sensitivity and delicate nature. Before the evening is through, dreams will be shattered and hearts will be broken.
One of the great masterpieces of American drama, “The Glass Menagerie” is a semi-autobiographical play of Tennessee Williams’ own family. This is an evening of theatre that will amaze you with powerful performances and an unforgettable story.
The upcoming season also marks a new chapter in the history of the Capitol Theatre. The hiring of theatre manager Elliot Drew means Portal Players can offer regular operating hours for the public. The Capitol Theatre doors will be open Tuesday through Friday from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm, and Saturdays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. During these times the public can purchase tickets, rent costumes and make enquiries about Portal Players, the Capitol Theatre, upcoming shows and programs, and sponsorship opportunities. All Portal Players ticket sales will now be handled exclusively at the Capitol Theatre box office.
Additionally, Portal Players is launching the Capitol Stages after school program, a comprehensive theatre experience for children ages 4-17. More information on registration and program details will be released soon.
Season tickets are now available at the Capitol Theatre box office, located at 4904 Argyle St. At the low cost of only $45 for all three of the regular season shows, you will be supporting the performing arts in the Alberni Valley and ensuring your seat in the audience. A good idea as “Rocky Horror Show” seems to be drawing even more interest than the sold-out spectacular that was “Jesus Christ Superstar”.
For more information, contact Portal Players by email at capitoltheatre@shaw.ca, by phone at 250-723-1195 during operating hours, or leave a message.
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Portal Players Dramatic Society Announces Hiring of Elliot Drew as Capitol Theatre Manager
Port Alberni, July 21, 2009 - Portal Players Dramatic Society, owner/operator of The Capitol Theatre in Port Alberni, has created a staff position to oversee administration and management of The Capitol Theatre, and to manage membership services for the non-profit community theatre group.
Interim President Peter Wienold announced Tuesday that Elliot Drew has been hired as Theatre Manager for Portal Players. "We are very excited that Elliot has chosen to take on this new role with Portal Players. His knowledge of the theatre facility and background with Portal Players, along with his administrative & promotional skills will be a great benefit to the group," Wienold said. Drew resigned from the Portal Players board of directors this past spring in order to be a candidate for the job. He has most recently served on the board as President for nearly three years, and as Treasurer for three years prior to that. He leaves his sales position at The Alberni Valley News in order to take on the new job.
"I'm pleased to have been chosen the successful candidate as The Capitol Theatre manager," said Drew. "I'm very confident that I'll be able to help Portal Players become an even more dynamic group, become more well-known in the community & region, and continue to fulfill the promise of The Capitol Theatre being the Home of the Performing Arts in Port Alberni." The Portal Players board of directors has been operating The Capitol Theatre as a volunteer management team for the majority of the time it's owned the facility, and through a number of impressive renovations.
In order to increase use of the facility by outside groups and to relieve increasing administrative duties from volunteers, the board and general membership agreed to move forward with hiring a manager. "Many of the board members were finding their volunteer duties to be like having part-time jobs. The fun-factor of being involved in a community theatre troupe was starting to wane. Our members were suffering from burnout, so the timing seemed right to hire a theatre manager now. It's something the board has discussed regularly over at least the past couple of years," said Wienold. "Some good opportunities for generating revenues and offering some consistency of access to the theatre were also being missed, so we plan to capitalize on those by having Elliot on site for regularly scheduled public hours."
The Capitol Theatre box office will be open mid-days, Tuesday to Saturday. All of Portal Players' ticket sales, and many rented theatre event ticket sales, will now be handled through the uptown Theatre box office. Costume rentals will start again very soon, just in time for Halloween. And, Portal Players will release details next month on a new after-school drama program for children, set to start in September.
Mr. Drew's official start date is August 4; season ticket sales for Portal Players Dramatic Society's 2009-2010 series of shows will be on sale at the box office starting in mid-August. The season opens on October 30 with the first of eight performances of Richard O'Brien's "Rocky Horror Show", a cult classic and campy musical, which is well-known to many through the movie version of the show. Portal Players will announce the rest of this season's upcoming plays soon, along with details about season ticket sales and pricing.
In 2009, Portal Players is celebrating its 30th Anniversary, and its 20th Anniversary as owner/operator of The Capitol Theatre in Uptown Port Alberni.
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Awards Results from 2009 Theatre BC North Island Zone Drama Festival
May 24, 2009 - Port Alberni - Portal Players Dramatic Society hosted the 2009 Theatre BC North Island Zone Drama Festival in Port Alberni last week at The Capitol Theatre.
A total of five plays were being performed in this Drama Festival, which was held May 18 to 22, and culminated in an Awards Banquet on May 23, with the announcement of the award winners.
Adjudicator Kathryn Shaw spent the week watching each play and providing an in-depth critique for the cast and crew of each production. At the Saturday awards banquet, Shaw announced winners in each category, and offered some additional awards and honourable mentions. The award winners, as presented at the banquet:
Honourable Mention - Original Music:
Francis Recalma & Brian Anderson for "The Stillborn Lover" by ECHO Players, Qualicum
Best Sound Design - Original Music:
Velle Weitman/Richard Johns for "No Great Mischief" by Rivercity Players, Campbell River
Best Lighting Design
John Bailey, "No Great Mischief" by Rivercity Players, Campbell River
Best Set Design
Jay Crowder, "Biloxi Blues" by Courtenay Little Theatre
In this category, Shaw noted that all other plays would have received an Honourable Mention
Best Costume Design
"Loot" by Portal Players Dramatic Society, Port Alberni. Award presented to cast for group effort.
Again, in this category, Shaw noted that all other plays would have received an Honourable Mention
Best Graphic Design (poster/program)
"The Stillborn Lover", ECHO Players, Qualicum
Best Props Design
Hannele Talkio & Lori Shone-Kusmin for "Loot", Portal Players Dramatic Society, Port Alberni
Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Jeanie Smith as Juliet Riordan in "The Stillborn Lover" by ECHO Players, Qualicum
Honourable Mention, Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Brian Down as Grandpa in "No Great Mischief" by Rivercity Players, Campbell River
Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role (TIE)
Adam Kozlick as Arnold Epstein in "Biloxi Blues" and
Robinson Wilson as Sgt. Toomey in "Biloxi Blues", Courtenay Little Theatre
Honourable Mention, Female Actor in a Leading Role
Diena Tyne as Fay in "Loot" by Portal Players Dramatic Society, Port Alberni
Female Actor in a Leading Role
Brittany MacLeod as Holly in "Kiss The Moon, Kiss The Sun", Nanaimo Theatre Group
Honourable Mentions, Male Actor in a Leading Role (2)
Stu Morrison as Calum in "No Great Mischief", Rivercity Players, Campbell River
Joe Conway as Eugene in "Biloxi Blues", Courtenay Little Theatre
Male Actor in a Leading Role
Barrie Darnel as Alexander in "No Great Mischief", Rivercity Players, Campbell River
Best Ensemble Acting
"Biloxi Blues", Courtenay Little Theatre
Again, in this category, Shaw noted that all other plays would have received an Honourable Mention
Best Director
Lori Mazey, "Biloxi Blues", Courtenay Little Theatre
Again, in this category, Shaw noted that all other plays would have received an Honourable Mention
Best Production
"Biloxi Blues", Courtenay Little Theatre
Backstage Award (awarded by Festival technical crew for setup)
"Biloxi Blues", Courtenay Little Theatre
Best Production winner "Biloxi Blues" by Courtenay Little Theatre advances to Theatre BC's Mainstage event, being held in early July at "The Act" in Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows. "Biloxi Blues" performs there on Monday night, July 6. For more information about Theatre BC and Mainstage, click to www.theatrebc.org.
Adjudicator Kathryn Shaw is the artistic director of Studio 58 at Langara College in Vancouver. For more information about adjudicator Kathryn Shaw, click to <http://www.theatrebc.org/member/tbnk/tbnk-qrst.htm#Kathryn%20Shaw>