Theatre Guild opens season with classic whodunit

By MARIA TZAVARAS
Scarborough Mirror - Thursday, September 16, 2010 - Page 9

Friday the 13th is synonymous with misfortune, and while most of us usually escape the day unscathed, the day lives up to its reputation in the Scarborough Theatre Guild’s opening show of the season, A Murder is Announced.

Written by Leslie Darbon and based on the Agatha Christie novel, this show doesn’t disappoint in the suspicious characters, spooky atmosphere and mystery departments that usually fill the pages of a Christie novel.

But on stage, however, the murder mystery genre lends itself to the audience being able to look as well as listen for clues with the right performances by the actors and a director who knows how to effectively create this type of atmosphere.

This cast succeeds in keeping us guessing to the end, and director Joseph Pagnon staged the show in the film-noir style, which means it was full of 1950s’ film elements such as dark visuals created with the set and lighting, and characters who remained composed under pressure while exchanging steely glares.

It’s the night of Friday the 13th in the estate home of Letitia Blacklock (Madeleine Atkinson) and her house is filled with a mix-mash of residents including childhood friend Dora Bunner (Susan Q Wilson), her niece and nephew Julia and Patrick (Taylor Magee, Sean Killackey), and her flamboyant Russian maid, Mitzi (Sophia Panousis).

Letitia also houses Phillipa Haynes (Julia Hayes), a widower and single mom who she has taken under her wing and who has just left for the day. What begins as any other day soon becomes an atmosphere of fear and intrigue after Bunny, as Dora is known, reads a notice in the paper that says there will be a murder at the Blacklock house at 6:30 that evening.

Casting it off as a Friday the 13th prank, Letitia pays it no mind while some, like Bunny and Mitzi, are scared and it sparks curiosity in Julia and Patrick. It sparks interest in others in their small town too as soon neighbours Miss Marple (Paula Wilkie), Mrs Swettenham and her son Edmund (Charmaine Huculak, Chris Grech) show up at the house.

Not to spoil the mystery, I will say a murder was committed at the time the notice stated, but when Inspector Craddick (Mark Boyko) and Sergeant Mellors (Sean Penwarden) arrive, it becomes clear that this is anything but an open and shut case and there is more than one liar who harbours secrets in the Blacklock household.

Turns out, everyone has a reason as to why they’re at Letitia’s and those reasons slowly unravel as Inspector Craddick investigates the case. He is thorough, and Boyko’s portrayal of the likable Craddick was successful in keeping us wondering what he was thinking and what he knows that we didn’t.

Atkinson turned out a great portrayal of Letitia, who amongst the chaos remained the right combination of composed and concerned, not over-dramatic, which also contributed to keeping audiences guessing what her truth in all of this was.

New to the Guild stage, Magee, who played the sarcastic and secretive Julia was fantastic in her role, successfully casting the perfect mixture of intrigue and suspicion on her character, and Panousis as the crazy maid was perfect in providing the comic relief in this dark show.

There were lots of clues to gather as well as throw you off track, some obvious and some more subtle, but this show, which is full of betrayal and deception, keeps you guessing to the end.

Who's Under Where? brings entertaining show to stage

By MARIA TZAVARAS
Scarborough Mirror - Thursday, July 15, 2010 - Page 6

Nothing complicates and spoils a good relationship like the green-eyed monster.

In Who's Under Where?, the last show of the season by Scarborough Theatre Guild, two husbands get their knickers in a knot after they suspect their wives are being unfaithful to them.

In what can only be described as a hilarious show that gets more complicated by the minute, this adult comedy, written by Marcia Kash and Doug Hughes, is proof that jealousy can prompt the best of people to do crazy things and that most men make ugly women.

A traditional-style, fast-paced farce with some difficult scenes to portray, cast members were not only able to nail their comedic timing, but also embody their characters so well they kept audiences laughing throughout the show.

In any show, the characters are the most important element and they have to be believable to tell the story. But the set in this show was so phenomenal, and played such a role in the comedy, it's worth mentioning.

Recreated was a luxury hotel suite, complete with a stone balcony and streamline furniture that made it elegant an cozy. From the floors to the crown moulding, this room had style.

And it had to, to impress the Italian clothing manufacturer Bruno Fruferelli (Fabio Saposnik), who is on his way there to view the men's line of Fashion Passion Wear, a lingerie line created by friends Jane and Sybil (Caitlin Stanley, Erin Jones), and to ink a $5 million deal.

The show opens with the two eagerly awaiting his arrival while they confirm the models and get the lingerie ready for viewing. Jane is calm while Sybil's nerves are taking their toll, but little does she know it's for good reason. The ladies decided not to tell their husbands about their plans until the deal is inked and they can celebrate. This turns out to be a bad idea.

Fully suspicious, thir husbands Paul and George (Cary West, Tommy Boston), break into the room and are appalled by what they see - underwear and male model photos everywhere - and the assume the worst.

During a hilarious balcony scene (one of many), the men see their wives in some misconstrued ways and decide to cancel the models and steal the lingerie.

Soon, the two men are fully intertwined in the messs theyv'e caused and potentially ruining the deal, must help their wives be the solution. This leads to non-stop action and everything from cross-dressing, to running from security guard Roger Hodge (Ian Fox), who has more in mind than keeping the hotel safe.

By the time Fruferelli - who made us laugh with his lack of English skills - shows up, chaos is in full swing. There is a male model Sebastian (Luke Robinson) running around in bunny underwear, the husbands are dressed as women (and in women's lingerie) and the ladies are telling a lie a minute to try and save the deal.

While not the most attractive, West and Boston were really funny as women and not only managed to stay in character, but keep a straight face while doing so. Stanley and Jones as friends Jane and Sybil were also hilarious and altogether, this show was entertaining and the perfect way to send audiences off for the summer.

Scarborough Theatre Guild stages Casting for Murder
Audience rewarded with jaw-dropping ending

By MARIA TZAVARAS
April 15, 2010 9:50 AM

In Casting for Murder, one actress is thrust into the role of a lifetime as she tries to catch a murderer while avoiding being murdered herself!

This dramatic thriller, by Elizabeth Elwood, is Scarborough Theatre Guild's latest production and it will keep you not only guessing until the end, but also shocked at a conclusion you will never see coming.

Set on the remote British Columbia island home of husband and wife John and Angela (Sandy Stephens, Elizabeth Innes-Goetz), the setting is perfect for creating an atmosphere of seclusion and danger, which is what Angela is in.

An actress, it seems Angela has the perfect life; she was just cast in a great new role, her husband is a successful mystery novelist and her time is spent canoodling at parties. But after a visit from their neighbour Bertram Beary (Ian Fox), we see there's a shadow about to be cast over her sunny life.

Three years ago her aunt was found dead, murdered by an unknown perpetrator. Bertram is convinced it was her son, Angela's cousin Steven (Cary West), who committed the crime and isn't tactful in sharing what he thinks.

For the full article, click here to visit the Inside Toronto web site.

The Wisdom of Eve offers a backstage look at the theatre

By MARIA TZAVARAS
January 20, 2010 9:49 AM

Sometimes to get to the top you have to step on some toes on the way up.

For one girl in Scarborough Theatre Guild's latest show, The Wisdom of Eve by Mary Orr, she not only stepped on some toes but also some hearts and egos on her quest to be the biggest star on Broadway.

A show about ambition, ego and a backstage look into the theatre world, this show boasted a talented cast who made the behind-the-scenes look intriguing, shocking and entertaining.

Set in New York City in the 1950s, the show opens with an introductory narrative by Karen Roberts (Cindy Platten) who then shifts into character as playwright Lloyd Roberts' (Kevin Shaver) wife and the best friend of Broadway star Margo Crane (Kim Sprenger).

Outside the theatre doors autograph hounds usually lie in wait, but on this night Karen encounters Eve Harrington (Danielle Capretti), a quiet, non-threatening girl who claims to have seen Margo's show 57 times and would kill to express her deep admiration for her.

For the full article, click here to visit the Inside Toronto web site.

The Uninvited is spooky and entertaining

By MARIA TZAVARAS
October 14, 2009 5:14 PM

Perfect for the Halloween season, Scarborough Theatre Guild offers up the right amount of spooky and entertaining with their latest production, The Uninvited. A ghost story with a talented cast and a creepy ambience, this play, by Tim Kelly and based on the book by Dorothy Macardle, is also part mystery, as the audience tries to figure out the reason why Cliff End is haunted right along with the cast.

Cliff End, an old house overlooking the Bristol Channel in England and the setting of this story, has been uninhabited for years and is for sale. It catches the eye of Pam Fitzgerald (Krista Lawley) and her brother Roddy (Cary West), who are looking to escape the fast-pace of London.

From the moment we meet Stella (Siobhan Murphy), the young woman who owns the house and comes to show it to the siblings, there is something peculiar about her. As soon as we meet her grandfather, Commander Brooke (Bryan Stanish), who comes to close the sale, it becomes obvious he's anxious for the house to be sold.

The Commander, compelled to tell them one thing before they decide, shares with Pam and Roddy that former renters experienced a ghostly presence and left in a hurry. Not intimidated in the slightest, Roddy hands over the cheque and Cliff End becomes their new home.

Restless spirits never lie dormant for long and soon the tell tale signs of unrest begin. There are cold spots in the house, Pam hears weeping from the nursery and Lizzie (Julie Burris), their caretaker and maid, swears she's seen a ghost on the staircase.

For the full article, click here to visit the Inside Toronto web site.

My Darling Judith, a comedy about a sad situation
Scarborough Theatre Guild wraps up season with Norm Foster production

By MARIA TZAVARAS
June 02, 2009 4:19 PM

When you plan to do something devious, you should also plan for the possibility that your bad intentions may backfire.

In Scarborough Theatre Guild's last show of the season, My Darling Judith, a comedy by Norm Foster, this scenario is played out when rich business owner David Stafford schemes to get rid of his wife to marry his mistress.

Containing great characters and laugh-out-loud dialogue, as funny as this show is, the "funny" actually covers up a sad situation and a broken marriage. It also provides a realistic snapshot of how life can become when you're not content or living an authentic life.

Married for 19 years, David (Derek Perks) has been having an affair with Anna (Carolyn Hall) and using his summer home, where the story takes place, as his den of sin.

Not wanting to lose half of his business, or waste a year with divorce proceedings, David and Anna hatch a plan for Judith (Carolyn Tutchener), his wife, to be seduced by one of David's employees, Carl (Mark Boyko).

For the full article, click here to visit the Inside Toronto web site.

Moving performances in Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun

By MARIA TZAVARAS
March 12, 2009 1:50 PM

In the midst of wondering why things are the way they are, at some point we realize that while we may not have gotten what we wanted, we got exactly what we needed.

This scenario is beautifully portrayed in the Scarborough Theatre Guild's latest show, Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun by Scarborough's Norm Foster, an amazing story about real people, with real issues whose joy comes from genuinely loving and caring for one another.

This heartfelt story centres around two special relationships: Claire (Candi Zell), a middle-aged mother of the mentally-challenged Robert (Tommy Boston), who at 35 has the mind of an eight year old, and Holly (Julie Jarrett) and her deadbeat boyfriend Simon (Stephen Noll), who is hesitant to man up after Holly becomes pregnant.

Claire does everything for her son, reminding him of things over and over again as he's forgetful, and helping him with the little things that overwhelm him. Robert has a job at a copy place and each morning his mother sees him off by timing his bus route so he isn't late.

But one morning, he misses the bus and meets a crying Holly at the bus stop. She's just been told by Simon that a baby would complicate his impending divorce so she's on her own. A teacher by trade, Holly has a job at a sports store and is terrified at her prospects.

For the full article, click here to visit the Inside Toronto web site.

Dear Santa arrives just in time for the holidays

By MARIA TZAVARAS
December 02, 2008 11:20 AM

If you can't wait until Christmas to see Santa, he's come to Scarborough early bringing along his jolly laugh, his elves and some new friends.

The latest production by the Scarborough Theatre Guild, Dear Santa, written by West Hill Collegiate grad Norm Foster, portrays all of the beautiful ideals of the Christmas season, while not being too sweet or mushy that your teeth hurt when it's over.

It's a funny show, with over-the-top characters, great dialogue and humour that will appeal to adults, but is kid-friendly at the same time.

Set just before Christmas, at Santa's house in the North Pole, Santa Claus (Len Henderson) is going over the day's schedule with his chief of staff, Algernon, or Al (Cary West). He has trips to Paris and Thailand and an appointment with a sleigh salesman, Lou Flapdoodle (Sandy Stephens).

The North Pole is buzzing as Christmas is near, and the last supply shipment is due to come in, ensuring the elves (portrayed by seven delightfully cute and talented children) can finish the presents in time for Christmas Eve.

For the full article, click here to visit the Inside Toronto web site.

Anne comes to life in Scarborough Theatre Guild production
Play looks at the lives of those in Avonlea

By MARIA TZAVARAS
September 09, 2008 11:05 AM

This year marks the 100th anniversary of one of Canada's most beloved stories, 'Anne of Green Gables', about a red-haired, orphan named Anne who comes to live in Avonlea.

The Scarborough Theatre Guild (STG) has chosen to kick off its 50th anniversary season in staging Anne, by Paul Ledoux, an adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic story.

Like the original, this play reminds us that sometimes we get what we need in unexpected ways and that perseverance and spirit makes anything possible.

The STG cast did a remarkable job capturing the spirit of friendship and community in their opening performance last Thursday, giving fans of the classic story a pleasant walk down memory lane and, for those new to the story, a great introduction.

Set in the 1800s in a town called Avonlea in Prince Edward Island, brother and sister Mathew and Marilla Cuthbert (Barton Graff, Candi Zell) are surprised when, after deciding to adopt a boy from the orphanage to help on their farm Green Gables, receive Anne Shirley (Clarisse Reid) instead.

For the full article, click here to visit the Inside Toronto web site.