SOAP Theatre wins awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOAP Theatre took their spring show, Since You Left Us to the 2017 Okanagan Zone (O-Zone) Festival in Salmon Arm this year.  And now Since You Left Us is officially an award-winning play!

According to the organizers in Salmon Arm, the Festival was successful beyond expectations – attendance at the seven performances averaged 81% of capacity, including three sold out shows. More than 200 people came to Salmon Arm from Princeton, Oliver, Kelowna, Vernon and Armstrong to participate in the Festival.
One of the highlights of the Festival from the participants perspective was the “Coffee Critiques” conducted the morning after each performance by Festival Adjudicator James Fagan Tait. The sessions, open to Festival audiences, were full of positive energy as Tait explored details of each production with the directors, actors, designers and stage managers who presented the plays.

The SOAP Theatre cast and crew had a terrific time!  Since You Left Us was very well received by audience and adjudicator, and  took home FOUR AWARDS at the awards banquet on Saturday May 27. They include:

Runner Up To Best Production: Only two productions win an award: first place, which goes on to compete at the provincial Mainstage Festival, and runner-up. For only a second showing at the O-Zone, and competing against many seasoned troupes from Vernon the Shuswap, and Kelowna, this is a tremendous achievement. SOAP Theatre edged out several serious contenders.

Best Newcomer: This award is presented to an actor in their first appearance onstage. Valerie Heathman, who played sexy grandma Dolly, won the award hands down for her terrific performance.

Best Sound Design: Trevor Leigh’s sound design skills were rewarded with this trophy. He also directed the production.

Backstage Cooperation Award: Members of SOAP Theatre know that there is no show if the teamwork between cast and crew is lacking. The troupe has a history of making the camaraderie between onstage and backstage their first priority, always. The most frequent acknowledgement from cast to crew? “We’re a well-oiled machine folks!”

Congratulations to Trevor Leigh and his creative team, the cast and crew and everyone whose hard work made this possible.  Next year’s Okanagan Zone Festival entry will be Outside Mullingar, directed by Tom Szalay. Polish up your Irish accents for this one! Visit SOAP Theatre’s website at http://soplayers.ca to keep up-to-date on auditions and productions.

Front row:  Diane Gludovatz, Valerie Heathman, Aimee Grice

Rear:  Nathan Linders, Tom Szalay, Jeff Smith, Trevor Leigh

Not present for the photo:  Louise Szalay, Christine Rothwell, Brian Hesje, and Jenn MacNeil.  Many others worked hard so this lucky eleven could attend in Salmon Arm and blow them all away.

Great songs with Sons of the Pioneers

The legendary Sons of the Pioneers will be appearing in concert at 7PM on Saturday June 24, 2017 at the Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver.

The Sons of the Pioneers are synonymous with the ultimate in Cowboy music.  For decades the premier western singing group has musically painted unforgettable images and stories of horses, cattle, cowboys, “night herds”, tall timber, cool water, canyons and prairies.  Their original songs like “Tumbling Tumbleweeds”, “Cool Water” and “Ghost Riders in the Sky” are classics forever entwined into the lore and mystique of the American West.  Both “Tumbleweeds” and “Cool Water” have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

First started by Roy Rogers and the gifted songwriters Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer the group garnered national and international fans through appearances  in almost 100 western films during the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s.  Numerous albums were recorded under contracts with Decca, Columbia, RCA and others.  The group provided songs for several John Ford westerns including the soundtrack for “The Searchers” starring John Wayne.  When television came along they regularly appeared on the Roy Rogers Show and had guest appearances on such programs as the Barbara Mandrell Show.   Walt Disney called upon the Pioneers to supply the soundtrack for the film “Pecos Bill”. They were the first cowboy musical group to perform at Carnegie Hall and the first to headline in Las Vegas casinos.

The Pioneers are known around the world for their unique three and four part harmonies.  According to their “trail boss”, Tommy Nallie who joined the group in the 1980’s,  “We are honored to be returning to Canada.  We had western Canadian tours in 2015, in 2016 and we were parade marshalls for the Calgary Stampede in the 1990’s.” Nallie said , “Every concert is pure Cowboy music packed with our timeless hits, solid western swing and a good measure of comedy and banter.  Each of the five members share the vocals and instrumentals.”   Part of the hallmark sound comes from acoustic fiddles, mandolin, upright bass, and lead and rhythm guitars.

Oliver tickets are available through  www.venablestheatre.ca or by phone 1-250-498-1626.  There is limited seating so we encourage everyone to get their tickets early.”

 

Audition for murder mystery

Dates have been set for open auditions for SOAP Theatre’s fall production of The Game’s Afoot (or Holmes for the Holidays) by Ken Ludwig.

Ted Osborne has agreed to direct this play which was named the “Best Mystery Play of 2012” by The Mystery Writers of America.

The Game’s Afoot (or Holmes for The Holidays) is a fast-paced ensemble piece filled with great roles, and keeps everyone guessing “who done it?” right up the very end of the show, says the veteran SOAP director. Patrons will likely remember the non-stop laughter when SOAP presented Lend Me A Tenor, also by Ludwig.

It’s December 1936 and Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast-members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry.

But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. Then it’s up to Gillette himself, as he assumes the persona of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears.

The danger and hilarity are non-stop in this glittering whodunit set during the Christmas holidays.

Anyone interested in acting is welcome to the auditions which will be held over two days. The first session takes place on Thursday, June 8 in Room 1 of the Sonora Community Centre in Osoyoos starting at 6:30 pm.  For a second night,  Sunday, June 11 at 6:30 pm. come to the Big Blue Building at Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 5840 Airport Road in Oliver.

Osborne will need to cast eight characters for this farce which is built around the historical character of Gillette. Three male and five female actors will be required, ranging in age from mid-20s to mid-70s.. The roles are as follows:

William Gillette (early 50s): Eccentric yet lovable, actor extraordinaire.

Martha Gillette (mid-70s): Always a mother, Martha lives with William in his Connecticut castle.

Felix Geisel: (mid 40s) Member of William’s theatre ensemble, friend since childhood.

Madge Geisel: (mid 40s): Wife of Felix and also a member of the ensemble.

Simon Bright: (mid 20s): Sometimes naïve but always earnest member of the ensemble.

Aggie Wheeler: (mid-20s): A sweet, lovable and adoring member of the cast.

Inspector Goring: (40-50): Local police officer, she is sometimes addled but known for closing cases.

Daria Chase: (early 50s): The most unexpected guest, Daria is a local critic who never stops.

The producers will also be looking for people interested in working behind the scenes.

Four shows are planned at Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver on Nov. 2, 3 and 4. Some rehearsals may be called during the summer period.

The Game’s Afoot will be the first in a series of three productions planned for next season. The current season ended with a performance of Since You Left Us at the Okanagan Zone Drama Festival in Salmon Arm on May 25. A review of the past season and discussion on the plans for the next season will be on the agenda when the South Okanagan Amateur Players Society hold its annual general meeting on June 22 at Quail’s Nest Arts Centre. Meeting time is 7 pm but will be preceded by a pot luck dinner at 6 pm.

More information on SOAP Players activities can be found at http://soplayers.ca or by e-mailing info @ soplayers.ca