The talented group of players at Innisfail Town Theatre (ITT) is gearing up for another exciting season -- one that promises something old, something new, lots of laughs and maybe even a few tears for local patrons of the arts.
First up will be the fall production, The Game's Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays by Ken Ludwig, which is set to open on Nov. 28, just in time for Christmas party season. The play, which is billed as a comedy thriller, will be a classic whodunit with many twists in the tale. Rehearsals are scheduled to begin in early September.
"The play is set in a castle in Connecticut on Christmas Eve," said Shane Hauser, one of the play's two co-directors, who also has taken on one of the roles in the production. "The cast of a Broadway play about Sherlock Holmes gather for some holiday socializing when strange things start to happen."
The show will feature a play-within-a-play and some farce-like elements, although the play itself is not actually a farce. "There will be some surprising moments, some intrigue, and lots and lots of comedy," said the other co-director Kim Norlin. "It should be a lot of fun. I'm really looking forward to it."
The cast of The Game's Afoot is made up of primarily ITT veterans, many of who have not graced the stage for several years. "Many of them were wanting to get back on stage again," said Hauser. "They were just looking for the right play to come along. Lucky for us, they decided this was the right one."
In addition to Hauser, the cast will feature ITT alumni Mark Kemball, Janis Bell, Dave Kinsella, Christine Chalaturnyk, and Kathy Fisher. Natasha Stoez who last appeared in ITT's Of Mice and Men will return as well, and newcomer Allison Coffey rounds out the cast.
This play marks Norlin's first time wearing the director's hat. In the past she has worked primarily backstage as a stage manager. "I'm really excited about it," she said. "We've done a lot of preliminary work on this so we are really prepared."
Hauser is definitely happy to be working with Norlin. "I've been in plays that I have directed in the past and it really works out much better when you have a partner," he said.
When it comes to playing the dual role of actor/director, Hauser takes it all in stride. "With this seasoned cast, I don't have any concerns at all," he said.
Norlin concurs. "This is really a dream cast for a novice director," she said. "I'm really glad everyone we hoped to cast were able to commit to the project. It has already taken a lot of pressure off."
The set for the play is already built, and incorporates the newly expanded stage that was constructed over the summer. Some of the elements of the set will remain for the spring production, the heart-wrenching musical Blood Brothers, which has yet to be cast. Rehearsals for both plays will run simultaneously this season, as a musical usually requires more cast members and more rehearsal time. Sharing stage time will require some creative scheduling, but such is the way of theatre. "The key is to make the best use of the rehearsal time we have," said Norlin.
The result will be two ambitious and entertaining productions for everyone to enjoy.
Tickets for The Game's Afoot will tentatively go on sale on Oct. 5 during a presale event at the Ol' Moose Hall. General theatre and dinner theatre dates will be offered. "Watch for the posters coming out soon," said Hauser. "All the details will be advertised."
