The Innisfail Town Theatre cast is putting the final touches on a play about a senior trying to put the final touches on her own work of fiction.
In Spirit! the lead, Clara Panowski (played by Patricia Toyata) fights ageism and helps inspire an ethos of rebellion in the world of the Happy Hallows nursing home. All the while she is trying to come up with an ending to her second novel.
“It's all about being spirited and maintaining your youth,” said Toyata, at the tail end of one of the final rehearsals before the curtain opens April 11. “I think the set is very colourful. The characters are entertaining.”
Dona Edgar, a founder of the theatre group who plays Clara's senile roommate, says it's nice to be in a production that tackles issues relevant to Innisfail's population in a comical way.
“I think it's very appropriate because of the large seniors population,” she said, noting the laughs are not at the expense of the older folks, but focus on their endearing nature. “There are many people who do have that idea of old people. It's thrust upon us by the media. They're always saying maybe they don't matter as much – and they do.”
In Peg Kehret's play, Happy Hallows has fallen on hard times but the home's administrators think they have an opportunity to sell the property before it's too late. A supernatural element to the all-ages-appropriate play heightens the drama.
“My favourite part is probably watching all the old people doing the hula and the cop comes in,” said Krista Irwin, who plays the residents' aide, Arby. “I'm their confidante. I help them with their day-to-day routines.”
In Spirit! it's up to her to make sure the residents maintain their special diets, and there are jokes about pepperoni pizza.
This will be Irwin's first experience under the Innisfail spotlight, but already she is enjoying the play. After all she gets to act opposite her dad.
“It's nice to spend a lot more time together,” she said, noting the three to four days a week of practice have kept them close. “It's really good.”
Alanna Lindl was happy to take on the role of Ms. Monroe, the manager of the nursing home, after a couple of years behind the scenes.
She says she can't wait for opening night.
“I always look forward to that part of the process,” she said. “That's where the fun begins.”
Ms. Munroe is an uptight character who really does have the interests of the nursing home at heart.
Lindl says the play's message is a good one.
“I think it speaks to people,” she said. “It's important to stay young at heart and enjoy life while you have it. You're never too old to pursue your dreams.”
Stage manager Kim Norlin is proud of how the cast has pulled together, and can't wait for opening night.
“You get so close it becomes a family thing right away,” she said. “They've done so well with the show.”
While she'll say the ending is bittersweet, Norlin is careful not to give anything away.
“The last scene is very emotional,” she said, “but happy too.”
Regular theatre performances (no dinner) take place Thursday, April 11 and Thursday, April 18.
Tickets for regular theatre performances are $20 each. Doors open at 6 p.m. and showtime is at 7 p.m.
Dinner theatre performances will be held April 12, 13, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27. Tickets are $40 each. Dinner service begins at 6:30 p.m. and showtime is at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Legman, on Main Street. All performances take place at the Ol' Moose Hall on 49th Street.
