Season 48
Written by Ronald Harwood
Directed by Ann Swiston
Stage Manager Win McIntosh
September 29 - October 2, 2012
Harwood weaves fact and fiction into a funny, poignant tale of aging, love and personal strength. Each Quartet character was a successful operatic singer in his or her professional life, and the four come unexpectedly together in a musician’s retirement home in England’s countryside. Like all of us, they have developed idiosyncrasies as they’ve aged, but each retains the heart that made them what they once were. Together, we celebrate with them as the whole so clearly becomes greater than the sum of these individuals.
"The first one out the gate is supposed to set the bar for the rest. Certainly, this season’s opener for LLT, “Quartet”set the bar with altitude high enough to promote nose bleeds... Director Swiston did a remarkable job... everthing moved like silk on a brillantly designed constructed and decorated set... real genius... in cast selection. The four are all talented and relentless actors who picked up the tale and moved with it.” – Jeanne Chaussee, Guadalajara Reporter
From the Director Notes: “Among my works, the one I like best is the Home that I had had built in Milan for accommodating old singers not favoured by fortune ...” Thus wrote Giuseppe Verdi in a letter to a friend, as Verdi neared the end of his life. Casa Verdi, having opened in 1902, and still accepting guests to this day, became an inspiration for Ronald Harwood’s Quartet.
Did you know …? Giuseppe Verdi (1813 – 1901) was one of the most highly influential composers of the late 19th century. He wrote 25+ operas, beginning when he was only 26 years old. His most famous operas include Rigoletto, La Traviata, Il Trovotore, Nabucco, Aida, and Falstaff.
Cast: Kathleen Carlson (Cissy Robson), Roger Larson (Reggie Paget), Dave McIntosh (Wilf Bond), Peggy Lord Chilton (Jean Horton)
Written by Peter Colley
Directed by Roseann Wilshere
November 3 - 11, 2012
From Director's Notes: I have been lucky to direct this play more than once. Peter Colley, the Canadian author, wrote a one hour version for a small lunchtime theatre in Toronto called Solar Stage, where I had the privilege of first conversing with him and directing his work. Peter has been helpful ever since and the opportunity to bring the full length version to the Ajijic stage has been a pleasure.
I’ll Be Back Before Midnight was described by the Toronto Globe & Mail as the most popular stage play in Canadian history. It has been produced in 29 countries, 48 of the 50 states in the U.S. and every province in Canada. It has broken numerous box office records including two record-breaking UK National Tours. It became a Hollywood film starring Heather Locklear, Ned Beatty, Robert Carradine, & Susannah York.
I am thrilled to have the soundtrack from the original 1979 production, courtesy of the Toronto composer, John Roby. The sound for this production is one of the most complicated I have worked on - it is akin to a movie score. Special effects have been a challenge, and without the help of my incredible backstage crew, it could not have been accomplished. My actors on this production have also been a thrill to work with. Together we have taken a creative journey and along the way become great friends.
Taken from Jeanne Chaussee’s Review in the Guadalajara Reporter Nov. 11-16 2012
"LLT audience spooked by dark, dexterous thriller - All the clever special effects went off without a hitch.
Hairpin turns, double twists and enough red herrings to grace a Danish smorgasbord, LLT’s “I’ll Be Back By Midnight” kept audiences barely in their seats and loving every minute of it.
Director Roseann Wilshere … outdid herself with this work of spooky kitsch. Her cast Collette Clavadetcher
as the neurotic and terrified wife, Ken Yakiwchuk
as the supportive (or is he?) husband. Mark Bennett
as George, the friendly (or is he?) farmer and Candace Luciano
as the bitchy and incestuous (yes, she is) sister-in-law - all played their roles to the hilt.
… There were lots of special effects from exploding pot-bellied stoves to protoplasm (or was it?) drifting through the sheer curtains and bumps in the night. The effects came off without a hitch, not an easy task in a small community theatre. Compliments must go to the special effects chair Alex Pinkerton and his crew John Blackmer and Chet Beeswanger, as well as sound technician Emma Bergh-Apton… her fiftieth show, and Pierre Blackburn who operated the sound ."
by Bill Barker
Directed by Peggy Lord Chilton
Assistant Director Kathleen Neal
December 8 - 16, 2012
From Director's Notes: Sometimes a large family is like a microcosmic country in that there are skirmishes, wars, treaties, and peace accords between the various factions. We see some of this in "Best Wishes" and always hope that things will be just fine in the end. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. Still ... we have the feeling that when push comes to shove, the family will come together. And trust me, you will all have known at least one of these characters!!!!!
Playwright’s Notes: BEST WISHES was written while I was an acting student at The Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy of Dramatic Arts. It was workshopped there and was their entry in the American College Theatre Festival where it was ultimately selected as a regional finalist. The subsequent Los Angeles production ran nine months and was selected critics choice by the Los Angeles Times. Over the years the play has been produced many times in many places in the U.S. but this is the first International production. I was honored to finally have the opportunity to play Denny in a remounting of the play in Los Angeles three years ago at Crown City Theatre. Since I was so young when I wrote the play it was very interesting to re-explore the characters from the perspective as someone who is their actual age. It was during this production that I had the pleasure of working with Peggy Chilton (who was playing Fanny) and the result of that happy meeting is the production here tonight. This play has a life of its own and though it has its roots in a particular place and time it has affected audiences of many different ages and backgrounds. That makes me happy. It is like like an old friend that occasionally comes out to say hello. I hope you enjoy it.
About the Playwright:
Bill Barker has written and acted in numerous productions in Los Angeles and New York. As a writer he wrote the play and the oft optioned but un-produced screenplay of Best Wishes. The play ran for nine months in Los Angeles and was selected as critics choice in the Los Angeles Times. Best Wishes has received many productions over the years from Flagstaff, Arizona to New York City. Other plays produced include "Life is Like a Train", "Love Letters In the Dirt", And the co-author of "Hypno-lite". Bill also wrote television for about ten minutes during the 80's writing for the 1/2 hour sit-com "Throb" starring Diana Canova and Jane Leeves. Bill currently resides in Los Angeles.
Cast: Ken Bridges – Gilbert; Kathleen Morris – Vera; Wendy Hamblin – Crystal; Georgette Richmond – Elda; Judy Long – Dorie; Zane Pumiglia – Denny; Betty Lloyd Robinson – Fanny; Harry Walker – Mr. Newhart; K. A. Tetrault – Mrs. Newhart
by W. Dinner & M. Morom
Directed by Sally Jo Bartlett
January 12 - 20, 2013
Director’s Notes: In Too Soon for Daisies, three elderly women escape from Eventide, home for the penniless elderly. They find an abandoned cottage only to have the owner show up and drop dead of a heart attack. They hide the body in the old well. The niece of the owner shows up asking questions. The local doctor shows up and insists that their well needs testing. This comedy thriller has some very funny, touching moments and takes a courageous look at the choices that face us as we age.
Cast:
Ann Drake – Freda Grey; Suzanne Forrest – Joy Philpots; Phyllis Silverman – Edie Boggs; Jon DeYoung – Dr. John Hunter; Cydney Supan McMinn - Jackie Jackson; Douglas Pinkerton - Joe Pollop; Kevin Leitch - A Policeman; Orry Robb – Newspaper Boy
Book by Bob Martin & Don McKellar
Music & Lyrics by Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison
Directed by Dave McIntosh
Choreography by Barbara Clippinger
Musical Director – Judy Hendrick
Assistant Director - Ann Swiston
February 16 - 26, 2013
Director’s Notes: This show is an outrageous comedic parody of a 1928 Broadway musical, full of all of that era’s madcap, feverish fun; featuring big songs, great music, sweet romance, all joyously performed by a cast of steamy, and seamy characters.
In 2006 this Tony award-winning show ran in New York for more than 700 performances and captured the respect and adulation of musical comedy aficionados.
It is a challenging piece guaranteed to bring LLT audiences a lot of laughter, smiles and giggles. The cast of 22 accompanied by the live, 8-piece, Judy’s Hot Stuff Band delighted audiences and cast/crew alike!
Cast: Man in Chair - Rob Stupple; Mrs. Tottendale - Betty Lloyd Robinson; Underling - Pat Carroll; Robert Martin - Kevin O’Byrne; George - Don Wilson; Feldzieg - Don DeCarl; Kitty - Heather Hunter; Gangster #1 - Greg Clarke; Gangster #2 - Russell Mack; Aldolpho - Patrick DuMouchel; Janet Van de Graaff - Alexis Hoff; The Drowsy Chaperone - Patteye Simpson; Trix the Aviatrix - Wendy Petersen; Superintendent - Ray Himmelman
Butlers: Bob Hendrick, Garry Peerless, Grace Holman, Olga Kaplounenko, Ann Swiston, Wendy Petersen, Ray Himmelman
Hot Stuff Band: Belva McIrvin de Velazquez - Piano; Pam Price - French Horn; Donald Lott - Trombone; Norma Province - Trumpet; Kenneth Bridges - Trumpet; Marguerite Ponder - Flute; Steve Caver - Alto Sax
By Jeanne Chaussee, Guadalajara Reporter:
LLT annual musical nothing but pure fun (and talent). The Drowsy Chaperone doesn’t just make you chuckle I it elicits belly laughs. Can there be too much fun? Nope! And the director, cast, and crew of Lakeside Little Theatre’s recent staging of “The Drowsy Chaperone” proved it. … The script, the acting, the asides and the music elect belly laughs and guffaws, almost from beginning to end… this kind of performance can only be credited to the director, Dave McIntosh… achieving possibly the best musical production ever seen at LLT…
by Ray Cooney & John Chapman
Directed by Shirley Appelbaum
March 23 - 31, 2013
Director’s Notes:
In all my years of directing and acting, I have never run into a comedy quite like Not Now, Darling. It is like a musical, where each and every character is important to the show. The events that take place in this very chichi Fur Salon, one might expect to take place “in the local bar”. This fabulous cast, each of whom has become a memorable character, offers delight to the audience and to me personally. With a dream cast, and a talented crew and technical team, I hope to have created an English farce that didn’t have to depend on “keystone cops” for a laugh.
Cast: Orry Robb – Arnold Crouch; Beryl Dorscht – Mrs. Frencham; Candace Luciano – Sue Lawson; Beth Cathcart – Miss Whittington; Collette Clavadetscher – Miss Tipdale; Chet Besswanger - Mr. Lawson; Florette Schnelle – Janie McMichael; Micheal Warren – Mr. Frencham; Fred Koesling - Gilbert Bodley; Georgette Richmond – Maude Bodley; Peter Luciano – Harry McMichael
