Peterborough's Kate Suhr Lands Role Of Ariel In Toronto Production Of The Little Mermaid

Three weeks into rehearsals and Kate Suhr is still pinching herself.

The Peterborough songstress who recently relocated to Toronto to concentrate on her singing and acting career has just landed her first Toronto musical role and it’s a BIG one—she’s playing Ariel in The Little Mermaid!

The PCVS grad is no stranger to our local stage, having starred in numerous St. James Players productions as well as taking on a roll in the Peterborough Theatre Guild’s The Sound of Music.

As a Humber College Bachelor of Applied music grad, Kate is a maestro with the mic. Her musical training—including being proficient in the piano, guitar and ukulele—lead her to release her debut CD entitled Something More, which she performed at last summer’s Boots and Hearts festival!

Having dreamt of being a Disney Princess since she can remember, this is Kate’s big break on the big stage in the Big Smoke! The Little Mermaid opens April 2nd at Randolph Academy and will be on a run of 16 matinee shows that’ll be fun for the whole family.

—By Aaron Elliott

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Local Talent Star In Romantic Comedy Greeting Cards At Showplace

Local talent Naomi DuVall, Ray Henderson, Mike Judson, and Sarah McNeilly are starring in the new romantic comedy play Greeting Cards at Showplace in downtown Peterborough.

The cast of Greeting Cards

The cast of Greeting Cards

Written and Directed by Peterborough's Frank Flynn, here's a synopsis of the play:

Robbie O’Grady is a bon vivant and a lady’s man. At least he was until a stroke changed all that. Now he’s struggling to find his footing in a whole new world. Frustrated, flat broke, and unable to work, he’s beginning to test the patience of his best friend/roommate Max, who’s got troubles of his own. Max hasn’t quite come to terms with the feelings he has for his girlfriend Mandy. Falling in love isn’t Max’s style and he wants out. Behind on the rent, Robbie needs help, and fast. Things get complicated when Mandy suggests Max’s little sister Gertie as a therapist for Robbie. Max doesn’t want Robbie anywhere near Gertie. Things don’t go as planned when Max solicits Robbie’s help to break up with Mandy, and Gertie isn’t quite the little girl Robbie remembers from when they were kids.

Love, laughter, and friendship abound in this romantic romp. Sure to touch hearts and funny bones alike.

Naomi and Sarah rehearsing

Naomi and Sarah rehearsing

Greeting Cards is playing at Showplace on the following dates:

-> Thursday, February 25th at 8pm
-> Friday, February 26th at 8pm
-> Saturday, February 27th at 2pm

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students

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An Evening of Comedy, Music and Drama to Benefit Refugee Families At Market Hall

An Evening of Comedy, Music and Drama to Benefit Refugee Families At Market Hall

Special night Saturday, February 20th

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Here Are Photos Of The Local Cast Of "RENT" That Plays Showplace

Peterborough's Art For Awareness presents RENT from February 20th to 28th at Showplace Performance Centre. Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Here are cast photos below by Sara Connelly (SC Photography) that were photographed in the alley behind St Veronus in downtown Peterborough...

RENT follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. By donating partial proceeds from this local production to PARN-Your Community Aids Network & the Youth Emergency Shelter (YES), Art for Awareness aims to educate, entertain, and normalize the stories of those living with HIV/AIDS, addiction, and poverty and sexual identity. 

RENT is produced with the generous support of Adam Scott Performing Arts, PTBOCanada (we're a media sponsor), Theatre Trent, the Anne Shirley Theatre Company and CMHA Haliburton Kawartha Pineridge.

RENT is Produced and Directed by Geoff Bemrose & Sarah Tye, Choreography by Rachel Bemrose, Musical Direction by Brian MacDonald and Vocal Direction by Pamela Birrell.

RENT runs February 20th to 28th at Showplace. Tickets are $21 for students and $26 for adults. For more info, go here and see the poster below.

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15 Dramatic Reasons To See "Cinderella: The Dancical" At Showplace

15 Dramatic Reasons To See "Cinderella: The Dancical" At Showplace

Make sure to check out this production from local talent!

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PTBOCanada Preview & Pics: The Curious Savage At Peterborough Theatre Guild

The Curious Savage is the latest production to take the stage at the Peterborough Theatre Guild. Written by John Patrick and directed by Glen Walker, this is a must watch performance. You're whisked away to the year 1950, where we see Mrs. Savage (played by Linda Driscoll) join the other residents of the sanatorium known as "The Cloisters". After the passing of Mrs. Savage's husband, she inherits $10 million—but her stepchildren disagree with how she wishes to spend it so they have her committed into the home. From there, many stories unfold at the home throughout this touching production that is filled with mystery, humour, and cleverness. You will find yourself drawn to the stories of each character, wishing for them to find their right path. These characters are exceptionally portrayed by Linda Driscoll as Mrs. Ethel Savage, Rebekah Fallaise as Fairy May, Jessica Mauro as Florence, Josh Butcher as Hannibal, Frankie Black as Jeffrey, and Carole Jones as Mrs. Paddy. Here are some preview pictures below...

The Curious Savage runs until October 11th. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or by calling 705.745.4211.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Curtain Opens For "Enchanted April" Friday At Peterborough Theatre Guild

Enchanted April by Matthew Barber—adapted from the novel by Elizabeth Von Arnim—is brought to life on the stage of the Peterborough Theatre Guild under the direction of Judi Wilson. Set in 1922 in both England and Italy, it follows the story of two women who dream of vacationing in a castle in Italy after discovering an ad in the newspaper—with the cost being quite dear at that time of £60 for a one month stay. So with that, Lotty (Julia Johnston) and Rose (Sheila Charleton) place an ad of their own to find two additional ladies to accompany them on their journey to help share in the cost. Two vastly different women respond to the ad and Lady Caroline Bramble (Emily McFarland) and Mrs. Graves (Jennie Ryan) share the castle with Lotty and Rose, both who are eager to escape their husbands and take in the flowers and sunshine the Italian coast promises to offer. During their stay, the ladies all discover something new about themselves and blossom in ways that they didn't expect and that take them by surprise. 

The production also stars Ray Ulbikas, Kenn Gibb, David Adams and Maria DeCiccio.

The show runs this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. It continues next week from Wednesday to Saturday at 8 p.m. with the finale a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, August 17th.

Tickets are available by calling the box office at 705.745.4211.

More pictures from the production here...

[Photos and story by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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Peterborough's Art For Awareness Hosting Auditions For The Musical Rent

Peterborough's Art for Awareness is holding open auditions for the musical Rent, to be produced at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough, on February 20th to 28th, 2015. Directed by Geoff Bemrose and Sarah Tye, Rent tells the story of a group of struggling artists living in the Lower East Village of New York City under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Its landmark 12 year run on Broadway and multiple awards (not to mention feature film adaptation) have made Rent one of the most beloved and recognizable musicals of the past 20 years. Auditions will be held at Revolutions Dance Studio (159 King Street in Peterborough) on the following dates:

  • September 7th at 6-10pm
  • September 9th at 6-10pm
  • September 11th at 6-10pm

Learn more here about the audition process, and preparation involved.

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PTBOCanada Play Spotlight: Shakespeare Vs. The Merchants of Venom

The Peterborough Theatre Guild is constantly abuzz with new productions taking the stage. With Oliver still running at Showplace, Shakespeare Vs. The Merchants of Venom kicked off last night in the Gwen Brown Studio at the Guild.

This one-act play is the work of Wyatt Lamoureux, who has had the ideas swirling in his thoughts for years and was delighted to finally bring it to fruition on stage. Directed by Keith Smith and co-starring with Lamoureux is Jessica Mauro as the Devil

The play keeps you on your toes throughout with quick wit and fast-paced scenes that also includes well placed audience engagement as well as some book tossing and a stellar sword fight. Both actors give an outstanding performance that captivates the audience and brings you right into the scenes alongside them.

Both have such passion and play their roles with such intensity. If you're a classical theatre buff, you will most enjoy this production and I highly recommend you go see this brilliant performance and see for yourself.

 

The show runs May 8th to 10th only. Seating is limited so make sure to get tickets early by contacting the Box Office.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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PTBOCanada Review: Peterborough Theatre Guild Presents "Oliver! The Musical" At Showplace

Jackson Freeman plays the role of Oliver (photo Neil Morton)

Jackson Freeman plays the role of Oliver (photo Neil Morton)

Opening night for Oliver! The Musical presented by the Peterborough Theatre Guild took place Friday (May 2nd) in front of a full house at Showplace Peterborough. Directed by Gillian Wilson, with Brian MacDonald as music director, choreography by Melissa Beeby and Peter Sudbury as orchestra conductor, Oliver stars Jackson Freeman as Oliver.

As well, there are a host of other familiar names in Oliver from local theatre productions who you've most likely seen in other plays, including Brian MacDonald, Kate Suhr, Lindsay Unterlander, Chuck Vollmar and Isaac Martin—in addition to so many others that make for a superb cast.

Set in the slums of London in 1837, we follow the story of orphan Oliver Twist. If you're like me and remember the story well—I was part of the chorus in our high school production—you'll find yourself singing along to some of the well-known songs like "I'd Do Anything" and "Consider Yourself".

This fantastic musical continues until May 10th. Tickets are $25/adults, $22/senior, $15/students and can be purchased at the Showplace Box Office. 

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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