HAVE A CUP OF JOE WITH JOE – Catching Up With UP

University Players (UP) is the theatrical performing arm for students enrolled in programs at the University of Windsor’s School of Dramatic Art.

The School of Dramatic Art began in 1968 through the vision and efforts of Professor Daniel Patrick Kelly who taught speech and dramatic works in the university’s English department. But, it was a full decade earlier that UP came into existence under the direction of Father Cornelius Patrick Joseph Crowley, Dean of Graduate Studies and Head of the English Department, 1960-1967, with Assumption University, the precursor of the University of Windsor.

In the “Dictionary of Basilian Biography” . . . the author writes of Fr. Crowley, “He directed the Assumption Players for over five years in such productions as “The Mad Woman of Chaillot” and “The Little Foxes”. His production of the “The Glass Menagerie” was one of four college plays invited to the National Catholic Theatre conference, Kansas City, Missouri, 1957.”

Now in its 61st year, University Players is halfway through its six performance season. From September through December 2019, audiences were treated to the Shakespearean tragedy “Othello”; a contemporary drama, “The Wolves” and a family favourite, “Beauty and the Beast”. (Note: the remaining performances in their current season are profiled at the end of this article).

Today, the University of Windsor’s School of Dramatic Art boasts an unparalleled reputation across the country, offering students from around the world the following options: BFA in Acting, BA in Drama in Education and Community with a concentration in Applied Theatre, BA in Drama and Concurrent Education, BA in Dramatic Art, BA in Drama and Communication, Media and Film. The BFA in Acting traces its beginnings to the 1970s and was the first program of its kind in all of Canada.

Over the years, the school has turned out a veritable “who’s who” list of alumni who have found success on such acclaimed stages as the “Stratford Festival” and “Shaw Festival”, as well as numerous other theatre houses, and many national and international touring companies world-wide. Here are just a few great examples . . .
The most recent grad to hit the big time is Sean Sennett, currently in the national touring company of “We Will Rock You,” which just played at Caesar Windsor’s Colosseum on the final days of November 2019. Sennett is a 2019 alumnus with a BFA in Acting and a veteran of Windsor’s rich theatre community.

Then there is Danielle Wade who, beginning in 2012, played the role of Dorothy over 500 times in Toronto and in the national tour of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, “The Wizard of Oz”. She then starred last season in Stratford’s “The Music Man” and is starring in Tina Fey’s musical, “Mean Girls,” now on Broadway and touring the United States.

And there are two other notable alumni — Emmanuelle Zeesman from the Broadway musicals “The Wizard of Oz” and Finding Neverland” and Laura Condlln who will be starring as Captain Hook in Stratford’s 2020 presentation of “Wendy and Peter Pan”.

This list of esteemed alumni is by no means exhaustive, nor does it include the many successful grads involved in independent works, actors like Rose Napoli who is a highly successful Toronto area actor and playwright.

So, let’s take a look at the final three offerings of UP’s 2019-2020 season with insight and commentary by Kristen Siapas, Marketing and Public Relations Co-ordinator with UP and the University of Windsor School of Dramatic Art — and also an alumnus of the BFA in Acting Program and a local actor.

First up is “The Cassilis Engagement”, January 31 to February 9, 2020 at the Essex Hall Theatre.

Siapas: This is directed by Lee Wilson who has joined the school as an Associate Professor this year and who brings us a long career spanning the globe. It is a classic piece, a comedy with an Oscar Wilde feel to it. It centres on the romantic relationship of a high-born man and a low-born woman and the interactions of their respective mothers. It’s a clash of the classes; it’s city mouse meets country mouse and is great fun.

The second play is “Morning Sacrifice” running February 28 to March 8 2020 and is presented in the smaller and more intimate Hatch Studio Theatre located in the Jackman Dramatic Art Centre.

Siapas: This is directed by alumnus Sarah Kitz, a Toronto writer, actor and director. It is a classic dramatic period piece and features a cast of all women. It tells the story of an all girls’ school in 1939 Australia, on the eve of World War II, and the struggles they face with an evil head mistress who is controlling of all the women in the school. It explores the politics of power between women, and the gender roles they’re forced into, and what happens when you step outside of the norms. It’s a very dark and passionate work and most entertaining.

And, finally, the season concludes with “Stag and Doe” playing March 27 to April 5 2020 at the Essex Hall Theatre.

Siapas: This selection was written by Mark Crawford, a theatre actor and playwright who grew up in Glencoe in Southwestern Ontario, the son of dairy cattle farmers. It is directed by Marc Bondy, an alumnus of the BFA Class of 2000. For 20 years he has worked as an actor, director and teacher with many of Canada’s finest theatres. Simply put, “Stag and Doe” is an hilarious, over the top, farcical comedy dealing with one couple having their Stag and Doe at a local community hall who then agree to share it with another couple whose wedding reception tent has unexpectedly blown away. It’s filled with ‘awkward’ relationships among the wedding party members, collapsed wedding cakes and caterers run amok and sent to jail.

For more information about tickets and start times for these three plays, visit University Player’s website.

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ROBIN HOOD Panto hits the stage at Korda

Never been to a Panto? It’s a British tradition that Korda Artistic Productions has made our own: a beloved story that gets a bit bent, live music (book, lyrics and music by Tracey B. Atin and Robert Godden), a whole lot of bad puns, bad drag, and bada## audience participation!

Korda has been producing Pantos for more than a decade and many families have made them a holiday tradition with us.

There’s something for everyone and it’s a great way to introduce young people to the thrill of live theatre. So, join us at ROBIN HOOD for a swashbuckling, hilarious good time!

ROBIN HOOD plays at the KordaZone Theatre, 2520 Seminole Street (upper) December 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21 & 22, 2019. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening shows are at 7:00 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 2:00 p.m. Please note that we have added a Sunday show for charity on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $20 (General Admission), $15 (Seniors), $10 (Students), or $50 (Family 4-pack). Tickets are also available at Eventbrite (for $20 only).

ROBIN HOOD: SO MUCH FUN IT SHOULD BE OUTLAWED!

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Beauty and the Beast by Laurence Boswell

Beauty and the Beast brings the magic of theatre to a new audience with sensory-limited relaxed performance Nov. 29 to Dec. 8, 2019.

University Players offers audience members a new theatrical experience with Relaxed performances of Beauty and the Beast. The latest production of Laurence Boswell’s version of the classic tale brings the story to life with breathtaking movement and music, and an opportunity for guests who require a limited sensory environment to access live theatre that supports their individual needs.

4th year Drama in Education student Sarah Richards is responsible for the new format. As a House Manager with University Players, she has seen the challenges that face audience members with individual needs. “I wanted to make theatre an accessible experience for everyone. Theatre affected me deeply growing up – I don’t think I would be the person I am today without the experiences I had, and I want to bring that opportunity to all families, without limitations.”

Director Monica Dottor dusts off the well-known story and takes us on a journey from Beauty’s childhood home into the palace of a magical and terrifying Beast. There Beauty must find her way through a dreamlike world of magical mirrored rooms, enchanted objects, and fantastic food, to confront the Beast and free the Prince trapped within. Surprises are found behind revolving panels of the playing space, as Beauty discovers the true nature of the Beast, her desires, her dreams – and herself.

Beauty and the Beast opens November 29 with an 8pm performance at Essex Hall Theatre. The November 30th matinee at 2 pm will be a relaxed performance. The show runs approximately 2 hours. Recommended for ages 7+. Tickets are on sale now. Kids tickets are just $8, and regular price tickets start at $19.

Directed by Monica Dottor.

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A St. Clair Christmas

This holiday season, bring your family on a true flight of fancy with A St. Clair Christmas, Windsor’s most magical holiday show!

Journey with us to the North Pole for a heartwarming and hilarious holiday celebration. Your favourite reindeer are hard at work training apprentices for the biggest night of the year, but all is not calm and bright in Santa’s workshop, and heartache and hijinks threaten to jeopardize the final flight. What happens when a mischievous Cupid wields her bow, and a fussy Rudolph refuses to participate in any reindeer games? Windsor audiences can find out starting December 6.

Featuring holiday musical favourites, alongside hits of the 1950s and 1960s dropped into the picture-postcard setting of a whimsical North Pole, the latest production from St. Clair’s Performing Arts department brings a new twist to the Christmas characters you know and love. Students from the Music Theatre Performance and Entertainment Technology programs bring the magic to Windsor’s own Chrysler Theatre at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts in this festive review.

Program and Artistic Director Katherine Kaszas directs the highly original, student-driven holiday extravaganza.

“Each year a professional creative team works with the third year music theatre performance students to devise a production from the ground up,” Kaszas says. “This year’s show brings humour and vintage charm to the holiday stories we all love, for a perfect addition to any holiday calendar.”

With the technical brilliance of St. Clair’s Entertainment Technology students, led by Production Manager Dan Rehel, setting the scene, A St. Clair Christmas promises to be the highlight of this year’s holiday season. Music Director Mike Karloff has assembled an exciting score of favourites with a festive twist, the perfect soundtrack to the holiday season. Thrilling dance numbers choreographed by renowned faculty members Kristyn Wiklanski and Melissa Williams complete the stunning spectacle.

This year, make A St. Clair Christmas a part of your family’s holiday celebration! Show runs December 6, 7, 12 & 13 – 7:30 pm. with a December 7 & 14 Matinee at 2 pm.

Tickets are on sale now though the Chrysler Theatre box office.

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Nutcracker – Holiday Tradition Celebrates 10th Anniversary

This year marks the 10th anniversary of this local production of The Nutcracker. A beautiful Sugarplum Fairy, a delightful Clara, precocious Fritz and a flurry of snowflakes will take the stage once again in Windsor Ontario. After three sold out shows last year, the company is excited to announce the addition of a fourth performance. This ballet will be performed by 150 elegantly costumed dancers to the much-loved score by Tchaikovsky and will take place December 6,7, and 8th at the historical Capitol Theatre.

The Nutcracker will open Friday December 6th at 7pm and continue through Sunday, December 8th at 2pm. The production is presented by Edmunds Towers School of Dance under the Artistic Direction of Ms. Kristyn Wiklanski. This production has become an annual holiday tradition for Windsor–Essex. You won’t want to miss this production.

“We are delighted that we will be performing this holiday classic for residents of Windsor –Essex. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary of our production, we have a few exciting new additions to this ballet. Over the 10 years, we have seen ticket sales grow each year and we are excited to be adding a fourth performance. We are overwhelmed by the success of this production and we are so happy to be presenting again this holiday season,” says Dianne Edmunds, Edmunds Towers School of Dance. “From the costumes, to the sets, to the number of cast members, to the brilliant score, this production will entertain all ages. It truly is a holiday tradition in Windsor-Essex”

Edmunds Towers School of Dance has been serving the Windsor community since 1981. A family owned and operated business they celebrate the love of dance by instructing students in the disciplines of tap, ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop.

Their objective is to share the love of dance while providing the highest quality of dance education to children of all ages and abilities. They also prepare young dancers who wish to enter the professional world of dance and provide training in proper technique to all of our students.

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