Wednesday, April 28, 2010

A WELL-KEPT ROYAL SECRET?

Is Queen Milli of Galt the story of a well-kept royal secret ... or a Canadian fairy-tale about a strange royal marriage? Audience members will have to decide as they enjoy this witty romantic comedy, based on a true Canadian story!

Queen Milli of Galt, by Gary Kirkham, directed by Marion J. Smith and produced by Bonnie McCrae, was the winner of the 2004 Samuel French Canadian Playwriting Contest and is being staged by Paris Performers' Theatre with special permission from Samuel French Inc.

In 1972 the Duke of Windsor died while living in exile. Two weeks later, an 80-year-old woman living in Galt, Ontario, bought a tombstone and had it beautifully engraved with the claim that she was the wife of the Duke of Windsor (the former King Edward VIII). That is, she was Queen Milli of Galt. That part of the story can be proved as the tombstone still exists in a cemetery.

In our story a young journalist appears at the home of Millicent Milroy, a retired school teacher, trying to verify the circumstances of Milli's relationship with the former king of England. Flashback to 1919 when the Prince of Wales tires of the pomp and circumstance of his tour of Canada and slips away for some private time. Prince Edward teases and charms his way into the life of a young school teacher, Milli. Is this part of the story fact or fiction?

Our cast includes: Nicole Drake (Milli), Kelly Malone (Milli's friend Mona, an actress), Sandra Mann (Milli's mother), Trevor Wellwood (His Royal Highness, Edward, the Prince of Wales), and Roger Smith (Sir Godfrey, equerry to the Prince).

Tickets are available at the Green Heron Bookstore on Grand River Street North in downtown Paris. Order tickets by phone at 519-302-0169. Also, you can order tickets by emailing: bmccrae@primus.ca.

Tickets for Queen Milli of Galt cost $15. Pre-paid purchase of 10 or more tickets to a single performance cost only $12 per ticket. Performances are held in the Special Events Building at the Paris Fairgrounds, 139 Silver Street, Paris, Ontario. The doors open one hour before curtain time and light refreshments and beverages are available. The facility is wheel-chair accessible and padded chairs provide comfortable seating.

CURTAIN TIMES
Friday, June 4 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 5 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 6 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 10 at 8 p.m.
Friday, June 11 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 12 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 13 at 2 p.m.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Prince of Wales to visit Canada


It's 1919. The World War (1914-1918) is over. The worst of the 1918 world-wide plague has passed.

People are anxious for better news; and it comes in the form of the announcement that the popular Prince of Wales will be making an official visit to Canada.

Join PARIS PERFORMERS' THEATRE in welcoming the Prince to our stage as the company offers Queen Milli of Galt at 8 p.m. on June 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12. On June 6 and 13, matinee performances will be held at 2 p.m. Doors to the Special Events Building at the Paris Fairgrounds will open one hour before curtain time.

Tickets are available at the Green Heron Bookstore in downtown Paris. Order tickets by phone at 519-302-0169.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

SPECIAL AUDITION

Paris Performers' Theatre requires two males for its June production of QUEEN MILLI OF GALT! One male should be able to pass for being in his 20's. The other should be in his 40's or 50's.

The younger role is THE PRINCE OF WALES (later King Edward VIII).

The older role is the equerry to the prince - (a personal attendant on some member of the king's family) - a combination of a butler, attendant, confidant, secretary.

The play centres around the 1919 visit of the Prince of Wales to Canada. It is a romantic comedy.

AUDITION at 1 p.m., Sunday, March 7, 2010, upstairs in the Exhibition Centre at the Paris Fairgrounds, 139 Silver Street, Paris, Ontario.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Thanks, New Faces!


Paris Performers' Theatre Inc. wishes to thank our cast and crew for ASPIRIN & ELEPHANTS. In addition to long-time favourites Greig Graham and Bonnie McCrae in the cast, we were blessed with first-time director Judy Moore, producer Alex Graham, stage managers Carlie Myke and Nicole Drake.
Making their first appearance on our stage were Damon Arber, Aaron Pearson, Linda Lloyd McKenzie and Marieve Gagnon.
Pictured above are our "new faces":
Marieve, Linda, Damon,
Nicole, Aaron and Carlie

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

AUDITIONS

Auditions for the June production of Queen Milli of Galt, by Gary Kirkland, directed by Marion Smith, will be held upstairs in the Exhibition Centre at the Paris Fairgrounds at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 1, and Tuesday, March 2, 2010.

Required are: a male in his 20's and a male in his 50's; a female in her 50's, and two females in their 20's. Age ranges are flexible.

Based on a true story, Queen Milli of Galt is a romantic comedy with a handy supply of humour. This play is a genuinely witty exploration of unexpected love.

In 1972, the Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII) died while living in exile. Two weeks later in Canada, an 80-year-old woman from a small town named Galt had her tombstone engraved, claiming to be the Duke's wife.

Flashback to 1919 as the Prince of Wales visits Canada. Bored with the pomp and circumstance, he slips away from his official duties and begins a romance with a charming young woman.

Winner of the 2004 Samuel French Canadian Playwriting Contest, Queen Milli of Galt is a charming story.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

NEW FACES

ASPIRIN & ELEPHANTS
Aspirin & Elephants is set aboard a cruise ship, and so we would like to welcome aboard some new faces to Paris Performers' Theatre. Come out to see the Jerry Mayer comedy and say hello to Damon Arber, Linda McKenzie, Aaron Pearson and Marieve Gagnon, who appear for the first time on our stage. Also in the cast are Bonnie McCrae and Greig Graham, long-time favourites of our audiences.
Carlie Myke and Nicole Drake are stage-managing the show. Carlie worked back-stage on our production of Twelfth Night. Nicole has appeared on-stage and back-stage in school productions.
Welcome aboard!
Aspirin & Elephants is suitable for mature audiences!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Heart & Stroke Month

P.P.T supports charities!

Paris Performers' Theatre is supporting the Heart and Stroke Foundation by contributing 7.5% of the gross receipts from ticket sales for ASPIRIN & ELEPHANTS, the company's February show.

Also contributions for the Heart & Stroke Foundation will be accepted from audience members in attendance at the seven performances of ASPIRIN & ELEPHANTS.

It seems fitting for the theatre company to support the work of the Heart & Stroke Foundation. One of the characters in the February play suffers a heart attack.

What about Judy?



Judy Moore in a New Role

Although Judy most recently appeared back-stage as sound technician for "Jupiter In July", our December, 2009 show, her first association with P.P.T. was on-stage at 120 West River Street, when she had one line ("What about Grace?") in the 1995 production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever".

She has had roles in The Curious Savage, My Darling Judith, How The Other Half Loves, Office Hours, Sinners, The Cemetery Club, and See How They Run. You can see that she has had a colourful career as an actress!

Judy makes her debut as a director with ASPIRIN & ELEPHANTS.

February, 2010 show

ASPIRIN & ELEPHANTS
by Jerry Mayer
Director Judy Moore and producer Alex Graham have assembled a cast of "new faces" for this comedy.

Linda McKenzie appeared in the Stage 88 production of "Jenny's House of Joy" in 2009. Damon Arber has been associated with the Galt Little Theatre for several years. Although "new faces" at Paris Performers' Theatre, Aaron Pearson, Marieve Gagnon and Nicole Drake bring their vast experience and love of theatre to our stage. Carlie Myke worked back-stage for P.P.T. several years ago.

Join them for performances of Aspirin & Elephants in the Special Events Building at the Paris Fairgrounds in February, 2010.
CURTAIN TIMES
8 p.m., Friday, February 19
8 p.m., Saturday, February 20
2 p.m., Sunday, February 21
8 p.m., Thursday, February 25
8 p.m., Friday, February 26,
8 p.m., Saturday, February 27,
2 p.m., Sunday, February 28
(Doors open one hour before curtain time.)
Aspirin & Elephants
is suitable for mature audiences!
ASPIRIN & ELEPHANTS was originally presented at Santa Monica Playhouse and was originally produced by Emily Mayer and the Santa Monica Playhouse.

AUDITIONS

Auditions for our spring show, "Queen Milli of Galt" will be held upstairs in the Exhibition Centre at the Paris Fairgrounds, Silver Street in Paris, at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 1 and Tuesday, March 2, 2010.

Director Marion Smith requires two males (one able to pass as a person in his 20's and one in his 50's) and three females for this show. The females required are: one in her 50's and two females who can pass as being between 20 and 35 years of age.

JUPITER IN JULY



One local resident described the cast of Jupter In July, by Norm Foster, as a "dream cast". Director Digby Sargeant says that he agrees. Bonnie McCrae, Don Vanstone, Megan Davey, Alex Riker, Ty Humpartzoomian and Rick Toews wowed audiences for the Norm Foster comedy. Comments from audience members were all positive. "One of the best prodctions you've ever done!" and "I laughed so hard it hurt" and "Great acting" were among the accolades.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Monday, January 7, 2008

THE BOARD

THE BOARD
Starring (in alphabetical order)
John Creeden (President)
Jacqueline Flood (Treasurer)
Barb Larion
Bonnie McCrae (Box Office Manager)
Judy Moore (Secretary)
Denis Nason (Vice-President)
Digby Sargeant (Newsletter editor & blogger)
Don Vanstone (Advertising)



There are many roles in running a theatre and they don't all have to be done by the Board - So if you are interested, give us a call and become part of the fun!

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Mission Statement
Incorporated in the Province of Ontario (November, 1992), Paris Performers' Theatre is dedicated to providing quality stage productions at an affordable price, and to affording people an opportunity to develop their skills in all aspects of community theatre.
How to Buy Tickets
Tickets for all productions are available by:
Phone 519-302-0169
leave a message and one of our volunteers will return your call confirming your order

e-mail at
parisperformers@yahoo.ca
we will reply, by email, confirming your order

We will set the tickets aside for you to pick up, and pay for, when you come to the performance.
Please be sure to tell us how many tickets you want and for which performance!

Tickets are also available from
Green Heron Books
47 Grand River Street North in downtown Paris
Tickets are available to purchase at this wonderful store.
Open seven days a week Green Heron Books is a must for New books, Top conditioned used books,
Special orders and Fair Trade Coffee

Group rates for Paris Performers Shows are available.
Order and pay for 10 or more tickets to a single performance in advance and each ticket is only $12.
Cheques should be made payable to "Paris Performers' Theatre"

PRICES:
ADULT : $15
Eye-GO to the arts and CHILD (for appropriate productions) : $5
The Special Events Building at the Paris Fairgrounds is wheelchair accessible.