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Local talent strutting stuff on Toronto stage
Friday July 18 2008 By David Nairn, CENTRE STAGE I hope everyone was able to take in all the wonderful festivities at the Founders’ Fair last weekend. You couldn’t walk down Broadway without realizing we are blessed to live in an incredibly vibrant and dynamic community. Sensational events such as the Founders’ Fair bring such joy to all our lives!
Bravo to everyone who made this 39th annual event such a resounding success! I for one can’t wait to see what you have planned for the 40th!
I did manage to sneak away from the festivities to catch a few shows at the Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival. I was thrilled to see that Theatre Orangeville alumni Allison Price, Karen Knox, Chance Kellner and Taylor Wilson were all strutting their stuff on the professional stage in Toronto.
These brilliantly talented young people from right here in our community were writing, acting, producing and directing some of the most enjoyable, challenging and exciting theatre that I have experienced in many a long day.  
The Toronto Fringe productions are performed in venues ranging from church basements to pubs to mainstream theatres. It was pure theatre at its most vital, intense level and each of these gifted young artists were sensational. Taylor’s play was selected to go on to be performed at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival later this summer!
Be sure to catch Theatre Orangeville’s Musical Theatre Young Company’s Production of Clowns!  
The entire family will love this “Big Top” show. Anne Reid directs this sensationally talented company of 11- to 16-year-olds who hail from all over our community — Orangeville, Erin, Shelburne, Mansfield, Arthur and Caledon.  
Clowns will be performed at Theatre Orangeville on Friday, July 18 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, July 19 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 pm. Ticket prices are $5 (five years of age and under), $8 (6 to 12) and $10 (13+). For more information, phone the Theatre Orangeville box office at 519-942-3423 or go to www.theatreorangeville.ca.
Century Church Theatre’s Summer Festival in Hillsburgh presents two very funny plays this summer. Quartet by Ronald Harwood, features four “inmates,” as they term themselves, of a retirement home for opera singers. Each with a different personality, they are coping with life after 70 in their own ways. If you enjoyed the British comedy Waiting For God, you will absolutely love this one. Quartet plays until July 19.
Who’s On First? is billed by its author, Jack Sharkey, as “a nightmare comedy.” False accusations among friends and lovers lead to wildly improbable situations involving a lamp with strange powers, a rubber chicken, and the strangest party ever!
Who’s On First plays from Aug. 13 to 23. The shows run Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. Evening performances take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. Tickets are $27. For reserved seats, call the box office at 519-855-4586. Visit www.centurychurchtheatre.com.
Does your arts organization have an event coming up in the near future? Everyone reads The Banner so get the word out there about your arts event! Event information can be dropped at the Theatre Orangeville box office located at 87 Broadway or by emailing me at dnairn@theatreorangeville.ca.

David Nairn is the artistic director at Theatre Orangeville. To submit questions or ideas about art, entertainment and theatre in Dufferin email dnairn@theatreorangeville.ca.

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