Summer theatre returns to Wolfville

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

welliott@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

Professional theatre is coming back to Wolfville this July in the form of Valley Summer Theatre.

The new company’s producer Bruce Klinger, a former general manager at Neptune Theatre, announced his season at the Blomidon Inn last week.

With two modern classic two-hand plays and a solid company in place, Klinger promises to keep the Al Whittle Theatre busy for more than a month.

Klinger called the 160-seat Whittle “the perfect intimate setting for plays from a worldwide repertoire chosen to appeal to a summer theatre-going audience and to provide the artists involved an opportunity to be challenged and to be proud of the work they create.”

Beginning the inaugural season will be the Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Gin Game. Set in a dilapidated nursing home, it features two unforgettable characters.

Linda Moore, who has exercised her craft across the country, will direct The Gin Game. Merritt Award-winner Carolyn Hetherington and Lee J. Campbell, who spent two seasons at the Atlantic Theatre Festival, will play the leads. The Gin Game will run from July 29 to Aug. 16.

It will be followed by a one-week run of Love Letters by A.R. Gurney from Aug. 19-23. The play will be directed by Pamela Halstead, who is currently producer at the Ship’s Company Theatre.

C. David Johnson, of CBC’s Street Legal fame, and Diane D’Aquila will read the letters. D’Aquila has spent over 14 seasons at Stratford.

Talented team “I am delighted we have been able to attract such a talented team of professionals for this first season,” Klinger said. “I see Valley Summer Theatre as another opportunity to highlight the great theatre talent in Nova Scotia and across the country.”

Among the well known backstage professionals Klinger has attracted are: Vicky Marsden as set designer; Leigh Ann Vardy as lightening designer; Sandy Moore as sound designer; and Pete Conroy as theatre tech.

Two Wolfville restaurants, Tempest and Acton’s, will hold opening night receptions. “Everybody is delighted,” said innkeeper Jim Laceby, “the restaurants especially.” Mayor Bob Stead was at the announcement as well with words of welcome. “Many are pleased you are here,” Stead said. “We offer cautious support. We use the word ‘sustainable’ a lot and will into the future.”

Klinger said 18 months ago when he began looking into the possibility of Valley Summer Theatre, he encountered immediate support. “People here have shown it time and time again. We will begin modestly and grow organically. My definition of success won’t be this year or next, but 20 or 25 years from now.”

Klinger added thanks to Bill Zimmerman, who is volunteer manager at the Whittle. Financial support is coming from the province’s culture department and the Wolfville Business Development Corporation.

Tickets at $25 and $17.50 for students will be sold through Ticket Pro at the Box of Delights.