A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
2017 Community Show April 20-30

Port Dover, ON (March 31, 2017): Lighthouse Festival Theatre is back to presenting big musicals for their 7th annual Community Show with Stephen Sondheim’s riotously funny, Tony award winning hit A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. Sondheim’s first musical has played around the world since 1962 and Lighthouse is thrilled to finally put it on in Port Dover.

Artistic Director Derek Ritschel will direct the ensemble, with music direction by Michelle and Tony Proracki and professional choreography by Kiri-Lynn Muir. The cast is comprised of 19 talented local actors spanning across Norfolk and Haldimand County.

“The community show is one of my favourite parts of the year, it didn’t exist when I started eight years ago,” Ritschel shares. “Each year it continues to be the most honest, joy-filled rehearsal hall one could possibly hope for.” The actors, creative team and numerous volunteers have all been working on the show since January.

“I think what they’re doing is remarkably brave, to not just do a show but to sing and dance and act and do it all in under 3 months is nothing short of impressive to me,” Ritschel continues. “Each actor gets to shine in their own way and express themselves artistically.”

The show consists of over a dozen professionally choreographed musical numbers, countless lines to memorize and numerous costume changes. 19 actors will perform on stage, and over 15 volunteers behind the scenes helping bring this enormous production to life. The costume design is a mix between Lighthouse volunteers and Stratford Festival Theatre, who produced the show last year.

“Theatre is about community and telling stories and sharing with your neighbours,” Ritschel explains.

Lighthouse Festival Theatre is a registered charity and will invest the revenues of the community show into the ongoing improvements of the theatre. The generous support from patrons and donors allows Lighthouse to continue providing Norfolk County with the highest caliber of professional theatre every season. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM will run for eight performances from Thursday April 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29 at 8PM
April 29 and 30 at 2PM. Tickets just $22.

About Lighthouse Festival Theatre

Lighthouse Festival Theatre is one of Ontario’s leading professional summer theatres. Located in beautiful lakeside Port Dover, Lighthouse presents 5 main stage productions, one Young Company production and a Season Topper tribute show during their main season from May to September.

For more information and to set up an interview, please contact:

Nicole Campbell
Lighthouse Festival Theatre
Publicist
nicole@lighthousetheatre.com
519-718-1100

CAST:

Jillian Adams – Philia
JP Antonacci – Hero
Chloe Craig – Chorus
Katherine Czerlau-Lima – Courtesan
Carmen Davis – Protean #1
Grace Davis – Chorus
Jada Dawson – Chorus
Dave Deelen – Miles Gloriosus
Debbie Dumais – Courtesan
Xochilt Kiernan – Chorus
Mathew Kiernan – Chorus
Susan LaBone – Domina
Jason Mayo – Hysterium
Phil McLaren – Senex
Murray Porteous – Erronius
Laura Porter – Courtesan
Kristin Reid – Protean #2
Brian Reichheld – Lycus
Meredith Wood – Psuedolus

SHOW DESCRIPTION:

Broadway’s greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM takes comedy back to its roots, combining situations from time-tested, 2000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright, Plautus, with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville.

This outrageous and sexy musical follows Pseudolus, a crafty slave, who struggles to win the hand of a beautiful, but slow-witted, courtesan named Philia for his young master, Hero, in exchange for freedom. The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors and a showgirl or two.

LIGHTHOUSE FESTIVAL THEATRE

Lighthouse Festival Theatre produces and presents eight productions on our Main Stage from May to September, as well as a robust fall and winter series; and has a summer touring schedule which includes our second venue, Showboat Festival Theatre in Port Colborne. The Main Stage at Lighthouse is an 351 seat proscenium theatre, and Showboat Festival Theatre is a 250 seat proscenium theatre.

THE POSITION

We are seeking a dynamic professional in the role of Development Officer. This is a full time, permanent position. This person will play a key role in the support and implementation of Lighthouse Festival Theatre’s donor programs and corporate sponsorships. He/she is responsible for meeting assigned revenue targets for annual donors, major donors, sponsors and partners; and to assist with Capital fundraising. This position is responsible for overseeing all donor recognition and cultivation including donor events, special solicitations and personal relationship development. Additionally, he/she will build relationships with community leaders and groups. Working closely with the Artistic Director, the Administrative Director and the Publicist, he/she will play an integral role in the overall success of both Lighthouse and Showboat Festival Theatres.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES:

ANNUAL GIVING

• Create and execute a strong development plan that includes objectives, strategies, time-lines, and budgets
• Oversee the annual giving program including membership and major gifts
• Develop thematic campaigns to support seasonal giving and youth programs
• Initiate meetings with Lighthouse Festival Theatre patrons to solicit and/or upgrade their support
• Oversee successful implementation of program elements including: stewardship, benefit allocation, renewals, reporting and solicitation
• Prepare individual profiles on donor prospects
• Build relationships with current donors
• Responsible for implementing donor recognition benefits including donor cultivation events
• Coordinate Capital Campaign research on existing and future pledges/solicitations
• Develop strategies, work plans, and identify and qualify potential donors including major gift prospects

SPONSORSHIP

• Broaden the base of corporate sponsorship for the Theatre by continuing to develop new kinds of sponsorship opportunities
• Develop a corporate sponsor package, and issue all pertinent paperwork
• Maintain an ongoing cultivation of sponsors
• Communicate all sponsorship information to accounting and marketing departments

FOUNDATIONS/GRANTS

• Research foundations to approach for funding and prepare written proposals
• Identify potential sources of government and other funding to prepare grant applications as required

MUST POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALITIES

• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Detail oriented, very organized in a fast-paced environment
• Pro-active and results oriented
• Great attitude, hard-working

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit a letter of interest and CV by February 9, 2017 by email only (please attach documents in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat). Attention: Helen Wagenaar, Administrative Director LIGHTHOUSE FESTIVAL THEATRE
e-mail: helen@lighthousetheatre.com

Lighthouse Festival Theatre welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

We thank everyone who applies for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

2nd Annual Festival Doubles Performances

December 7, 2016. Port Dover, ON: Lighthouse Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director, Derek Ritschel, is thrilled to announce that Lighthouse will launch The One Act Festival for a second season (right word?) from January – March 2017, featuring three new and gritty productions. The One Act Festival’s inaugural year was welcomed by completely sold out audiences. As a result of the overwhelming support the festival has now doubled in size, adding a matinee performance to each show.

Ritschel’s goal for the One Act Festival is to build an audience to a size where Lighthouse can start to self-produce the shows. “It would be very much like our summer season, but entirely one act shows which you would never see in our summer playbill,” Ritschel shares. “Perhaps one day, who knows how far down the road, we will have a winter theatre season that rivals our summer theatre season – full two act shows in the summer and one act shows in the winter.”

Each production and performer boasts numerous respected awards. “Thankfully we are able to bring in some of the best one act performers Canada has to offer to establish this series,” Ritschel explains. “Gavin, Rebecca and Alison are experts in their craft and by bringing them here we not only provide the best in one act entertainment – but introduce ourselves to a whole new genre of theatre.”

The Festival kicks off January 28th with CONFESSIONS OF A REDHEADED COFFEESHOP GIRL, by Toronto’s critically acclaimed solo performer Rebecca Perry. This award winning show is for anyone who has ever had a job they didn’t like or was totally overqualified for.

On February 18th, we welcome Gavin Crawford and his new one man show “FRIEND” “LIKE” #ME. Crawford, best known for 8 seasons on CBC’s flagship comedy This Hour Has 22 Minute, offers a hilarious new perspective on the social media world with his witty performance of the online trends we all love and love to hate.

Based on her best selling memoire, Alison Wearing will perform CONFESSIONS OF A FAIRY’S DAUGHTER on March 18th. Her story about growing up with a gay father in the 1980s is a comic monologue that follows Alison through her carefree childhood to the time she learned her family was a tad more complex than she thought.

The One Act Festival is just $65 for all three shows or $25 each.

The One Act Festival Productions:

CONFESSIONS OF A REDHEADED COFFEESHOP GIRL

Written by and starring Rebecca Perry
January 28
2pm and 7pm

Anthropology graduate Joanie Little is stuck working as a barista. Rather than let this get her down, she decides to make the most of her “underemployment”. So, much like Jane Goodall did with chimpanzees, this upbeat Miss studies her only available subjects: the customers of her coffee shop ‘jungle’… hilarity ensues! Created and developed by Toronto’s critically acclaimed solo performer, Rebecca Perry, this internationally successful show is for anyone who has ever had a job they didn’t like.

“FRIEND “LIKE” #ME”

Written by and starring Gavin Crawford
February 18
2pm and 7pm

Gavin Crawford is a multi-award winning actor, writer and comedian, best known for writing and starring in The Gavin Crawford Show for Comedy Network and for 8 seasons of CBC’s flagship comedy This Hour Has 22 MInutes. Gavin will have you all a-twitter with his new one-man show. He takes you through a click-baiting spiral of characters we all know and love (and love to hate) from our lives off and online. You’ll be humble-bragging you saw this show to all your distant high school friends.

CONFESSIONS OF A FAIRY’S DAUGHTER

Written by and Starring Alison Wearing
March 18
2pm and 7pm

Based on her bestselling memoir, Alison Wearing tells the story of growing up with a gay father in the 1980s. Woven through music and imagery, the comic monologue moves from Alison’s carefree childhood to the moment she learned, at age twelve, that her family was a tad more complex than she had thought.

Balancing intimacy, history and downright hilarity, this is a captivating tale of family life: deliciously imperfect, riotously challenging, and full of life’s great lessons in love.

For more information:
Nicole Campbell, Publicist
Lighthouse Festival Theatre
519-718-1100
nicole@lighthousetheatre.com

Lighthouse Festival Theatre is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to work in an exciting, fast-paced environment in the permanent role of Production Designer.

Established in 1980, Lighthouse Festival Theatre is a significant regional theatre committed to the development of Canadian works and artists. Welcoming 50,000 visitors annually from south-western Ontario and beyond, we produce and present shows during our May to September season at both our 351 seat Main Stage in Port Dover and at the 250 seat Showboat Festival Theatre in Port Colborne. The Port Dover facility is active throughout the year with concerts, special events, community presentations and in-house festivals and productions.

TERMS OF REFERENCE:
The Production Designer is responsible for communicating both Lighthouse and Showboat Theatres’ brand and vision to our patrons. This person will work in conjunction with the Artistic Director, Publicity and Marketing team to create a professional and creative marketing campaign. The Designer will follow the established brand and overall theatre look to determine the optimal layout of graphics and content to produce consistent, high quality materials. The successful candidate will create and build material for new and existing campaigns – from print brochures, print and online ads, office documents, posters, website, eBlasts and online content.

YOU ARE
• An expert in layout, typography, color, composition
• Proficient in HTML and CSS
• Familiar with responsive design
• Excellent in your communications and interpersonal skills
• Proven to be experienced creating online content
• A person with the ability to thrive in a team-driven atmosphere

REQUIREMENTS
• post-secondary degree and/or a minimum of four year’s experience related to production design
• strong communication and interpersonal skills
• strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative, Photoshop, inDesign

Salary commensurate with experience.
(This is an On Site permanent position, 5 days each week, minimum 25 hours)
Interested applicants should submit a resume and on line portfolio by September 30, 2016 to: Helen Wagenaar, Administrative Director helen@lighthousetheatre.com
Applications will be received by email; no phone calls please.

Subscriptions for our 38th season are available to the public September 26th.  For subscriptions options, click here.

Learn more about the cast of The Wizard of Oz each day leading up to the opening!

JADEN BANFIELD – Oz, Munchkin Jr

Jaden is ecstatic to play the Wizard of Oz because his Mom loves the movie and has quite a few tips for him. He is looking forward to utilizing the vocal skills that he has learned in drama classes over the years. Jaden would like to send a shout out to his parents because without them this would have never been possible (literally).

MATTHEW KIERNAN – Scarecrow

I love theatre and the performing arts mainly because I really like people. I also just find it a fun thing to do. I wanted to join the Young Company because two of my old brothers had been part of the company in previous years; this will be my fourth year with the company. Aside from the previous Young Company shows I have been in, I have been in other small performances at Lighthouse Festival Theatre and was an MC for the Maureen Dodd Talent Show a few years ago. I would like to give a shout out to Marcus Lundgren, our director, and my older brothers Thomas and Daniel Kiernan for inspiring me to join the Young Company.

XOCHILT KIERNAN – Munchkin Mayor’s Wife, Cameron Crow, Winkie

Acting is my life. There is nothing more I enjoy then being on the stage. I joined Young Company because I was inspired by my older brothers who were in previous shows. This is my third Young Company show. I’ve also been involved with other shows including the Maureen Dodd Talent Show, Seussical the Musical at Simcoe Little Theatre (as Jojo), other youth programs and Young Frankenstein (ensemble). Shout out to my older brothers Dan and Tom for teaching me to have confidence and to go get the dreams I want.

GRACE LIMA – Egregious the Sidekick

This is Grace’s first year with the Young Company and she is very excited! She has loved acting from day one. When she was nine, Grace starred as Young Cosette in Les Miserables and has also participated in the Maureen Dodd Talent Show for the past two years. She is excited to spend time this summer with the Young Company meeting new friends and developing new acting skills!

ARTHUR SHANTZ – Tin Man

Theatre and performing are my passions. I wanted to be in Young Company because I’ve been in it for four years and have enjoyed it thoroughly. I’ve been involved in three Simcoe Little Theatre productions (acting in Moon Over Buffalo and Quilting Pieces, and stage managing for Always a Bridesmaid) My strongest influence has been my mother as she is a very artistic person; she takes pride in being a creator and I’ve always respected her for her passion. Shout outs to Marcus and Nikki for putting up with my shenanigans and sarcasm all these years.

HOPE COOKSON – Russell Crow, Old Munchkin

I love theatre and performing because there’s all these new people to meet and new friends to make. I wanted to be in Young Company this year because last year one of my friends was in it and kept telling me how fun it was. This is my first year in Young Company but not my first production. I have been in four other shows before this one and competed in the Norfolk Musical Arts Festival with a short scene. I’m really glad to be here this year!

JADA DAWSON – Dorothy

My name is Jada and I am 14 years old. I’ve been acting for quite a few years. I love theatre and performing because you are always given a new challenge. You get to explore who you can be and have fun doing it! The arts, such as this, never have a dull moment. You are always thinking and exploring and having fun. I joined Young Company because a good friend of mine suggested it would definitely be for me. He was absolutely right as this is my second year in Young Company and its still interesting and enjoyable. I’ve been in various different performances stretching from school to actual theatres in the past five years. I couldn’t have done this without my parents, who have always supported me with my acting. I’d like to thank Todd Stronks, Julie McIntyre and Stephanie Downton; who were not only my elementary teachers but the people who keep pushing me to try new things and strive for success. I’d also like to thank the cast and crews I have worked with. And lastly, a shout out to our director Marcus Lundgren for 15 amazing years as the director of Young Company!

JULIANNA DAVIDSON – Glinda the Good Witch

My name is Julianna Davidson and I am 15 years old, going into grade 10. I love performing because of the feeling I get when I’m on stage, knowing that the crowd is feeding on our positive energy and returning it. Sometimes the audience response makes me so giddy I could just smile for hours after. Also, the cast gets so close and at some point it’s like a switch is flipped, all the energy and chemistry comes out between everyone. Performing isn’t just an action, it’s also a feeling and an experience.

MEGHAN BERESTECKI – Munchkin Coroner, Monkey King

I like performing and doing theatre because I can become someone else for a little while. I also like discovering more and more about my character as I play them longer. I wanted to be in Young Company after my sister, Chelsey Berestecki had performed with them for three years. She had a great time so when I was old enough, she encouraged me to audition. Before that, I have always loved being different characters and people. I always loved making people laugh. This is my second year performing with the Young Company, last year I performed in the production Beauty and the Beast. One of my biggest supporters is my grandma, Claudia Berestecki, who consistently encourages me to participate in theatre. She’s big on watching multiple shows and does a really good job of promoting plays on social media!

ELLA TAYLOR – Emeril the Emerald Guard

This is my second year with Young Company. I couldn’t wait for the new year to begin because last year’s crew and cast were so fun to work with. I love acting because I get to meet people who share the same interests as me. Before Young Company I took part in Simcoe Little Theatre’s Anne of Green Gables. I am very excited for The Wizard of Oz and I can’t wait until opening night!

JUSTIN SNIDER – Cowardly Lion

I love theatre because I feel that it helps me overcome my shyness and it gives me something to do over the summer. When I was 12, my mom told me I needed to do something aside from sitting inside all summer. I wasn’t interested in sports so I joined Young Company. I have been hooked ever since, this being my fifth year! I have participated in a lot of productions my school has done as well Young Companys productions of Peter Pan, Cinderella, Snow White and Beauty and the Beast. I don’t pay a lot of attention to theatre outside school and Young Company, so I’d say my strongest influences are the teachers at my school’s drama club as well as our director, Marcus. He’s a cool guy.

MAEVE DRYNAN – Aunt Em, Gerald the Emerald Guard

I love theatre and performing because it allows me to become a new person and enter a new world. Acting is a way to escape day to day problems and stresses. I wanted to join Young Company because I knew I would miss drama during the summer time. I do a lot of drama at school and I wouldn’t want to spend a whole summer without it! This is my first year with the Young Company, but I have done shows at Lighthouse before with their Youth Conservatory. My previous acting credits include; Sears Drama Festival entries such as ‘Competition Piece,’ ‘Chagall,’ and ‘The Lottery.’ Each of these pieces moved forward to Regionals, and I received an Award of Merit for my role in ‘The Lottery.’

CONNOR DAVISON – Munchkin Mayor, Norman the Doorman

My name is Connor and I am 12 years old. I live in Dunnville. The reason why I like theatre is because it is fun. This is my first year being in Young Company. One of the reasons why I joined Young Company is because I love The Wizard of Oz. I was also in the Lakeshore High School production of Mary Poppins, as the understudy for Michael.

JUSTINE VERVAEKE – Wicked Witch of the West

Justine is a 4-year veteran of the Young Company. Having appeared in numerous other productions including Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Snow White and Cinderella. She was also cast in Simcoe Little Theatre’s productions of Seussical and Anne of Green Gables. Justine has a strong passion for the arts and enjoys putting smiles on people’s faces. She is extremely excited to be a part of this year’s production of The Wizard of Oz. She would like to thank her family, director, crew and fellow cast members for all their support. “Enjoy the Magic!”

Enjoy a sneak peak video of Lighthouse Festival Theatre’s 4th show of the season Perfect Wedding on stage July 20 to August 6.  For more information about the show, click here.

Video by LFT Media Partner:

The world premiere comedy Something Fishy, written by Marcia Kash and Douglas E. Hughes, is on stage at Lighthouse Festival Theatre from June 29 to July 16.  For more information about this laugh-a-minute new comedy, including cast and photos, click here.

Video assembled by LFT Media Partner
Culture Rodeo

Photos by LFT Photographer
Blackbird Photography

A life of acting.

Nigel Bennett is an award winning actor, often typecast as the villain or as he describes it “a pompous a**hole”. Out of character, Bennett is charming, kind and has an uncanny sense of humour.

Born in England to a non-theatrical family, Bennett was hooked after performing in his high school Christmas show. He auditioned at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, but admits he really messed it up. “That’s when my mom told me I had to get a proper job.” Bennett laughs.

Taking her advice, but still following his passion, Bennett trained as a teacher of Drama and History and received a 1st Class Honours degree from University of Wales that he gushes, “I’m still very proud of.”

Lasting a year as a teacher, Bennett couldn’t shake pursuing a career in theatre. “I auditioned and got a job at a new company in South Wales. I was very lucky- in those days it was difficult to get an equity card.”

After acting for 15 years in England, Bennett moved to Canada and has worked from Vancouver to Halifax in film, television and theatre for the past 30 years.

Bennett, his wife and youngest of four now call Stratford home. He’s performed at Stratford Festival Theatre for the last five years.

Bennett’s favourite role was the powerful and alluring LaCroix in the Gemini-nominated television series, Forever Knight. “It was my first series in Canada and during the early days of the internet. I remember sitting in the production office and the secretary dumped a bunch of papers on the desk and said ‘These are the emails we’ve received.’ Reading through these emails of people raving, we realized this is a hit!” And it was.

Recently, Bennett appeared as Chief Constable Giles in CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries. He recalls leaving a restaurant when a man jumped up and yelled ‘Stop being so mean to Murdoch!’ Bennett turned to him and said ‘He deserves it!’ “We had a little chuckle. It’s nice to be recognized, it doesn’t happen often, but when it does it’s lovely.”

Bennett admits he’s mostly known for a series of hilarious Oatmeal Crisp “It’s not oatmeal!” commercials he appeared in for four years.

Although Bennett prefers working in film, he loves the live-ness that only theatre offers. “There’s never an audience or anyone that gives you a round of applause on a set, there’s only the crew.” Bennett explains. “I believe theatre doesn’t happen on the stage, it happens somewhere in the interaction between the stage and audience. The audience is a huge part of every performance that you do, especially in a comedy.”

This summer, Bennett will make his debut at Lighthouse Festival Theatre in the world premiere, comedy/farce Something Fishy, by writing duo Marcia Kash and Douglas E. Hughes.

Bennett stepped back into theatre 15 years ago at Neptune Theatre in Halifax. He worked on 13 plays in 10 years under Artistic Director Ron Ulrich, husband of Something Fishy playwright and director Marcia Kash. “I know Marcia and Ron very well. I’ve already acted with and been directed by Marcia, and I’m looking forward to working with her again. She’s great.”

Bennett jokes that his favourite part about this upcoming role is “doing a lot of the play with no trousers on.” Something Fishy is a new play commissioned by Lighthouse Festival Theatre. “Being involved in a new play is a wonderful challenge.”

After his gig in Port Dover, Bennett will appear in the upcoming motion picture “xXx3” with Vin Diesel and on stage in The Audience, at Manitoba Theatre Centre and for the Mirvish organization in Toronto. Bennett has also found time during his busy career to co-author three novels and is currently working on two more.

The arts have created a beautiful, fulfilling life for Bennett and his family and he believes that the “arts are our expression of ourselves as a society.”

“The attitude that the arts are not important is so misguided.” Bennett continues, “The arts allow us all to express what it is to be human. And that’s a huge privilege.”

By Nicole Campbell