Play runs until July 30
By Sarah Ferguson | Niagara Falls Review & Port Colborne Leader
Friday, July 21, 2023
Fans of the stage who are in search of a play that will make them laugh, cry and leave them entertained will find exactly what their looking for in the Roselawn Theatre’s latest production of “Bed and Breakfast.”
“It’s a very moving play, but it’s also incredibly funny and well written,” said Don Kearney-Bourque, the Lighthouse Festival’s marketing communications officer.
The play is about Brett (played by Adrian Shepherd-Gawinski) and Drew (Warren Macaulay), a couple who want to move out of their tiny downtown Toronto condo, but they’ve just lost their seventh bidding war on a home.
Opportunity seems to knock at their door, when Brett inherits a house in rural Ontario. That’s when the pair decides to pack their bags, and move to a small village to open their own bed and breakfast.
It’s a heartwarming comedy about “being out” in a small Canadian town, and the challenges that the couple comes across.
“Initially, they think things are going to be OK, but then they meet resistance, and homophobia,” Kearney-Bourque said. “So, they have to make a decision whether they decide to stay or go.”
The play is written by accomplished playwright, Mark Crawford, who recently just finished acting onstage in a run of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in Toronto.
What makes the play unique is that in addition to the topic itself, the two actors cast in the roles of Brett and Drew, play multiple characters in the play — both male and female.
“The two actors play 11 roles each, so they literally turn and they’re the next person. It’s very entertaining,” Kearney-Bourque said.
The boundary-pushing playing, has been well received in Port Colborne’s theatre community.
“I think it really sends a message that no matter who you are, what you look like, or who you love, you are welcome at Lighthouse Festival,” Kearney-Bourque said.
“Bed and Breakfast” is the second production this season that has featured a LGBTQ2S+ theme.
“We like telling stories about different people, with different relationships and different lives and that’s what we’ve certainly tried to do this year,” Kearney-Bourque said.
Tickets start at $42 and can be purchased online at https://lighthousetheatre.com.
Sarah Ferguson is a reporter and photographer covering the communities of south Niagara for Niagara This Week in addition to contributing to Niagara Life Magazine. She’s a lifelong Niagara resident and a graduate of Niagara College’s Journalism-Print program. Find her on Twitter @s_ferguson25.
What: Bed & Breakfast
Where: Lighthouse Festival – Roselawn Theatre | Port Colborne
When: July 19 to July 30
Tickets: $42 Students and Equity Members $15 portcolborne@lighthousetheatre.com or 1-888-779-7703