On Sunday, February 10, I'm slipping into skin-tight shorts, a headband and aviator glasses. I'm cranking '80s power ballads. And I'm biking for two hours as part of the 24-hour Heart Cycle, raising funds for Manitoba's Heart & Stroke Foundation.
It's that last bit I need your help with that last bit.
PLEASE head over to my totally secure and convenient online donation page and make a donation of whatever you can. $10? $5? $20? It all helps save people's lives.
A couple years ago Theatre by the River produced Saint Joan
at Saint Boniface's Theatre de la Chapelle. Mel Marginet (TBTR's co-Artistic
Director), the company and I had all been captured by Shaw's adaptation of Joan
of Arc's story. It's a complex storm of interweaving politics, religion and
nationalism all spinning around - and eventually destroying - a sweet, young
girl who just wants to obey the voices in her head.
TBTR's Production of Saint Joan, photo credit Leif Norman
Reading the trial scene (when Joan is condemned to the flames) brought shivers
and tears to all of us. What passions would make someone set another human
being on fire? What passion would drive someone to embrace that death?
There's a reading of the play this Monday - it's a fundraiser for the
Performing Arts Lodge (assisted living for retired theatre artists). Come to
support a good cause, come to see a stellar cast (the list is below). But
mostly, come to see one of the most moving scenes in the theatre canon.
Featuring: Talia Pura, Cory Wojcik, Glen Thompson, Dean Harder, Ian Ross, Ross
McMillan, Matt Tenbruggencate, Omar Khan, Curt Keilback, Karl Thordarson, Ti
Hallas, Curtis Moore, Mitchell Kummen, Bill Kerr, David Playfair, John
Bluethner, John Echano, Kevin Anderson, Graham Ashmore, Ray Strachan, Kevin
Longfield, Kelly Hughes and Brian Richardson
Directed by Stefanie Wiens
Stage managed by Sylvia Fisher
