Something Very Special to Do This Summer Biggar Continues to Rival New York
Biggar SK, May 29, 2000: Biggar is a-buzz with action, as this summer's original production, New York Is Big But This is Biggar - The Musical, continues to build momentum towards its off-Broadway opening on July 27th in the historic Majestic Theatre on Main Street.
Playwright and Director, Tom Bentley-Fisher, (Tom is a long-time contributor-author in The Inditer) has been living in and working with the community on the project for two months. He and composer, Angie Tysseland, are trying to keep the music hush-hush, but snatches of The Ku Klux Klan Tango were heard by a group of visiting railroaders behind the bowling alley last Saturday night and it was reported that Ethel MacDonald burst into tears in the produce section of the supermarket while she was singing The Urban/Rural Split Blues, also alleged to be from the new musical.
The entire community appears to be throwing its weight behind the creation of this exciting event, as workshops, auditions, production meetings and readings of the early drafts have become a daily occurrence.
Key Players In The Production Cast And Crew
The Biggar Museum & Gallery, with the generous support of the Canada Millennium Partnership Program, is happy to announce the involvement of the following:
Joining the team as Set and Lighting Designer is Michael Bantjes, one of the foremost designers in the province. Michael is continuing his long professional association with Mr. Bentley-Fisher. For the past two seasons they have worked together at the Station Arts Centre in Rosthern as well as on numerous productions at Twenty-Fifth Street Theatre.
Also joining the technical team is Michelle Wilsdon, as Stage Manager. Michelle has made a significant contribution to both professional and community theatre in the province and the Biggar Museum & Gallery is delighted with her involvement.
Recently confirmed cast members include Jane Redlyon, who has performed in major theatres across both Canada and England and has worked with Tom in Rosthern for the past few seasons - Bruce McKay, a graduate from the National Theatre School, who has performed regularly in all the professional theatres in Saskatchewan - Cheryl Jack, also a graduate of the National Theatre School, and seen most recently playing the leading role in How I Learned To Drive at Persephone - Tom O'Hara, another popular Saskatchewan actor remembered for his recent role as Scrooge in the New Theatre Christmas Co-op production of Scrooge - Doug Schmeiser , familiar to local audiences as both actor and musical director in many musical productions - and Carol Wylie, who has performed extensively in community theatre throughout the province.
The six actors play the parts of committee members who are trying against all odds to produce a community play about the history of Biggar -
Local actors will be filling the remaining roles, which include Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip, a twelve member Greek-style chorus (and in this case shopping), a full singing chorus of up to twenty, and four teenagers who try to get out of town.
- Jane Redlyon will be seen as Gladys, a three-time widow who becomes the director
- Bruce McKay as Eric, the bingo caller who becomes the producer
- Tom O'Hara as Gordon, the Reverend who becomes the social conscience
- Doug Schmeiser as Harry, the grocery store manager who becomes set designer
- Carol Wylie as Nelly, the boutique owner who becomes stage manager
- Cheryl Jack as Freda, the community star who becomes slighted
Performances: July 27 to August 10, 2000 at the Majestic Theatre, Biggar, Saskatchewan
For more information about New York Is Big But This Is Biggar - The Musical, to purchase tickets or to set up an interview with any of the participants call Jacqui Moir at (306) 948-3451 or e-mail at Jacqui Moir
For a Taste Of New York Right There In Saskatchewan - Keep your eye on this not-so-sleepy prairie town. Mayor Guiliani may have cleaned up New York City - but no one is going to clean up Biggar! - Stay Tuned.