By Mark Ribble
Have you ever wondered which Canadian town is known for being exactly halfway between the equator and the North Pole?
Well, that town is Stewiake, Nova Scotia, and it provides the setting for the upcoming play at The Bank Theatre, Halfway There — opening Friday, January 17.
Best friends Vi, Mary Ellen, Rita and Janine meet daily at Janine’s place of work, where she waitresses at a local diner.
The play, written by Canadian playwright Norm Foster, provides plenty of laughs as the foursome get themselves into some hilarious conversation.
Add in a handsome new arrival in town — Dr. Sean Merritt — and you’ve got all the ingredients for some great entertainment.
Award winner Dean Valentino directs this one and stars as Sean, while Brett Hallick acts as assistant director and also plays Junior, the owner of the diner.
Valentino is grateful to be back and working with the “exceptional team” at The Bank Theatre.
“This entire show has been a pure joy to put together — seamless, fun, and rewarding,” he says. “As both director and cast member, I invite our local theatre audience to join us on a journey to Nova Scotia, where we explore the lives of four unique women navigating their friendship. Years of happiness, sadness and everything in between are on full display in this artfully written comedy.”
The production brings lots of laughs and even a few tears — somewhat reminiscent of Steel Magnolias, and other such stories. But this one is dripping with ‘Canadiana’ from the East Coast dialogue, to the music that ushers in each scene.
The actresses, Melissa McLeod as Vi, Kristen Lamoure-Dias as Janine, Marnie Renaud-Gare as Mary Ellen and Michele Legere as Rita, all put in excellent performances, providing chuckles and tears and will surely have the audience identifying with their individual predicaments.
Valentino’s turn as the good doctor provides a down-to-earth likeable character to which the audience will immediately warm. Sean and Janine have chemistry from the first scene and spend most of the play kibitzing back and forth, much to the delight of the other three.
Performances take place January 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 7:30 pm and there are two matinees on January 19 and 26 at 2:30 pm. Box Office doors open 30 minutes before the show.
The play is sponsored by the Municipality of Leamington, Chances Gaming Lounge and Rotary Club of Leamington.
Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office 30 minutes before the show if not sold out. Tickets may also be purchased during Box Office hours Thursday to Saturday from 11 am-1 pm or online at banktheatre.com.
Halfway There was first produced by the Foster Festival in St. Catharines in August 2016. Halfway There is staged by arrangement with Pam Winter, GGA, ggagency.ca.