“Shakespeare’s gone country!”
That’s how Dewdney Player’s president Dr. Ed Sands describes the theatre group’s upcoming interactive dinner theatre and barn dance.
After aA previous dinner theatre proved to be a “roaring success”, said Sands, so the theatre group has decided to forgo their traditional performance style and turn their showings into their second-ever dinner theatre.
The play, written by producer and writer Peter Skagen, is a spoof on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The rich Montague family is replaced by the still wealthy, but more country McCall family and Juliet is now Julie Edwin (Julie-Ed for short). Romeo is rechristened as Rodeo and comes from the less-refined Hatfield family, who are the Capulets in the Shakespeare version.
Like in the original Romeo and Juliet, the McCall’s and the Hatfield’s are feuding and Rodeo and Julie-Ed find themselves in a forbidden -love mess, – but with a ton more music and fun.
Sue Gothard is the musical director for Rodeo and Julie Ed and says she has no doubt that the raucous play will have both the young and old on their feet and singing along.
“There are loads and loads of songs,” says said Gothard.
“We have such a fresh, bright, young cast for this one, along with the regular Dewdney Player’s and that kind of inspired us to add some newer music into the mix.
“Along with the classics by Johnny Cash, we also have songs from Lady Antebellum and Carrie Underwood.”
Gothard t also let it slip – spoiler! - that the popular Big and Rich song “Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy” will be performed.
Dr. Sands is also playing the role of Wayne B. Wayne, who is the band leader/MCemcee.
“The audience is absolutely expected to get involved,” says said Sandshe said.
“When they come in, they will be separated into two sides and given different colored bandana’s.,” he explained. “One side will be on the McCall side and the other will be for the Hatfields.”
The performances are taking place at Jojo’s Café at, Kayben’s Farms in just outside of Okotoks, running from Friday, April 27th through to Sunday, May 13th. Jojo’s Café is fully catering the dinner and tickets for evening performances are $49.95 per person (includes dinner) and $34.95 for afternoon showings (includes dessert).
The Dewdney Players are an Okotoks- based theatre group that put on two family friendly productions every year. They also had three plays that were entered in the Alberta Drama Festival Association’s (ADFA) One-Act Play Festival, which was held on March 31st in High River.
Musical director Sue Gothard says that she is blown away by the talent and commitment that the cast and crew have put into this production and expects that it will be an amazing performance.
“I can’t stress how grateful we are to the talented musicians who’ve been a part of all the rehearsals and will play at all nine performances totally out of the goodness of their hearts,” says said Gothard.
Dr. Sand’s adds that tickets have to be purchased in advance and none will be available at the door., but
hHe promises a fun-filled night.
“It will be the most fun you can have with your boots on,!” he said.
For tickets, please call Jane at 403-995-5778. For more information on the Dewdney Player’s group as well as upcoming events and shows, please go to www.dewdneyplayers.com
