It’s all about families this season for the Sidekick Players Club.
Sidekick raises the curtain on its 23rd season of community theatre in South Delta with a production of Bordertown Café at the Tsawwassen Arts Centre on Thursday, Oct. 10.
The Canadian production by Kelly Rebar and directed by Bernice Fehr takes place in rural Alberta in a small border town café. It’s a comedy full of family dynamics in three generations.
“I actually played in this a number of years ago when I was working with Shuswap Theatre in Salmon Arm, so when we were choosing plays I put this one forward,” said Fehr. “The family lives right on the border of Alberta and Montana. The characters are really colourful and interesting and I really do like the story.”
The characters emerge in the ditzy Grandmother Maxine, the thoughtful Grandfather Jim, their frustrated daughter Marlene and her sensitive 17-year-old son Jimmy.
When Jimmy must make a critical decision, the family is forced to open up to each other as never before as individuals and as a family whose members have roots both in Canada and the U.S.
The production features a cast of four, including Paul Fisher, Ellen Beck, Cherise Jacques and Morgan Schooley.
“We cast in July and started rehearsals in August,” said Fehr. “Paul is the grandfather, Ellen is the grandmother, Cherise plays the daughter and Morgan is the son. I was in a play previously with Ellen as well as with Paul, he assisted me when I directed. Morgan is totally new to me, but a brilliant young man. He’s in Grade 12 this year.
“They have all done a fair amount of work in theatre and local audiences will recognize them. They are all excellent. It’s a really intricate play, so we will see how it all goes.”
Performances run Oct. 10 to 26 with shows at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with 2 p.m. Sunday matinees on Oct. 13 and 20.
Performances take place at the arts centre in bistro-style seating which allows the audience to sip on a glass of wine or other beverages and nibble on snacks available at the concession stand.
Reserve tickets by calling 604-288-2415.
Other performances this season include: Beauty Queen of Leenanne (opening Jan. 16), Drinking Alone (opening April 16) and Marion Bridge (opening June 17).
