Audiences can get lost Somewhere.Saskatchewan playwright Kelley Jo Burke and singer-songwriter Carrie Catherine will bring the production "Somewhere, SK" to the stage at Dancing Sky Theatre later this month. The two-act production marries live theatre and live music to tell the theatrical story about found places and Esmeralda, an aspiring artist who discovers there is more than one way to success. "It's a story that I've thought about doing for quite sometime," said Kelley Jo Burke. "But my other inspiration was Carrie Catherine. She saw my last play and then she called me and she said 'I want you to write me something that I can perform.' I suggested I write (monologues) for a character and by the time we were done writing, we had a play."The plot of "Somewhere, SK" introduces the audience to Esmeralda (Ez)- the protagonist formerly of Saskatoon- who follows her rock n' roll dream and band mate/boyfriend to Toronto. After an unfortunate turn of events, Ez finds herself on the road and on the run, driving a stolen mini-van across Canada heading home. After a flat tire leaves her stranded on the side of Highway 16, Ez is forced to take inventory of her surroundings and sees nothing but wind-battered prairie until she takes a closer look. When Ez opens her eyes to the new, open landscape she opens herself to new opportunities. The young artist dives into discovery and exploration, making the most of her situation. "She has no where to go and a lot of things she's running away from," said Burke. "Ultimately, through a series of adventures she ends up buying into a town. The story is about her rebuilding herself as she rebuilds the town."The play takes the audience on a journey, exploring the power of creation, music, home and landscape. Award-winning prairie chanteuse Carrie Catherine carries the audience through the plot on her musical notes of soulful roots sound and crafted songs. "There are wonderful songs written by Carrie Catherine about running and trying to dream your dream," said Burke. "They're just gorgeousthe songs are beautiful.""Somewhere, SK" compliments Burke's professional portfolio which consists of five award-winning plays which have been performed in Canada and around the world. Burke's one-woman production "Duck on the Moon" continues to tour theatres across Canada and her stage play "Charming and Rose: True Love" has been performed over 30 times internationally and was nominated for the Dora and Chalmers Award for Best New Play in 1994. In addition to her success on the stage, Burke has also produced and directed for radio. Her most recent radio play "Big Ocean" was broadcasted in seven countries in 2000."Somewhere, SK" will premiere at the Dancing Sky Theatre, in Meacham, Sask., on April 26 and will show until May 12.
