One of Estevan’s top summer tourist attractions is placing a strong emphasis on Canadian content as it helps celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.
The Souris Valley Theatre will offer its two main stage shows and a number of other special attractions this year. General manager Lyn Vilcu is looking forward to the upcoming season, and the talent that will take to the stage in Estevan.
“It’s still a learning curve, but it’s probably the best job I have ever had,” said Vilcu, who is in her second year. “I’m super excited. I can’t wait for everybody to get down there.”
The theatre’s technical director, Catherine Bridge, has arrived, and is preparing the theatre’s Frehlick Hall for the start of the season. Tori Yuzek is back for her second year as stage manager and Ben Redant is returning as the musical director.
The actors for the first main stage show, Fitz Happens, have arrived in Estevan.
Artistic director Kenn McLeod said he is excited they will have all Canadian productions this year, and all Saskatchewan performers.
“Everybody … is either from here (originally), or lives here now,” said McLeod. “We do support local talent down at the Souris Valley Theatre.”
Fitz Happens will run from June 21-30. A new Canadian musical, it shares the story of Fitzwilliam, a fun-loving British aristocrat who has fallen on hard times. After almost every club in England bans him from entry, his uncle sends him to Canada. Despite his protests, the job of Canadian Mountie awaits him in a Saskatchewan town on the Canada-U.S. border.
“It’s not about Estevan, it’s about an imaginary place called Dry Gulch, Saskatchewan, but the similarities are quite significant to this local area,” said McLeod.
Fitzwilliam must use his wit and charm to save the tiny prairie town.
The other main stage production is Dogbarked, about farmer brothers Baxter and Roland who are sitting on their front porch drinking beer, and watching the world go by. The brothers are trying to figure out a way to get people to stop in their community.
McLeod said it is a “classic” production that has been performed throughout western Canada.
“It’s a celebration of what it’s like to be in Saskatchewan when the times are a-changing,” said McLeod.
Dogbarked will be performed from July 19-22 and 25-29.
A couple of other productions have been announced. The first is A Soldier’s War from July 5-6. It’s a new Canadian play that recounts the journeys of five Canadian soldiers during the Second World War, from training camp to D-Day and their return home.
“It’s all based off of original letters by the playwright’s grandfather,” said McLeod.
McLeod was part of the world premiere at the Globe Theatre in Regina in January 2016, as he’s a friend of the playwright. The performance in Estevan is part of a nationwide tour for A Soldier’s War.
“They’re going to do their quite beautiful homage to veterans and the Canadian identity during World War II,” said McLeod.
One-act show Wildwood Flower runs from Sept. 7-9. It tells the story of June Carter Cash and her mother Maybelle Carter. It also features the music of June Carter Cash and her husband Johnny Cash.
Vilcu said there is already a significant amount of interest in the production.
“This is the longest the theatre season has ever been,” said McLeod. “The shows are starting earlier in June … because we usually don’t have our first show open until July, but we have such a jam-packed season that we had to start it in June.”
Also scheduled is the annual Ladies Night at Rotary Park in Woodlawn Regional Park. The cast of A Soldier’s War will be performing, and the women’s improv group, the Lady Bits, will return this year as well. Food and beverages will be available.
Saskatchewan Express will perform on Aug. 10 at the outdoor stage at the Woodlawn Regional Park’s Boundary Dam Beach Site. It features music by artists from all eras and all styles, including some of Canada’s greatest stars.
Vilcu said Saskatchewan Express fits perfectly with the theatre’s Canada 150 celebration.
The theatre will also offer theatre camps for youth this summer. Josh Wade will be at the helm of the summer youth camps, and Kelsey Potoma is his assistant this year. He has been conducting workshops in the schools since late May.
“We have quite a few registrations in, so we’re happy,” said Vilcu. “But we still have lots of room.”
The Act I camp for children ages six to eight will run from July 10-14. It introduces children to the stage with fundamentals, games and activities to get young children comfortable in a theatre environment. There will be a short performance the final day of the camp.
Act II is for children ages nine to 12, and runs from July 17-21. It provides more advanced lessons, and there will also be a short performance on the final day of the camp.
Act III is for children ages 10 to 16, and runs from July 3-Aug. 4 and Aug. 8-11. The children will be part of an original production that is 50 to 60 minutes in length, and incorporates all theatrical elements.
The production will be Game of Phones 2: The Canadian Edition, which was penned by Lampman’s Maureen Ulrich. She wrote the original Game of Phones last year.
A dash for cash event will occur on June 17. Vilcu compared it to the Amazing Race, but with an Estevan twist.
“We start that morning at the theatre, and they get clues,” said Vilcu. “They race around town to find all of the places, and whoever has the most play money at the end of the game will win the percentage of the registration.”
Proceeds from the dash for cash will be directed towards the kids’ camps.
Tickets for all productions are available at Henders Drugs, through their mobile box office on their website, or at their office at the theatre’s grounds.
