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(Posted Feb. 23, 2018)
Orléans
Older Players put original spin on a venerable classic
ByHeather Jamieson
Orléans Online
 Playwright
Susan Flemming is the first to admit her latest play for
her Orléans Older Players (OOPs) class is somewhat personal.
"There
are definitely themes of dead-line pressure and over-writing
to which I can relate,� laughs Flemming. "I am not very
good at self-editing and this was an opportunity to poke
fun at that.�
Drawing
on the classic L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz, Flemming
and cast have given their production a distinctly Canadian
flavour in a romp down their own "Fuchsia Brick Road.�
(Think Loon, Sasquatch and Moose instead of Tin Man, Lion
and Scarecrow!)
The
central character is novelist Lark Spur, who while suffering
from writer's block, moves to the small Canadian town
of Three Dot. She takes a job as the town's librarian,
which she hopes will inspire her to finish her novel.
It turns out the library has only one book � The Wizard
of Oz � which the residents take turns reading at their
Saturday Night Book Club.
To
make matters worse, each townsperson alters the story
to fit their own personality and imagination and all set
the story in their Canadian reality.
The
cast of 11 is made up of both new and returning thespians.
Actors Sue Ashton (Jelly/Loon) and C�line Nadeau (Dorothy)
have seven years and 14 OOPS productions under their belts.
While,
newcomer Robb Corrigan (professor/Wizard) is in his first
adult class play, enticed to the stage by his three children
who have been with the Ottawa School of Theatre (OST)
for many years.
Last
fall, they finally convinced their father to join them
and their mother in an OST all ages play.
"It
was an incredibly bonding experience as a family,� says
Corrigan. "Given that it was my first acting experience,
I was humbled to learn through my kids' expertise as they
gave me advice and pointers,� adds the software company
sales manager.
The
next step for Corrigan was to join the adult class both
for fun and to help him become more comfortable with public
speaking. "Through their experience with OST, my children
are amazingly at ease in front of a large audience,� he
says.
"Susan
has written an extremely engaging, witty and humorous
adaptation of the original Wizard of Oz. It's going to
be great fun,� Corrigan adds.
The
Wizard of OOPS, complete with original songs, a ukulele
duo and special appearance by "Bobo,� takes to the Richcraft
Theatre stage for two performances on Saturday, June 30
at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
(This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of
our local business partners.)
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THE OTTAWA SCHOOL OF THEATRE presents an all ages production of Treasure Island in the Richcraft Theatre at the Shenkman Arts Centre. Showtimes Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets $20 for adults. Students and youth 25 and under $10. To purchase visit 
TAPROOM 260 presents Michael Ben-Shalom live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
TAPROOM 260 presents The Underground live from 8-11 p.m. at 260 Centrum Blvd. For more information visit 
CLASSIC PIANO RECITAL – Orléans pianist Emily Hou will be performing works by Chopin, Mozart, Rachmaninov and Liszt at Kanata United Church as part os the Beaverbrook Community Concert Series. The recital will start promptly at 3 p.m. Kanata United Church is located at 33 Leacock Dr. in Kanata. For more information visit 
THE ORLÉANS BREWING CO. Trivia Night from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call (613) 834-9005 to reserve your spot. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd. near the Innes Road McDonalds.
