Take a Bow Community Theatre Society is ready to raise the curtains on their newest production, Screwball Comedy, which is coming to Cochrane from April 28 to 30 and May 5 to 7.
All showings will take place at the Cochrane Ranchehouse at 7 p.m., with Sunday matinees included on April 30 and May 7 starting at 2 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase online via takeabow.ca.
President of the Take a Bow board and actor in the production, Bart Farkas, said the romance-comedy play was written by Canadian playwright, Norm Foster, who he said is the one of Canada’s most prolific playwrights.
The story takes place in 1938 and covers the life of Mary Hayes, a former perfumier who hopes to break into the world of newspaper reporting, alongside her colleague and rival egotistical star reporter Jeff Kincaid.
“The centre of the story is two newspaper people, an experienced hot-shot news reporter and a young woman who wants to get into the business,” Farkas said.
Farkas said a feature of the play is that it requires a small cast of actors, who are required to perform the roles of multiple characters.
“I play four characters and Deanna Mae Lloyd plays three characters that are female, and that is by design,” Farkas said.
Although the production takes place 85 years in the past, Farkas assures everyone in attendance the family-friendly production will be a lighthearted, comedic, and enjoyable experience.
The cast and crew consist primarily of local actors from Cochrane and will feature Adam Jamieson and Genine Asress as the lead roles of Jeff and Mary. The team behind the production includes director Cherie Caslyn, stage manager Zoe Farell, and technician Guy Farell.
“We have some really good actors,” Farkas said. “Deanna, Adam, and I have all been in TV shows and movies over the years, so we have some really experienced actors.”
In addition to the production, the Cochrane Pathfinders will be selling snacks during the intermission. Farkas said in addition to keeping the proceeds of ticket sales that they raise; the theatre society will also make a donation to their organization.
“We try to help the community,” Farkas said. “Anything that we can source from Cochrane or local businesses, we do when we are doing the shows, so that’s always a good thing.”
Farkas added that Take a Bow Theatre Society is a non-profit organization. Everyone involved in the production works purely as volunteers, and they all share a passion for the theatre arts.
With the aim of returning to hosting two to three productions a year, Farkas said Screwball Comedy is a step in the right direction to ensuring the return pre-pandemic normalcy. For Cochrane theatre-lovers who wish to spend the evening watching live performances, Farkas said this production will provide the perfect night out.
