A Long Time Ago... is shaping up to be one of the biggest productions the 100 Mile Performing Arts Society has done in years.
With over 25 actors of varying ages and experience levels in the cast, first time director Margot Shaw has spent the last several weeks wrangling her cast together. Despite some of the challenges of managing so many different schedules and people, Shaw said things have been going well overall.
"It's all in a very accelerated time frame so we're kind of hair straight back and going all out to get everything done," Shaw remarked. "It's been a million laughs and kind of everything you want to be when you're doing a spoof in a panto in a silly, silly play."
Shaw said there are a lot of talented people in 100 Mile House and she has been incredibly lucky so many came out for auditions, noting it was the best turnout they've seen in years. In addition to many familiar faces, there was a large number of new actors volunteering to take to the stage.
One of these new actors is Faith Andre who said she has always wanted to be in theatre but never got the chance when she was in high school. Over the years Andre has attended every production put on by the 100 Mile Performing Arts Society and after seeing last year's production Murders In the Heir she decided to audition for the next production no matter what.
"I don't have much of a singing voice and I knew it was a singing one by I am a dancer and ended up in the chorus. I'm really happy and having lots of fun," Andre remarked. "Everyone has been super nice. (The directors) have been really wonderful working around our individual schedules, which I really appreciate."
While this is her first time in a play, Andre is no stranger to performing as a member of 100 Mile House's Baladi Babes and Mystique Bellydancer Troupe. She remarked that her fellow cast members have been really welcoming and helped her with her acting, while she's been able to do the same with the dance numbers being choreographed by Miranda Wasstrom.
"The dancing is coming together pretty good. Already we have some sections that we know and we're only going to get better," Andre said.
Jenna Pillon, meanwhile, has been on the stage before but A Long Time Ago... marks her first time doing theatre in 100 Mile House. Pillon and her family moved up from Penticton in 2021 to run K&R Guest Ranch and she's wanted to join a production ever since she arrived. With a slightly lighter workload this year, Pillon jumped at the chance to audition, especially when she heard it had musical elements.
"I saw the ad for it and I looked (the play) up and saw it was a mixture of Aladdin and Star Wars and I said 'I have to.' I grew up with Star Wars and I grew up with Aladdin so I was like 'this has to happen'," Pillon remarked. "For musical auditions, I've had to do a song before but this was the first time I've had to do a monologue. I really appreciated that it was a very warm, welcoming audition process and very friendly."
In addition to being a member of the chorus, Pillon also is taking on the role of Dark Ada, an angry psychiatrist for Mange, the main villain of A Long Time Ago.... Dark Ada Shows up to make sure Mange is still an evil genius. Pillon remarked she enjoys the chance to act angry and play into her character. She is also having fun in the chorus, remarking that having a dance move called "the T-Rex pony is a lifelong dream."
Andre said that overall she feels the play is coming together well, noting she likes to come early to practice and watch the lead actors practicing. She feels they were well cast and are going to give funny performances for audiences to enjoy.
"These community events where everyone participates are fun. This one is great because it has all different ages and I really like that it's actually a representation of the community, not just one age group," Andre remarked.
Shaw said the greatest challenge of the production so far has been making sure all the moving pieces fit together. In addition to directing the acting she has to make sure the adult and children's chorus fit together, the singing and live band integrate well and all the other details come together.
"It's exciting. It's a little bit terrifying for sure, especially because this is my first time being the big boss director. To me (this show) feels like a culmination of all my years with the performing arts society," Shaw said.
Rehearsals move into Martin Exter Hall at the end of October, roughly a month before the play's official opening on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. Shaw said in addition to opening night they have shows on Nov. 29, Nov. 30, Dec. 1, Dec. 4, Dec. 5, Dec. 6 and Dec. 7, with matinees on Dec. 1 and Dec. 5. Tickets will be available at Didi's Boutique, Donex Pharmacy and Department Store and online at100mileperformingarts.com for $20 a ticket.
"It will be a great deal of fun and a very fun evening of entertainment with lots of participation and silliness. If you feel like dressing up in your Wookiee suit or you want to bring your lightsaber, you're more than welcome to," Shaw remarked. "It's a really big family affair, it's distinctly family-friendly and there's something for everybody."
