Drinking Alone

by Norm Foster

Theatre Ontario Festival Production

Galaxy North

Directed by Gabe Ferrazzo

Cast and Crew

The Cast

Joe Todd: David Krulicki
Rene Duchene: Christie Mantel
Carrie O'Neil: Jesica Bouvier
Phyllis Todd: Hilke Grunys
Ivan Todd: Gabe Ferrazzo

The Crew in Thunder Bay

Stage Manager: Nathalie Roy
Original Set Design: Eva Burkowski
Lighting Design/Tech: Guy Davis
Set Constuction: Gabe Ferrazzo, Jack Jamieson, David Wedow
Sound Design/Tech: Richard Pepper
Sound Tech: David Wedow
Asst. Stage Manager/Painter: Don McMahon
Props: Clara Ivec
Costumes: Hilke Grunys
Publicity and programs: Richard Boon
Poster & Program Art: Don McMahon
Tickets: Hans Warmenhoven, Jack Jamieson Jr.
Box Office: Donna Carroll
Front of House Coordinator: Michelle Novak
Font of House volunteers: Laura Zaina, Shannon Lucas, Rebekah Skochinski, Paula Bentz, Jolene Davis, Michele Novak

Cast & Crew

Back Row L/R:Richard Pepper, Guy Davis, David Wedow
Middle Row: Jack Jamieson, Gabe Ferrazzo, Hilke Grunys, Nathalie Roy, Don McMahon
Front Row: Jesica Bouvier,David Krulicki, Christie Mantel

The Board of Cambrian Players decided to enter "Drinking Alone" in the 2004 Theatre Festival to be held May 18-22 in Sault Ste. Marie. This is a yearly festival which features the winners of competitions in each region of Ontario.

We were to represent the Northwest Region.

To this end, a short run was performed, with some new cast members, at the Bora Laskin Theatre.

The day before the production, the set was loaded on a truck,

and all the cast and (most of) the crew drove 800km to the Soo. Much wildlife was seen along the side of the road by those still awake.

After Partying and/or sleeping, the set and props were unloaded

and set construction began early at the Kiwanis Community Theatre Centre. Everything had to be completed by 6:30 p.m.

David Wedow and Jim Jamieson hard at work.

At the same time Richard Pepper set up the sound: 

: with a mind boggling 48 channels, and Guy Davis climbed to the lighting booth: 

and then up to what seemed like a kilometre above the stage, to the catwalks. He was ably guided and helped by the Kiwanis Theatre Techies.

Once the set was erected, Don McMahon perfected the painting of the set,

while the rest of us ate a wonderful lunch provided at the Kiwanis Theatre by the Festival organizers.

The actors acclimatized themselves to the space (just huge compared to the Bora Laskin), or met up with old friends.

At long last, after last minute changes on the Dark Side: 

: the cast got to rehearse the first act, and then the theatre was locked, and those of us who could eat or nap, did.

The play went off very well.

Joe and Rene

Phyllis and Ivan

Carrie, Rene and Joe

Joe and Ivan

Joe, Rene and Ivan

After the performance, the set had to be disassembled and loaded back on the truck. Then to a Festival party at the the Sheraton.

The next morning, there was a public adjudication by Ron Cameron-Lewis, which was followed by the Awards Brunch. Cambrian Players was nominated for several awards:
Jesica Bouvier and Christie Mantel for Best Actress
Gabe Ferazzo for Best Actor and Best Director
The show for Best Production and Best Visual Presentation

: and won three. The winners are: 

Jesica Bouvier for Best Actress,
Don McMahon for Set Painting, and the show for Best Visual Presentation (Gabe Ferrazzo accepting on behalf of the designers and crew).

A trip and performance to remember.