The Lampman Community Theatre has been busy rehearsing for its upcoming show, Ladies Night at the Legion.
Lampman playwright Maureen Ulrich, who penned this year’s show, said the title makes it sound like a ladies night show, but it has male and female cast members, and it will appeal to all audiences. Performances will take place from Dec. 7-9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lampman branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Supper will be served for the performance on Dec. 8.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. each night, giving people time to have a drink and socialize before the performance.
“It’s just a zany revisiting of the characters we introduced in Storm Stayed at the Legion last year, and this year the cast, or the main characters are planning a ladies night,” said Ulrich. “What could possibly go wrong with that? But of course, things do (go wrong).”
A number of musical performances, with dancing and singing, will happen throughout the production.
Twenty-seven people are involved with the cast, which is a lot considering the show doesn’t have a large stage to work with. It’s also a relatively small venue. But Ulrich added all of the cast members won’t be out on the stage together until the very end of the show. Additional people are part of the crew.
The youngest person is Jamie Johnson, who is in Grade 5, and the oldest would be several people in their 60s.
Laurie Fornwald is directing the music and Alanna Bisson is her assistant. Both will be performing during the show as well. Garrett Fleck and Micah Walbaum, who have a band called UnForgetable, will also be supplying music.
Ulrich said Storm Stayed at the Legion was a very popular play last year. It garnered rave reviews from audience members and raised more than $10,000 for the legion, providing a big boost to the organization.
“This year the legion does not find itself in as much dire straits as they were last year. They were able to get a grant. But it’s still nice to be able to do things. There always will be expenses. They just put in some new windows, renovated their bathrooms and put in some new flooring downstairs, so it’s a really great opportunity for people to come and see all the renovations that have been done.”
After the response to last year’s show, Ulrich said she wanted to pen another Legion-based production.
“Last year I thought we would do this as a fundraiser, but we just had so much fun with it,” said Ulrich. “This one it’s even more fun than last year. I think there are a lot of little surprises that people will really enjoy. We have a great deal of fun in rehearsals. Hopefully the audiences will have just as much fun as we do.”
Tickets recently went on sale, and sales are going well. Last year the show attracted about 110 spectators. Capacity in the building would be about 130 people.
Proceeds from this year’s show will be directed to the Lampman legion.
“Last year the Lampman legion celebrated its 50th anniversary,” said Ulrich. “The legion is vital to the community. It is a place that was built by veterans for veterans, and it’s just important for us to hold them in our hearts and remember the sacrifices that they made so that we can have a community as special as the one we live in."
Tickets are available at Henders Drugs in Estevan or by calling Ulrich at 306-487-7512.
