Box 94 Newsletter
Having Hope Ready to Go
A Year and a Half in the Making!
Having Hope At Home, the tender and touching comedy by David S. Craig about three generations of family dysfunction opens to a preview audience October 13 benefitting the Soup Kitchen and officially opening Sault Theatre Workshop’s 61st season on Wednesday October 14. This marvelous production was days away from opening last December when lead actor and Workshop President Harry Houston was incapcitated and the production postponed. Originally directed by Richard Howard, the re-mount, featuring the same cast, was handled by George Houston.
In the cast, Kaila Wyslocky takes on the role of Carolyn Bingham the fiercely independent mother-to-be at the centre of the story. She is living on the old family farm with her partner Michel, a French Canadian, played by Steve Ancic and Grampa Russell played by Gerry Forsell. The sparks fly when she goes to battle with her authoritarian father, Dr. William Bingham played by Harry Houston.
Carolyn’s mom, Jane, played by Christine Mair is very out-of-place in the tiny ramshackle farm house and is appalled at her daughter’s living conditions. Rounding out the cast and providing the major source of conflict is Dawn, the midwife, played by Bev Pelletier.
Bonnie Forsell is stage managing, with Chris Horsepool on light design and Val Horsepool looking after the set. Costumes are in the hands of Val Wilson while sound and lighting operators are in the hands of Justin Wilson and Kirsty Wilson.
Last Minute Changes!
Having Hope at Home Difficulties Not Over Yet!
During rehearsal last week Stage Manager Bonnie Forsell suffered a stroke and was rushed to the hospital. There has been some stabilization since but she remains in intensive care and is being closely watched. Husband Gerry Forsell who had the role of Grampa Russell in the play has had to withdraw from the play to be at Bonnie’s bedside. All the prayers of the cast and crew are focused on Bonnie’s recovery.
Without a stage manager and actor, producer Kirsty Wilson and the company held a hasty meeting to solve the dilemma. Not wanting to postpone the production again, replacement lists were drawn up and a search begun.
Edward Houston had been asked to understudy and shadow the Grampa Russell role earlier because of some potential health issues with Gerry, but they had cleared up and Gerry had been all clear to do the role. Edward was asked to swing in and take the sizable role on short notice. Fortunately, he agreed and has been working like a trouper.
Stepping in as Stage Manager is Dana Martin, a veteran of our young company, Stage 1. Hopefully the full support of the company can help ease her nervousness in taking on such a large responsibility without a lot of experience.
The cast have been marvelous and despite the extra workload required to rehearse the blocking with a new actor and help to outline duties for the stage manager, moral is high. Director George Houston is pleased with the efforts and the “pulling together” that has taken place. It’s a tribute to a dynamite play. There will be a lot of memories tied to this play for all sorts of reasons. You don’t want to miss it.