Get ready, Edson. The Holy Redeemer Drama Department is set to perform the first ever full length production outside on the Pavilion stage at the RCMP Centennial Park!
“This marks another first for our program and for the community of Edson,” says Drama Teacher Peter Taylor. “With restrictions being lifted, we know many people want to get things back to normal and we are hoping to kick-off the spring and summer with an outside show that is sure to make you laugh.”
The Holy Redeemer Drama Department announced that they would be performing the show outside back in January. “We weren’t sure of the direction of COVID protocols, and we knew we wanted to perform another show this year, but this time we wanted a live audience,” says Taylor, who commented that their first production this year, A Christmas Carol, was live streamed back in December. “We had a lot of fun performing the show, however this time around, we wanted to ensure we had a live audience.” Taylor added that hosting a show inside comes with complications if there is another COVID-19 wave. Hosting the show outside would bring a greater guarantee of having a live audience, which is something the students so desperately deserve.
“Once the province announced they were removing restrictions, people started asking if we would pull the show inside. I replied, no way! We think an outside show offers so many great challenges for us and offers students a different venue in which live theatre can take place. That, and the play itself is perfect to take place outside.”
The play that will be performed is entitled Village of Idiots. It is a hilarious Canadian play that showcases many stories relating to Jewish folklore. The main story revolves around the small town of Chelm (in what is now Poland) in the 1800’s and villagers known as Chelmnik’s who are simple-minded, but have huge hearts. They are joined by an outsider named Yosef who carries with him a secret. What ensues is some very hilarious antics combined with a story with a whole lot of heart.
Playing the lead role of Yosef is grade 12 student Jesse Cesario. “This is such a fun show and we’re looking forward to performing it in a different space,” he says.
Forty grade 7 to 12 students will be taking part in the show. Rounding out the major roles will be Dylan Watson as the Rabbi, Aisha Bartolay as Miriam, Cassie Pilon as Nina, and grade 12 students Ethan Toner and Katie Blue as the hilarious husband and wife duo of Zalman and Zlateh. “These two are so much fun,” says Blue who added the characters will be tasked with selling their own brand schnapps. “I’m most looking forward to having a live audience, especially for my last show at HRH. It’s been far too long.”
The show is set to perform from June 1st to 4th. There will be nightly shows at 7 pm and a Saturday matinee at 2 pm. Tickets will be sold online via holyredeemerhigh.ca starting in May.
For now, the cast and crew begin rehearsals and get set to perform in a brand new space and in front of their first live audience in over two and half years. “We can’t wait to see you there!” says Taylor.
If you would like more information on this article please feel free to contact the school at 780-723-7437 or holyredeemerhigh.ca. Feel free to visit our Facebook page, “Holy Redeemer High School” or our Twitter account: @holyredeemerhig.