Huron Country Playhouse Opens THE MELVILLE BOYS Tonight
By: Kelsey Denette Aug. 01, 2012
The 2012 Season continues at the Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend with the arrival ofThe Melville Boys, Norm Foster's poignant comedy about two brothers and the events that occur during their weekend getaway to the cottage. This highly relatable play entertains audiences now through August 11th.
"The Melville Boys is Canadian comedy at its finest," says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. "It offers a moving story with strong characters that will not only touch your heart but also provides lots of laughs along the way."
The story focuses on two brothers, Owen and lee Melville. Outspoken Owen is three weeks away from getting married but he is experiencing some doubts. The elder brother Lee, who is seen as a mature and reliable married-man with two daughters, is weighed down by a troubling secret. As a diversion from their worries, the brothers decide to take off to their uncle's lakeside cabin for a weekend of beer-drinking and fishing, but their plans are thrown for a loop by the arrival of Mary and Loretta, two attractive, yet entirely different sisters; one, a no-nonsense and serious woman, and the other, an aspiring actress who's bubbly and carefree.
A tenderly funny look at four lives in transition, this play captures the essence of the human experience. Canada's celebrated playwright Norm Foster has created an entertaining production that reflects the joy and sorrow of life as well as the complexity of family dynamics with clever one-liners and sensitive moments that go straight to the heart.
The Melville Boys was originally produced at Theatre New Brunswick in 1984, the second published play by Norm Foster. Widely produced across Canada and the United States, including a well-received run off-Broadway in New York, The Melville Boys has become Foster's signature play. A name at the forefront of Canadian theatre, Foster has produced nearly fifty plays including The Affections of May and The Foursome, the two most produced plays in the country.
Director Chris McHarge is at the top of his game, deftly guiding a talented cast through diverse scenes of comedy and drama, and making the dialogue come alive with wit and charm. McHarge is a seasoned director who has helmed more than one hundred productions including eleven world premieres of Norm Foster's plays and musicals.
"The Melville Boys features a small, yet powerful cast of four exceptionally talented actors who captivate audiences through their funny and heartfelt performances," says Mustakas.
Richard Quesnel delivers a compelling performance as the strong yet secretly troubled older brother lee Melville. Quesnel is equally comfortable portraying both moments of poignancy and laughter, as he makes the most of his witty lines and moving revelations.
Brad Austin is the perfect foil for Quesnel, providing non-stop laughs as blithe young brother Owen Melville. Austin received rave reviews playing "shock-jock" Eddie "the Nighthawk" Nichols in Drayton Entertainment's recent production of Norm Foster's Bedtime Stories at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. Austin's fine-tuned timing and effortless charisma are as engaging as his sincerity. He brings gentleness to thegregarious character without losing any of the well-crafted humour.
Shauna Black is charming and vivacious as the animated younger sister Loretta, who dreams of being a famous actress. She draws the audience in with her infectious energy and has visible chemistry with Brad Austin's Owen.
As Loretta's older sister Mary, Anita La Selva embodies her character's serious disposition, bringing depth and sensitivity to the role while also mastering the light-hearted scenes.
The Set Design by Stephen Degenstein perfectly captures the cottage mileu for the production. The relaxed summer mood is further enhanced by the superb Lighting Design of Steve Lucas and the seasonally-inspired Costume Design by Jessica Bray.
The Melville Boys is proudly sponsored by Commercial Print-Craft Limited.
The Melville Boys enjoys a limited two-week engagement from August 1st through August 11th. Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at (519) 238-6000 or toll free at 1-855-372-9866. To find out more about the 2012 Season at Huron Country Playhouse, or to order tickets online, please visit www.huroncountryplayhouse.com.
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