After months of practice and eight performances, Castor Little Theatre’s 2024 performance is in the history books.
Castor’s performing arts troupe performed Hogwash, written by Barbara Pease Weber, for its 2024 show.
“It was a successful year,” said veteran Little Theatre member and director Doreen Blumhagen.
The cast of seven started the production run on Feb. 17 with a dress rehearsal where residents from Castor’s Paintearth Lodge and the Galahad Care Centre were invited to watch.
Following the dress rehearsal, things started in earnest; a Sunday brunch show kicked things off on Feb. 18.
The performers put on two brunch shows, four dinner performances, one general performance, and a special afternoon matinee for students from Gus Wetter and Coronation schools.
“Even with the stormy weather, we had a great turnout for the last Saturday show,” said Blumhagen.
“We were very happy to collaborate with many businesses in our area.”
Thanks to collaboration with local businesses, the live centrepieces on each table were available for those who wanted to buy one and take it home. Some of the stage dressings were actually on loan from another Castor business and available for purchase as well.
As usual, the volunteer firefighters from Castor Volunteer Fire Rescue served up drinks behind the bar, and this year volunteers from Gus Wetter School’s Raider Theatre and Raider Archery team took turns raising funds by operating the coat check.
According to Blumhagen, without local suppliers and advertisers, the theatre would not be possible.
Some new changes brought in for 2024 included an option for online ticketing and a complex set design.
“Much like Mary in this play, the anticipation of new ideas can be exciting and scary,” writes Blumhagen, in the director’s introduction in the playbook.
Hogwash is a story about family, business, and how sometimes the lines can be blurred, intentionally or not.
When Mary Baxter’s mother-in-law is kicked out of the adult daycare centre for a variety of infractions, including smoking in the bathroom, Mary has no choice but to take her to work on what could be the most important day of Mary’s career.
The final performance took place on March 2.
