THE CEMETERY CLUB
By Rod Urquhart
Some really outstanding, quite believable acting highlights the current presentation of Ivan Menchell’s heart-warming, yet hilariously funny, ‘The Cemetery Club’, currently on stage at the Newmarket Legion.
What happens when three widows, who visit their passed husbands at a cemetery on a monthly basis meet up with the local butcher, who is visiting with his deceased wife? Really, you never know when you are going to meet someone new in life!
All the actors are seasoned veterans of the stage, handled with precision by veteran director Teri Hallat in this presentation with special arrangement with Samuel French. It continues at Stage 426, Newmarket Legion, Dec. 6, 7, and 8 all at 8 p.m. The 2 p.m. matinee Dec. 6 is already sold out for this popular comedy …. So get your tickets soon!
Outstanding is Marlo Alcock as Ida, fresh from her stunning triumph as Tayna in ‘Momma Mia’. Adding much hilarity with flair is veteran Susan Lane as the flamboyant Lucille. You may remember Susan who also had the spirited role as Margot in ‘The Ladies Foursome’, also by the Newmarket Stage Company. Rounding out the threesome is Denise Kennedy as the dedicated Doris. Denise is great as the serious one of the bunch. You may remember her from NSC’s presentation of ‘The Last Romance’ as the family-prone Rose.
The lone male interest, which tends to become a major disruption, is played with much enthusiasm by another theatre veteran, Jeff Burke, with many years of stage work behind him, both on-stage and off-stage, as Sam the butcher. Zara Stuart-Jones rounds out the cast as somewhat of a female interest for the butcher and Zara does the job quite effectively.
Another theatre veteran, Sue Meacock, is back once again as producer of this fine comedy and deserves a salute for pulling it all together. As mentioned the Director is Teri Hallatt, who after opening night called the performance a “Tour de Force!”
The set by Peter Salt and props by Carol Dowell is quite intricate and a tip of the hat to both of them. The action takes place in Ida’s living room and at the cemetery, so as you can imagine Peter and Carol had some obstacles to devise this special set.
Lights and sound are by Patrick Monks, Victor Pierrynowski and Max Duvall – the great costumes are by Fran Wachna and Jackie Diasio. Susan Lane and Noreen Aldridge handle Box Office and Karin Schrewe and volunteers Front of House.
Next up for the ambitious Newmarket Stage Company is ‘Murder at Howard Johnson’s’ Feb. 21 to March 2. Featuring comfortable cabaret seating, tickets for the ongoing ‘The Cemetery Club’ are a mere $15 for some excellent community Theatre. Call the Box Office today at 289-500-2114. The Newmarket Legion is at 707 Srigley Street with lots of parking. Check out the NSC’s updated website at: www.NewmarketStageCo.ca for more information.