[NEohioPAL] Canal Fulton Players- The Lion in Winter in Two Weeks and Much Ado Recap

[DVangaasbe at aol.com]

The Canal Fulton Players at the UMC  Family Theatre proudly presents
 
The Lion in Winter
by James Goldman
 
A Samuel French  Production
 
Directed and Produced 
by 
David Van Gaasbeek
 
Starring
Ken Hehmeyer as Henry  II
Cindy Bagocius as Eleanor of  Aquitaine
Matt King as Richard, The  Lionheart
Tyler Brewer as  Geoffrey
Josh Rowe as John
Craig May as Phillip of  France
Courtney Westfall as  Alais
 
October 22-24,  29-31
at 7:30 pm
 
Fellowship Hall  Theatre
 
Admission- Adults  $8.00
Seniors and Children under 12  $6.00
 
For Further Information- 
David Van Gaasbeek  330-494-1022
or 330-854-4387
 
Much Ado About Nothing Scores  Big
    In January, 2010,  the City of Canal Fulton asked David Van Gaasbeek, 
director and producer of the  Canal Fulton Players at the UMC Family Theatre, 
whether it was possible to  produce a dramatic production on the St. Helena 
III while it was moving.   Never one to shy away from a challenge, David 
went to the nearest computer to  obtain a guide concerning a live production 
off an American canal boat.   Much to his surprise, Google produced nothing.  
After researching the  question for a month and turning up nothing, Dave 
realized that this would be  the first time anyone had ever attempted 
presenting a play off a canal boat  while it was moving.
    Intrigued by the  idea, Dave decided to do Much Ado About Nothing by 
William Shakespeare  and went to several of his friends who have done 
Shakespeare to see if one of  them could direct it.  After hearing that the play 
would be presented on a  moving canal boat with half the cast on the boat and 
half the cast on the tow  path, they all shyed away leaving Dave with the 
task of not only producing the  play but directing it.
    Aided by George  Dorer, Tyler Brewer and Josh Rowe, Dave walked the 
towpath many times looking  for ways to present the play while the boat was 
moving.  Many different  scenarios were considered until it was decided that 
instead of trying to stop  the boat at various points, originally favored by 
many but totally unfeasible,  the cast on the towpath would walk alongside 
the boat and jump in when their  characters were required to give lines.
    The cast was superb  as Gary Gallagher and Jason Riggan led the male 
side of the cast with a great  deal of confidence.  What is shocking about 
this is that they are both  rookies at acting.  It is difficult to do a play as 
a rookie but to do  Shakespeare is mindboggling.  Yet, they did it and did 
it well.   Further, they were superbly aided by Bryan Steffee as Claudio, 
Jamie Edwards as  Benedick, Josh Rowe as Don John, Tyler Brewer as Borachio, 
Jarod Hare as Conrad,  Ray Olivera as Friar Francis, Jack Yoak as Mergus and 
Drew Hutchinson as the  Steward.
    The female side of  the cast was led by Christine Gingerich as Hero, 
Anita Artzner as Beatrice,  Cindy Bagocius as Antonia, Sarah Price as Ursula, 
and Stacey Pasternak as  Margaret.  Lisa Van Gaasbeek and Heidi Knight 
played male parts as  Dogberry, the Constable, and Seacole.  
    All four  performances on August 28-29 were sold out.  There was no 
doubt that the  audiences loved the play and the concept because many called 
Canalways and asked  if we would be doing it next year.  Further, we had a 
waiting  list.
    If one thing is  proven, you can present a play off a canal boat while 
it is moving.  There  is no stage right or stage left.  There is no upstage 
and there is no  downstage.  It is pure environmental theatre.
    As for the director  and producer, he sat on top of the St. Helena III 
and almost became a half a  baked chicken because the heat was so bad.  
However, there is satisfaction  that this theatre group managed to do something 
that no other theatre group has  ever attempted.  With a lot of prayer and 
heavenly guidance, the cast, the  crew (George Dorer and Sharon Brunley) and 
the director and producer proved that  you can do it.
 
The Lion in Winter opens October  22
    It is Chinon,  France, during Christmas 1183.  King Henry II, obsessed 
over who will  succeed him as king, has called his three surviving sons, 
Richard, Geoffrey and  John to attend a Christmas court.  His oldest son, 
Henry, has just recently  died of consumption.  He also invites King Phillip of 
France to the court  for the specific purpose of trying to resolve a dispute 
over whether or not  Alais, Phillip's sister, will marry an English prince 
as originally  agreed.  If they cannot resolve their differences, the Vexen, 
a small but  strategic county in France, must be returned to France by  
England.
    Also invited is  Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry's queen, who has been 
locked up at Salisbury Tower  for ten years all because she led a civil war with 
the deceased Henry against  Henry II.  She lost but he did not have the 
heart to execute  her.
    For the days around  the court, the parties scheme and plot as to who 
will become King of England  after Henry dies.  They even bring in the Pope 
when Henry believes that  none of the children are worthy of the throne.  He 
is asking the Pope to  annul his marriage with Eleanor so he can marry 
Alais.  Thus, a religious  war is brewing.
    The play starred  Robert Preston as Henry II and Rosemary Harris as 
Eleanor.  The movie  starred Peter O'Toole as Henry and Katherine Hepburn as 
Eleanor.  Ms.  Hepburn won an Academy Award for her portrayal.
    In this play, Ken  Hehmeyer plays Henry while his queen is played by 
Cindy Bagocius.  Ken was  last seen as Elwood Dowd in Harvey.  Cindy was last 
seen as Antonia in Much  Ado About Nothing.  Playing Richard is Matt King, 
fresh off his portrayal  of Daddy Warbucks in Annie.  Tyler Brewer plays the 
much neglected  Geoffrey, while Josh Rowe plays John (yes, the one of Magna 
Charta fame).   Craig May will appear as Phillip of France while Alais Capet 
will be portrayed  by newcomer, Courtney Westfall.
    The play will be  presented on October 22-24 and 29-31 in the 
Fellowship Hall which will be  transformed into a medieval castle through lighting.  
The cost of the play  is $8.00 for adults and $6.00 for seniors and children 
under the age of  12.  Come see the play where no one gets what they want 
for  Christmas.
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