Kenneth Brown
of The Clarion
The Eatonia Oasis Players are preparing for their first production in five years and there are still tickets available for one or two of the group’s performances.
The theatre group is doing three performances at the Eatonia Community Hall on Jan. 25, 26 and 27. The Oasis Players will present their rendition of a play titled Suite Surrender written by Michael McKeever. It is their first production since 2013.
A play had been chosen for performances in 2014, but then the group’s longtime director Lenore Bailey was diagnosed with cancer. The group cancelled its 2014 production and went on a lengthy hiatus while Bailey fought the illness. The group is moving forward without its long-time director, who lost her battle.
Deanna Callsen, a cast member and first-time director, said she had agreed to co-direct the play in 2014 with Bailey, but the play did not happen. She noted that she has done a lot of acting, but now she is directing and “it feels really good to be back at it.”
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The Saturday performance has sold out, but there are still tickets available as of Jan. 15 for the Thursday and Friday performances. People should contact Delia Massey at 306-967-7778 for ticket information.
There are more tickets available for Thursday than for Friday, but Massey said there is even flexibility on Saturday. If people are only able to attend on Saturday, they could contact Massey because a ticket could become available for the performance. She said ticket sales have gone well considering the group’s long break.
Callsen said it has been a bit overwhelming to get going after a five-year hiatus, but the annual theatre production is something the community and theatre group have been missing. It has been challenging to direct while also preparing for a role in the play, she said.
There are nine cast members with five newcomers to the group and four veteran cast members. Callsen said the group functioned as a well oiled machine before the hiatus, and even with a long break, members have come together to make it work.
She noted that the play takes place in an upscale hotel in Palm Springs, Fla., in 1942 and the comedy is about two huge celebrities who are in Palm Springs to perform at a war benefit. Callsen said the play would tickle people’s funny bones.
“This is the funniest play we have ever done,” the director said, recognizing that the cast members are still having a hard time getting through a rehearsal without having to stop and laugh. “It is so funny.”
Callsen said she started reading through scripts and she was having a hard time picking a play. One of the veteran cast members suggested that she take a look at the play Bailey chose back in 2014 – Suite Surrender. She added that for the group, “it’s a really special tribute” to Bailey, and it’s an honour for her to direct the play.
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