Wednesday, July 10 to Sunday, July 28 2024
Meet the Cast and Crew of “A Grand Time in the Rapids”
Written By Stewart Lemoine
Directed by Ian Morton
This hare-brained tale is set in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1959. A newly arrived English widow has a very delicate disclosure to make to her brand new beau - and she arranges for an etiquette expert to help her down this tricky path. At first it starts out well but soon things get out of hand - four solid doors are slammed, drinks are tossed, identities are mistaken - and the action moves at a very tidy clip. These are eccentric people in eccentric situations and the dialogue peels off like a 1940’s cocktail party - frightfully polite but with Oscar Wildly twists.
Director Ian Morton shares some insight on the production of A GRAND TIME IN THE RAPIDS
IAN MORTON
Director
At the Village Theatre he has performed in Dick Whittington, Hilda’s Yard, Chicago, The Secret Garden, The Children and last summer’s The Play That Goes Wrong. In the early 2000’s, he began an acquaintance with Stewart Lemoine when he complimented the playwright on his fabulous titles. Little did he know that Lemoine’s plays are so much more than well-titled. He has found it a joy to bring A Grand Time in the Rapids to Vancouver Island for the first time. His work here is dedicated to JWM who would have loved his kid choosing Handel over show tunes.
JERROLD PAETKAU
Ted Todd
The Echo Players community is wonderful; and if you haven’t yet – please join. I’ve met so many wonderful people through my adventures here. I met Helen Hill-Tout while performing together on Pirates of Penzance. Ian Morton and I met on set with Second Chances, and Julian Parker directed, with Tricia Browne’s support, me in Death by Fatal Murder. I’ve transformed from a Sergent of Police to a Play Producer to an Inspector and now an Etiquette Expert – a natural progression, one would say. I thank my wife for allowing me the time from working in the garden to read, and read, and re-read my lines; Ian for trusting me with Ted; and the unfailing support of Wendy and Morgan.
TRICIA BROWNE
Producer
I have enjoyed being a part of ECHO Players since 2015 when I started volunteering in the box office, which I continue to do. I then added backstage props work to my resume starting with Calendar Girls. I have had the pleasure of working with many of the fine, dedicated people in over 15 plays/productions. This my first opportunity to produce a play, thanks to Ian Morton for inviting me on board. A great cast and crew and a wonderful play.
WENDY ALEXANDER
Thalia Cumberland
Wendy has been involved with music and theatre since childhood. She worked with a local theater company in the lower mainland, while studying classical singing and piano. Later she relocated to Europe to continue studies and pursue performance opportunities. She took the opportunity to work with many teachers and coaches and participated in master classes with some legendary singers, including Marilyn Horne, and Monserrat Caballe. Some of her roles include Mimi in La Boheme, Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte, and Abigaille in Nabucco. While living in Rome, she was involved in some English theatre groups. First as a performer, and later as the music director. Some of these shows include Cabaret, My Fair Lady, and The Addams Family.
You might recognize Wendy from the 2022 Echo players production of Blithe Spirit, she is looking forward to performing with this troupe again!
JULIAN PACKER
Stage Manager/Set Design and Construction
Julian is delighted to be working on this funny farce and hopes that you will go away laughing. It seems an age since he played Maurice in the QBSD production of Beauty and the Beast, built the set and stage managed Matilda, and then had a riot directing the Dinner Theatre production Death by Fatal Murder at the Arrowsmith Golf Club.When September comes, he will start directing Treasure Island, ECHO'S Christmas production. He encourages any of you who would like to be involved in theatre to get in touch with ECHO
MORGAN GOULD
Boyd Mayhew
Morgan Gould is thrilled to return to the stage with Echo Players for his third play! You may recognize him from his debut role as the corpse in last summer's murder mystery comedy The Play That Goes Wrong. You may have also seen him clowning around onstage at NTG's Ripcord, horsing around Errington Hall's Vaudeville show, or twirling tassels with Sweet Tooth Burlesque Revue. Morgan is a passionate artist, and can often be found behind the lens of a camera, or training in the aerial arts at Circus Freaks studio. He would like to thank his partner, children, and cats for their love and support.