Stephenville Theatre Festival tickets on sale

Tickets for Stephenville Theatre Festival's 32nd season are now available at the Arts and Culture Centre box office.

The season's headlining play is Little Shop of Horrors, which Eva Moore, the festival's artistic producer, says is a musical designed to appeal to a wide-ranging audience.

"It's set in the Bowery, back in the early '50s. The music is all bop-shoo-wop," says Ms. Moore. "There's a young fellow that works in a flower store. He brings in this little plant he found at a flea market and the thing turns into a man-eating plant."

Being performed on the Arts and Culture's Mainstage, the cast includes Allison Basha, Kate Etienne, Steven Heisler and Keith Pike.

The other Mainstage show this summer is Roadhouse II, which Ms. Moore says is a natural addition to the 2010 season. She says it features a variety of local artists who specialize in country music, noting this genre has been popular with previous STF audiences.

"This same band has been together for the past three or four years and they've gotten so tight," she says.

Raylene Noseworthy, the festival's office manager, says musician David Bennett is a particular favourite with certain show attendees, and he will be back again for Roadhouse II.

Stage II shows

There are three shows taking place this year at the Arts and Culture Centre's Stage II venue, which Ms. Moore describes as a more intimate setting.

One of the plays is Staircase. Ms. Moore says this Charles Dyer comedy focuses on an aging gay couple that owns a barbershop in East London. It starts Bryan Hennessey and Mark Bradbury.

"Bryan Hennessey is a brilliant actor. He hasn't been here since '06, but people love him. He's just one of those gentle souls and he's so good," says Ms. Moore.

Another Stage II production is David Auburn's Proof, a Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Ms. Moore says this play will be a hit with those who love a good mystery drama.

"People have probably seen the movie version with Gwenyth Paltrow," she notes. "Our production has Allison Basha playing the lead."

The third show is Woodstock. Ms. Moore says the company is going to re-enact the famous music festival.

"It might end up being the hit of the season," she adds.

Other shows

Ms. Moore says the festival is also bringing back its well-attended, series, An Evening With. These include various once-only shows - including a tribute to the Eagles, and performances by Mary Barry, Evan Smith and Jennifer Dawson.

The children's show is A Sculpin Named Sam, which recently had a mini-tour of west coast schools. Finishing off the season is the annual gala, which takes place on Aug. 22. The company is set to perform songs and scenes from Guys and Dolls.

For more information, visit www.stf.nf.ca or call 643-4982. Tickets are available by visiting the Stephenville Arts and Culture Centre box office or by calling 643-4553.

editor@thegeorgian.ca