Gangsters, witches and divorcing friends are all on Central Alberta Theatre’s diverse One-Act Cabaret menu.
Of the seven short plays that will run from Thursday to Saturday, June 18, at the Nickle Studio upstairs at the Memorial Centre, six will be world premieres of locally written comedies and dramas.
This is the first year when virtually all the plays are originals, said Deb Isbister, co-producer of the cabaret. She believes this speaks to the hefty amount of playwriting talent the Red Deer area has to offer.
Three of the one acts were developed at the local Scripts at Work workshop at Red Deer College. These are:
• Out of Control, by Red Deer’s Jordan Galloway, is a four-character comedy/drama about a college student who discovers his own weaknesses, faults and regrets. It’s directed by Jordan Wieben.
• Cryin’ In My Beer, a comedy by Sharon Lightbown of the Markerville area, directed by CAT’s Carole Forhan, is about two old friends who share stories, opinions and advice and end up on an unintentional journey of self discovery.
• The Dream, by Central Albertan John Burnham. is a two-actor drama directed by CAT’s Judith Moody. It’s about a troubled young man, who’s referred to “a really different psychiatrist,” said Isbister.
The other original plays are:
• The Spell that Binds, written by Jillian Tallas and directed by Tallas and Jordan Bartsch. It’s a four-character comedy about witches who struggle to maintain happy relationships in their magical world.
• Box and Chain, written by Red Deer resident Matt Dale and directed by Jeremy Robinson, is a black comedy about a seasoned gangster who’s accompanied by a hot-headed young partner on his last job before retirement.
• Palindrome, a dramatic comedy written and directed by Airyn Street of the Red Deer area, is about a woman who shares her true feelings about a rumour she’s heard and this turns her whole world upside down.
The only published one-act play that will be performed is The Blueberry Hill Accord, by Daryl Watson. The two-character comedy, directed by CAT’s Tara Rorke and Nicole Leal, is about friends who decide to end their nine-year friendship with a divorce-like decree that formally records “who gets to tell what stories,” said Isbister.
“It’s going to be quite a range of plays,” she added, noting that the fun lies in the variety. “You get a taste for different types of plays. It’ll be a nice mix.”
Between the one acts, which each run from 10 to 30 minutes, local singer Dalmane Owchar will perform with her guitar.
There will be a cash bar at the 7 p.m. cabaret, which comes with coarse language, violence and mature theme warnings. Tickets are $12 from Ticket Central, 403-347-0800.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com