Photos by Ross Davidson
maRCH 24 - APRIL 2, 2023
Auburn Stage - The Grand Theatre
Silver Spotlight Theatre is excited to present Rodgers & Hart's BABES IN ARMS as its inaugural production. MTP has been at the forefront of musical theatre in London's community theatre scene since its founding in 1988. And now, with this new branch, Silver Spotlight Theatre, MTP is proud to open opportunities for more members of the community to experience the joys of musical theatre.
Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
Book by Rodgers & Hart, Adapted by John Guare
Originally written and produced in 1937, Rodgers & Hart's BABES IN ARMS is the story of young people looking to raise money to stay off the work farm after their parents leave them unattended to seek their own success on the dying vaudeville stage. Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland starred in the 1939 “I’ve got a barn! Let’s put on a show!!” movie version. The show received a further adaptation onstage in 1978. This production by Silver Spotlight Theatre will see tables turned by having the show’s cast and crew made up of the talents of those 55+ playing these great young roles, and singing some of Rodgers & Hart’s most successful songs that have been performed by a multitude of crooners and chanteuses ever since, including "The Lady is a Tramp", "Johnny One Note", "My Funny Valentine", "I Wish I Were in Love Again", and "Where or When". BABES IN ARMS has been delighting audiences for over eight decades and this production is truly like none before and not to be missed.
Rodgers & Hart's BABES IN ARMS is presented through Concord Theatricals.
TITLE SPONSOR: The Government of Ontario
PRODUCTION PARTNERS: AdHome Design, Pathways Employment Help Centre
MEDIA COVERAGE
London Free Press - “New musical theatre wing for older actors, crew opens in London”
Stratford Festival Reviews - “5 Questions with co-director Art Fidler”
artistic team
Producer: Kelly Holbrough
Co-Directors: Art Fidler & Rick Smith
Music Director: Janis Wallace
Choreographer: Teri May
Stage Manager: Candy Robinson
Assistant Stage Managers: Cameron Johnston & Alan Mills
Production Manager: Tom Smyth
Costume Designer: Ellen Mallett
cast
DAN SURMAN - Val Lamar
MARGOT SURMAN - Billie Smith
RICK SMITH - Marshall Blackstone
PETER RUSSELL - Sheriff Reynolds
TRACEY ANDRUS - Dolores Reynolds
JEFF KIRTON - Gus Fielding
SUSAN SMYTHE - Petra Ross
GORD HARDCASTLE - Lee Calhoun
ANN LOEBACH - Irma De Quincy
SUSAN DEAN - Ivy De Quincy
KAREN HAMILTON-MACDONALD - Regina Calhoun
JANICE VAN DASLER - Baby Rose
MARK BAINES - Rene Flambeau
ENSEMBLE
BARB CURRADO - Darla
MARIA HARDCASTLE - Irene
HEATHER HEATHCOTE - Ruby
JOHN HENDERSON - Solly
ANGIE JANSEN - Jayne
MIKE JEWISON - George
CARMEN LAMOND - Esther
NEILA LAWSON - Pearlie
MARIA MARSH - Girlie
TERI MAY - Phyllis McCabe
DON MILLAR - Jimmy
LAURA OCOVICH - Ella
JOHN PALMER - John Amos
MARGARITA SANCHEZ-FAVRO - Lola
ROB SMITH - Trigger & Bassist
JAYNE TERRY - Mickey
MARY-ELLEN WILLARD - Daisy
TONI WILSON - Anna
MITCH ZIMMER - Clem
CAST & CREW PHOTOS
Click to enlarge.
SPECIAL EVENTS
We are thrilled to announce that the presentation for Ross Davidson and Laura Wood, the next recipients of MTP’s annual Lifetime Membership honour, will take place during our run of Rodgers & Hart's BABES IN ARMS, our first production with MTP's Silver Spotlight Theatre. Each year, the MTP board selects one or two individuals whose support of MTP and contributions to the London community at large deserve recognition. Previous recipients of the award include Art Fidler, Liz Van Doorne, Stephen and Deborah Mitchell, Chris Wood, Kevin Bice, Anne Cuthbert, and John Gerry.
Ross Davidson is at the heart of the London theatre community. His passion for theatre is only rivalled by his talent for photography. Since 2007, Ross has offered his services to MTP to photograph our productions. These stunning photos capture the brilliant performances, the gorgeous designs and the vibrance of each show that MTP mounts. In addition to promotional uses, these photographs serve as mementos for the cast and crew that they cherish from each show they work on. In addition to these archival production photos, Ross has taken cast and crew headshots and other promotional images for many of our productions. Ross's talents and support go far beyond MTP, having offered his services to most community theatre companies working in London including London Community Players, Calithumpian Theatre Company, Pacheco Theatre and more! Ross has also supported the many talented youth in our community, photographing numerous high school shows as well as LYTE's productions. Almost everyone who has appeared onstage or behind the scenes in London's community theatre scene has been captured by Ross's camera.
Laura Wood has been with MTP almost since its inception, having appeared in the ensemble for then London Musical Theatre's second production, 42nd Street back in 1989 at Centennial Hall. Laura continued to dance up a storm in such shows as The Pajama Game, Guys & Dolls, Meet Me in St. Louis and Anything Goes. Laura then went on to choreograph such blockbuster shows as The Drowsy Chaperone and Disney's The Little Mermaid, as well as donning the dual hats of choreographer and producer for memorable productions like Little Shop of Horrors, Nunsense, Bye, Bye, Birdie, Gypsy, Songs for a New World and Hello, Dolly! Through her work in musical theatre, Laura found not only her partner onstage but her leading man in life having met her husband and fellow Lifetime Membership Award recipient, Chris Wood, in rehearsal. In addition to her work with MTP, Laura has appeared in productions for London's Gilbert & Sullivan Society and choreographed for the Original Kids Theatre Company. More recently, Laura has choreographed the annual fundraiser Broadway with a Twist, in support of Arts 4 All Kids, a charitable organization providing free exposure to the arts for children and families who do not have access to it. Laura's passion for the performing arts, her energetic choreography and her drive to will her dancers to success onstage are an integral part of London's theatre community.
Join us on Wednesday March 29, 2023 on the Auburn Stage - The Grand Theatre, for a special honouring of Ross Davidson and Laura Wood, at the evening performance of Rodgers & Hart's BABES IN ARMS! After the show, join us for a reception in their honour as well as that of the talented cast and crew of this exciting production.