RANKIN — Stone Fence Theatre’s 15th season of putting the Ottawa Valley’s stories, people and artists onstage begins in Rankin on Wednesday, July 19 and takes the company to six Valley venues with its new romantic musical comedy, Stick out Your Tongue and Say MOO.
The show, written by the company’s producer, Ish Theilheimer and directed by its creative director, Chantal Elie-Sernoskie, takes a humorous look at veterinarians, the work they do, and how changes in agriculture and rural society affect them.
“Vets and veterinary workers have really interesting stories to tell,” said Mr. Theilheimer. “Their work is not easy, and they are badly needed. It’s serious stuff that most people don’t give much thought to. And they’ve got some really funny stories to tell, as well, and we’ve tried to include as many of these as possible. People who raise animals or have pets will enjoy this show.”
Construction at the Eganville Arena, the company’s main home since 2009, caused it to look elsewhere for performance space this summer. The Rankin Culture and Community Centre, just 10 minutes north of Eganville, presented itself as a great alternative.
“The Rankin Centre is a comfortable, modern building that’s totally accessible, quite central, and well set up for performers and audiences,” said Mr. Theilheimer. “It was built by the community with performances in mind.”
The show will be in Rankin for five performances – July 19, 20 and 27 and August 2 and 9. After that it will be in Barry’s Bay on August 10, Westmeath on Friday, September 15, Eganville on September 16, 23 and 30 and October 14, Pembroke on October 20 and 21 and Killaloe on October 29. With fewer performance dates than last year, when tickets for most shows sold out, Mr. Theilheimer advises audience members to purchase tickets as soon as possible for best seating.
Audiences will be treated to a traditional Ottawa Valley-style roast beef dinner, prepared by Schmidt’s Catering of Pembroke.
The Barry’s Bay show is catered by Andrea Paetzold.
The Westmeath show is not catered.
The price for “supper and show” is $48 or $32 for youth. Special dietary needs can almost always be accommodated, and a $30 “dessert only” price is also available.
The play follows the adventures of a young veterinarian from the suburbs who finds himself in very strange territory in the Ottawa Valley. He is accosted by lonely female clients, reviled by male ones, and disdained or pitied by his colleagues.
The cast and crew feature a mixture of Stone Fence Theatre veterans and newcomers. The “vets” include Danielle Bissonnette, Ambrose Mullin, Shirley Hill, and Chantal Elie-Sernoskie, with Nigel Epps, Fran Pinkerton and Lesley Sneddon in support roles. Musicians Derek Tolhurst (bass) and Evan Burgess, who have played with Stone Fence Theatre in previous seasons, take to the stage in this production. Clint Savage joins the company onstage and John Doddridge (guitar) joins the band in the pit, which includes Peter Brown again on keys. Mr. Theilheimer plays fiddle and percussion and provides musical direction.
Tickets and information for all shows are available at www.stonefence.ca or by phone at 613-628-6600 or, toll-free, 1-866-310-1004.
