Lethbridge gets the Jitters courtesy of Hatrix Theatre this week.
The relatively new community theatre group puts on their third spring production of the David French backstage comedy, ‘Jitters, ’May 23-26 at the Moose Hall.
Jitters is about the toils and tribulations faced by a Toronto theatre company who are putting on a make it or break it play called “ The Care and Treatment of Roses.”
There is an eclectic collection of characters involved including Jessica, (played by Nancy Bridal) a diva who is making her return to the stage after a two year break, Patrick (played by Kelly Frewin), a volatile yet insecure renown Canadian actor, Phil (played by Jeff Graham), who is a hypochondriac and slightly neurotic and enthusiastic young up and comer Tom (Marty Blank.)
Director George (Ross Bruinsma) tears his hair out trying to keep the peace with these strong personalities and their problems while playwright Robert (Preston Scholz) wrings his hands and changes the dialogue.
Throw in a strong supporting cast including cranky stage manager Nicky (Marcie Stork,) and coquettish stage hands Peggy (Cass Pollock) and house manager Susi (Erin Ross) and you have an interesting clash of personalities, which is sure to result in waves of laughter from the audience as the pressure is amplified by a renown Broadway producer coming up from New York to see the show and bring it to Broadway.
The play features several familiar faces who have performed with several other Lethbridge theatre companies including the Drama Nutz and Playgoers of Lethbridge. It also features two Lethbridge drama teachers who play the leading roles.
“It just been a lot of fun,” said Nancy Bridal, who was originally to play Peggy but stepped up to play the lead role of Jessica, the star of the “Care and Treatment of Roses” when original lead Lauren Mann was unable to perform.
“Everyone’s been really good about it,” Bridal said.
“ Jessica is an actress who has been out of the business for two years. She thinks this play will be her big break,” she said.
Bridal is enjoying exploring the volatile relationship between Jessica and Patrick.
“She’s full of life. She’s feisty. And I get to beat up on Patrick,” she laughed adding that is one of her favourite parts of the production.
Kelly Frewin gets to play the very angry character of Patrick.
“Yeah I’m working on that. Patrick is a bit of a jerk,” he said.
“He is also a bit of a jokester. He often uses anger to cover his insecurities. The boy’s afraid of success,” he noted.
“ I love the fact that we’re doing a Canadian play,” Frewin enthused.
“ My favourite line in the play is ‘ We‘re not adults, we’re actors, and if you don’t realize that
, you have no business being in theatre,’” Bridal enthused adding that line pretty much sums up the humour in the play.
“I think the stage hands Peggy and Suzie are the most adult of the characters,” Frewin added.
Both Frewin and Bridal teach drama for their day jobs at LCI, where the group is rehearsing and Wilson Middle school respectively.
“They (their students) get to see us do the things we’re telling them to do. But teaching and acting are two different things,” Frewin said of being a drama teacher on stage.
Nancy Bridal, who has been in numerous productions including several main stage productions with Playgoers of Lethbridge said each production is a new experience.
“It’s a good group of people. When you work with different people, you are always learning something new,” she said.
“It’s time to get this production in front of an audience. We’re looking forward to their energy,” she continued.
Hatrix Theatre was formed two years ago by Karolin Harker and Brian Quinn and several friends in Medicine Hat.
“We thought that since most of us are from Medicine Hat that Hatrix would be a nice play or words,” Harker said, who is enjoying directing their third spring show.
“ It was suggested to me by Sara Stanley our dramatist. I read “Jitters ” before and thought it was a great Canadian play. It is all about the actors’ angst,” Harker explained.
“Particularly the Canadian actors’ angst. If he isn’t recognized in the United States, he isn’t recognized at all,” she added.
Harker, also a retired drama teacher, is familiar with some of the hijinks happening in Jitters.
“In Jitters, we have an actor who walks off stage during the middle of the play. In one of my high school plays, we had a girl who just walked off stage and went home, we had a boy do that too,” she continued.
She is looking forward to seeing Jitters on stage.
“I think we are where we want to be. We have chosen the right people in the cast for the right part. And the backstage crew, (stage manager Richard Amery) and (assistant stage manager Juanita DeVos) have been wonderful,” she enthused adding producer Brian Quinn and his wife Pat have also be amazing.
“We’re getting to be like a family,” she said.
Like most community theatre groups, Hatrix is run by dedicated volunteers who after they are done their day jobs, then go to rehearsal for two hours, four times a week. And that’s on top of learning lines.
Jitters runs at 7:30 p.m. each night May 23-26 at the Moose Hall on fifth avenue north across from the Giant Tiger. Tickets are going fast. By May 15, over half of the 280 have been sold, but there will tickets available at the door if there are any left. They can be purchased by contacting Brian Quinn at 403-315-9816. They cost $12.
