Stage Door News
Stage Door News
After long and valiant service, Charlie, the inaugural Bard’s Bus, brave chariot of so many of Driftwood’s touring productions, has been put out to pasture. Driftwoodians reminisce:
•“I brought our oldest son Joey and his friend Elijah to see Romeo and Juliet in Withrow park that year when they were 4. At the intermission, they saw the actor playing Romeo sitting in the bus by himself. Elijah said to Joey, ‘Why is Romeo sitting on the bus by himself?’ To which Joey replied ‘He's probably on a time out for killing Tybalt’” - Tim Machin (‘The Stranger’ in The ODYSSEY)
•“In the old days, riding the bus meant either opening the windows - which felt like one of those flight simulators where they replicate Mach speed and your face bends and ripples from the pressure of the winds - Or you kept the windows shut and slowly melted into a puddle of sweat and tears (and that's without the Canadian summer humidity).“ - Andrew Pogson (‘Eurymachus/Eurylochus’ in The ODYSSEY)
•“I got to travel around the province in Charlie in 2010 (Twelfth Night) and just loved how old school she was. Open windows were the only air conditioning, curtains snapping in the wind as we roared down the highway to the next destination. I was also on the bus the following year when she started to show signs that she was ready for retirement. She got rear ended in Branford, her alternator fell off in Picton, and she had to be towed to a garage on the way back from Dundas.” - Tim Machin (‘The Stranger’ in The ODYSSEY)
BUT NEVER FEAR! Thanks to the generous support of the Trillium Foundation, hardworking fundraising and smart money-management by the Driftwood team, Driftwood Theatre is thrilled to announce the arrival of their brand new chariot, Lindy, a shiny new super-reliable dark green Ford E350, fitted out with air conditioning and reading lights - much to the gratitude of its thespian passengers!
•“Lindy is one classy lady! I love the new Driftwood bus! Reading lights are a big plus, it is spacious, comfy and super shiny. Charlie's vintage charm was definitely great, but Lindy’s reliability is fantastic!” - Janick Hebert (‘Circe’ in The ODYSSEY)
•“I have been on both buses and the great thing about the new bus is the AC!...It may seem like a small thing, but being able to arrive at the show in a more peaceful and pleasant state allows the performers to get ready and prepare for the show and hopefully that makes a better performance and tour! I certainly think so!” - Andrew Pogson (‘Eurymachus/Eurylochus’ in The ODYSSEY)
Lindy is named in memory of Linda Weroski, a beloved, long-time friend and patron of Driftwood Theatre, who recently passed away. Ever since its founding in 1995, Linda made continued and selfless contributions of her time and her enthusiasm to the company - she volunteered to stuff and label envelopes, proof-read newsletters and publicity materials, served as front of house staff during the Bard’s Bus Tour, and made sure she was present and accounted for at each and every Driftwood event, large or small.
“The truth is that Linda was one of our unsung heroes – a person who helped this company grow from a fledgling local theatre company to a leading provincially-touring, professional organization,” says Driftwood Artistic Director Jeremy Smith. “We wouldn’t be where we are – I wouldn’t be where I am – without people like Linda. Driftwood owes her more than we could possibly ever hope to repay.”
The bus is serving as a cool and comfortable greenroom for the cast during performances – and its unveiling has already provided the first of what will (no doubt) be countless affectionate anecdotes for the Driftwood team:
•“Opening of The ODYSSEY, Jeremy delivered a moving tribute dedicating the excellent new bus to Linda. Following the show, the women in the cast were in their changeroom (aka the bus) when we heard voices right outside. Audience members were arriving in waves to see this new bus and have a look inside! Unbeknownst to them, it was a bus full of naked ladies! - Lori Nancy Kalamanski (‘Athena/Eurycleia’ in The ODYSSEY)
This summer - under Lindy’s reliable stewardship - Driftwood Theatre takes you on the greatest journey of love, adventure and the search for home ever told: THE ODYSSEY, adapted from Homer by Rick Chafe. The Bard’s Bus Tour voyages across Ontario on a new classic journey filled with suspense, adventure and excitement, with PWYC performances from July 11th to August 18th.
Upcoming performances of THE ODYSSEY:
August 6: Zwick's Park, BELLEVILLE
August 7: Centre Hastings Park, MADOC
August 8: The Cove, WESTPORT
August 9: City Park, KINGSTON
August 10: The Millpond, BLOOMFIELD
August 11: Victoria Park, COBOURG
August 13: Celebration Square, WHITBY
August 14: Dundas Driving Park, HAMILTON
August 15: Greenwood Park, GREENWOOD
August 16: Leslie Log House, STREETSVILLE
August 17: Lakeview Park, OSHAWA
August 18: Scugog Shores Historical Museum, PORT PERRY
All performances begin at 7:30pm. Come join us! For more information, please visit www.driftwoodtheatre.com.
Photo: The cast of THE ODYSSEY pose in from of "Lindy", Diriftwood's new touring bus. ©2013.
2013-08-06
Toronto: Driftwood Theatre Company finally has a new bus