Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The heart warming comedy, “On A First Name Basis” was written by Norm Foster in 2012 with the playwright himself in the role of best-selling novelist David Kilbride. Who better to fill Norm’s shoes than an actor whose work he respects, Lake of Bays’ own William (Bill) Colgate. Bill has been a professional actor for over forty years and has worked in every aspect of the business from stage to screen to radio to cartoon voice work. On screen he has appeared opposite such notables as Tommy Lee Jones, Diane Keaton, Kiefer Sutherland, Sarah Polley, Gordon Pinsent, Billy Bob Thornton and John Cusack. In November 2017, Muskoka was treated to Mr. Colgate’s protean abilities when he portrayed Billy Bishop, along with 18 other characters, in the award-winning musical, “Billy Bishop Goes to War”. A resounding success, the show, which toured Muskoka and Parry Sound, received standing ovations at every performance.
Bill’s stage partner in this most entertaining 'two-hander' is Muskoka's very own Teal Cochrane in the role of Lucy Hopperstaad. Teal, a graduate of George Brown’s theatre program, has been a mainstay of the Huntsville Theatre Company for several years and has given memorable performances in such plays as “Blood Relations”, “Doubt” and “Same Time Next Year”. Joan Bendon (another Lake of Bays resident and director of “Billy Bishop Goes To War”) is once again at the helm and has this to offer about our playwright: “The plays of Norm Foster are gifts to directors, actors and audiences alike. He has the ability to capture in two hours or less the humour, the joy, and the fragility of life in a way distinctly his own. There is a very good reason Norm is Canada’s most produced playwright and why in 2016 he was named an Officer of The Order of Canada.”
“On A First Name Basis” tells the story of a very successful, but cantankerous, novelist (William Colgate) who suddenly discovers that he knows nothing about his housekeeper (Teal Cochrane) of 28 years. She, on the other hand, knows absolutely everything about him! He makes it his mission to learn all he can about her in a most engaging evening. With revelations that are surprising, funny, and extremely moving, this is a love story, a social commentary and a mystery wrapped in witty dialogue and vivid imagery.
Produced by Dot the T Productions, “On a First Name Basis”, will tour Muskoka and the District of Parry Sound between May 25 and June 9, 2018. It offers Dinner-And-a- Show or Show Only options along with senior discounts and group rates. Performing under Canada's Actor's Equity Association, this is top flight theatre usually found in the larger municipalities of Canada. We are fortunate to have the talents of local residents Ms. Bendon, Mr. Colgate and Ms. Cochrane and excited to offer the shared experience of live performance to theatre lovers throughout the region.
Dot The T Productions: Performance so close you can feel it. For more information on this production, tour and tickets, go to http://DotTheTPro.ca
Photo: Bill Colgate and Teal Cochrane. ©2018 Jan Jacklin.
2018-04-02
Huntsville: Dot The T Productions will tour "On a First Name Basis" through Muskoka this summer