2009-2010 Season

Trafford Tanzi

Hi Director, Cast and Crew of the Trafford Tanzi Play:
I really enjoyed the interactiveness of this play!
I saw it Saturday night and it reminded me of how much we need non-traditional roles for women, a female wrestler, in the theatre and in real life! Think of women today in non traditional careers these days, such as combat in the military, firefighters and police officers. We need more empowering roles for women.
I felt you made a great job with the band, the actual wrestling ring, the celebrity wrestlers and enjoyed the comedy and physical fun of it all!
Martha Roanlds

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2008-2009 Season

A Royal Pain

Dear Lisbie,
Well done! Thank you so much for your part in arranging today's matinee, and inviting the schools to attend. What a fun performance - the kids loved it, and they were so thrilled to "see" Tiffany's part. An added bonus for them was the fact that the puppets came from Poland - their teacher Barbara (Grynia-Kochanczyk) is from Poland.
The question and answer time at the end was great. It struck me how virtually every single child went along with the imaginary microphone, even to the point that when the volume was "turned up" they spoke more loudly!
Here's to the last few performances!
Sue,
Waterdown Montessori School

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The Ends of the Earth

I saw "The Ends of the Earth" on Thursday evening.  It was whacky and hilarious and – well, just great!
Bruce Fleming

To: Theresa, Roland, Gord, Lisbie and the rest of the Crew;
Adam, Peter, Natasha, Andrea, Neil and the Stagehands in the Cast

The Ends of the Earth is a MUST SEE production! The Panych script is twisted and hilarious. The characters are so demented they're wise. The actors pull off a flawless performance and carry every nuance and paranoid ramble with perfect timing and believable insanity. The set, costumes, sound effects and lighting are second to none. The home made cookies, tea and coffee at intermission are a treat.

Get out and support this awesome Village Theatre group. It's worth a drive from Toronto, Ottawa, Newfoundland or B.C. to see this production. Morris Panych brings his play "The Trespassers" to Stratford this summer in a world premiere so beat the international rush and head to Waterdown this weekend to this hysterical Panych play. I'd travel to the ends of the earth to see it again! Don't miss it!

Kudos on a brilliant performance.
Chris Cavan and the Family and Friends Fan Club

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A Chorus of Disapproval

Congratulations on a brilliant and hysterically entertaining show. We laughed so much that we staggered out of the theatre, drunk on laughter and exhausted from rolling in the aisles. I didn't even need a drink after that show. One line that I can't get out of my head is - She's a swiss army wife. And an outstanding cameo experience by an equisitely attired and shapely calfed Janet Hatfield.

Last night we went to the St. Lawrence Centre in TO to see It's a Wonderful Life - with some top Canadian talent. We chuckled and laughed politely, but your show was head and shoulders above that one.

The synergy, comic timing and talent of everyone on and off stage will long be remembered. Brilliant cameo
Donna Yates
p.s. MJ,- The mouthwatering goodies you baked for the appreciative audience were the icing on the cake.

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2007 - 2008 Season

Leaving Home, Coming Home

Hello Ladies:
My wife and I were fortunate enough to be at Saturday’s performance of Leaving Home, Coming Home.
We both found it to be extremely powerful and thought provoking.
I for one think it is something every Canadian should see. Fortunately it was produced right here in Flamborough and I was exposed to the variety of backgrounds that make up the fabric of our community.
Congratulations on an amazing production.
Sincerely
Ted Lindsay
Advertising Manager
Flamborough Review

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A Lie of the Mind

Thank you for prompting me to go to the show.  The acting was incredible, and the whole production very powerful and really well done. 
Eleanor McEdwards (who lent us the flag)

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The Hobbit

Thank you, Nea Reid and company, for your brave and compellingly creative production! Our students at Mary Hopkins were enthralled and stimulated. As their music teacher, I was so pleased that they got to witness such amazing mood music and “found” percussion (totally curriculum-relevant!) Imagination rules! Thanks again for including us! More! More!
Beth Wheeler

To the Production team and Cast of The Hobbit.
Congratulations to all of you!

This first production of the 2007-2008 season, directed by Nea Reid was a major undertaking and with so many junior actors, she certainly had her hands full. Huge cast! Kudos to the Wardrobe team. Brilliant puppets and troll extensions, Marie! They and Gary Santucci's original score added so much to the ambience and the mood of the piece. The lighting and the sound F/X were superb!

I attended the first Saturday matinée and, as with most shows, the production solidifies over the run.

I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. It is a challenge to create the illusion of distance from scene to scene in an epic like this and I thought the Shakespearian approach to staging was effective. The set was effectively simple and the acting was wonderful overall. That particular day, the lead character was distracted, which was unfortunate. The narrator was also not honed that day. The production had flow and intensity except off the top while the audience was filing in. Some milling about by the actors seemed aimless, unfocused. Yet, every child in the audience was transfixed throughout and it was all over too soon. I hope the members of VT all come out to see The Hobbit.

I wish you all a great last weekend and hope you draw the audiences you hope for. I highly recommend The Hobbit. Great job everyone!

Enchanted,
Mary-Jane Russell, VT Member

Dear Wonderful Cast Members, Producer, Director, Brilliant costume makers, sound technicians and anyone else I've forgotten in this wonderful production,
I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. The acting was superb, the costumes incredible, a great story. Well Done all of you!!

Thank you for your support of Grandmothers of Steel.
Maureen Godden, Grandmothers of Steel

Hi Lisbie and Mike,
Vivien and I really enjoyed The Hobbit on Friday night (28th)! What a large cast! and so many children!

Congratulations! That must have been a lot of intense work! The music/sound and the sets were extremely well done! And we loved the seating arrangement!

Cheers,
Grace

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2006 - 2007 Season

Half Life

Dear Maggie and George ,
I want you both to know how much I enjoyed the very touching and beautiful story of "Half Life". It really hit a nerve with me on so many levels. I saw my mother in you Maggie. I saw myself and Cody, when I am older and the line that Steve O'Brian says regarding his mothers demise, that "No one will ever feel about him the way she does, not even God"....I know I don't have that correct but you know the line I mean......It made me think about my mother and the realization that her love transcends all others in a way.......

You were delightful Maggie. Almost childlike, innocent and totally believable. I loved her. Pat was lovely and I am so proud of her; she is courageous and I hope I will still be standing on stage at that age. The cast were really good and there were some very special moments and at times I felt quite emotional. I loved the music and the set and I am so pleased that I didn't miss out on this gem.

My love to you both and please extend my appreciation of a very good performance to Mr. O'Brian and Pat and the gentleman who played the Priest/Vicar????. (Richard Vaillancourt - ed.) I really had a good laugh at the scene with him preaching from the church..... I do hope I get the chance to share the stage again with you Maggie one of these days.

Thank you both,
Jo Kemp

This production is fatally absorbing and compelling. Its warm and insightful evocation of the humanity of the tale could be dangerous to your complacency.
Tom Mackan, Newsy Bits

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Blood Wedding

Hi Mike--I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed Blood Wedding and especially the set--very simple and wombish. I hadn't expected to like it as well as I did because of the heavy nature of the story but the music and the set and the mix of styles I found really intriguing--and especially those wonderful dancers and their shawls. I am glad you got Gary Santucci on board.
Anne Parker

I want to let you know how much I enjoyed the play on Friday. When I decided to attend, I was curious about the selection as Lorca's play may be quite difficult to stage. But, everybody has done an excellent work, from stage, costumes, actors and a musician, all was woven into a powerful tapestry of sounds, feelings, movement, colours and action. For me, the music performed was a treat, bringing Spain in the beginning of 20th century
instantly to mind.
Thanks to Mike and all cast members for this special pleasure.
Irena Barbir

Dear Austin,
We enjoyed the show very much and it was great to see something so theatrical. Your group must be very proud for tackling such a difficult show. I look forward to working with you again.
Barry Lambeck

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2005 - 2006 Season

Suburban Motel

Dear Lisbie,
went to Waterdown to see your shows last night
many thanks for a fine night of theatre
also want to say how delighted I am that you all have survived for so long and have created a remarkable track record of excellent work
best wishes for continued successes
Richard Nieoczym

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed and how impressed I was with the production of SUBURBAN MOTEL. Tell Kerry (Helen) she should be very proud of her work and the companies work. This is not the "community theatre" I remember. Please let me know when they do another "life" based drama, i.e.. "Streetcar" etc. I am not one for the Sound of Music and such, give me profanity, scantily dressed women and a plot that makes me sweat. Do we look like drug dealers ?
Phil McColl

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The Arabian Nights

I have to tell that I ENJOYED the play so much.
For my entertainment dollar this was the best value ever.
I hope you have a great run. Don’t know if you are sold out, but I have told all my colleagues that they should see the play.
Looking forward to the next production already.
Sheila MacDonald
Director of Volunteers at Alexander Place LTC

To Jenny and the “Arabian Nights community”,
Thank you all for the gift of your performance last Saturday (Nov. 19th). It was an amazing journey of play, joy, wonder and wisdom; the flowering of a creative community! Whilst being fun and delightful, I was also challenged and was left musing and puzzling over some of the stories. Everyone seems to have put their hearts into it and it felt to be a gift of love.
            I have some small glimpse of how much work has gone into the seemingly effortless flow on the stage. Thank you for all of that. I went along with a group of spiritual friends and the musing and reflecting has continued on . . . I appreciated your nurturing of the young people and seeing their flowering. You allowed the amazing script to come alive – shining a light on the joy, playfulness, power and suffering in sexuality and relationships. It was like a breath of fresh air to have middle-eastern culture celebrated, with an edge of political commentary!
            Thanks again for your labour of love and a taste of the power of the arts and a vibrant creative community.
with gratitude and peace
John D.

I just wanted to tell you that I recently came to see your production of The Arabian Nights and I was SO IMPRESSED with your production. It was absolutely fabulous and the friend I came with thoroughly enjoyed it also. The entire cast, the director, the music director, the choreographer, the producer, everybody involved with it, the behind-the-scenes people, everybody should really be proud of themselves. I hope this message will get to all of you. I think you did a SUPER production. THANK YOU.
anonymous phone message

Hi Lisbie
Gord and I went to see your play on Sat. night, and I wanted to tell you....WOW!!! what a great job you did!! It was great fun to watch. And Jenny was amazing....I think I liked her scene the best! I loved the scene with Jenny and her lovers lying on the floor with different groups popping up...everything was woven so well together... well done.
Jan Raymond

I had the opportunity to see the play on Friday night and it was magnificent!!!!!

Mesmerizing probably is the best word to describe the music. The dancing, the acting, the singing, the costumes, the stage set, the whole production was amazing. Congratulations on such a wonderful performance. Bravo.

Thanks for letting me know about the play. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
Anita Knight

We saw the Arabian Nights show last evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done Lisbie, you and all involved have obviously put a lot of time and
effort into such a sparkling production. Congratulations!!
Alan Boothroyd

To Frank Rocchi, (Jester)
Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the play last night.

Such wonderful dialogue, storytelling, acting, music and choreography. A marvelous accomplishment from the full cast and crew. And such a large cast; everyone contributed beautifully to the play. A nice intelligent blend of humour, drama and philosophy. The contemporary ending was quite moving.

We enjoyed all of your characters and thought "the family dance" and "the magnificent fart" will become part of rocchi lore. You captured your roles excellently.

The music was wonderfully appropriate in setting the mood, complementing the action and enhancing the atmosphere. Thomas must have been delighted to be a part of a grand production and an obviously talented musical combo. What a great experience for him - both to contribute and to learn. Congratulate him for us.

We also noticed Margot had a significant role as well with props and furnishings. The stage look and setting was perfect. Congratulations to her as well.

Continued success to all of you in this field. May the family dance continue!
Well done to you and all. Good luck with the remaining performances.
Julian and Mariclaire

Thank you for a night of cultural transformation, celebration of the art of storytelling, celebration of female sensuality, mysticism and heroism and above all for the ability to bond, create and naturally reveal the ancient wisdom.

That your Arabian Nights will be a visual feast was clear but that it would keep us engaged and attentive to Schehezerade's wit and cleverness for all evening is quite an achievement given the complexity of the text. The amazement for me does not stop here, for curiously enough there is also a literary mystery around this"mythical" text as some claim that Schehezerade was Jewish and like Esther who saved her people, did Schehezerade save the Arab women.

Thank you again and congratulations
Marie Franek

I enjoyed your show immensely. I thought the cast did an excellent job, and after some perceived initial nervousness I felt they warmed up to the audience and started to feed off the audience responses and energy. After working in the theatre since last March, I tend to get a little bored and disenchanted watching it. Not so with Arabian Nights. Well done!

Please pass along my congratulations to your ensemble for a great show.
Bob Vernon

Dear Emily Johnson,
This is your Aunt Karen from the East coast. 
We are so disappointed not to be a part of the audience this time, to watch you perform as Dunyazade. 
However, we are thinking of you as always and just wanted to say "break a leg". 
I know we will be getting rave reviews in just a few short days after opening night. 
We look forward to hearing all about it.
Love Aunt Karen, Uncle Dan, Steven and Sarah.
xoxox
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2004 - 2005 Season

The Velveteen Rabbit

Hi Kerry,
You know the old Hollywood cliche - 'never work with children or animals'? Well, Velveteen Rabbit could have easily been 'never work with children AS animals' but you managed to do the nearly impossible and get the very best out of each and every one of those children ...and the adults weren't bad either. Thanks for a lovely and highly memorable outing. So beautifully done that the 'willing suspension' came easily.
Bob

Kerry,
CONGRATULATIONS on the wonderful review....we all knew the play's fabulous, and now others will be prompted to come and see just what an amazing job you and the kids (and Nana and Dr. of course!) have done. "BRAVO" !!!
Regards,
Margot

Dear Lisbie,
Thank you for the wonderful seats at Saturday nights performance of the Velveteen Rabbit. The play was a treat to see! Daniel Rocchi is a natural. Lena Lehtikallio played an excellent Nana. Each of the actors was fabulous! The costumes could not have been better and the set was enchanting! Everyone involved in this play deserves a standing ovation!

We hope to visit your theatre again sometime soon ... I only wish that we had seen this play a little earlier, I would have recommended it to everyone I know.

People don't know what they are missing when they miss seeing a play like yours.

Fondly,
Diane Miller and Family
ps You certainly have a great group of people working at the Village Theatre to bring this class of entertainment to the public ... from ticket sales to producers, directors, set designers and crew, costumes, stage manager, make-up, lighting, webmaster, special effects, and of course those who are cast in the stage roles. Yipes ... does anyone realize how much goes into one of your productions?

Thank you for being there doing what you do ...

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A Month in the Country

We loved Thursday night's production...I dare say..a finer performance than I have seen so far this year at Theatre Aquarius....
anon

I just wanted to let you know that my wife and I attended A Month in the Country last Friday. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. The performance was fantastic. I must commend everyone involved on their ability to transform Waterdown’s historical jewel, Memorial Hall into an enchanting scene of a century and a half ago. I look forward to attending future performances.
Sincerely
Ted Lindsay

I loved the lively and bright production of A Month in the Country and found the young actress Paola Di Maddalena outstanding.
Congratulations!
Kindest regards,
June Watson

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The Herbal Garden

Excellent production
Costumes makeup Performance (professional)
Friendliness all around
anonymous

read more fanmail of past shows