Turning 50 can be quite the memorable time – one marked by plenty of reminiscing, reflection and rite-of-passage concerns.
In other words, it’s a period dripping with comedic potential.
And that’s the essence of the Milton Players Theatre Group’s latest offering, set to hit FirstOntario Arts Centre Milton’ MinMaxx Hall stage starting next week.
Bienvenue Oh Lake Trout – by award-winning Stouffville playwright Neil A. Marr – follows three friends’ ready to celebrate their 50th birthdays.
The weekend plans are in place and much anticipated. That is, until one of them brings along his new and younger wife.
What follows is a litany of conversational and relationship-based humour older adults can easily identify with.
“It’s got lots of stereotype comedy. It’s relatable and fun,” said director and veteran actor Kris Brown, noting Bienvenue Oh Lake Trout is one that’s been on the Milton Players’ radar for some time.
Adding a level of authenticity to the upcoming production is the fact that most of the six-member cast are about to hit the big 5-0 or have recently done so.
Brown will be directing his wife Jennifer as well as some close friends, which he says is both a benefit and occasional challenge to the rehearsal process.
“We didn’t need that getting to know you time before starting, but sometimes I have to be stern with them,” quipped the director, whose cast includes Players mainstay Brian Cranford – who’s directed Brown a number of times.
This season – the 46th for the local theatre troupe – follows the Players’ traditional sequence of performances, Bienvenue Oh Lake Trout coming on the heels of a murder mystery and preceding another comedy to wrap things up in the spring.
Said Brown, “It’s a proven formula and there’s been some great (play) choices by our board.”
Sean Carsley, Courtney Phelps, Gillian Taggart and Chris Kerba round out the current cast, who hit the stage starting Friday, Jan. 31 at 8 p.m.
Subsequent shows are as follows:
- Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m.
- Sunday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2 and 8 p.m.
Tickets are $32, or $27 each for a group of 10 or more.
“It’s a light-hearted, fun show where we’ll make you life, and hopefully in a couple of places cry,” said Brown. “It’s about real life, with real conversations.”
Click here for tickets.