Two Broadway Classics to Grace Perth's Studio Theatre in Summer 2010 Classic Theatre Festival to Host Perth Auditions

February 21st Perth, Ontario -- The Classic Theatre Festival, Ottawa Valley’s new professional summer theatre festival, is pleased to announce the lineup for its inaugural 2010 summer season at the Studio Theatre in beautiful downtown Heritage Perth, Ontario this coming July and August. Dedicated to producing shows from the golden age of Broadway and the London stage, this year’s season will feature Noel Coward’s classic comedy Blithe Spirit and the WWII-era romance, The Voice of the Turtle, by John van Druten.

“Locating a professional summer theatre festival in Perth is the final destination of a yearlong research and consultation journey to determine the best location," says Artistic Producer Laurel Smith, a long-time theatre director and producer who decided to open a new summer festival while working at the renowned Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2008. "There's something magic about summertime and theatre, and the plays we have picked for 2010 and our programming for the years ahead very much reflect Perth's own well-earned motto: Aged to Perfection."

In determining the mandate for the Classic Theatre Festival, Smith says she picked the era that spans roughly from the mid 1920s through the late 1950s, which is an era that "represents a kind of universal value set, embracing ideals and concepts that transcend traditional barriers. It is a time when the idea of steady human progress was not viewed as an anachronism but in fact represented a key part of daily life. In our tired, confused, and cynical age, we have somehow lost that idea and, in North America at least, I find we are constantly seeking out the kinds of stories that remind us about the best in ourselves. We want audiences to leave feeling uplifted and renewed. I believe with this mandate, we can offer summer audiences a rare experience that is both highly entertaining and meaningful."

In the meantime, auditions for both plays will be held in February in Toronto, Ottawa, and Perth, with the Perth auditions scheduled for February 21st. Roles yet to be cast in Blithe Spirit, which will run July 9th to August 1st (with rehearsals beginning June 22),include: Elvira (age 25-30), the ghost of the beautiful former wife of Charles Condomine; Madame Arcati (age 45-65), an eccentric medium, slightly addled, but deeply committed to the study of the occult; Mrs. Bradman (age 40-50) the perfect small-town doctor’s wife, rather faded but eager for new experiences; and Edith (age 20-30), self-effacing, homely, rather bumbling maid. All roles require a British accent.

The following roles are open for auditions in The Voice of the Turtle, which runs August 6th to 29th (rehearsals start July 20th): Sally (age 20s), a small town girl seeking out big city romance; Olive (age 20s), a fun-loving, worldly young woman and friend to Sally; and Bill (age 20s), a sergeant in the US army on leave, heartbroken over a love affair gone wrong. The setting is New York City in the 1940s. The deadline for submissions is February 1st. Resumes and headshots can be emailed to: laurel@classictheatre.ca, or by fax to (613) 264-9183. People who are interested need to indicate the role for which they would like to audition, and also be familiar with the play they are auditioning for. Given the number of roles available and the strong interest the festival is already generating, only a limited number of audition slots will be available in Perth, and the company regrets that it cannot respond to every individual who applies. The festival asks that people do not call, but conduct all correspondence via email. Performances for the season run at 8pm from Wednesday to Saturday, with 2pm matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets will go on sale March 1st, and are available at: 1-877-283-1283, or online at: www.classictheatre.ca. For more information, contact the festival at: info@classictheatre.ca - 30 - For more information, contact Matthew Behrens Director of Community Outreach Classic Theatre Festival: Phone: 1-877-283-1283, or Email: info@classictheatre.ca