April 25, 2011, PERTH – While it’s true that most cat owners find in their feline pets endless hours of entertainment, few have considered a career under the footlights for their four-legged friends. But that could change this summer in Perth, where the Classic Theatre Festival, Ottawa Valley’s professional summer theatre, is auditioning black cats for a key role in its first production of the summer season, “Bell, Book and Candle.”

A romantic comedy about witches, warlocks, and a mischievous kitty named Pyewacket, “Bell, Book and Candle” proved the inspiration for the popular mid-1960s television series “Bewitched!” Written by John van Druten, whose Second World War comedy “The Voice of the Turtle” proved a big hit during the Festival’s 2010 season (earning a Capital Critics Circle Award nomination in the process), the 2011 production will be staged at the Mason Theatre, a wheelchair-accessible facility at 13 Victoria Street in Perth.

Given the busy schedules of some pets, the Festival appreciates that not every star cat can commit to a six-week combination of rehearsal and performance, so more than one kitty may be featured in the show, which runs July 8-31, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, with 2 pm matinees Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (rehearsals begin in mid June, but the cat will not be needed every day for rehearsal).

Cat owners who would enjoy seeing their furry balls of fun in the spotlight will receive free pairs of tickets for the Classic Theatre Festival’s 2011 summer season, which also features Jan de Hartog’s Tony-Award winner for best play, “The Fourposter,” a comedic chronicle of a marriage, running August 5-28.

VOLUNTEERS AND BILLETS

In the meantime, the Festival is looking for other potential stars. Among the many luminaries who were part of last year’s Festival were the many volunteers who came forward to help with set painting and construction, props, ushering, and community outreach. The Festival is once again in need of this vital community assistance to help ensure the success of its 2011 season.

Another one of the most rewarding ways to be involved with the Festival is the opportunity to host one of the actors and artistic crew who will need a place to stay for the six week period of rehearsal and performance. The Festival’s 2010 cast and crew thoroughly enjoyed their stay in Perth, due in large part to the welcome they received from residents who offered a free spare bedroom, and access to a bathroom and kitchen. Anyone who can host this year’s team members will also receive a pass for two for the summer season.

Tickers are now on sale for both summer season shows, and anyone who purchases them before May 31 will receive a 10% Early Bird discount. If audience members would like to take advantage of the Early Bird Special but cannot commit to certain dates, they will receive a voucher that is redeemable when their summer plans are confirmed. Tickets can be purchased at Tickets Please, 39 Foster Street, online at www.classictheatre.ca, or by calling 1-877-283-1283.

Individuals who would like to see their cats “mixing it up” with some of Canada’s top theatrical talent, as well as those who would like to act as volunteers and hosts for the Festival’s 2011 season, can contact the Classic Theatre Festival at 613-264-8088 or info@classictheatre.ca.

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This event has been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural
Attractions Fund, a program of the Government of Ontario through the
Ministry of Tourism and Culture, administered by the Ontario Cultural
Attractions Fund Corporation.