Phoenix Players show comedic talent with new production
Posted Nov 27, 2009 By Kimberly Lochhead
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EMC Entertainment Definitions of good and evil are skewed in the romantic comedy My Three Angels, a clever story of redemption and justice performed by the Phoenix Players at Centrepointe Theatre Dec. 3 to 5. 
Kimberly Lochhead, Ottawa West EMC
Members of the Phoenix Players rehearse Nov. 10 to prepare for their upcoming production of My Three Angels in December at Centrepointe Theatre.
"It's a light-hearted play without being mushy," explained Ellen Clare O'Gallagher, president of the Players.
The story is set around Christmas time in French Guiana, where convicts from a penal colony are given parole and mingle with locals of a small town. Through the encounters of the convicts, the audience is forced to ponder morals and as they learn of other misdeeds the locals have done, shifting the definitions of who is good and who is evil.
"The difference between the convicts and the others is simply the matter that the convicts were caught and the others were not," explained Ms. O'Gallagher.
"The convicts work for people and live a very sad life. They get involved with a family that is undergoing difficult financial problems and with their own imagination, they help them through."
Through the tale, the three convicts come to realize the importance of love, life and family.
Established in November 2001, the Phoenix Players have since been building their audience, choosing to perform plays purely for their entertainment value and audience appeal.
"We do put on a lot of comedies and audiences like those, as well as mysteries and the occasional drama," said Ms. O'Gallagher. "We base ourselves on the format of a repertory group who enjoy doing plays together and we try to develop actors and invest in getting them experience and staying with us for as long as they can."
As a repertory theatre group, members maintain a constant presence by performing various roles through the years, however the Phoenix Players are always searching for new actors.
"Community theatre has also been a place where young talent gets a start," she said.
"We're not just an executive serving the general pool of actors, we like to know our people and keep them interested in working with us. When they're not on the stage, we hope they work behind the scenes so that we have people involved in putting on the plays."
All members volunteer their time and efforts and often put in a great amount of their own money to maintain production, added Ms. O'Gallagher. As a group dedicated to the craft of theatre and providing entertainment to the community, she said members always manage to generate enough funds to put on the next show.
"Community theatre brings people together and there are many ideas that come forth and open a dialogue from situations that arise in a play that you can treat in a serious or light manner," Ms. O'Gallagher said. "It allows people to discuss things they wouldn't normally discuss and you can hear it during intermission."
In addition, Ms. O'Gallagher said the Players are able to introduce the public to theatre at a low cost, making it accessible to a greater amount of community members.
Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 per adult or $12 per senior or student.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.phoenixplayers.ca.
