The Gladstone offers up wartime laughter
Posted Jul 29, 2010 By Phil Ambroziak
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EMC Entertainment - "It's pure entertainment."
Phil Ambroziak, Ottawa West EMC
Emmanuelle Zeesman, Kodi Cannon, David DaCosta and Adrian Zeyl star in The Andrews Brothers, the latest musical comedy to be staged at The Gladstone at 910 Gladstone Ave. The play, which takes place during the Second World War, runs until Aug. 14.
That's how director Andy Massingham sums up The Andrews Brothers, the latest production to be staged at The Gladstone Theater
"The play is set during the Second World War on an Army base in the South Pacific," Mr. Massingham explained. "The Andrews Sisters, the legendary singers, are scheduled to come sing at a USO show to help motivate the troops when one of them comes down with chicken pox and the whole group is quarantined in Hawaii. This leads to three male stage hands, who happen to know all the songs because they're a bunch of star struck, showbiz kids, putting on dresses, wigs and high heels in an effort to pose as the Andrews Sisters."
The trio is joined by a young pin-up girl, who helps teach the young men how to pass themselves off as women in an effort to fool the audience.
"The whole show is filled with slapstick," Mr. Massingham said. "It also features 25 songs from the wartime era it's a musical-comedy romp that serves as total escapism it's also a family show that people of all ages will enjoy."
Written by Roger Bean, the play stars Emmanuelle Zeesman, David DaCosta, Kodi Cannon and Adrian Zeyl along with the musical direction of Nick Carpenter.
"It features a lot of music, but is funny at the same time, especially seeing the guys dressed in drag because 'the show must go on'," Mr. Massingham said.
This production marks Ms. Zeesman's return to the stage following her involvement in other Gladstone musicals including A Midwinter's Dream Tale and Blood Brothers. Mr. DaCosta also played a role in Blood Brothers while Mr. Cannon and Mr. Zeyl make their Gladstone debut with The Andrews Brothers.
"Emmanuelle has been in several productions at The Gladstone," Mr. Massingham said. "We've been here everyday for the past three weeks to (rehearse) for this play, which is the seventh and final show of the season."
The director went on to note how much fun the cast and crew has had preparing for the play.
"We've been having so much fun putting it together especially listening to all the old music from the '40s," he said.
The play, which began July 22, runs until Aug. 14. Evening performances start at 8 p.m. with Saturday matinees at 3 p.m.
To reserve seats, call 613-233-4523 or visit www.thegladstone.ca. Tickets can also be purchased at the theatre between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday or an hour before show time.
"It's a very joyous show with no deep messages," Mr. Massingham said. "We expect audience members will be humming some of the old tunes they'll hear for the next couple of weeks."
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