qathet community theatre company makes comeback at Evergreen

Local community theatre company Theatre Now! is back after a three-year hiatus.

The tight-knit group has been busy rehearsing, building, designing and producing Halfway There, a play by Canadian playwright Norm Foster. Actors Nicole Narbonne, Angie Davey, Tricia Andrews, Jennifer Hillier and Jeremy Buhay will transport the audience to a small-town diner in Stewiacke, Nova Scotia.

“We decided to recreate a mirror image of Magpie’s Diner in Cranberry as our set, as they are very similar to Junior’s Cafe, where the play takes place,” said Narbonne. “Only open for breakfast and lunch, and the place for locals to gather for a bit of gossip, and a cup of coffee.”

Directed by Pat Hansen and Narbonne, the play will run at the Evergreen Theatre from March 23 to 25.

Narbonne is excited to be producing a Norm Foster play, as he is “renowned for his ability to understand true human interactions and portrays his everyday characters in an often humorous way,” she said. “Norm Foster is amazing.”

The play has more women than men and is perfect for a theatre group, and those who have auditioned, which have mostly been women, according to Narbonne.

“We have very few men who try out; lots of women try out,” she added.

 The title Halfway There references the town’s location, halfway between the equator and the North Pole.

“Our four ladies are fast friends, having been through thick and thin in their small town for years and years together,” explained Narbonne. “The arrival of a single, lonely doctor is more fuel for the conversation. Laughter, tears and the power of true friendship teach them a lot about themselves and each other.”

The play is a feel-good theatre experience filled with Maritime wit and wisdom, she added.

“All of the actors have previous theatre experience and are all volunteers. Wes Brown volunteered to build the set and Tricia Andrews is creating the costumes for the play.”

The four-woman and one-man group, plus the directors, stage manager and two understudies have been rehearsing at the Dwight Hall recital room for the past few months.

Theatre Now! began in 1995.

“We love being a little community-theatre group,” said Narbonne. “We have so much fun together.”

 The play runs Thursday to Saturday, March 23 to 25, at 7 pm and Sunday, March 26, at 1:30 pm. For ticket information, go to theatrenowpowellriver.ca.