‘Opening Night’ is a celebration of community

Jennifer Anger-Jull, Tillsonburg Post Contributor

Theatre Tillsonburg is hard at work preparing for its upcoming production of "Opening Night," a comedy by Canada's own Norm Foster. Directed by Mark Smith and produced by Joe Sheik, it will run from Feb. 13-15 and 20-22 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances on Feb. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m.

If you are looking for that perfect Valentine's Day outing or date night, Theatre Tillsonburg has got you covered. This hilarious comedy is a delightful exploration of life's unexpected surprises and how theatre brings people together, making it a fantastic choice for couples and friends alike.

“Opening Night” is set during the opening night of a rural production titled "Whisper on the Wind" at the Charles Killian Theatre Noir Repertory House. The play follows accountant Ruth Tisdale (Tina Hurley) as she drags her varnish salesman husband, Jack (Pete Matthews), to his very first theatrical experience. As the couple navigates the evening, they encounter the many highs and lows—mostly lows—of putting on a play. This leads to a series of hilarious moments and encounters with TV actor Michael Craig (Jason Leighfield), cynical director Richard Hyde Finch (Brian Stanhope) and his needy girlfriend Cilla Fraser (Monique Bouchard), ingenue Libby Husniak (Katie Raymond), waiter and aspiring actor Tom Delaney (Rendall Lackenbauer), and stage actor Clayton Fry (Dave Butcher).

Theatre has a unique way of bringing people together, often in unexpected ways, especially for those who have been dragged to a play by their significant other. You may just be in for delightful surprise.

Among the cast and crew of "Opening Night," you may recognize more than a few familiar faces from Theatre Tillsonburg, which is a true testament to how amazing our little community theatre really is. More often than not, community members come to see a show, volunteer or audition and end up falling in love with the experience, and becoming a part of the Theatre Tillsonburg family. That’s what sets Theatre Tillsonburg apart from the rest—our theatre community becomes our family, and we really do care about each other and our theatre because, for so many of us, that is our happy place. It's this sense of belonging and passion for the arts that makes our productions so special!

Tina Hurley, who is appearing for her third time on Theatre Tillsonburg's stage in 'Opening Night' said, "I have loved every experience I've had with Theatre Tillsonburg. I keep coming back for more! How could I not? I get to spend time with some amazing people and when the audience is enjoying the show? Best feeling ever!"

What makes this production particularly exciting is the collaboration of both seasoned and new members of our community theatre. Veteran actors and crew members are stepping up to mentor newcomers, fostering a spirit of integration and camaraderie that lies at the heart of Theatre Tillsonburg. Katie Raymond is excited to make her debut on Theatre Tillsonburg's stage and is eager to become a part of the Theatre Tillsonburg family, hoping to participate in future productions. Although this is her first production here, she is not new to acting and brings a wealth of experience to the stage despite her young age. Another new face is a young artist from our community in Otterville, Christian McCall. He has created a magnificent backdrop for opening night, featuring a stunning farm setting. Although he usually specializes in paleoart, blending artistic creativity with scientific research to reconstruct ancient animals and environments, this piece showcases his versatility. With experience working alongside scientists and museums worldwide, Christian uses 3-D software to digitally sculpt and paint his subjects, ensuring each piece is grounded in extensive research. We're incredibly thankful to have such a talented artist contributing to our community!

Jason Leighfield who plays a TV actor in "Opening Night" and is longtime Theatre Tillsonburg member wrote, “The thing about community theatre is that you are coming to it of your own free will. It's not paying bills; it's not an obligation. There's a satisfaction to that. You get to be a part of a team and build and create something. You're just there because you want to be. Every piece is just as important as the next. We don't often get to experience that as adults. From the start of a play, when you first open the script to the last curtain, it's just discovery. I love that feeling. The sense of accomplishment. I can't think of a role I've done that I feel like I've discovered every moment, every facet of a character. It's perfectly imperfect.”

And the family you build. It's this intense, hyper-focused time. A group of people coming together from all different angles for a common goal, to stage the best possible performance they possibly can. In doing so, you build these super strong bonds. You rely on each other to know their job and trust that if something goes off the rails, you, as a group, can bring it back. I always marvel at the experience. As adults, it's difficult to foster new relationships, but with theatre you have no choice. You have instant bonds with some people, while thers take a while. Still others, you figure out how to work together. Life is life. You won't like everyone. But in all those people, you build lifelong connections. Whether it's true friendships or simply that shared experience, it's all building community and being able to have some pride in knowing that you had a hand in creating something that was an experience.”

Join us for "Opening Night" and experience the magic of community theatre. Not only will you enjoy a night filled with laughter, but you will also be supporting our community theatre, which is dedicated to building a better community through the arts. Whether you come to Theatre Tillsonburg for just one night or find yourself falling in love with the magic, there's so much more waiting for you. It's not just about enjoying a show; it's about building connections, strengthening community ties, and escaping the real world, if only for a moment. When you take a chance on a night at the theatre, you never know what unexpected experiences and friendships might await you.

As a 100 per cent volunteer-based, not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to bringing the joy of theatre to our community while providing a supportive environment for all involved. This show is also part of a broader Tourism Oxford collaboration, featuring all Oxford County community theatres in the "Foster Four" series, which celebrates four great Foster shows at four great Oxford County theatres.

Tickets are available at www.theatretillsonburg.com or by calling the Box Office at : 519.688.3026 Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with all things Theatre Tillsonburg.