King's University College Players Preparing to Present "The Boy Friend" in January
Hours of learning choreography have begun to come together as the theatre company prepares for January. |
December 4, 2011
For Immediate Release
Rehearsals are in the final stages for the Kings University College Players at the University of Western Ontario production of "The Boy Friend" heading towards the January 12, 13, 14 presentation of the show at the Wolf Performance Hall in London.
“The Boy Friend” is a romantic spoof of 1920's musical comedy. Set in the French Riviera, the show features Polly (Breanne Pollard), an English heiress attending Mme. Dubonnet's (Maude Sheppard) Finishing School, who falls in love with Tony (Marc Blanchard), a delivery boy. Recalling her father's (Jacob Verwaayen) warning to beware fortune seekers, she posses as a working girl, in hopes that Tony will love her for who she is, not for her father’s wealth.
This season's show carries special significance for the theatre company. Only last season King's Players presented King’s University College's first major musical production since 2004 when John Houghton directed Once Upon a Mattress. The group overcame many challenges on route to completing their production which ultimately ran to near sold out houses and positive reviews. The director this season, third-year political science student Chris Vandenbreekel, is looking forward to new successes this January.
“We've put a lot of hard work into this and it’s great to see everything starting to come together," said Vandenbreekel. "We have a fantastic cast and crew and I can't wait for January to show everyone what we've been putting together."
Rehearsal space at the College is limited pending the construction of the new Student Life Centre, which features a new theatre. This rehearsal was held in the college's games room. Construction on the new building begins next year. |
The cast for the show features twenty-three students along with a production staff, technical crew, and orchestra. Participants in the program are from a variety of different programs and years at the college. Nearly half of the cast will be making their King's Players stage debut while the other half of the cast were participants in the previous season's production. The show also features a new choreographer with first-year Criminology / Social Justice and Peace Studies student Brikena Qamili stepping into the role.
Third-year business student Michael Pirri returns this season as the Orchestra Director for the show. The Orchestra, which in the past is put together in its final form closer to the show, is assembling its group to head into January. Joining the orchestra presents a unique opportunity for musicians because of the relatively short time commitment heading towards the show. Musicians interested in getting involved are welcome to contact the theatre company at kingsplayers@kucsc.com.
In addition to the show's regular run (January 12, 13, 14 at 7:00 pm) the theatre company has also planed a pair of morning shows with discounted admission for seniors and seniors groups the mornings of January 11 and 12. More information on this program is available by contacting (519) 614-7010.
More information as well as cast and rehearsal photos are available at the theatre company’s website, www.kingsmusical.ca. Reserved seating tickets are now available from the King’s Players display at the university or by telephone at (519) 614-7010.
About the King’s University College Players:
The King's Players are a drama group at King's University College at the University of Western Ontario. The group meets every Thursday on campus for theatre fun which includes sketches, improv and other drama games. The Players also produce an annual main production.
In 2004 Matthew Wilson directed the King’s Players in a production of Jesus Christ Super Star. Musicals did not return to King's until 2011 when John Houghton directed "Once Upon A Mattress: The True Story of the Princess and the Pea". This season, the King's Players are excited to continue growing their musical program with Chris Vandenbreekel directing "The Boy Friend".
About the KUCSC:
These productions are made possible with the support of the KUCSC. The King's University College Student Council (KUCSC) is the representative body for students at King's University College. Their mandate is to provide the students of King's University College opportunities for growth and development outside of the classroom and in the King's, Western and London communities, in keeping with the college's Catholic values.
About King’s University College:
King's University College is a Catholic, co-educational, liberal arts university college, affiliated with The University of Western Ontario. Founded in 1954, the College provides general and honours degree programs in the liberal arts, social sciences, and social work, and a master's degree in social work. Sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of London, the College is a community of some 3,000 Canadian and 270 international students, 180 full-time and 137 part-time faculty, staff, and professional and administrative officers. It is renowned as a centre of teaching excellence, positioned in the top rank of institutions of higher learning in Canada, for the quality of its teaching faculty.
