If you love a good ghost story, you don’t want to miss the first production of the 2014 Season at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.
Billed as “laugh-out-loud funny and scream-out-loud scary,” I’ll Be Back Before Midnight will be stage for three weeks beginning March 12.
“I’ll Be Back Before Midnight is guaranteed to have audiences on the edge of their seats,” says Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment. “It’s a perfect mix of comedy and fright. There are plenty of laughs contrasted by stomach-dropping plot twists, special effects and tension that builds from the first line, and leaves the audience exhilarated.”
After a nervous breakdown, an emotionally fragile Jan and her archaeologist husband Greg rent an old farmhouse in the country near an archaeological dig where Greg can continue his studies and Jan can recover.
But their dream of solitude in the country quickly becomes a nightmare when their new landlord (and neighbour), decides to divulge that a terrible murder once took place in the farmhouse and a vengeful ghost is reported to stalk the night.
The line between reality and imagination becomes blurred as Jan is tormented by strange sounds in the night and visions of the spirit. Is she having another breakdown? Is someone trying to drive her mad? When she tries to defend herself from the apparition, events take an unexpected turn during a night of unimaginable suspense.
Bringing this gripping comedy to life is director James Kall, who returns to the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse after performing in the 2012 nail-biting mystery Sleuth. A theatre veteran with an impressive list of credits, Kall draws on a wealth of experience to lead a dynamic cast in this spirited production.
Daniela Vlaskalic, who was last seen by Drayton audiences in the comedy, How the Other Half Loves, takes on the role of the sweet but terribly tense Jan Sanderson. Making his Drayton Entertainment debut as Jan’s supportive husband, Greg Sanderson, is Andy Pogson. Elana Post creates further tension in this sharp-witted thriller as Greg’s manipulative sister, Laura Sanderson. Sandy Winsby is the seemingly well-intentioned neighbour, George Willowby who adds plenty of levity throughout this fast-paced play with his tall tales and raucous laugh.
Working alongside Kall to mount the show is a creative team that includes set designer Samantha Burson, lighting designer Steve Lucas, costume designer Jenine Kroeplin and fight director, Joe Bostick.
“This production is a great way to jolt theatregoers out of the dead of winter with some great entertainment,” says Mustakas. “The intimate atmosphere of the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse is the ideal setting for this [production].”
I’ll Be Back Before Midnight has been described as the most widely-produced stage play in Canadian history. It has been produced in 29 countries, 48 of the 50 states in the U.S. and every province in Canada. It has broken numerous box office records including two record-breaking UK National Tours. It was made into a Hollywood feature film starring Heather Locklear, Ned Beatty, Robert Carradine, and Susannah York.
I’ll Be Back Before Midnight runs from March 12 to 30. Tickets can be purchased online at www.stjacobscountryplayhouse.com, at the theatre box office, or by calling 519-747-7788 or toll free 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
