Maggie’s getting married – but first, everyone has to get through the rehearsal party.
Anyone who has ever attended a wedding knows that seldom does anyone get hitched without a hitch. In the case of the Grey Wellington Theatre Guild’s (GWTG) upcoming spring production, Maggie’s Getting Married, those “hitches” have downright hilarious results.
Written by popular Canadian playwright Norm Foster, the play is a relationship comedy about a family in the final stages of wedding preparation.
“The Duncan family is getting ready for the wedding of their youngest daughter Maggie.
“The night before the wedding, her older sister Wanda comes home and when she meets the groom …some misunderstandings occur and chaos ensues,” explains Caroline Wollis, of Mount Forest, who is taking her first turn in the director’s chair after performing numerous roles, on stage and off, with the guild.
Wollis says audiences will enjoy the interaction of characters in roles many can relate to.
“It shows family dynamics. As would any family, they can make you laugh, they can make you cry, they can make you roll your eyes.”
The cast of Maggie’s Getting Married is a mix of veteran actors and stage newcomers, drawn from the north Wellington area.
The bride-to-be, Maggie, is played by Kelly Lenselink of Harriston , who has previously appeared in such GWTG productions as The Cemetery Club and Marion Bridge, while her sister, Wanda, is portrayed by Tali McGovern, of Mount Forest, in her first role with the guild. Also new to the GWTG stage is Dan Haugh, of Mount Forest, who plays Wanda’s boyfriend Axel.
Drayton’s Scott Cooper, whom audiences will remember from another Foster comedy, The Foursome, portrays the bridegroom, Russell.
GWTG veteran Richard Jaunzemis, of Harriston, last seen onstage in Annie, and Rosyln Fortier, of Mount Forest, who has appeared in Wedding Belles and The Rented Christmas, play the bride’s parents.
Off-stage crew members include producer Flora Burke, stage manager Helen Craigie, both of Mount Forest, and assistant stage manager Annilene McRobb and props coordinator Patricia von Westerholt of Harriston.
Despite the difficulties of assembling everyone for rehearsals during one of the snowiest winters in recent memory, Wollis says the show has come together very smoothly
“It’s a really enthusiastic group of people and they all meshed.”
Maggie’s Getting Married runs April 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 at 7:30pm and April 21 at 2pm at the Harriston Town Hall Theatre.
Tickets are available for $15 at Harriston Home Hardware, Shopper’s Drugmart in Mount Forest, or by calling the box office at 519-338-2778.
