Another glowing article from Cecilia Nasmith after seeing the show on Opening Night. Read the article here and check out Pete Fisher’s extensive photo gallery of show pix.
Opening Weekend was wonderful with sell-out shows and big buzz for the whole production. And a selection of our own photos.
Check out Cecilia Nasmith’s great Wizard of Oz article in Today’s Northumberland. Here’s the link:
https://todaysnorthumberland.ca/2024/03/19/video-return-to-the-land-of-oz-with-vos/
And Pete Fisher’s video interview with Stage manager/Set Construction Lead Alan Fletcher on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8Fm2KOOz5I
With a star-studded roster of local talent, seasoned performers and newcomers the show is guaranteed to have you singing the songs and remembering “There’s no place like home.” Meet the cast of VOS Theatre’s Wizard of Oz. April 18th to 27th at Victoria Hall in Cobourg. Get your tickets now at: https://tickets.cobourg.ca/TheatreManager/1/login?event=1439
See the cast list here: http://www.vostheatre.com/Shows/wizard-of-oz.aspx
Actor Nelia Amaro shares her thoughts on being a “Bluebird” as she takes to the stage November 3rd and 4th with fellow actors Louise Calnan and Alexandra Borner.
My theatrical experience has mostly been in musicals, (Guys & Dolls,
The Music Man, Chicago and Sound of Music) so taking on this role has
been a new and very rewarding experience. It is by far the most
challenging dramatic work I’ve done. The play is set 105 years ago
during WW1 and yet speaks to topics still so prevalent in our time…
atrocities of war and women finding their voices. I had the privilege of
working with WW2 veterans and have always had a deep regard for
acknowledging Remembrance Day, yet had little, well no direct
knowledge of the importance and historical role of the Canadian
Nursing Sisters… better known as Bluebirds. I’m grateful to playwright
Vern Thiessen and the VOS Theatre for sharing the stories of these three
women. The nurses were well-trained, very skilled, well-respected, and
in some ways pioneers of women’s rights; receiving rank, equal pay, and
even the right to vote! But what moves me the most is the personal
story and journey of each character. The friendship and bonds they form
as women who chose a different path from those expected by society at
the time of wife, teacher, or nun. Christy is the most naïve and
sheltered character of the three and sees a whole new world before her.
All three have dreams and hopes and the show is full of laughter, and
song. I hope the audience takes away their strength and humour and
how fortunate we are to live in peace with our loved ones. Lest we
forget.
And check out the interview that Gonorthumberland.ca did with director Florence Fletcher.
Get tickets here:
Looking at any program book from the VOS Theatre’s past 33 years of shows you’ll see Florence Fletcher’s name in multiple places. In fact, in Florence’s 40 years of community theatre in this area, she has probably performed every job, both on stage and behind the curtain. On stage, her resume is a who’s who of musical theatre household names; Marion Parue in The Music Man, Guinevere in Camelot, Cousin Hebe and Little Buttercup in Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore and Gianetta in Gondoliers.
While singing is her big love on stage, she has made dramatic turns as Nurse Rachett in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Rose Ouimet in Les Belles Soeurs, and taken comedic roles as the second Mrs. Condomine in Blythe Spirit and as Olga Catherina in You Can’t Take It With You. No role is too small for Florence as she has been in supporting and ensemble roles in The Music Man, Anne of Green Gables, My Fair Lady (2 times), Sound of Music, South Pacific, Guys & Dolls (2 times), Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado, Iolanthe, Merry Widow, Kiss Me Kate, Taming of The Shrew, Into The Woods, and numerous musical reviews.
Behind the curtain has been just as busy. As one of the original members of the VOS, she has worked and enjoyed most positions on the production team including assistant stage manager, props, costume, publicity, sponsorship, treasurer, set design and set decoration. She has worked as a crewmember and has run both lights and sound. She has co-produced too many shows to mention, was the assistant director of The Fantasticks and directed Wizard of Oz, Camelot, A Christmas Carol, Shirley Valentine and A Certain Singing Teacher. For more than 25 years she has worked alongside her best friend and husband Alan.
This season too is no different for Florence. Not only is she lending her hand to designing and sewing costumes for the VOS production of The Sound of Music, but she is lending her rich soprano voice to the role of Mother Abbess, the leader and superior of Nonnberg Abbey. She is a firm but compassionate character who must guide Maria away from the safety of the Abbey and inspire her with the confidence to follow her heart. In Florence’s own words: “Working on this current production of Sound of Music is pure joy. Mother Abbess is a wonderful role which I am thoroughly enjoying. A terrific opportunity for a woman no longer in the first blush of youth, a role to get her teeth into and portray a strong female leader.”
When you hear Florence’s can’t-miss rendition of “Climb Every Mountain” you too will feel inspired to do anything.
Tickets are still available for VOS’s production of The Sound of Music and are available by calling 905-372-2210 or online at The Concert Hall At Victoria Hall | Upcoming Events (cobourg.ca)
VOS Theatre 