Norm Fosters hilarious Jonas and Barry in the Home proves fun and frivolity abound after 65

Barry (Dennis Hawkins-Bogle) tells a story to Jonas (Dick Poulton) during a rehearsal of Rivercity Players’ production of Jonas and Barry in the Home, a comedy by Norm Foster. Photo by Alistair Taylor

Ever wonder what goes on in a seniors home? The hilarious hijinx in Rivercity Players’ production of Norm Foster’s Jonas and Barry in the Home will give you some insight. Glum Barry Butterworth is annoyed that he’s living in a senior’s home at 67 but it’s worth it to live near his daughter, Rosie, who works at the home. Rosie brought him in so he wouldn’t be alone in case he has a heart attack like his father, brother, and uncle did before they were 65. So Barry spends his time shuffling around in his slippers, taking naps, and having dinner with Rosie, and that’s good enough for him. But Barry doesn’t get to revel in the quiet for long. Enter the loquacious and flirtatious Jonas, who wrote one hit song 37 years ago. Jonas likes to indulge in the finer things in life, like decadent dates and nice clothes, and he sees Barry the curmudgeon as a fixer-upper. As they bicker and bond over women, sports, and family values, Jonas and Barry must learn to open up and face how to keep living their lives. Told with popular Canadian playwright Norm Foster’s usual hilarious wit and humour, Jonas and Barry in the Home also touches the heart with a message that life doesn’t end in your golden years. Rivercity Players’ production of Jonas and Barry in the Home is directed by Alistair Taylor with a cast featuring Kelly Senko as Rosie, Dennis Hawkins-Bogle as Barry and Dick Poulton as Jonas. “The play is a roller coaster of emotions, evoking uncontrollable laughter one moment and profound sadness the next,” according to Chris Daponte, The Wellington Advertiser. “It’s a remarkable piece of writing,” says Ron Foley MacDonald, The Chronicle Herald. Opening night is Thursday, May 5 at the Rivercity Stage (1080 Hemlock) at 7:30 p.m. and the play runs May 6-7 at 7:30 p.m. with matinees on Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8 at 2 p.m. It then continues May 12-14 at 7:30 p.m. with matinees again on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 15 at 2 p.m. Jonas and Barry in the Home is also Rivercity Players’ entry into Theatre BC’s North Island Zone Festival being held at Courtenay’s Sid Williams Theatre May 17-21 with Rivercity’s performance night set as Wednesday, May 18. Consider travelling down to Courtenay to support your local theatre group. Tickets for the Rivercity Stage performances are $20 and are available at rivercitytickets.ca

Rosie (Kelly Senko) and her father Barry (Dennis Hawkins-Bogle) reminisce during a rehearsal of Rivercity Players’ next production Jonas and Barry in the Home, another offering from popular Canadian playwright Norm Foster. Photo by Alistair Taylor

Rivercity Players Float Kayak

L-R: Dennis Hawkins-Bogle, Tim Myerscough, Darlene Carr, Kate Humphreys; Photo courtesy of Laura Mudge

Campbell River’s favourite small stage is welcoming audiences to enjoy the modern Canadian play Kayak by Jordan Hall. “I've wanted to bring this play to the Rivercity Stage ever since I read it" says producer Heather Gordon Murphy. “Kayak is a quirky, creative and thought-provoking play. It explores the challenging issues of family, climate change, politics and soul searching, and it does so with compassion and humour".

The powerfully written play finds Annie Iversen (played by Darlene Carr) on a vast stretch of water recounting the strange chain of events that left her stranded in her son’s old kayak. The doting suburban mother is blindsided when her son, Peter (played by Dennis Hawkins-Bogle), falls in love with Julie (played by Kate Humphreys), a passionate environmental activist. Unable to reconcile herself to Julie’s “radical” worldview, Annie struggles desperately to keep Peter from falling further into the young woman’s dangerous world.

Director Tim Myerscough, who is no stranger to Campbell River audiences, says he has found the play technically challenging and gratifying, “It’s been challenging to create the illusion of being lost on the water, flitting between Annie’s memories and hallucinations, and gratifying to see the growth in the actors' portrayal of their characters and the imagination of the technicians and stage crew to bring the illusions to life”.

The production runs February 17-27 with evening shows Thursday to Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Matinees Saturday and Sundays at 2:00p.m. Tickets are available at www.rivercitytickets.ca or call 250-914-0419. For more information visit rivercityplayers.ca or facebook.com/rivercityplayers.CR/.

Anyone entering the theater must be fully vaccinated and audience members are required to wear masks. For everyone’s safety, the theatre capacity will be reduced to 50%.

For media inquiries, contact:

Heather Gordon Murphy, Producer

heather @ coremoves dot ca

In search of an actor!

We had a good turnout at the Proof auditions held Monday January 24th at Rivercity Stage - thank you everyone! But we need your help!!! We are still looking for someone to fill the role of Hal (30ish male). If this could be you, or if you know a potential Hal, we would love to hear from you.

You can contact Alistair at altaylor @ telus dot net for more information or to set up an audition time.

Performance dates for the show at the Rivercity Stage are May 5 - 15, plus one performance at the North Island Zone Festival the following week in Courtenay.

Thank you so much!