Drinking Alone
About the Play
In this romantic comedy set in the midst of a dysfunctional family reunion, Joe Todd hires Rene Duchene to pose as his fiancée for an evening so that he can impress his father, Ivan. Ivan is coming for a rare visit, and Joe and his sister Carrie are suspicious of his motives. “Funny, pointed and exquisitely crafted” – Halifax Daily News
Drinking Alone is produced by special arrangement with Pam Winter, Gary Goddard Agency
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
Norm Foster is a prolific Canadian playwright. Most of his plays are comedies, but many have a poignant twist in them, turning the laughter into sentiment and tears. I have directed several Canadian comedies, but this is the first time for a Norm Foster play. The superb cast and crew have been so mutually supportive, allowing all of those involved to explore the interpretation of Foster’s scenes as the play evolves. How comic, how serious, how sentimental should we portray the characters and their interaction with each other? I hope you enjoy the balance we have chosen. – Clive Sanders
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Welcome to North Vancouver Community Players’ production of Drinking Alone by Norm Foster. What a wonderful way to lighten your spirits in the rainy, dreary days of February! We hope that you will leave Hendry Hall this evening with a smile on your face and a happy feeling! If you would like to join into the fun on and off stage, please check out our website North Van Community Players under the section Volunteer. We would love to have you aboard! – Fran Heaney
| Character | Played by |
| Joe Todd | Alex Ross |
| Renee Duchene | Tracy Labrosse |
| Carrie O’Neill | Mersiha Mušović |
| Phyllis Todd | Kim Gordon |
| Ivan Todd | Barry Walker |
| Director | Clive Sanders |
| Production Managers | Sandy Branning, and Liz Massil |
| Author | Norm Foster |
| Stage Manager | Leslie Whittaker |
| Set Designers | Linda Sharp, and Clive Sanders |
| Set Construction | Clive Sanders, Bob Martin, Andrew Massil, Geoff Vickery, and Les Blues |
| Set Decorators / Painters | Linda Sharp, Robin Hilliard, Fran Crossley, Sharon Lisette, Jennifer Morabito, and Mitchell Mackay |
| Properties | Carolyn Coles, Solanges Santerre, Peter D’Arcy, and Susan Stanley |
| Lighting Designer | Simon Drake |
| Sound Designers | Peter Zednik |
| Lighting and Sound Operator | Chris Stanley |
| Costumes | Margaret Lee, and Sharon Alexander |
| Hair and Make-Up | Leslie Whittaker |
| Graphic Artist | Linda Sharp |
| Publicity and Program | Anne Marsh, and Pam Kearns |
| Front-of-House Coordinator | Sandy Branning |
| Opening Night Catering/Decoration | Marie Brazier, Sue Worrow, and Meghan McGuinness-Gill |
| Box Office | Glynnis Brassil |
| Photographer | Damon Calderwood |
| Videographer | Paul Paterson |
| Original Performance Dates | February 1 to 16, 2019 |
| Venue | The Theatre at Hendry Hall, North Vancouver, BC |
| Production Length | 1 hour and 40 minutes |
| Production Style | Comedy |
| Special Thanks To | North Lonsdale United Church, Urban Repurpose, North Shore News, Harvest Project, Clothes for Change thrift store, Barry Walker, James Gordon, Ann Brown, and Rosemary Hundal |
| Clive Sanders | Director – Clive first joined NVCP in 1976. Recent directing credits include Charley’s Aunt, Nurse Jane Goes to Hawaii, Having Hope at Home and The Trouble with Richard. Set building and refreshment counter duties add to his enjoyment with the “Players”. What a fantastic Drinking Alone cast and crew team! Appreciative thanks to all involved! Enjoy! |
| Alex Ross | Joe Todd – Alex appeared most recently at Hendry Hall in Roadside Vigil. He also appeared in Bluff, The Mystery Plays and 2000. He currently serves as technical director for Vagabond Players and just co-wrote and directed their pantomime, Little Red Riding Hood. |
| Tracy Labrosse | Renee Duchene – Drinking Alone marks Tracy’s ninth production with NVCP (but who’s counting). Some previous performances at Hendry include M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias, Rosalind in Moon Over Buffalo, Sister James in Doubt, Carolyn in Having Hope at Home, and Roxanne in The Understudy. Tracy also enjoys working behind the scenes, having directed Crimes of the Heart and The 39 Steps for NVCP. As always, a huge thank you to her hubby and kids for enabling her theatre habit. |
| Mersiha Mušović | Carrie O’Neill – Mersiha is ecstatic to be a part of the Todd Family in Drinking Alone. Recent theatre credits include roles in Rabbit Hole, The Odd Couple, Lascivious Something, and Shady Business. This past year has seen Mersiha travelling the festival circuit representing a webseries she created – “Baby Making Time”. It won Best Webseries at the Portland Comedy Film Festival and the Long Beach Film Festival. Mersiha would love to dedicate the show to Papa Joe. |
| Kim Gordon | Phyllis Todd – Last seen in Charley’s Aunt in 2017, Kim is a busy mom of four with kids aged 4-14 so she sets up her own play dates at Hendry Hall! Thanks to Clive for the chance to play an older woman (could you tell?); and thank you to our wonderful cast and crew and of course our patrons! Sadly, this will be Kim’s last show for a while with NVCP as she prepares to move across town this summer. It has been a fantastic 12 years for her at Hendry Hall. |
| Barry Walker | Ivan Todd – Barry came to the Hendry Hall stage twelve years ago on a dare and has been an active member ever since. He is thrilled to be back on the boards this time as Ivan Todd. He would like to thank the director, Clive Sanders, and the talented cast and crew for bringing this delightful Norm Foster play to life. Community theatre enriches the lives of those who take an active part in it, as well as those in the community who enjoy seeing live productions. Thank you for your support. |