Last Dance
About the Play
Claiming that she is tired of love, an aging but still beautiful poet from the American South who now lives on the coast of France has decided to give away her young lover. But how can this be? Her goddaughter thinks she has actually fallen in love with a local fisherman while her dashing friend believes she is finally ready to accept his proposal. The young lover is equally certain she really wants to marry him. This bittersweet comedy of manners is a tribute to the grandeur of Southern style and a musing on what a smart woman might really want toward the end of her life.
Last Dance is produced by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals (Samuel French)
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
In tonight’s production, as in real life, there is always humorous mischief in the air when we try to rationalize the affairs of the heart. How do you explain the passion contained in a single touch? How do you use logic as the measure of emotions beyond an individual’s control? What is romance, comic or otherwise? I have always felt it is a state created by an inborn need to touch souls with one special person. An act of trust and intimacy, where we risk the sharing of our true self, and by so doing, are both healed and completed as human beings. I hope you enjoy tonight’s production. – Dale Kelly
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Thank you for joining us for our last show of the season, and my last show as President. My term is up and a different face will welcome you for the next two years. Thank you for giving us your trust and your company. Thank you to the cast and crew of this very lovely and thought-provoking show. You know where we are if you’d like to be part of the magic that is NVCP. – Glynnis Brassil
| Character | Played by |
| Charlotte | Pamela Jones |
| Cab | Dan Taillon |
| Georgeanne | Ashley Hunking |
| Randall | Scott Alpen |
| Director | Dale Kelly |
| Author | Marsha Norman |
| Production Managers | Rosemary Hundal, and Camille Johnson |
| Assistant Production Manager | Ray Boucher |
| Stage Manager | Kathleen Denkewalter |
| Set/Décor Designer | Glynnis Brassil |
| Set Construction | David Read, Gord Pope, and Dale Kelly |
| Set Painting | Robin Hilliard, and Jennifer Morabito |
| Properties and Set Furniture | Leslie Whittaker, Jeannie Brown, Ray Boucher, and Helen Dobric |
| Lighting Designer | Matthew Davenport |
| Lighting Assistants | Michael Morabito, and Nick Palidwor |
| Sound Designers | Colleen Bignell |
| Sound Engineer | Anne Marsh |
| Lighting and Sound Operator | Sandy Branning, and Liz Whittaker |
| Costumes | Heather Macfarlane, and Margaret Lee |
| Graphic Artist | Linda Sharp |
| Publicity and Program | Anne Marsh |
| Front-of-House Coordinator | Jeannie Brown |
| Box Office | Fran Heaney |
| Opening Night Catering/Decoration | Sandy Branning, and Leslie Whittaker |
| Photographer | Gary Schwartz |
| Videographer | Chris Wolfe |
| Original Performance Dates | May 23 to June 7, 2014 |
| Venue | The Theatre at Hendry Hall, North Vancouver, BC |
| Production Length | 1 hour and 40 minutes |
| Production Style | Romantic Comedy |
| Special Thanks To | Park Royal Mall Community Services, Rona, Park & Tilford, Sheila Allan, Cork It Winemaking, Wayne Campbell, James Ferguson, Niki Vecsei, Melvyn & Millie Johnson, Olivia Venini, Ken & Helene Swan, Barbara Wallace, Stage 43 Theatrical Society (Coquitlam),Vagabond Players (New Westminster) |
| Dale Kelly | Director – Last Dance marks Dale’s first production with North Vancouver Community Players, but not his first turn in the Director’s chair. Active in the Lower Mainland’s theatre scene, he has previously directed 81 plays for 22 different companies over 35 years. Comedies, dramas, mysteries, original pieces, Festival, Fringe, he enjoys the challenges that each show presents. He also likes to add a twist or two of his own for good measure. Dale would like to thank the Players for the opportunity to work with this excellent cast and crew. A special nod goes out to Rosemary Hundal, Camille Johnson and his wife Colleen Bignell who help to make all things possible. |
| Scott Alpen | Randall – After 30 years of working behind the camera as a producer/director, Scott finally placed himself in harm’s way, leaping upon the stage with naivety and abandon. His first role, Captain Hook in Peter Pan with SMP Dramatic Society, let the monster loose with sword fights and belligerent audiences as a slightly amoral, older lecherous gentleman. He is delighted to be working with the cast and crew at Hendry Hall in what is a rewarding and intense learning experience as a slightly immoral, older lecherous gentleman. Is this what they call typecasting? Thanks to everyone involved in Last Dance for providing such support and enthusiasm to the play and to myself. |
| Ashley Hunking | Georgeanne – Ashley Hunking is an actor/writer from Teslin, Yukon. Performance is her passion. Ashley’s first tutor was the midnight sun, her stage the rugged Yukon terrain, her theatre, a vaulted starry sky. Seeking formal creative expression, she migrated south, completing a Communications Degree (SFU), and launching into Vancouver’s artistic community. A few stage credits include Justine Warrington’s The Oblivion Series, a one-woman show at UBC’s Brave New Festival and Spectral Theatre’s Late-Night Double Feature. Ashley is a recipient of the Women and Film Mentorship Program, paired with mentor Ali Liebert (Bomb Girls), lending guidance, inspiration and helping her set specific goals for film and TV. |
| Pamela Jones | Charlotte – Pam is thrilled to be back on the stage at NVCP where she has performed two of her favourite roles – Edna in Light Sensitive and Lettice in Lettice and Lovage, for which she won the People’s Choice Award at the North Shore Zone Festival. Other notable roles include Twirler in Talking With for Theatre West Van and Elena In Shooting Star for First Impressions Theatre. Pam is a busy film and voiceover actress and the co-owner of Soundswrite sound studio with her partner Bill Lawrie. “I’m grateful to my character, Charlotte, who reminds us all to do what makes us happy. For me that’s being here, on stage. Thanks to our wonderful director Dale, our crew who spoiled us and to our amazing cast who’ve been so present and open in rehearsals. Enjoy the show!” |
| Dan Taillon | Cab – Heya! My name’s Dan. I’m the one on stage with the French accent. So… yeah! I’m an actor. I studied this lovely art form (or craft, if you like) back in Saskatoon where I also did most of my growing up. I work as a charity canvasser in Vancouver. If you see me out and about, say “Hello”, I’d love to chat with you. I am really happy to be working with all the talented, hard-working folk on this production of Last Dance, and I hope you enjoy it. |