Tickets going early to locally directed shows

Four plays, a limited-run fundraiser and two concerts will round out the live entertainment beginning in June for the Hudson Village Theatre.

Many patrons – left out of choice shows in the past - have already begun snapping up show tickets.

“I guess they’re taking our advice,” said Village Theatre Artistic Director Andrew Johnston of the early ticket sales.

Brochures that were recently mailed encouraged people to buy in advance.

And in an ironic twist of fate, an ensemble Hudson cast of directors, including Johnston, will be giving all of the cues to actors and performers this summer. Johnston, a trained actor with roles in past summer shows, said he barred himself from the stage this year so audiences “won’t get sick of seeing me.”

Nevertheless, he’ll direct the season’s fourth offering, Storm Warming, written by Norm Foster.

Other local directors include Irene Arseneault, who will call the shots on All Grown Up, the first play of the season, Mary Vuorela, directing Campbell’s Sutra, Mary Harvey who will present The Dik & Mitzi Anniversary Show, and A Little Music in the Night, directed by Clint Ward.

When asked to qualify the 16th season’s tone, Johnston replied that it’s about “misfits and people who don’t fit into neat little boxes,” he said, adding that, “at the same time it’s very hopeful… it is summer theatre so every story has a happy ending.”

And all are comedies written by the likes of Norm Foster, Rick Blue, Wayne and Andrea Conway, and others.

Professional actors that take to the stage this summer will be some of the best in Quebec, promised Johnston.

All Grown Up, a 60’s inspired musical written by Leslie Mildiner, Ellen Kennedy, Bonnie Panych and Lori Valleau, will run from June 19 – July 6; Campbell’s Sutra, written by Rick Blue and running run from July 10-July 27, tells the story of a middle aged adolescent struggling to learn life’s often funny lesson; The Dik & Mitzi Anniversary Show, playing from July 31-Aug.3, is described as vintage vaudeville with a twist, while Norm Foster’s romantic comedy Storm Warning running from Aug. 14-31, depicts WWII era opposites thrown together one fateful weekend.

A two-night fundraiser, A Little Music in the Night, directed by Clint Ward, will be held on Aug. 8 and 9.

Music will also play and important part in the season when The Dixie Flyers command the stage on June 22 and Hard Ryde plays on Aug. 17.

Housed in a converted historic train station, the Hudson Village Theatre sits in the heart of town.

Originally known as The Village Theatre West, it formed in 1993 as an outdoor summer theatre company with English language shows presented each season under a tent.