Local theatre group Exit Stage Left Production Review
This past weekend our local Exit Stage Left theater group hit the stage at the Carberry Memorial Hall. This group of passionate people put on Who Poisoned His Meatball?
by Craig Sodaro. The audience was entertained by a rather large group of actors, finding 17 actors to commit to twice a week readings and rehearsals is a rather huge accomplishment. Tracy Sutherland took the reins as Director for the second year. She creates a warm welcoming place and successfully brings out even the shyest quietest member making them feel a sense of belonging.
Many faces on stage are well known in our community past the theater and for some it was their first time stepping out in the limelight. Harold Tolton played Mr. Nero Sharpe, is a founding member of Exit Stage left and the last still active member of the original in the group. Since the groups first production Absurd Person Singular in 1992, Harold has acted, produced, directed, set design and assembly, props, lighting, promoter, special effects and just about any job on and behind the stage.
This production was also a family affair with three generations of the Sparrow Family acting together on stage. Shannon Downey is well known in our community for her musical talents and for the second year her and her daughter Jordan met on stage. Seeing all the fun the younger Sparrows were having, Mom Debbie jumped in this year. Shannon played Flora Sharpe, the witty, dramatic , scorned wife of Nero. Her on stage presence and witty comments about our Mayor Ray Muirhead had the audience entertained. The sassy role of Flora’s Mom was played by Nancy George bringing another theater family into the theater. Nancy’s daughter Cherrise produced the play, putting on the entire production with her husband Micheal on lights and son Mitchell on stage building. Granddaughter Ava again took a major role on stage as Basil Baker along with set design and promotions; she always steps in whatever role is required.
Eric Gaudet graced the stage of Exit Stage Left for the first time. Eric expanded his roles as a teacher in Neepawa, bringing with him a unique twist in his role as Luigi and ensuring the audience experiences the very best of his acting talents. Alby Morris portrayed his character Peter Paul Renoir on stage with a variety of reactionary facial expressions that enhanced his role. This was Alby’s first year with Exit Stage Left and has only lived in Carberry for 6 years. Hailing from Melita, Hartney and the Killarney areas, retiring as a former Med. Technologist. His acting career started with the Melita Arts Council. Kimberley Smith played the attractive candy on Mr. Nero’s arm turning the tables at the end with the unveiling of her true love interest. Kimberly Smith has lived in the Carberry area for 23 years, and enjoyed working alongside her son Tarrell as he worked the sound backstage. Carolyn Baldwin stole the show playing the killer was a stretch for the quiet shy Carolyn we all know.
Bringing in the youth in our community is important for this theater group. Jacob’s second year with ESL and no stranger to acting, his experience has been acting in a youth drama group up until the pandemic. He has loved acting throughout all of it, and was available to join ESL for a second year. Jacob smashed his role of an aspiring reporter for the Neepawa Banner bringing a laugh from the audience every time he was on the “phone with Ken”. A few younger members of the cast were Jordanna Chandler, Adrian Cook, Emersyn Grabar, Paisley Stewart, Aaliyah Henry and Emmitt Boyce. Vera Liubkina, a grade 12 student in Carberry Collegiate joined ESL to play piano and helped add to the dramatics of the play.
Behind the scenes a lot of hard work goes on for many months. This year we were treated to a dinner theater and a matinee. The dinner was served by the Carberry Collegiate band students and all orchestrated by Cherisse who decided to take a backseat to acting this year. Cherisse was dedicated to bringing the vision of the play to fruition while enjoying her time well spent with all members of ESL, especially alongside her husband, mother, daughter, son and even her father would come do a table read when needed.
Another job well done for the Exit Stage Left theater group. We look forward to what's to come from this talented group.
Jolene Balciunas, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Neepawa Banner & Press
