ICYMI: Theatre Burlington wraps season with Remember, Maggy?

It’s a grand feeling to be live on stage again for theatre actors and crew, and we all need a few laughs in our lives after the pandemic.

Theatre Burlington wraps up its first full season since COVID-19 this month with the comedic, yet bittersweet, Canadian play Remember, Maggy? Produced by Peter Jonasson and Michelle Spanik, the play was produced by the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2011 where it earned "Best of Fringe" honours.

Written by the mother and son duo of Carol Anne and Matt Murray, the production is directed by Jerrold Karch, who first presented the play to Theatre Burlington. It’s a snapshot of a five- year span, during which two polar-opposite sisters care for their sharp speaking Irish mother who is living with Alzheimer’s, the progressive dementia disease.

Maggy, a pill-popping, alcoholic actress, and Kate, a widowed housewife, struggle to stay connected, despite a family secret which threatens to destroy their already fragile relationship. Yet in between the angst there are many uproarious moments.

Spanik says that after reading the poignant script, Theatre Burlington agreed it would be a good play to end this season with.

“We read several plays for upcoming seasons and are always in search of those that will appeal to both our auditions and our members," she said. "We always like to promote Canada’s very talented writers.”

Adds Karch, “Matt and Carol Anne Murray have written a beautifully crafted piece of theatre. When I first read it, I was moved by the depth and authenticity of the four women that make up the story. I believe audiences will immerse themselves into this touching story and through the intense dedication of the cast and crew will find themselves entertained and moved.”

The cast includes four strong female leads: Linda Spence is Maggy Donovan, Ifrah Bruce is Irene Farmer, Nikki Blain is Kate Winfield and Val Clements is Niamh Ryan.

Rehearsals for the show are held three times a week and seeing the play unfold has been a gratifying experience for the director.

“As most directors will tell you, casting a play is the most difficult part of the process, making sure that you have selected the right actor for the role," said Karch. "Within days of the first rehearsal I knew that I had cast it perfectly. The four chosen actors immersed themselves into their roles and rehearsals have been a labour of love.

“Watching the characters move from the printed page to being on stage, working in a set that has been beautifully constructed by the Theatre Burlington technical staff, the experience for me has gone beyond my expectations … It’s been a truly positive experience for myself and the actors.”

Theatre Burlington started in 1953-54 as Burlington Little Theatre and has since been presenting award-winning theatre to the city and surrounding area.

“We’re just five short years behind the Burlington Teen Tour Band,” notes Spanik. Awards have come from The Western Ontario Drama League (a regional group of community theatres in Southwestern Ontario) and Theatre Ontario at the provincial level.

Volunteer-run, the Theatre is always on the lookout for assistance and contributions.

Says Spanik, “One of our biggest challenges is finding people to get involved. You can bank on the fact that there are as many people working behind the scenes as there on stage ― in a lot of cases there are more.  We also must consider the technical aspects of the play; what’s needed, such as props, costumes, etc. If it’s a period piece it can be challenging to acquire and find these sorts of items.”

Showtimes for Remember, Maggy? are April 14-15,  April 21-22, and April 28-29, with curtain lift at 8 p.m. Tickets ($25; seniors and students $23) are available at
theatreburlington.on.ca or via the box office at 905-639-7700; cash payment and ticket pickup are available at the door.

Theatre Burlington is located at 2311 New Street in the Central Park Drama Centre and shares a building with the Music Centre. Season ticket holders ($70; $65 for seniors) get all three main stage shows and, as a bonus, can reserve the same seat for all productions.

Masks are strongly advised for all attendees to help protect fellow patrons, cast and crew.

Patrons should note that Remember, Maggy? contains strong language.