New actors take the stage in Kincardine Theatre Guild production of "The Giant's Garden"

Several new faces have joined the cast for the Kincardine Theatre Guild's production of "The Giant's Garden" which opens Thursday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m., at the Kincardine Arts Centre.

Taking the stage with veterans Jason Geberdt as the Giant, and Jaki Mayer-Duggan as Winter, is newcomer Erin Milley-Patey of Port Elgin, playing the part of Summer.

The 30-year-old vocal music teacher has done a lot of opera, but never live theatre. One of her vocal students, Nadia Szulist, was auditioning for the Kincardine show and mentioned it to her.

"I was interested," said Milley-Patey. "I haven't been on stage since high school, and I didn't know anything about the play."
 
She was thrilled to get the part of Summer and said the role is a lot of fun. "She's proud and arrogant and a bit obnoxious. It's wonderful to be singing and on stage again."

Milley-Patey said one challenge is memorizing all the lines, even though her role is about 50-50 singing and speaking. Another concern, she said, will be travelling to rehearsals and the shows if the weather turns bad.

Originally from Newfoundland, she and her husband were living in Vancouver until he got a job with Bruce Power and they moved to Port Elgin. They have a son who is almost three, and she sings in the A Cappella Chamber Choir and is co-conductor of the Allegra Youth Choir, both in Port Elgin.

Other newcomers with smaller roles are Leslie Wade, Matthew Hubbard, Bruce Fenton and Virginia Szulist.

Four youth who are taking on major roles for the first time, are Lydia Ritchie and Aarelyn Wade who play Constance, and Evan Graham and Charlie Hall Ellwood who share the role of Oscar. Lydia and Evan will be playing alternate nights to Aarelyn and Charlie.

Lydia, 13, is the daughter of Andy and Krista Ritchie of Kincardine, and Evan, 11, is the son of Chris and Christie Graham of Kincardine. Both are students at Huron Heights Public School and have been in a theatre guild show before.

"I like it," said Lydia, "but you have to know what you doing all the time." When not at school or rehearsing, she is part of the Glee Club at school and takes ballet and dance classes.

Evan likes being on stage but agreed that you have to know your lines and the songs. Besides school and theatre, he enjoys hockey, baseball, swimming, and playing piano and drums.

Aarelyn, 11, is the daughter of Leslie and Aaron Wade of Kincardine, while Charlie, 12, is the son of Gareth and Kayli Hall Elwood of Kincardine. Both attend Huron Heights Public School and have been in a theatre guild play before.

They said taking on a major role is exciting and they are having fun.

"Everyone is pretty amazing on stage," said Aarelyn. "They like to show you what to do and help you out." When not in school or on stage, she is on a competitive dance team in Port Elgin, in Glee Club at school, and plays the flute, alto-saxophone, clarinet, trumpet and baritone at school and at home.

"I have a lot of lines to memorize but everyone is there to encourage you," said Charlie. In his spare time, he plays soccer (indoor and outdoor), is in gymnastics and plays the drums.

Another youth in the show, is Martin Mendez Hennink, the 14-year-old son of Marijke Hennink of Kincardine.

For the second time, he is playing the drums in the orchestra, providing the music for the show, as he did for "Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat."

A Grade 9 student at Kincardine District Secondary School, Martin said the second time is a bit easier but different because this time he is reading the music; last time, he played all of it by ear and from cues by the actors. He said he likes being part of the show and the people are helpful and encouraging.

When not at school or rehearsals, he plays guitar, is part of the new Kincardine Youth Brass Band, and plays snare drum in the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band. He also works part-time at Sobeys Kincardine, and is considering a career in  marine biology.

The other major roles are Flower played by Jared Petrie, and Bird played by Kathryn Low. There are about 50 cast members, and 20 crew in this show.

"The Giant's Garden" is a delightful musical, by Scott White and Peter Fenton, about a garden deep in The Deep Dark Forest, hidden beyond The Stream of Sorrows and Sinking Spirits - a place forbidden to outsiders. But when the Giant goes away, the children sneak in to play, and for seven years, their idyllic world is undisturbed until the Giant returns. That day, a young boy's courage is going to be tested, and a battle will take place which could lead to a world devoid of warmth.

This is a tale of bravery, the importance of friendship, and the power of love, featuring a cast of 15 colourful characters, a score filled with memorable songs and a story that will warm the hearts of children and adults, alike.

The show runs Nov. 16-17, 23-24, 30, and Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m.; and Nov. 18-19, 25-26 and Dec. 2, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $25 each for adults, and $20 each for youth aged 16 and under; available at J'Adorn in downtown Kincardine or call the Box Office at 519-396-9000.