The Mystery of Edwin Drood that is! And that is the name of the play selected for our 1998 summer production. Besides being a musical-comedy, it is as its title suggests, a mystery. The book from which the show was derived, was to have been Charles Dickens first mystery novel. Unfortunately, Dickens died before he finished the manuscript, leaving the mystery of Edwin Drood's disappearance a mystery. When Rupert Holmes (remember the Pina Colada song?) took on the task of writing the play, he addressed this circumstance by leaving certain plot questions to be decided upon by the audience. The play won the Tony Award in 1985 for best musical and Rupert Holmes won awards for his personal achievement: best book, best score and best orchestration. It's a mystery..... ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Auditions for Edwin Drood take place on April 26, 27, 29, 30 (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday) Between 7:00 & 9:00 P.M. and 2:00 & 4:00 P.M. Sunday only Come prepared with a song to sing. Summer 1998 Show Dates Tuesday August 11 through Saturday August 15, 1998 WATERLOO STAGE THEATRE Waterloo, ON The play is structured as a show within a show. Audience participation is invited and during the second act, they will have the opportunity to vote on what they think the outcome of the story should be. What do we need to make the show a rip-roaring success? WE NEED YOU! Peter Speckner will take on the task of directing the show but he needs a lot of volunteer support to make this very humourous summer show a success. We require a cast of 12 males and 9 females, 6 musicians, and lots of backstage help with marketing and promotions, costumes, set construction and painting, props, lighting and sound. Backstage help may sign up during any of the audition times, or you may volunteer by calling The Warehouse and leaving a message with your name and phone number. And, the big news this summer is that we are moving our production to a real theatre with comfortable seating! Join us this summer at The Waterloo Stage Theatre Nancy Dahmer, Co-Producer 15th Anniversary Contest The year ending November 30, 1997 was a financial success for JM Drama. Our revenues of $31,676 included: $27,811 in bingo revenue, $2,273 in production revenue and $1,592 in revenues from rentals, memberships and donations. Our expenses of $27,166 included: $13,441 in operating expenses such as rent, telephone and insurance, $9,567 in capital purchases such as platforms and equipment, and $4,158 in contributions in support of community events and the proposed St. Jerome's Performing Arts Centre. Our cash and short term investments as of November 30th were $24,891. Our liabilities were $2,789. The funds generated through bingo have given us financial stability. With our funds we have been able to: award scholarships in memory of Adie-Jane Bergauer, sponsor an award presented by the Mayor's Advisory Council on Youth, promote an interest in the arts through financial participation in events such as Kaleidoscope '97 and Canadia D'el Arte's production of 'Hedda Gabler'. The JM Drama Performing Arts Education Sponsorship Fund was established in late 1997 and is making funds available to area schools to promote interest in the arts. From production revenues, we have provided funds for the proposal to establish the St. Jerome's Performing Arts Centre. A huge Thank You to all the people who have worked year round as volunteers for JM Drama at our bingo's as well as all the people who contributed to the success of last summer's production of Guys 'n Dolls. If you have any questions or comments, or would like information about helping with our fundraising, please call me at 895-0948 or call The Warehouse and leave a message. Saturday, August 1st, marks the NIGHT of our ANNUAL CAR RALLY. That's right! This year's car rally is being designed by Rita and Allan Hoch and is an evening rally. That means we'll have a reason for a barbecue gathering before the rally starts and a party at its finish.Those of you who are used to starting the rally in daylight and ending it in the dead of night, had better get used to the light changing from night to bright! Sources close to the organizers have leaked that the preliminary name of the '98 rally is 'The Night of the Living Dead' but the Hoch's were not available for comment. To participate, show up at The Warehouse at 6:00 P.M. where the first leg of the rally will direct you to the BBQ location. Value priced burgers and pop will be available. Following, will be a twilight to night rally that will be a challenge of mind and bladder. At the end of the rally, more value priced burgers and pop will be available while supplies last. Bring your flashlights, search lights, GPS devices, cell phones, a full tank of gas and a sober driver and navigator. President's Report 1998 - already? Looking back, there have been many accomplishments for JM Drama - and now with the financial success of our bingos, we will be able to accomplish much more to promote theatre arts. This fiscal year, we have allocated $5000 to support performing arts educational programs in area schools. One of the highlights will be the educational programs that are to be provided as part of Kitchener's Open Ears Festival May 13 to 18. Our funds will also bring the Canadian Opera Company to elementary schools and special training to high school students. We are now recognized as a major supporter of the performing arts in our community. Our investments in our own future will continue into 1998. Bingo monies that began to flow three years ago, have been invested in costumes, set pieces, power sprayer, risers, traveler and so forth. We will now be able to provide our audiences with more professional looking shows. The most important investment of our time and money is JM Drama's ongoing support of the St. Jerome's Community Arts Centre. Yes, we did start out there those 15 years ago. And yes, we will be back there again to entertain our audiences in a resurrected St. Jerome's Theatre. With our investments, sponsorships, and expanding memberships, we are laying the strong foundation to become the premier recreational performing arts group in the area. A return to St. Jerome's, a permanent facility designed and built for the performing arts, will allow us the opportunity to do so. We will also have more opportunities to grow and to contribute to our community. And to have fun doing so! ... Upcoming electrical work (to upgrade and add much needed power) and plumbing work (to install a much wanted water heater) should be completed by the summer. ... Industrial Shelving If any one knows the whereabouts of heavy shelving, please leave a message for Allan Hoch at The Warehouse number. ... Canadian Tire Money If you can't use it, we can! Good News..... Dollars & Cents Mary Dwyer, Treasurer> Don Bourgeois, President to all the people who volunteered their time on our cleanup days at The Warehouse. For 8 years, we collected an immense amount of clutter. For 6 hours on January 31 and February 14, JM Drama hired 6 high school students to help us throw out over 20 yards of garbage and deliver more that 12 bags of clothing to local charities. Now our facility appears to have more space especially in the props and costume storage areas. 1998 marks the 15th Anniversary of JM Drama In honour of our 15th Anniversary we are testing your knowledge of JM Drama's past productions. The winners will be awarded tickets to see our 1998 production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. A draw will by made July 1, 1998 and the first correct answers drawn will win the following prizes: ? name 3 JM Drama productions to win 2 tickets (3 winners) ? name 3 JM Drama productions ? and their directors to win 2 tickets + free drinks (for 2 from the bar at intermission) ? name 3 JM Drama productions ? and their directors ? and a cast member from each to win 2 tickets + free drinks (for 2 from the bar at intermission) + a $30 gift certificate from a downtown Waterloo Restaurant. Mail your entry to JM Drama 15th Anniversary Contest c/o 302 - 150 Queen St. S. Kitchener, ON, N2G 4T7 Decision of JM Drama Executive is final. Winners will be notified by phone. All winners names will be published in our summer production program or be available by calling The Warehouse. Congratulations to ... ... Michael Kruse who has designed two world premier shows for The Derossier Dance Theatre and who has been invited back to the Shaw Festival for a second season as an Assistant Lighting Designer. ... Jonathan Goad who has been delighting audiences in his first professional show,"The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr" (abridged) at the Bathurst St. Theatre, Toronto ...Sarah Manninen who will be graduating from the Acting Program at George Brown College in Toronto. ... Rick Camacho who can be seen in Holly Cole's latest music video. ... And a special thanks to Steve Roth for giving us the opportunity to use the Waterloo Stage Theatre this summer. 1998 EXECUTIVE President............ Don Bourgeois Vice-President....... Bill Klos Secretary............ Margaret Steel-Farrell Treasurer............ Mary Dwyer Member-at-Large...... Nancy Dahmer Technical Director... Allan Hoch
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