PHOTO
Clockwise starting with Karen Cromar (back-center), director Glen Bowser (back-right),
Evy Kartus, John Elliott, Kelsey Allen, Clive Brewer
Review by Shane Kelley - July 7, 2010
The One-Acters are at it again with two weekends of great comedy and drama opening this Friday night at St. James Church in Hudson. I caught up with this busy and entertaining group of thespians during rehearsal last week to see how the plays were progressing.
Professional actors Glen Bowser and Karen Cromar (Bowser also directs this series), started the One-Acters to provide an inexpensive evening of quality theatre, and an extra venue where actors can practice their craft. This is the duo's fourth One-Acters production and they will be performing alongside talented actors Kelsey Allen, Clive Brewer, John Elliott and Evy Kartus. Following great reviews from previous productions music will again be provided by Dan Gallant and Brian Gallagher, the other half of Nightshift, their band with Bowser and Cromar. In addition to accompanying music during certain segments of the skits, the audience will be treated to a mini concert during intermission and before the show. The last One-Acters production was in June 2009 where they performed nine plays; including the hilarious Dinner For One with Bowser as the drunken butler, I'm Herbert with Cromar and Bowser as forgetful seniors, and Brights with all the actors and action in a car. This year's show will feature the six actors performing eight plays and skits. Since I promised to keep the names of the pieces a secret, all I can say is that it promises to be fun-filled evenings of comedy and poignant moments.
Glen Bowser has several film and television credits to his name including many years of stage performance and direction experience. This fall Bowser will appear in Arthur Miller's great classic A View From The Bridge at the Segal Center in Montreal. Karen Cromar has appeared in many stage productions including Inherit The Wind at The Segal last winter. Cromar will also perform in the much-anticipated thriller A Snake In The Grass, this August at The Village Theatre in Hudson. Clive Brewer has performed in Hudson Village Theatre's successful productions of Mousetrap and A Flea In Her Ear, and Evy Kartus played Mickey the cop in Lakeshore Players flip-side female version of one of my favorite plays and film, The Odd Couple. Brewer's portrayal of a sinister and mysterious stranger in Mousetrap was perfectly creepy, making me thankful he was smiling the last time I photographed him. Both Brewer and Kartus are familiar faces in the much-loved Hudson Village Theatre's Christmas pantomimes and many Lakeshore Players productions. Actor John Elliott, also a Lakeshore Players regular and audience favorite, performed in12 Angry Jurors and in Having Hope at Home where I enjoyed his excellent portrayal of crusty, curmudgeonly grandpa Russell, whose lines and delivery had me laughing out loud. Glen Bowser discovered Kelsey Allen some years ago when he cast her for the Hudson Music Club's production of The Wizard of Oz. Since then she has been a popular performer in numerous Music Club productions.
Actor Sandy Ferguson man's the lights for the One-Actors shows, and is well known from the Hudson Village Theatre stage including her memorable role in Steel Magnolias.
Don't miss this great deal in summer entertainment at only $15. per ticket, available at the door. Shows are only two weekends; Friday and Saturday July 9th-10th, Friday and Saturday July 16th-17th. Shows Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays 2pm and 8pm. Reservations for group seating of 10 or more call 514-916-5037