Regina Little Theatre

Past performances: Windfall

Directed by Melodi Hawkesford
Show dates: June 8-11, 2005

Cast & Production Team
About the play
About the playwright
Production photos

Cast		Production Team
Actor	Role	Team Member	Role
John Egarhos	Walter Brookside	Melodi Hawkesford	Director
Bonnie Senger	Louise Brookside	Pat Wilson	Stage Manager
Mark Claxton	Jeffrey Brookside	Christine Haider	ASM *
Andrea McNeil	Robin Brookside	Darla Biccum	Artistic Consultant
Tony Cuylle	George Gaines	Pat Wilson	Set Design
		Harvey Friess	Set Construction
		Fred Gallagher	Set Construction
		Rod McLeod	Set Construction
		Barry Uncles	Set Construction
		Harold Woodward	Set Construction
		Bernadette Tice	Makeup Design
		Cast, Jean Taylor	Costumes
		Music Coordinator	Ken Spencer
		Colleen Hawkesford	Props/Crew
		Murray Cook	Props
		Kathy Neal	Hair & Makeup

* ASM - Assistant Stage Manager

About the play
What would you do with $5.6 million?

For Walter and Louise Brookside, the answer is easy: build a big house and escape from the world.

That is the premise of Regina Little Theatre's latest production, Windfall. Written by Canadian playwright Norm Foster, Windfall is a comedy that focuses on the lives of the Brooksides in 1986, 16 years after they win the lottery. George Gaines, a reporter, visits to find out what the Brooksides have done with their money.

"I think it's tempting for anyone to say they would buy their own island, their own house, and just get away from the busy nature of our culture," said director Melodi Hawkesford.

But little does anyone know that the Brookside 's children, Robin and Jeffrey, have not left the $5.6 million sitting in the bank. The laughs begin when Robin and Jeffrey try to hide their business transactions from the reporter, not to mention their mom and dad.

For all its focus on money, Windfall is a story about family, and the interesting dynamics of grown children getting along with a forceful father and a mother who just wants some grandchildren.

"The characters are so familiar, it's easy to see a bit of each of them in people we all know - family, friends, even enemies," said Hawkesford.

In the end, the Brooksides have to decide whether to venture back into society or stay in their sanctuary. "It's tempting for Walter and Louise to stay in their house and not have to deal with all the troubles of the world," Hawkesford said. "Then again, they are missing a lot of fun too."

Hawkesford believed Windfall will appeal to all audiences. "I think theatre-goers are in for a treat," she said. "The actors have been working very hard on the show, and there are some really funny moments, as well as some poignant, touching scenes."

This is Hawkesford's directing premiere with the RLT, and she said the experience has been fantastic. "I am an actor, so being on the other side of the table has been a truly rewarding experience," she said. "I have learned so much from the directing process, and I'll be able to use that in my own acting."

Cast of Windfall includes John Egarhos as Walter, Bonnie Senger as Louise, Tony Cuylle as reporter George Gaines, Mark Claxton as Jeffrey Brookside and Andrea McNeil as Robin Brookside.

Windfall runs June 8 to 11, 2005 starting at 8:00 p.m. at the Regina Performing Arts Centre, 1077 Angus Street (at 4 th Ave ).

About the playwright
Norm Foster was born in Newmarket, Ontario on St. Valentine's Day. Raised in Toronto, he attended West Hill Collegiate Institute and then went on to study Radio & Television Arts at Centennial College in Toronto and then Confederation College in Thunder Bay. Upon completion of his studies, he began a radio career that would span 25 years and which would take him from Thunder Bay to Winnipeg to Kingston and finally to Fredericton, New Brunswick. It was in Fredericton in 1980 that Norm was introduced to the world of theatre.

Two years later he penned his first professionally produced play, "Sinners". It was produced by Theatre New Brunswick and directed by Malcolm Black , who would also direct Foster's next effort, the highly successful, "The Melville Boys." "The Melville Boys" would go on to be produced across Canada and in the United States, including a well-received run off-Broadway in New York. It would become Foster's signature play, and the one which would bring his name to the forefront of Canadian theatre. Since then, Norm Foster has produced an astonishing output of work. More than thirty plays in all, including "The Affections of May", the most produced play in Canada in 1991.

He has also written a musical with composer Leslie Arden (The Last Resort) and three musicals (Jasper Station, Race Day & Sitting Pretty) with composer Steve Thomas.

Foster's plays are known mainly for their comedic qualities, but they are not without their serious moments as well. "I find it far more satisfying if I can make an audience laugh and feel a little heartache within the same story. The farces (Sinners, Self-Help) are a lot of fun to write but it's the stories that touch an audience's heart as well as it's funnybone that are the most rewarding."

Production photos

John Egarhos, Bonnie Senger and Tony Cuylle.

Andrea McNeil.

Mark Claxton, Bonnie Senger and John Egarhos.

Bonnie Senger (top), Mark Claxton, Andrea McNeil.

John Egarhos and Tony Cuylle.

Bonnie Senger and John Egarhos.

Photos taken by Ken Spencer.