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Page 12, Whitby Free Press, Wednesday. August 4, 1993 There's WHITBY. Courthouse Theatre Youth Group members play, written by St. Marguerite D'Youville teacher Ed'Dixon, rehearse for 'Mind Over Matter,' an original musical they're are available at LaFontaine Trading Post, at the door, or by presenting tonight through Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the calling 668-1171. Photo by Mark Reesor, Whltby Free Press Sunimer theatre a big hit with the ids By Kathryn McBurney The second of three Ed Dixon musicale presented by the Whitby Courthouse Theatre Youth Group this summer will ' ind Oieh Matter' will be performed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the -theatre in the Centennial Building, and organi- zers and Participants are hoping te duplicata the success of the well-received firt production, 'The Brighter Side,' July 21-23. "Sa far se, good, a lot of kids are getting involved," says youth pragram co-ordinator YLraine Lloyd'-abot the group's first summierprogam for those aged 8 to 18. e «Kids are auditioned, there's a new group of kids each time." On average 30 youth partici- pate in each play. "Tons of kids are involved, it's great," says Lloyd. There was a lot of positive feedback from the first pay and the group hopes the second and third, 'Fruitof the Sword,' will do as well. All three plays have a Chris- tian theme and are original musicals written and directed by Dixon, a teacher at St. Mar- guerited'Youville Çatholic School in Whitby who hasbeen writing plays for about five years. 'The Brighter Side' followed the adventures of a young girl transported back in time te meet her -ancestors. She helps them through evil times and learns lessons about the meaning of life. 'Mmnd over Matter? is a comical yet suspenseful play set in a modern day junior high school. This play is about a youngbo given an amazing power which p raves very useful te him. The by bofriends a disabled girl and confronts a vengeful gang. 'Fruit of the Sword, te ho presented fremn Se pt. 8 to 10, is set in the medieval period and is "a tale of mystery, romance betrayal, comedy, magic and swordplay which climaxes in a dramatic confrontation between the forces of 4ood and evil.» "Sa far, it s gone very well," says Dixon about the youth group presentations. For each play, students spend a total of at least 80 hours rehearsing, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. dagve (the students) been working very hard and parents are happy because it's botter than having kids just sitting around during the summer.»' Dixon plans te give schools a chance te use his plays in their courses next year. Ho is making up kits which include everything needed te put on a play. «I'm going ta be taking plays and putting them in dramna pack- ages and marketing te schools as sort cf a 'play-in-a-box' te encourage teachers te do more drama.» SEE PAGE 13 Thne Whitb Inn Restaurant 6"Pub Banquet Facilities Available LTH "E MISSIONS' ':ýýBack by poua lmand BUY ONE ENTREE & GET * ONE FREE * (of equa or lesser value) *VAUID FROM 4PM TO CLOSING * MONDAY TO SATURDAY * EXP. AUG 3IJ93 * Not to beused in conbination with *other specialoffers ordaily specias LM.. M COPO ----a a new sound to stage shows at Cullen" Gardens By Kathrn McBurey Once agai Cullen Gardens is presenting stage shows as an added summer attraction. There are five performances a day except Thursdays which are devoted ta children's entertain- ment. Presented at 1 and 3 p.m. is 'Summer Song and Dance,' a 30-minute tribute ta music of the past including a TV theme song medey (shows from the fifties and sixties), Bette Midler songs and rock and roll hits. At 2 p.m.ý there's a children's Puppet shW, 'Camp Cullen,' which teaches kids about eni ronsimental topics such as the importance of recycling, and at 4 p..Bu.-.- Bumble Be.,Cullen Grdens' mascot, takes the stage for 'Buzz Bee's Spelling Bee'a children's musical in whih 1i- dren from the audience help teach Buzz Bee how to spell. The last show of the cay,'Le's Go te the Movies,' at 7:30 p.m. is a tribute to movie musicals of the thirties. The Gardens' new artistic directer, Jeif Morden, felt that «past shows have been somewhat old-fashioned» and that the new material this year has «kind of got Cullen back into the nine- ties." The cast in each play 18 the same and is made up of three acters and three actresses, al from Taranto. They feel the shows are ging -well, due te botter weather con- ditions than last summer and also because the productions «cover ail bases with family entertainment so that ne one is left eut. "They are really well received,» says Morden. "People love them." During rainy weather 'the shows must go on,' but move inside te the tea reom for more comfortable viewing. The shows will continue every day until Sept. 6. On Thursdays, kids' days, there's either a musician or a cemic juggler. EVER Y WEDNESDA Y Live Comedy with Laif Trax Thursday, August 5th Easy Access Friday, Augusl-t 6th