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Artscene The mayhem begins when a married woman drops her underpants while waving at the king By RYAN BOLTON SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER 21 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, August 19, 2009 Sign up now for guitar, bass, drums, and piano OAKVILLE'S MUSIC STORE Oakville Players presents slapstick farce The Underpants "We thought that the Oakville audience needed something new. We thought the Oakville Players could present something a little different, something outside the currently running drama series," said Gorrissen. Nash adds that throwing a summer production also gives actors a chance to take on different roles like costume or set design. In fact, the stage manager, Sabrina Hope, who is new to the Oakville area, and some seven others are trying new positions both onstage and off. "It's not just new people, but even more seasoned people who are taking on different roles and that's part of the reason for starting this up," said Nash in his cool, calm demeanor. With members taking up new jobs, Nash said it both adds to and supports the creative process. It especially complements the collaborative approach that he enjoys taking with the players. "I tend to direct very collaboratively," said Nash. "I like actors to bring their own performances. I don't like to be a puppet master saying, `Do this and do that.'" This also stands for set, costume and sound design. "He will let you go free and then he will reel you in and say, `Okay, now let's make it more concrete, let's make it more compact," said Gorrissen of Nash's style. Although the Oakville Players have performed farces in the past, they were typically British. It's interesting to look at Germany prior to the First World War as well, said Nash, specifically because the play was originally banned because of its social commentary on both women's rights and anti-Semitism. "It was risky because it sees a female in power," said Gorrissen. "And I think there will be women in the audience that go `ooh, ahh.' Because they will be on her side, the female lead, Louise." The Underpants is running from Aug. 2729 at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets cost $20 and available by calling the box office at 905-815-2021 or online at www.oakvilleplayers.ca. It's about a pair of white, old-fashioned underpants. But not just any underpants, The Underpants. The Oakville Players are back at it, and this time with a little something new: a summer production. Looking to keep Oakville theatre-goers entertained all year round, the acclaimed local group is presenting its most recent play, the socially-cutting farce, The Underpants. The slapstick comedy, adapted by Steve Martin, dazzles with wit and bawdy wordplay. The play takes form when Louise Meske's underpants fall to her toes in front of everyone's eyes at a parade while waving to the king. All to the mortification of her husband, Theo, a governmental bureaucrat, who believes they will be socially and financially ruined by his wife's unruly incident. But when three men arrive to rent a room from the couple, a chain of events leads to scandal stuffed with risqué double entendres. "I chose it because it's a farce," said Adrian Gorrissen, 34, producer of the play. After the rights to his first choice, Morris Panych's The Dishwashers, weren't available, Gorrissen gorged himself in theatre books. It was then that this title, followed by the name of its playwright, caught his eye. Adapted by the ever-comical Martin, the play was originally a turn-of-the-century German piece by Carl Sternheim titled, Die Hose. "In this comedy you see his [Martin's] normal slapstick, his normal witty humour, but he has also added a level of sophistication to it as well," said Gorrissen, who after 15 years of acting decided to try his hand at producing. But after things started moving JON CURRIE / OAKVILLE BEAVER CAST OF THE UNDERPANTS: The cast of The Underpants includes (clockwise from top left) Matthew Willson (Benjamin Cohen), Chris Stolz (Frank Versati), Rod McTaggart, Brendan McDowell, Katherine Kormos and Lynne Terry. forward with casting back in May, Gorrissen hit another bump. The original director had to bow out for personal reasons in early July. It was David Nash, 59, president of the Oakville Players for the past decade, who decided to take up the reins. "It would have taken too long to advertise and find someone else, so since I have some experience in directing, I just stepped in," said Nash, who has directed some eight productions. Standing in for someone, moreover, is something that Nash is used to. He took over directing when original Private Lives' director, Mark Ellis, had to bow out because of his commitment to his hit TV show, Flashpoint, which he co-created with his wife, Stephanie Morgenstern. "Taking over someone else's cast that you haven't chosen can be an awkward thing," Nash confides. "But I took it over." It was back on the set of Private Lives, with Nash directing and Gorrissen acting, that the two wanted to do something a little different. They decided upon a summer theatre show, something the Oakville Players has never set in motion before. Halton Region Museum presents jazz series this fall The Halton Museum Foundation and the Halton Region Museum are presenting the Jazz at the Museum series in the Hearth Room of the Halton Region Museum. The jazz series is a fundraising event for the Foundation, with funds raised contributing to ongoing capital projects at the museum. The first in the series of monthly musicals will feature some of the finest jazz musicians in the Greater Toronto Area and southern Ontario. Jazz sessions will take place the second Sunday of each month from 2-4 p.m.: · Sept. 13 -- Julie Michels and Kevin Barrett · Oct. 11 -- The Sophia Perlman Trio · Nov. 8 -- The Braxton Hicks Trio Steve Baker, Halton Museum Foundation director and Jazz Series spokesperson is thrilled jazz is returning to the Halton Region Museum where the Foundation's Hearthside Series took place for many years. "There is a renewed demand for venues that are unique and intimate, as well as able to complement all types of events and performances, especially those appreciated by both jazz aficionados and music lovers," said Baker. Tickets are available for $20 at the door with seating on a first come, first-served basis, and include entertainment and a cash bar (beer and wine). Complimentary light snacks will be served. Jazz series guests should mention to Kelso Gate staff that they are visiting the Museum specifically, so they do not incur Kelso Conservation Area admission fees. For more information regarding the Jazz Series, visit www.halton.ca/museum or contact the museum directly at 905-875-2200, ext. 27, or e-mail museum@halton.ca.