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Phone: 905-845-3824 (ext. 5559) Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: rjerred@haltonsearch.com ARTSIME Riziero Vertolli · Oakville Beaver Sonic of the cast m em bers from T. A. Blakelock High School rehearse a scene from "M y Million Dollar Baby" , an original play w ritten by Blakelock d ram a teacher Ja n B arrett and grad u ate student Jeff M orrison. The farcical comedy is the school's entry in this y e a r's Sears D ram a Festival. R ehearsing a re (left to right) Spencer Bailey, Tom Preece, Jaim e Posen, Kim O ught red, Maggie Hopkins and M eghan Banks. Blakelock Sears Drama Festival entry: Original play has 33 cast members and a giant parrot By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF If the farcical fare of British comedies tickles your funny bone, then mark your calendar this month to check out the Thomas A. Blakelock entry into this year's Sears Ontario Drama Festival. Blakelock's production, the 50-minute My Million Dollar Baby, penned by Blakelock drama teacher Jan Barrett and Blakelock graduate Jeff Morrison, promises to be come dy at its best. It's what the 60-plus students involved in this year's festival competition opted for (over the murder-mystery they originally wrote). Blakelock will join White Oaks Secondary School, Iroquois Ridge Secondary School, and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School in vying against other Halton high schools for this district's title. It's a title Blakelock has pre viously claimed in the festival's 17-year history in Halton. but while their eye may be on the prize, their hearts are in it for the Festival staging more than 300 sented to students who work as graduate and second-year York fun, said Barrett. productions around the actors, directors, playwrights, drama student Gillian Gallow. "All the schools are con province. crew and publicists. "We may have to do some tenders. Burlington Central in On Tuesday. Feb. 19. The fundraising because the cos The curtain rises in February particular has a really strong with local schools performing at Love of Ihe Nightingale is being tumes are going to be expen drama program." admitted district festivals. performed by WOSS. sive." admitted Barrett. Barrett. Those chosen as outstanding That's because the "star" of On the same night Iroquois In fact, after the play is pre at the district level will go on to Ridge Secondary School will the production is a very tall sented at Blakelock on Feb. 15 at regional festivals in April -- perform Hedges. Grade 11 student Ryan Wilcox, 7 p.m. (tickets are $5), it will be Halton's regional festival is also Information about St. who plays Baby, a huge parrot. shown Feb. 21 at Burlington at Burlington Central. There are 60 students Thomas Aquinas' entry wasn't Central, the hosts of this year's Regional finalists will partic available at press time. involved in the TAB production. district competition. At Blakelock, costumes for 33 in the cast and 27 in the crew. ipate in a gala Ontario Showcase The public can view the com in May. its entry are being pulled togeth They're working after school Throughout the festival, er by Grade II student Sam and Sundays to get the play petition's plays -- three per night -- for $6 per night on more than 500 awards are pre Joyce, as well as Blakelock ready for the stage. Tuesday, Feb. 19 The scene opens in through Friday. Feb. the backyard shrine of Sears Drama Festival 22 at Burlington Tuesday, Feb. 19 M ortimer Mulween "The Love of the Nightingale" performed by White Oaks Secondary School Central. (played by Jaime From comedy to "Hedges" performed by Iroquois Ridge High School Posen) on the day that love, despair to "Cagebirds" performed by Assumption Secondary School his wife, Deedee Wednesday, Feb. 20 tragedy, all perform (Alison Preece) and Lester B. Pearson High School (to be announced) ances are at 7 p.m. Baby, the ornitholo "Valentines" performed by Georgetown High School Tickets are available "Heroes" performed by Georgetown High School gist's pet parrot, are to at any of the partici be declared legally Thursday February 21 pating high schools or "My Million Dollar Baby" performed by T. A. Blakelock High School, dead after being miss at the door. ing for seven years. J St. Thom as Aquinas (to be announced) Nearly 7,000 high Friday February 22 T hat's where the school students and "An Outline of History" performed by Nelson High School, conniving Miss Kitten teachers participate in Burlington Central High School (to be announced) (Kim Oughtred), the annual Sears j "Through Darkest Adolescence" performed by Bishop Redding High School M ulween's lawyer, O ntario Drama · All shows are at Burlington Central High School. All performances are to commence plans to wed him. then at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at any of the participating high schools or at the door. have him killed by not-so-bright gangsters (played by Tom Preece and Spencer Bailey), so she can inherit his wife's estate worth S10 million. The sombre affair goes awry when the day's event planner and her screwball assistant get things balled up, then just to add to the mayhem, Mrs. Mulween and Baby arrive home alive. In tow with the formerly missing persons are a rain forest tribe complete with witch doctor and king, the latter being Mrs. M ulween's new husband for whom she's had a trio of off spring. "It's absurd and silly. It's dumb and dumber," laughed Barrett. But while comedy is fun to watch, it is difficult to perform, she added. "It has to do with timing. You know, some people can tell jokes, some people can't," she said. "I always tell the students that no matter what happens w e're having fun. It's not about winning, it's about learning," said Barrett. The Vale that lasts a lifetim e. For Valentine's bring fun and excitement into the life of a special friend with an introduction to dancing at Arthur Murray's. It's the gift that truly keeps on giving . . . better health . . . self confidence. . . new friends .. . in a year 'round whirl of dance parties and good times. Give the gift of fun. Satisfaction guaranteed. 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