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Wednesday, September 22, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER B7 'The War Show', a musical, evokes every emotion By Carol Baldwin ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR The Second World War stirred the emotions of everyone involved - those who went over­ seas and those who stayed home. It was a time of purpose and confusion, of despondency and elation, of fear and courage, of solemnity and humour, of sadness and joy. And the production currently on stage at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, You'll Get Used to It! The War Show, tries to evoke all those emotions - a difficult feat to say the least. But in the end, it succeeds. Done in a series of vignettes, this musical (Hard to believe, but it is a musical.) is slow off the mark, introducing the characters, portraying the gamut of emotions, and setting the stage with war images projected onto the walls on either side of the theatre near the stage - images of Churchill, Hitler, swastikas, children weep­ ing, navy ships riding rough seas, women in the factories, and soldiers departing, fighting, dying, remembered by fields of white crosses. The play opens with the singing of O Danny Boy, followed by a few vignettes establishing the attitudes of war - a young boy playing with an airplane and dreaming of the glories of war; a veteran recalling "the silence" following a bat­ tle; a school teacher discussing patriotism and respect for country and flag; a war bride talking of inhumanity. Then as women roll bandages for the troops, the songs begin, songs that ■ ■ echo the era. The women sing Bless Them All, followed by the soldiers version of the same song, Screw Them All. So, the era is established, the characters created and the attitudes accept­ ed. And all this is done on a bare stage, except for a piano and three pedestals at the back from which casualty statistics are announced, among other things. Director Yilmaz Mustafa also manages to draw the audience into the play by having the characters exit or enter up or down the aisles of the theatre at various moments throughout the play. So, despite its slow start, this play comes alive like a speakeasy during prohibition, taking the audience through the Second World War with the use of poignant and humorous skits and such great songs as Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy o f Company B, I 'll Be Seeing You, White Cliffs o f Dover, Lilli Marlene, When the Lights Go On Again All Over the World, We 'll Meet Again and, as the title implies, You'll Get Used to It. Perhaps some of the comedy sketches reveal just that - that those involved did, at some level, get used to it. Certainly the audience gets used to being part of a world war as seen through the eyes of Canadian soldiers and their families and friends, not through government propaganda or Theatre Review ■■■skewed statistics or Holly­ wood filmmakers. And the comedy skits not only demonstrate the need for humour in horrific real-life situations, but the need for humour in a play that highlights the devastating effect of just one unnatural death, never mind thousands. The humour and the music also serve as a celebration of the human spirit that manages to survive even under the most dire of circum­ stances. West End Studio Theatre's large cast - 21 in all - did a winning job of not only presenting individual, personal situations to reflect that human spirit but of portraying the full range of emotions that come out of those situations. This was accomplished by drawing the audience into the musical, which showcases a variety of tal­ ents - singing, acting and directing. And it is that talent, on stage and off, that evokes laughter and tears, memories and enthu­ siastic applause from those who watch The War Show, which continues at the Oakville Centre until Sept. 25th. Tickets are $18 and are available by visiting or calling the Oakville Centre box office at 130 Navy St„ 815-2021, weekdays from noon to 5 p.m. or Saturdays from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday jazz a going concern By Carol Baldwin ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Anna Romain can't make the break completely. Although she recently moved to Burlington to accommo­ date her son's schooling, she says her heart remains in Oakville. And Oakville is where she works at both her jobs. Her day job provides food for the table, but it is her night job that provides food for the soul. The well-known jazz singer, often referred to as The Sophisticated Lady, has been performing weekly at The Pickled Pepper since the Oakville Jazz Festival, and she's starting to amass quite a following. Each week her Pub and Sunday Evening Jazz Club features special guest stars from the world of jazz. Last week, for instance, jazz pianist John Sherwood and soprano sax aficionado Jim Galloway graced the small stage in north Oakville. Although guest musicians and the weekly house band of Rosemary Galloway and Norman Amadio usually dominate the show, Romain does join them for a number Anna Romain of songs. This past week her sultry tones crooned such favourites as Fly Me to the Moon, Come Rain or Come Shine and Honey Suckle Rose to name a few. And visitors were given a special treat with two guest jazz musicians - Sher­ wood filling in for Norman Amadio on keyboard, and Jim Galloway, the sched­ uled guest. Each guest entertained the crowded pub with a few solos as well as joining in the group numbers and backing-up Roman on vocals. Romain was pleased to welcome Sherwood, who recently completed a new CD, to the intimate group of musician on stage. In his honour, she even attempt­ ed, for the first time, to sing a song from Sherwood's new CD; and she and the band delighted the audience with On a Clear Day. The crowd was deceptive as people chatted and laughed with neighbours, seemingly oblivious to the music, but as each musical number or musician's solo ended, the appreciative applause was a sure indication that they were, in fact, quite attentive. And that, o f course, is what any good jazz club offers - a winning combina­ tion of good food, good conversation and good music - all being appreciated, none being overlooked. The Pickled Pepper, at 1011 Upper Middle Rd. E. (in the plaza at Eighth Line), provides an ideal setting for such a club with its heavy pub-style decor its roadhouse-type food and, of course, all manner of beverages. The stage is set in the window at the front of the restaurant, and the atmos­ phere is casual. It would be reminiscent of the old style coffee houses, except it isn't down the basement, the lights aren't dim enough, and three distracting tele­ vision sets flicker incessantly behind the bar. However, if you like jazz and don't want to travel all the way to Toronto to enjoy some great music in an intimate setting, The Pickled Pepper is the place to be on Sundays between about 6 and 10 p.m. This Sunday (Sept. 26th), the Pub and Sunday Evening Jazz Club will feature Joe Sealy on piano and Michael Stewart on sax. The following weekend (Oct. 3rd), Oakville's Russ Little will accompany the house band on his trusty trombone. For reservations, call the Pickled Pepper at 337-7659. 'D o n 't n m & tfii& opportunity to b o a s ty o u r em p loy ees m o ra le ! Encourage your staff to participate in this special workshop: "Tom orrow is Going To Be Amazing" As part of the Oakville Cham­ ber of Commerce Small Busi­ ness Week kick-off, Mr. Joseph Sherren will be keynote speaker at the Mayors Breakfast. His address will be entitled "Discovering Personal Potential". Mr. Sherren will then provide morning workshops focusing on 'Tomorrow is going to be Amaz­ in g ' & "Creating Communica­ tion Connections" Joseph Sherren As President of a highly successful training and development organization, Joseph believes that success depends on maintain­ ing a positive attitude, setting goals and working toward them with unbending determination. These are the principles behind Joe's high-impact motivational seminars which cover current business topics. These include: Leadership, Team Building, Managing Personal and Professional Change, Empowerment, Strategic Planning, and Ethics. Joe has trained diousands of managers and professionals. His lively and passionate delivery make him a favourite speaker at conferences all over North America. Joe's corporate experience includes 25 years at large multi­ national corporations in management positioas including: mar­ keting, finance, customer service, and human resources. During his assignment in each of these areas, he was responsible for the education and development of management and staff. Joe will kick-off or close your conference with a positive, up­ beat message to all attendees and leave them motivated to take control of their own future. His seminars are drought provoking, filled with practical information drat can be applied immediately, and packed widi humour which keeps people engaged. Workshop Details M onday, O ctob er 2 5 , 1 9 9 9 W orkshop Cost: $ 2 0 (csr ind.) W orkshops: 9iOOam-12n oon Liz L a k t e b a n d a s s o c i a t e s J7* 5. To reserve your space cal Cindy Potter at the Chamber of Commerce 845-6613 Presented by. T h e O a k ville B ea ver M A I L ^ P O S T E OAKVILLE HYDRO O A K V I L L E C H A M B E R „ / C O M M E R C E Neighbourhood Applefest Ll° NG ARTS <3 5 ^ ^ M IS S IS S A U G A YQLYH UKRAINIAN S O N G A DANCE COMPANY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3 A T 2 & 7 PM A 50-strong ensemble of singers, dancers, and musicians in a dynamic program of Ukrainian folk songs, dances, music and theatrical tableaus from the Volyn Region in the Ukraine. Prices: $50/$40/$19.50 CHORALE WITH SPECIAL GUEST JO E SEALY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27 AT 8 PM Prices: $35/$30/$25 THE MYSTICAL ARTS OP TIBET SUNDAY, MARCH 19 AT 2 PM Prices: $35/$30/$25 ORDER ALL THREE PERFORMANCES AND SAVE! Adults $99/$80 • Students $70 (Reg. Price $120/$100) O nly Toronto A rea Performance ROGER WHITTAKER FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 AT 2 PM & SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16 AT 8 PM Prices: $45/$35/$25 THE GLENN MILLER ORfH FSTBA SUNDAY OCTOBER 24 AT 8PM Living Arts Centre Prices: $45/$35 SATURDAY OCTOBER 23 AT 8 PM Massey Hall, Toronto Prices: $56.50/$46.50/$36.50 Call (416)872-4255 (tor Massey Hall only) d w io v k o S O U N G M E D I A S P O N S O R S OQQpOO ANYTHING G O ES ^ TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12 & 1 3 AT 8PM Starring Gloria Loring. SM Q KEY J O E S CAP* The Songs of Leiher and Stoller. TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15 & 16 AT 8PM Y1CTQR/Y1CTQRIA WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, APRIL 5 & 6 AT 8 PM CUSSICALQ6;.3 mE 0 1A S P O N S O R •ROADWAY & BEYOND! SERIES PRICES - SAVE UP TO $24 Area A $150 (Reg. Price $174) Area B $126 (Reg. Price $147) Single Ticket Prices: S58/S49/S39 SYM PHONY POPS SERIES QUARTETTE IN CONCERT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2 AT 8 PM Featuring the charismatic Sylvia Tyson, Cindy Church, Gwen Swick, and Caitlin Hanford. Featuring the Mississauga Children's Choir. SATURDAY DECEMBER 18 AT 8 PM SATURDAY, APRIL 8 AT 8 PM SUBSCRIBE AND SAYE! SYMPHONY POPS SERIES PRICES Area A $ 114.75 (Reg. Price $135) Area B $8925 (Reg. Price $105) Single T icket Prices; $45/$35 "Betels! 905- 306-6000 The living Arts Centre 4141 living Arts Drive Hwy 403 and Hwy 10 (west of Square One) SQUARE ONE Money Does Grow on Trees atHopedale. Septem ber 25th Join in the Applefest Fun You could WIN prizes & Mall Gift Certificates. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Centre Court • Apple Pie Contest (adults) Activities Just for Kids* • Apple Target Pitch ~ win money instantly. • Apple Art Contest ~ carve up a winning design. • Apple Seed Toss ~ aim for the prize of your choice *12 and under Pick up complete details at the Customer Service Kiosk (across from Oakville Sports Excellence) J|§ Pick a Peck of Bargains * Take advantage of the Red Apple Specials throughout the mall at participating stores. Saturday, September 25th Hopedale Mall 3rd Line &. Rebecca * 827-0229 • www.hopedalemall.on.ca Shop: Mon. - Fri. ~ 9:30 am to 9:00 pm • Sat ~ 9:30 am to 6 :00 pm • Sun. ~ Noon to 5:00 pm http://www.hopedalemall.on.ca Theatre Review Encourage your staff to participate in this special workshop: "Tomorrow is Going To Be Amazing" Joseph Sherren Workshop Details Monday, October 25, 1999 Workshop Cost: $20 (csr ind.) Workshops: 9iOOam-12noon To reserve your space cal Cindy Potter at the Chamber of Commerce 845-6613 MAIL^POSTE Neighbourhood Applefest <35^^ SOUNG CUSSICALQ6;.3 m SQUARE ONE Money Does Grow on Trees atHopedale. September 25th Join in the Applefest Fun You could WIN prizes & Mall Gift Certificates. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in Centre Court • Apple Pie Contest (adults) Activities Just for Kids* • Apple Target Pitch ~ win money instantly. • Apple Art Contest ~ carve up a winning design. • Apple Seed Toss ~ aim for the prize of your choice Pick a Peck of Bargains * Take advantage of the Red Apple Specials throughout the mall at participating stores. Saturday, September 25th Hopedale Mall 3rd Line &. Rebecca * 827-0229 • www.hopedalemall.on.ca Shop: Mon. - Fri. ~ 9:30 am to 9:00 pm • Sat ~ 9:30 am to 6:00 pm • Sun. ~ Noon to 5:00 pm