B6 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, August 11,1999 Musical comedies for kids (Continued from page B4) "We started a little later than we planned, which was kind of exciting; it got us all very galvanized into action. So the rest of the com pany didn't join up until the end of May." However, the two plays that Shrimp Magnet is presenting this summer wpre written collec tively by cast and crew after a number of painstaking brainstorming sessions. The Land o f l Told You So is scripted, says Keenan, and the actors follow that script. The second play, Germ Wars, however, is not quite as structured. "Germs Wars is sort of a slapstick. There are three germs and three antibodies and they're running around terrorizing this little boy's body," she explains. "We couldn't write the script. We just wrote, The germs now wreak havoc on the brain.' And then we just get up and sing and dance...It's very choreographed." Keenan says children's theatre seemed a nat ural for Centre Island where families congregate in the summer time for various fun activities. Also, her other love, along with theatre, is chil dren. She has worked as a camp counselor, a babysitter and even as a drama instructor for preschoolers. "I love doing stuff for children. They're a really honest audience," she says. "If they don't like it, you know. They're not polite. And if they do like it, they're so appreciative." The Shrimp Magnet company of actors, in full costume, meets the island ferry at the dock, waving and chatting to kids. "I have these fairy wings that I wear, and as soon as they see me their eyes are on me as if they're in a trance, and they're walking backwards. I've waved to some kids for five minutes," she says with a laugh and a delightful twinkle in her eyes. "So, I think we've earned the title of Shrimp Mag net. The Land o f I Told You So is about a girl named Kate who wants to eat candy all the time and ultimately ends up in The Land of I Told You So, where everything you've ever been warned about comes true. For example, Sprout has an apple tree sprouting out of her ears because she swallowed apple seeds, and Spidey makes it rain every time he steps on a spider. Germ Wars is the story of Jeremy, a little boy who feels sick. This sick young man's doctor becomes General Anaesthetic, the leader of the Antibody Army; his mother turns into Sergeant Scalpel, and Jeremy, himself, is drafted as Pri vate Peabody to fight the germs that are invad ing his body. Not only are these two plays written and per formed by company members, the costumes were made by the cast and crew with clothing they picked up at second-hand stores. And they're already thinking ahead to next year's production. Since all the dialogue and music is original, it's not a bad idea to get a head start on what Keenan hopes will be an annual event on the Toronto island. "I'm expecting to have to be a waitress, so I can do business stuff during the day, which is what we all do," she says. "But at least this way I have something else to focus on. I don't get trapped in the waitress abyss." This summer's double bill will be performed Tuesdays to Sundays on Olympic Island at 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m., weather permitting, until Aug. 29th. Admission is $5 for children; adults are free. "We had one man say, 'This is the best $5 I've ever spent.'" Those interested in booking Shrimp Magnet for a school or preschool workshop can reach Keenan at (416) 988-9464 or visit their web page at shrimpmagnet@hotmail.com. FINAL 2 WEEKS 200 Advance Blvd., Unit 10, Brampton UP TO M anufacturers W arehouse S ale 70% OFF S U G G E S T E D RETAIL PR IC E QQDAUYY a IBATM PRODUCTS TUoEUu m . Springrnaid/Wamsutta/TEXMADE 100% Cotton/Percale/Muslin • SID IN A SAD .CASH IMAMS SOMPORTIRt IIDSKIRTt • SAIULDDN CURTAINS • WINDOW VAIANCIS • SATN FASMIDN ACCS NT RUCS • FABRIC ST TMS MSTRBCASH SORRY, NO CHEQUES AUGUST 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 Don't miss out. Catch the sale before i t 's gone! ' HOURS S tee les Ave. W ed . 9 a m -5 p m Nk Thurs. 9am -9pm ■bnr* 200 Advance Blvd. Fri. 9 a m -9 p m hia .9* X 0 ___/U n it 10 S at. 9 a m -4 p m Sun. 1 0 a m -4 p m Q Rick Sonata is Sinatra incarnate By Carol Baldwin ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Rick Sonata grows on you, very much like the star he pays tribute to in Bandstand: a salute to Sinatra and the Big Band Kings. When the suave Sinatra look-alike bounces onto the stage singing Lady is a Tramp, he doesn't sound much like "The Chairman of the Board," nc that his voice isn't pleasant, it's just not Frank's. However, as the evening moves along, he begins to sound more and more like the man who stole millions of hearts with his romantic melodies. Certainly by the second act, Sonata has turned into a dead ringer for the dead crooner. It was a strange metamorphosis to watch - as though my ears were playing tricks on me. Or maybe it wasn't my ears but my eyes that were being deceived. Sonata dressed like Sinatra, made familiar gestures like Sinatra, imitated the signature pauses and comments in the songs that Sina tra made famous. So, by the end of the evening, I was convinced that the reincarnation of one of my all-time favourite singers was standing there before me singing my all-time favourite song of his. New York, New York. But this tribute to O f Blue Eyes was just part of the program at the Winter Garden Theatre. Big band greats such as Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and Harry James were also honoured by the Galaxy All-Star Orchestra, songstress Robin Lea and The Stardust Dancers. The Stardust Dancers were quite acrobatic, and they set the stage for a number of the orchestral songs. They also added a nice touch to some of Sonata's songs. I got a kick out of the skit they provided for his rendition of / Get a Kick Out o f You. The Galaxy All-Star Orchestra also had an opportunity to shine, as did many of the individual musicians in this 16-member band. Oakville's own Russ Little did a marvelous job with Irving Berlin's romantic Marie, not only on his trusty trombone, but with his voice as well, using the orchestra members for his backup vocals. While he had the microphone, the gregarious Little also did some verbal sparring with some of his fellow musicians. And, although Little's trombone solo was flawless, it was certainly matched by trombonist Lauri Bower as he brought back memories with I 'm Getting Sentimental Over You and the Song o f India. And, of course, the orchestra would have been remiss if it hadn't given the audience Glenn Miller's popular In the Mood. So, if you're into nostalgia and enjoy the big band era, you'll love the multi-talented cast of Bandstand, which has been extended until Aug. 28th, Fridays and Saturdays only, at Toronto's Winter Garden Theatre. For tickets call (416) 872-5555 or (416) 861-0288. Theatre Review SALE PRICES END SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 1999 Save $152 KENMORE• 18-CU. FT. TOP-MOUNT REFRIGERATOR Frost-free. 1 cantilever and 1 clear meat keeper. *60982. Sears reg. 949.99. * 7 9 7 Only 56.93* monthly! Black-on-White and Almond-on-Almond also available Save $402 KENMORE 20.5-C U . FT. BOTTOM-MOUNT REFRIGERATOR 1 full-width and 1 half-width glass shelf. *69U2. Sears reg. 1499.99. * 1 0 9 7 Only 78.36* monthly! 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