PAGE 14, WH1TBY FREE PRESS,.WEDNESDARCH 8,1989 Whitby actor joins cast of "Les Miserables" By Lorna MiUer Everybody has, at one time or another, been moved by something, be it a song, a book or a poem. Sonethin has touched each one of us an changed our outlook on life, even for just a moment. For Phili Douglas Kerr, it was seeing theNew York performanc e of 'Les Miserables.' Not only did it change his outlook on life, it changed his life forever. He was determined to become a part of the musical when it came to Toronto, to impart in song to others even a modicum of the awe and inspiration given to him by the music he describes as "the most beautiful music ever written for the musical stage." Kerr has his chance. When the murtain rises on the Toronto production of Les Miserables, Kerr will be part of the cast of 15 characters and understudy to the main character, Jean Valjean, to be played by Michael Burgess. Kerr was just a little boy with a big voice and a guitar when his grandmother started taking him to sing for the seniors at the Seniors' Centre in Oshawa. It was a short leap ,from there to the Oshawa Choral Society and a role in their production of Naughty Marietta. He was 17. He went to Ryerson where he obtained a degree in architecture. When he returned to Whitby, degree in hand, he began working for Gay Construction Ltd. where his father, Douglas Kerr, is a vice-president and general manager. But the love of song was still burning bright in the breast of the companys young estimator and general manager. So, in the evenings, he could be heard singing in rales such as Judd Fry in Oklahoma,' or in 'Showboat,' 'White Horse' Inn' or 'My Fair Lady' for the Oshawa Choral Society and the Oshawa Little Theatre. His crownirig glory came in the OLT production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' in the role of Judas Escariot. The little boy with the big voice was on his way. From 1985 throu b 1988 he sang with the Mendessohn Choir where he says, "I developed reading skills that directors expect performers to know." He gives thanks to Judy Scott and her Mall Promotions company for giving him the chance to perform in tbe "Old Fashioned Christmas Carollers" group which produced his first income as a singer. "I knew what I wanted, but I was unfocused until I saw 'Les Miserables.'" Kerr says with an ever-widening smile, "I was so affected by tbis musical I knew that I hadto be art of it. And, I nearly missed e auditions. I was building sets for 'Broadway North' when I realized that I had missed the deadline. I ran down and left my resumé and pictures with the casting director. When I called back I ad an audition." The rest as they say, is history. Thus began the work of bringing his dream to life - rehearsals. "The rehearsals were great," says Kerr, with a warming enthusiasm. 'They rented a Canadian Tire Store at Dufferin and Eglinton and installed a working turntable for us to use. I was in awe of the other cast members, some of whom are from the Broadway stages of 'Cats' and 'Damned Yankees.' But the director, Richard Jay Alexander, who is executive producer and director of all the North American caste, Dianne Della Piazza, member of the original Broadway cast, and the assistant director. Soon we had everybody feeling like one big familv. "Richard has pièked piople who fit into place like pieces of a puzzle," Kerr says with admiration. "Sometimes we'd feel that someone else should have gotten a part, but when it all came together we saw that it all works. .Tor the firet day, we just practiced stepping on and off the turntable," Kerr says. "The turntable is necessary because the story spans decades and the many sets are integral in portraying the time-span. The set is also the tallest ever built for the Royal Alex. "The lay is physical challenge and Della would put us through an hour of aerobics to get us in shape," says a very fit Kerr who has up to 15 costume changes in the first act alone. The rehearsals, which lasted six weeks (a luxury in the musical theatre) were not without their ironic moments, Kerr says with a laugh. "We would be in the middle of rehearsing a tense gunfight, and people would walk in wanting to uy batteries." The cast includes five children, three of whom are on stage in each show by rote. Kymberley Huffman, who plays Cossette as a child, is the waif-like charmer on the posters. No matter what happens, Kerr is in for the run of the play - even on tour. "I had apprehensions at first," Kerr admits, "I had a secure job and the amateur theatre but that was not enough. 'Les Miserables' moved me so I knew I had ta do what I wanted to do. "Nothing will ever touch me as this experience has, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I love it. I'm thrilled to be a part of it!" PHILIP DOUGLAS KERR of Whitby, cast member of 'Les Miserables,' and understudy to the lead role of Jean Vajean, to be played by Michael Burgess. "Satanic Verses" Controversial book available By Debbie Luchuk The federal government may have ruled that 'Satanic Verses' is not hate literature, but locally it is difficult to buy or borrow the book. If you want to get your mitts on Salman Rushdie's controver- sial work, there are a few places that are carrying the book for sale or for borrowin g. Promenade Books, Pearson Lanes, will not be displaying the book, or promoting it open]y owner Georgina Middleton told The Free Press. "We will supply (the book) as requested if someone wants one. However, we're not re-ordering the book. The police have said not to display it (the book)." "If I had a good Muslim custo- mer, I wouldn't carry it," Middle- ton said. Coles Bookstore in the Oshawa Centre originally decided not to sell the book in line with other stores in the chain. However, the chain has since reconsidered. When asked about retail of the book, a store representative said 'We are informed by the Cana- dian Book Association not to nmake a comment." Bill Haye, manager of the Civic Bock Store in Oshawa's Midtown Mall, said his store is carr'ing the book. e ,are carrin g 'Satanic Verses. We real didn't have an question as to whether we'd se il it. "Fundamentally, we have the opportunitv to choose (what we read). If we agree or disagree (with a book), we have the right to say yesor no (to reading it or buying it)," Hay said. Marion Van Der Krabben, who chairs the Whitby Public Library board, said the library offers the book on loan. We believe in free sp h, freedom of the press.h eople should be able to read what they wan t." She said there was one person who recommended that litera- ture representing the other side should also be offered at the library. Otherwise, "everyone's in favor so far, everyone feels we should have it on our shelves, aven if they aren't going ta read it them- selves,"Van Der.Krabben said. Crime has increased locally Crime against both persons and property is on the increase, according to figures released by Durham Regional Police last week. There were 481 crimes against persons in Durham Region dur- ing January this year, a 19.9 per cent increase over the same period last year. There were 401 crimes against persons in January, 1988. The largest increase was in sexual assault, which increased 158 per cent over last year. The majority of those assaults occurred in Oshawa, with 34 reported in January, 1989, con- pared to -nine in January last Region expected to rejiect commercial plaza Durham regional council is expected to go along with Whitby council and turn down a commer- cial plaza for theo esthside cf Garrard Rd., soutb of the pro- posed Manning extension. Council is olday (Wednesday) pected t uphld a Regimn planning committea recemmen- dation to deny the plaza pro- osed by Jarigay Investments Regional planning committee agreed with Whitby council that the plaza was not warranted in the area. "Staff is satisfied that existing commercial developments along Dundas St., the Becker con- venience commercial facility (at Garrard and Meadow), located north of the subject site and the designated local commercial faci- lity south of the subject property wili adequately meet t e daily shopping needs of residents..." states a report from the Region planning department. Planning committee concluded that the plaza be denied until it is demonstrated there is a need for additional commercial stores in the area. Whitby council reached the same conclusion when it denied the plaza Jan. 16. year. There was also a 73 per cent increase in charges for obstruct- ing police which, according to police chief Dave Edwards, is due to "a disregard for law and order." Crimes against property in- creased by 10 per cent, with 1,898 charges laid in January as compared to 1,724 last year. There was a 400 per cent increase in charges for gaming betting. Four charges were laid against tw Osha-wa men after. lce raided a store at 1800 £undas St. E., Whitby, in Janu- aYe report also indicates a 12.7 per cent in motor vehicle accidents, includin two fatali- ties. One occurred in Whitby when a Pickering man died after his truck hit a hydro pole on Dundas St. W. Play is polished By Debbie Iuchuk The Durham Shoestring Perfogmers have outdone tbem- selves with their latest production, 'The Shadow Box,' by Michael Cristofer, atatheartsresource centre in Oshawa. Directed by Jeannine Butler, the play is a poignant, and often rather earthy but realistic, ortrayal of three terminally ill patients and the people who love them. t cast of the play spent some time with professional "play polishea oRichard oward prior to the performances. With this olishing, the subsequent performances in the p lay were ighly professional by all in t he cast, made up ofboth longtime actors and novice players. Sharon Walmsliey, as the blinq and handicapped Felicity, brilliantly captured the difficut tole and conveyed convinc- ingly to t he audience the agonies of her character s disabilities and the desperate attempt to hold on to memories of her deceased daughter. Ken Bond of Whitby portrayed Brian, the hilosophical homosexual, with wit and convinciig despair and fear. AI Kingdon. played Joe, the .actory working, would-be farmer, dreamin gof the farm he will never own and trying to deal witb bis wi eMaggie's (Susan Lowery) refusal to accept his terminality. Wonderful supporting Perform nces were given by Pat Rosnak as Agnes, Felicitys daugiter and caretaker; Robert Lanc as Brian's lover, Mark; Nina Herman as Brian's ex-wife; and Josh Galpin as Joe's 13-year-o d son, Steve. Jeaf Kelar played the bospital' interviewer, learning the feelings of the terminally ill patients. 'The Shadow Box,' with two mcke presentations on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11, 8 p.m., is excellent entertainment, providing an intiiate look into the world of the terminally ill person and the people around them. However, as the plays producers warn, it is not for young audiences, given that the language and subject matter may not be appropriate. Tickets are available for $5 at Information Oshawa and a new ticket outlet at Merle Norma4 Cosmetics in the Oshawa Centre. Any remaining tickets are also $5 on performance dates.