Marcu I, 2005 —

THE CADRE @ 9

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Peachy Last Year for Vagina Monologues: Women’s Centre Raises $4,000 for Rape Crisi

Kimberley Johnston Reporter

The Women’s Centre seemed to have saved the best for last in its final romp producing the Vagina Monologues here at UPEI.

Ruth Freeman, the Women’s Centre coordinator, said 2005 was a banner year for the production, boasting three sold-out performances, the largest cast ever, and the most money ever raised.

Perhaps most importantly though, everyone had fun.

“We had a great time,” said Freeman, who also produced the show. “From the auditions through to the final performance, we had a blast. The cast was incredibly talented, Trish Daley’s direction was brilliant, and the audiences were so receptive. It was the perfect note to end on.”

The sold-out performances raised $4,000 for the PEI Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Centre and a joint cast/Crisis Centre bake sale held during intermission helped raise an additional $540. Janet Marshall, organizational coordinator of the Crisis Centre, said the money could not have come at a better time.

“Due to circumstances beyond our control, this year we are unable to holdan annual fund-raising event which usually takes place during International Women’s Week and brings in much needed dollars. The monies raised [through the Monologues] will help us

Centre

to continue to deliver our programs and services, and in particular will be designated to maintaining the crisis line and our training program for volunteers staffing the line,” she explained.

But Freeman did not just receive thanks; she was eager to give it as well.

“I would like to thank everyone who has made the Monologues happen over the past five years,” she said. “It has been a great community effort, and UPEI has been a huge part of that community, providing not only cast and crew members, but a lot of behind-the- scenes work and support. Some of the people who don’t get the applause, but certainly deserve it, are those in the Maintenance Department, Central Printing, Audio Visual, Security Services, the Cadre, and the Student Union. We couldn’t have done it without them.

She added the open- mindedness of UPEI students and faculty played a huge role in the success of the Monologues year after year.

“T would also like to say that we are one of the few smaller campuses

in North America that did not meet with

resistance and protest regarding the production of the Monologues. I think that says something extremely positive about who we are and what we believe

In.

Did Someone Say “Outrageous”? “Naughty “? ACT Presents “Lend Me A Tenor”

Rob Thomson Contributor

Ya, you heard it right. A bit naughty ... and outrageous for sure. It’s ACT’s staging of Ken Ludwig’s “LEND ME A TENOR” and it’s playing the first week of March at the Carrefour Theatre in Charlottetown. So if winter’s getting you down, shake off those study-till-you-drop blues and joina bunch of your pals for an evening of bedroom farce with “LEND ME A TENOR”!

Picture it: the Bytown Opera, opening night of the 1934 season. Tito Merelli, ‘Il Stupendo’, the world’s sexiest tenor has been brought in to launch the season. But hold it — there’s not one but two of him running around! The jealous wife is storming out ... two young beauties — one star-struck, the other love-struck — are sneaking in... the manager and his assistant are concocting a con to save the night ... the dowager of the Opera Guild is pushing in on the action ... and don’t forget the hopping bellhop and his side- kick! With two rooms, six doors and a flurry of comings-and-goings, it’s a recipe for fast-paced confusion and a bellyful of laughter.

- Both audiences and critics love this play: “Non-stop laughter”

(Variety), “Uproarious! Hysterical!” (USA Today). “LEND ME A TENOR” ran for more than a year in London’s West End (produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber) and on Broadway (a Tony award-winner); it has been produced in 16 languages in 30 countries. And here it is on PEI, thanks to ACT - a community theatre, the folks who for ten years now have been giving us top- quality comedies, dramas and musicals — including last November’s “Jesus Chris Superstar”.

Beyond the zany fun of the plot, there’s the astonishing art deco (and doors!) of a fantastic set and the flashy thirties costumes — right down to the mint-green knickers!

“LEND ME A TENOR” plays at the Carrefour Theatre (the French school, off the bypass near the QEHospital) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 3", 4" and 5" at 8:00 pm. Tickets are just $14 for students — available from the Confederation Centre Box Office (1-800-565-0278) and at the door.

Further info: Rob Thomson - 892-328 or

robthomson@pei.sympatico.ca

presents

by KEN LUDWIG March 3, 4, 5, 2005

Carrefour Theatre 8 p.m.

a somewhat naughty farce...

LEND ME A TENOR

CONFEDERATION CENTRE BOX OFFICE 566-1267

1 800 565-0278