The Show Will Go On at the ITOPA Theatre

Tuesday, 15 March 2022 05:36

The Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts will open it's doors next week for the debut performance of Jenny's Place.

INGERSOLL - The Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts is ready to make a triumphant return to the stage next week with Jenny's Place.

It will be ITOPA's first show in 2022. President & Publicity Director Jim Konopetski says they are thrilled to bring live theatre back to Ingersoll.

"We were very fortunate that we were able to do one production last November, called the Festival of One Act Plays and then we had a concert and then we had to shut down again."

Jenny's Place was supposed to run in 2020 and has been pushed back twice due to COVID-19 restrictions. Jenny's Place is a Canadian comedy and was written and directed by Don Van Galen. Van Galen says it is the story of a one-time madame in the 1880's who moved to a prairie town with a pair of her former girls.

"The comedy comes from many different circumstances. Besides physical comedy, the play deals with topics like religion, sex and money. Humour is sometimes the best way to handle a taboo topic."

The ladies try to start a new life by reopening a rundown boarding house, but the local minister, a snobby mayor’s wife, gamblers, and an old flame serve up comedic misunderstandings, witty schemes, and double entendres.

The play is really about strong women and is inspired after a lifetime of old movies, sitcoms, and real-life characters.

Van Galen says the actors have provided a lot of input in to the story, and have been very helpful with suggestions.

"I'm really happy with all of the characters. Directing is a different talent than writing a play. I would love to see a different director’s take. It takes a level of detachment to direct; we need to stay consistent to the story. There can be multiple interpretations to the scenes, and sometimes I've come to realize it’s better the way the actor does it. Not only will the audience laugh out loud, they will fall in love with the characters and their triumphs, as well as be moved to tears from the emotional depth the actors bring to their performances."

Jenny’s Place is playing at The Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts, 88 Thames St. S. Ingersoll, and runs March 25th, 26th, 27th, 31st and April 1st, 2nd and 3rd at 7:30 p.m. They will also offer a 2:00 p.m. matinee on March 27th, April 2nd and April 3rd.

You can find more details online here.