Hudson Village Theatre, Where You Are, July 10-21

Ellen David brings a wealth of acting and directing experience to Where You Are

Ellen David brings her wealth of acting and directorial experience as Director of Where You Are, written by Canadian playwright Kristen Da Silva. Kristen’s plays are in high demand and her play Beyond The Sea was a success last summer at Hudson Village Theatre. Da Silva is currently one of Canada’s most produced playwrights, and she has earned high praise from none other than fellow playwright Norm Foster. “Da Silva is a wonderful dramatist. Where You Are is a story about family that is at once laugh-out-loud funny and as warm as an August evening,” The play stars veteran Montreal actors Jane Wheeler, Jenna Wheeler-Hughes, Nadia Verrucci and Matthew Fletcher.

In a conversation with Director Ellen David, she notes, “There is humour in this play, but there is also something looming that the family will have to face. Each of the four characters is dealing with something that brings them to where they are. There is a tender quality of emotions for the audience to appreciate, reflect on and absorb”

The play is set on Manitoulin Island, where retired sisters Suzanne and Glenda share a home and enjoy the pleasures of a simpler lifestyle. Their charming young neighbour Patrick helps out with some of the household chores. The sisters also share a secret, one that surfaces when Suzanne’s daughter Beth comes for a visit.

In her capacity as Director, Ellen adds: “The experience of the play starts the moment you walk into the theatre. We’ve created a rich visual and aural tapestry of what it’s like to be on Manitoulin Island. We have a lighthouse, the swing bridge, and we’ve recycled some of the back drops from Beyond The Sea as homage to the late set designer Jean-Claude Olivier. It looks like a storybook set, but in reality it is the characters’ lives. It’s that real.”

Clockwise from top left: Jane Wheeler, Nadia Verrucci, Matthew Fletcher and Jenna Wheeler-Hughes

“With the production’s sound scape, you’ll hear dogs barking in the background, water lapping at the shoreline… and not a word has been spoken yet.” Ellen continues; “In theatre, the audience is another character and they contribute to the performance, making every performance different. That’s part of the magic of live theatre.”

Where You Are will be onstage at the Hudson Village Theatre from July 10 to 21. Afternoon matinees can make attending the play a lovely afternoon in the idyllic setting of Hudson. Performance dates and show times are: Wednesday, July 10, 2pm; Thursday, July 11, 2pm and 7:30pm; Friday, July 12, 7:30pm; Saturday, July 13, 2pm and 7:30pm; Sunday, July 14, 2pm; Wednesday, July 17, 2pm; Thursday July 18, 2pm and 7:30pm, Friday, July 19, 7:30pm, Saturday, July 20, 2pm and 7:30pm and Sunday, July 21, 2pm.

Tickets are $49 plus tax, Seniors 65+ $47 plus tax, students $30 plus tax. Please call 450-458-5361 or visit: www.villagetheatre.ca  Hudson Village Theatre is at 28 Wharf Road. J0P 1H0. Enjoy!