Hudson Village Theatre ends their summer season with the crowd-pleaser Ned Durango Comes to Big Oak, by Canadian playwright and summer stock fave, Norm Foster. The play, first performed in 1994, is a Montreal premiere opening August 8th and running until September 2nd with several matinée performances during the week as well as on the weekends.

The Crossroads Café is the local eatery in a charming hamlet not unlike Hudson. Unfortunately, the town is in serious financial stress and to get back on its feet, the townspeople have to prove that it is investment worthy. What better way to do that than by staging the best annual Tomato Festival ever? They enlist what they hope to be the big draw- Ned Durango, an ageing TV and musical star- as the grand marshal of the fest. As expected, things don’t proceed exactly as planned.

“Foster’s script left me in suspense the entire night.”
– Orangeville Banner
“… a remarkable story with heart, humour and spirit.”
– The Wellington Advertiser

Referring to his own writing Foster says, “I find it far more satisfying if I can make an audience laugh and feel a little heartache within the same story. … it’s the stories that touch an audience’s heart as well as it’s funny bone that are the most rewarding.” Media respond in kind with Halifax’s Daily News substantiating the claim that Foster is Canada’s most-produced dramatist likely due to his “snappy dialogue, everyday situations and gently balanced characters”. Toronto’s Globe and Mail concurs with, “Norm Foster has a knack for creating winning characters and situations that make audiences respond with affection”.

Hudson Village Theatre has assembled a stellar company to ensure that the season finale leaves audiences enthusiastic about next year. Glenn Bowser is at the helm as director and joining him are: Karen Cromar (no stranger to HVT audiences and hot off The Piggery set of Last of the Red Hot Lovers); Matt Holland, making his sixth appearance on the Hudson stage; John Abbott grad and relative newcomer, Arielle Palik; Westmount resident, Doug Price, on the Hudson stage for the first time; with veteran actor of stage and both screens, Vlasta Vrana, rounding out the cast. Laura Nhem creates the evocative sets and costumes with Bruce Lambie providing the lighting design.

Ned Durango Comes to Big Oak, at the Hudson Village Theatre from August 8 to September 2, with performances Thursdays through to Saturday at 8 pm; and 2pm matinées Wed., Thurs, Sat. And Sun. Regular Admission – $27 to $29. Group rates – 3 distinct packages available. Online: http://www.villagetheatre.ca , E-mail: [email protected] or by phone: 450-458-5361

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