The Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg opened the final show of its regular season, the tasty comedy, The Kitchen Witches, by Caroline Smith, on Saturday, September 10.
Featuring two veterans of the Canadian stage, Linda Goranson and Jocelyne Zucco, who have each portrayed these characters at other theatres including a run together, the play gives the audience a front row seat as well as a behind the scene look at the making of a cable television cooking show starring who long-time friends-turned-rivals.
When Dolly’s (Goranson) cooking show gets cancelled, she and Isobel - who have not spoken for years - agree to do one together. Of course, things do not go as smoothly as one would hope, thanks to recipe foul-ups, a missing heirloom ring, costume mishaps, a lover’s triangle and a long lost son, played by Parris Greaves, who happens to be the show’s overwhelmed producer/referee.
With great costumes and another out-of-the-ballpark set, one of the highlights of the show involves an audience member chosen to judge a cook-off between the two women. On this occasion it was local businessman and all round good sport, Gerry Rosenquist.
The play is directed by another Canadian theatre veteran, Walter Learning - who has directed several plays for The Playhouse and most recently appeared with Goranson in this season’s naughty comedy, Not Now, Darling.
The Kitchen Witches wraps up a crowd-pleasing summer of comedy at The Playhouse. Coming up, from October 12 to 16, Marshall Button’s Lucien’s Labour Lost hits the stage. Following that, from November 24 to December 18 The Playhouse stages Norm Foster’s Dear Santa, this year’s Holiday Family Show, which offers public and special school performances.
The Kitchen Witches runs September 8 to October 2 with shows Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and matinees Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. For more information, call 613-543-3713 or visit uppercanadaplayhouse.com.
