The Sault Opera Legacy

Printer-friendly version

1982

The year opened with Sault Opera's swashbuckling, rollicking production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance" directed by Stephen Rutti and with Virginia Reh as the play polisher, starring Carolyn Hart as Mabel, John Keane as Frederick, John King as the Pirate King, Terry McPhee as Major General Stanley, Sonya Ostrowski as Ruth, and many others. Once again, Arno Ambel directed the music and Vilma Ambel designed the costumes.

Hail Poetry!

Although the show was an artistic success, attendance fell below expectations due to an unfavourable review in the local paper after opening night with the headline "Show doesn't catch fire!" However, those who attended had an enjoyable time nonetheless and proved the critic wrong. The next day, a follow-up article appeared entitled "Boo, Critic!" On an interesting note, one point the critic harped on was the moment in the Major General's song where Stanley asks the conductor to change the tempo to prestissimo agitato. Following that review, Arno, who was conducting the pit orchestra, replied to the Major General: "No no, my dear Stanley. You can't do that! You cannot talk to the conductor in the middle of the performance. The reviewer from the local paper would not like it!"

Ruth (Sonya Ostrowski) and Pirate King (John King) in "The Pirates of Penzance"

Over the summer, Sault Opera initiated its Audience Development Campaign, introducing its first season's tickets subscription. A group of students, under the auspices of the Summer Employment Program of the federal government, was hired to work on this project. They were trained for their work on the project during an Audience Development workshop conducted by Paul Eck, funded by the Ontario Arts Council. Other activities in the summer included a weekend picnic at a lodge on Goulais Bay and participation in the Rotary Community Day Parade with a 45-foot trailer float.

Annie's invitation to the Indian Tribe

Sault Opera opened its 1982/83 season with "Annie Get Your Gun" by Irving Berlin, produced by Herbert Johnson, directed and choreographed by guest artist Joy Lowry, music directed by Arno Ambel, set design by guest artist Gerry Pearson, costume design by Barb Johnston, and lighting design by Rutger Becker. The show was cast in late August and presented in November. Also, this was Sault Opera's entry into the 1982/83 QUONTA Festival.

The two primary leads - Annie Oakley and Frank Butler - were played by Brenda Gravelle and guest artist Daniel Neff. Secondary lead parts of Charlie Davenport, Dolly Tate, Mac, Foster Wilson, Buffalo Bill, Pawnee Bill, and Chief Sitting Bull were played by David Walsh, Barb Johnston, Jo Ramakers, Rob McDowell, Ernie Peeling, Larry Jannison, and Wilf Beauchamp. The show was made effective by well choreographed big dance numbers featuring the entire chorus and by full orchestral accompaniment. Two nights were sold out and the local media gave it glowing reviews along with the QUONTA adjudicator John Snowdon. It won three QUONTA awards for Best Director (to music director Arno Ambel), Best Supporting Actress (to Barb Johnston), and Best Costumes (also to Barb Johnston, who dedicated her award to the memory of the late Vilma Ambel).

More...