For most winter weary Albertans, summer can’t arrive fast enough. Rosebud Theatre has the answer to kick away those dreary winter blues. Make plans to see the comedy of W.O. Mitchell’s Jake and the Kid: Prairie Seasons playing this summer at the Rosebud Opera House. This humourous “growing up” story that opened May 27 will transport audiences back to fictional Crocus, Saskatchewan where a young boy and the family’s hired hand Jake forge a friendship through the changing seasons.
Artistic Director Morris Ertman notes, “It’s been several years since we’ve put a W.O. Mitchell story on our stage. The last was The Kite and it absolutely captured audiences with its small-town characters and antics. Rosebud is not unlike Crocus, Saskatchewan - the setting for Jake and the Kid. So, coming to see a W.O. Mitchell story here in this valley is akin to walking through a village right out of a W.O. Mitchell prairie novel and then entering the theatre to be entertained by his stories. Having a W. O. Mitchell story on our summer stage is a huge treat! W.O. Mitchell and Rosebud were meant for each other.”In 2005, Rosebud Theatre presented Mitchell’s The Kite that played to sold-out houses and almost 12,000 patrons. Audiences were enthralled by the connection of W.O. Mitchell’s characters to their own communities. Of particular note in that production was the character Daddy Sherry.
“Nathan Schmidt pulled off a performance as Daddy Sherry that is still talked about as one of Rosebud’s funniest accomplishments,” says Ertman. “For this production he’s changing clothes to play the title role of Jake and will tickle audience funny bones with the same wit, humour and prairie town ‘cantankerousness’ that only W.O. Mitchell can create.”
When visiting Rosebud, plan to make a stop at the new Wild Horse Jack’s Bistro & Grill. Ertman encourages people to check it out: “I am certain that if W.O. Mitchell was wandering the Alberta highways and came upon this restaurant, he’d find himself at a table in the centre of the room, soaking up the atmosphere and identifying with the wild, wonderful energy of a village in rural Alberta that reflects the size, quirkiness and life in his imagination.”
Jake and the Kid: Prairie Seasons plays on the Rosebud Theatre Opera House stage Wed-Sat until July when it plays Wed-Sunday until August 28. Matinee and evening performances are available. Please call the Rosebud Theatre Box Office for reservations at 1-800-267-7553. More information can be found at
www.rosebudtheatre.com.
