Lakeshore Players serve up Cafe Theatre

The curtain comes down this week on Lakeshore Players’ 44th season with its annual Café Theatre, “an evening of high-quality entertainment in an informal setting. People really enjoy the relaxed atmosphere,” said troupe vice-president Evy Kartus, who is producing Café for the sixth time.

Six short comedies are on the bill of fare, including an original work by long-time member Ricky Zurif, who will also direct the play. “Follow Your Heart is the story of a couple whose daughter is graduating in psychology. She comes home for a visit to find that her father has announced he wants a divorce, so she tries some marital therapy. It’s a spoof on mid-life crisis,” said Kartus, who will also appear in the one-act play. “We’ll also be doing three pieces directed by Bob Verniks that were recently performed for our workshop. “The Funeral Parlour is a very funny play about a woman mourning the loss of her husband when an inappropriate visitor shows up. There is some hilarious interaction between the characters,” the Dollard des Ormeaux resident explained. “If We Are Women is about three women from different generations. That one is more serious, but there are comedic overtones. Your Mother’s Butt is about a psychologist who has a client who is a bit of a nut.”

Rounding out the program are The Spot, which takes an amused look at “the crazy world of television,” and Boy Meets Girl, which is set in New York City.

The theatrical showcase is traditionally presented at the Sarto Desnoyers Community Centre, which will be transformed into a casual, café-style venue for the three nights. “There are tables set up, and there are snacks and a cash bar. It makes for a fun evening out; everyone has a good laugh,” Kartus said.

Café Theatre 2009 will be presented June 11 to 13 at 1335 Lakeshore Dr. in Dorval. Showtime is 8 p.m.; the doors open at 7. Tickets are $10. For information and reservations, call 514-631-8718.