Physical comedy on tap with Sinners

BY HOLLIE WATSON

He has been widely dubbed the Neil Simon of Canada, for his eloquent portrayal of characters and events with which theatregoers can readily identify.

“They’re normal people caught in insane situations, which audiences can relate to. It’s a very witty, well-written piece, with a lot of physical comedy as well,” said Susan Freed, who marks her first stint in the director’s chair with Lakeshore Players in the upcoming production of Norm Foster’s Sinners.

“It’s the first play he ever wrote, and it’s a riot, a classic farce,” said Freed, who has directed for Becket Players and in the drama department at Vanier College.

With over 40 plays to his credit, “Foster is the most prolific playwright in Canada,” added John Elliott of Pierrefonds, who is cast in the leading role of Peter Kramer in the production, which opens Feb. 7 in Pointe Claire.

Foster is a perennial favourite with the troupe and with community theatre

companies in general. This is the fourth of his plays Lakeshore has mounted in recent years.

Sinners tells the tale of Peter, a widower and lonely furniture store owner, “who rediscovers lust and love in the figure of the lovely Monica,” explained Elliott, who is also Lakeshore’s current vice-president.

But Monica just happens to be the minister’s wife, and she has a predilection for extra-marital affairs.

“Monica is the type of woman audiences love to hate,” said Evy Kartus-Solomon, who plays the adulterous femme fatale.

“She has some charming qualities, but she shows her true colours in a compromising situation. She’s a predator, very cunning; she reminds me of a large cat, like a leopard,” said the Dollard des Ormeaux resident, who appeared in Enchanted April, the troupe’s first production of its 42nd season. Kartus-Solomon has also performed with Hudson Players and Village Theatre, and has acted in a series of films.

Rounding out the cast are veterans Peter Cook and Carolyn Barnes, and newcomer Lauren Tatner.

The play runs through Feb. 10, and from the 14th to the 17th at John Rennie High School theatre, 501 St. John’s Blvd. Previews on the 6th and 13th are benefit performances; recipients are the Learning Exchange, Literacy Unlimited, the Cheshire Foundation, and the Montreal Lakeshore University Women’s Club.

One of Lakeshore’s most enduring qualities “is that the shows have consistently high production values,” said Freed, who has worn many hats during her 25 years with the company. Members are a gifted and committed group, she said, “but we’re always looking for new talent.”

Auditions for the final play of the season, Trap for a Lonely Man, will be held Feb. 20-22 in Dorval (check their website at www.lakeshoreplayersdorvals.org">www.lakeshoreplayersdorvals.org">www.lakeshoreplayersdorvals.org for more information). To reserve tickets for Sinners, call the box office at

514-631-8718.