PREVIEW
A Little Piece of Heaven
St. Albert Dinner Theatre
Feb. 8 to 10, 15 to 17 and 22 to 24
Kinsmen Banquet Hall
47 Riel Dr.
Tickets: Adults $55, Seniors $50. Call 780-222-0102 or at www.stalbertheatre.com
Throughout life, everyone loses something that means a great deal. For some it’s a lover, a friend or a token. For others it’s something more intrinsic such as faith, hope or compassion.
Anyone who loses something they cherish needs to drop by A Little Piece of Heaven, a little shop crammed with curiosities and oddities that people have lost.
American playwright Matthew Carlin’s comedy, also titled A Little Piece of Heaven, follows the adventures of Mike, a biker looking for something.
His motorbike breaks down and while it’s being repaired he picks up the odd job at A Little Piece of Heaven. Shop owners Henry and Elizabeth, well, there’s something delightfully different and mysterious about them.
And as for Lily, an 87-year old woman who drops by regularly to chat, her strong-minded opinions are a bit much for Mike. But as the pair overcome differences, they discover each has what the other needs.
St. Albert Dinner Theatre is mounting A Little Piece of Heaven at Kinsmen Banquet Hall on Feb. 8 to 10, 15 to 17 and 22 to 24.
“It’s a great story if you believe in real life magic. It’s really touching. It’s really well written. When I first read the script I could see it. I felt a connection to the script,” says director Christine Estillore.
This is Estillore’s directorial debut. However, the makeup artist/fashion photographer also acted in smaller roles and produced The Balance, a dramatic play about losing one’s compass.
For Estillore, the play is “about joy and finding relationships in a short amount of time. It’s about letting go and how little things we do affect people.”
A Little Piece of Heaven is ground-breaking for St. Albert Dinner Theatre in that it's a 13-actor cast. In past productions, two to six actors were the norm.
“This is an amazing cast and they’ve worked very hard.”
Rob Beeston (The View From Here) returns in the role of Mike.
“His Michael is cool and smooth even though there is pain beneath the surface and he’s trying to hide it.”
The incredible Joanne Poplett, a veteran of five company productions, aced the role of Lily.
“Lily is an in-your-face character and Joanne’s commitment to learning her role is amazing. She wants to know her lines and hit the nail on the head, and she does it so well.”
First timer Bob Beddow as Henry developed a theatre foundation as a stand-up comedian. He adds punch to his lines while Shelby Murray Bryan as his wife Elizabeth, is the nurturing, calm soul.
As Estillore adds, these are just four of the well-groomed actors that go on this journey.
“All I want is for people to come in and feel inspired. I want them to laugh and cry. When people come and watch this, they’ll leave with a full belly and a full heart.”
