Central Alberta Theatre is prepping for the company’s final dinner theatre of the season – Norm Foster’s Sadie Flynn Comes to Big Oak.
Directed by Erna Soderberg, the dinner theatre performances run from March 20th through to April 18th at the Quality Inn.
Buffet dinners start at 5:30 p.m. with curtain at 7:30 p.m. Sunday brunch buffets begin at noon with curtain at 2 p.m.
“It’s a Norm Foster, and I’ve always liked his humour – it’s Canadian, it’s down to earth, it’s witty and it’s not mean-spirited or nasty,” explains Soderberg.
The gossip mill is working overtime when convicted husband killer Sadie Flynn gets off the bus in Big Oak after her release from prison. Soon after her arrival, strange things begin to happen in the small town, is it coincidence or perhaps a little bit of vigilante justice.
“The play basically starts out with the characters talking about how boring it is there,” explains Soderberg. “Nothing ever changes. But of course something does change with Sadie Flynn coming to town. And she’s shady.
“She has just gotten out of jail because she murdered her husband. She says it was an accident, that she was taking the gun out of the closet and it went off.”
But one of the characters points out the victim was shot twice. Questions start to surface.
“So Sadie wants a fresh start.” And what better place than Big Oak, where folks say nobody much cares about anyone else’s business. “Which is just baloney because they care about everything – it’s a small town. They gossip constantly,” adds Soderberg with a laugh. And once Sadie gets there, odd things start to happen around the community.
“Not disasters or catastrophes, but very strange things.” Folks are wondering what else has changed in their town along with all the mysterious goings-on. They realize Sadie is around. But is there a connection?
When it’s all said and done, folks perhaps are thinking that the slow and steady pace of their town might not be such a bad thing after all.
Of course, there is plenty that unfolds during the engaging storyline, but Soderberg doesn’t want to give too much away. But there’s no doubt with her at the helm, audiences are in for a comical treat.
Meanwhile, putting the play together has been a delight for Soderberg, a true CAT veteran who has directed and starred in many productions over the years. She’s been with the organization for 28 years. This marks her 14th time directing and she’s acted in 13 shows. As to Sadie Flynn’s casting, she couldn’t be happier.
“I have an incredible strong cast of five,” she explained, which features Deb O’Brien, Michael Sutherland, Jim Claggett, Glorene Ellis and Andrea Hughes.
Now, it’s time to showcase what they’ve been prepping for, and Soderberg is more than ready. “I’m raring to go,” she said. “I’m excited.”
Tickets are available at the Black Knight Inn by calling 403-755-6626 or checking out www.blackknightinn.ca.
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