For the third time, ZAP! Theatre is going to be putting on a production this month in which all donations will be going to the Christian Life Orphanage of Mwanza, Tanzania according to Director Daniel Allers.
ZAP! Theatre has put on productions from the murder mystery of Oh, Horrors! It’s Murder to historical stories such as a rendition of The Three Musketeers.
The diverse production team and actors are now featuring Sympathy Jones, the new secret agent musical which is sure to thrill with humour and action.
”Sympathy Jones, if you’ve ever watched Get Smart back in the day, this is a tribute to the late ‘60’s spy drama, so it’s a musical comedy, appropriate for all ages, and it really captures the spy genre which was of course iconic in the ‘60’s,” Allers explained.
“It follows the misadventures of a secretary at The Agency, which is in charge of stopping crime all over the world. She longs for a bigger life, she wants to be a spy instead of just the lowly receptionist. She ends up having a file left on her desk outlining the plans of an evil criminal organization known as Scratch, which wants to take over the world. Things progress until she finds herself on an island as a new secret agent because there are no other spies left.”
The main role and one of the main secondary roles are female roles, which isn’t uncommon for the theatre group but takes a new spin on the classic genre.
Allers said that this is the tenth production by ZAP! Theatre, and with every production that the theatre does the proceeds of free will donations will be going to the orphanage in Mwanza.
Through the years and the hard work and dedication of the production team and actors, ZAP! Theatre as well has partnered with corporations and have raised roughly, “Around $180,000.”
Due to the substantial fiscal donations, the Christian Life Orphanage has a brand new building and land and is home to roughly 16 boys at this stage.
“One of ZAP! Theatre’s primary objectives is raising funds and awareness for the Christian Life Orphanage in Mwanza, Tanzania in conjunction with the Central Alberta Homeschool Choir.”
Allers said last year, the production of Oh, Horrors! It’s Murder created a great amount of positive feedback from surrounding communities.
“It was very, very well received. Over 100 community members came out, even some from Edmonton and Calgary who came out. It was a huge success.” Allers added that even members of the community who did not normally watch or enjoy theatre came out and gave positive feedback.
The theatre is made up of local post-graduate acting community members who put in their own time and energy to rehearse the productions as well as contribute their own funds to help keep the theatre running, as well as contributions from community organizations.
Allers would like to remind those interested in coming to the production of Sympathy Jones that the theatre has a new venue at the Ponoka United Church at 5020 52nd Ave. in Ponoka.
The performance dates for Sympathy Jones are May 13th at 7 p.m.; May 14th at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; May 20th at 7 p.m. and May 21st at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The doors open at half an hour before showtime and admission is by free-will offering.
Allers added he loves the team and working with such dedicated community-minded people.
“It’s such a pleasure to work with such an amazing group of young actors and to see the passion that they have for making a difference both locally and around the world, it’s just amazing. We invite anyone who thinks they may like musical theatre or comedy to come out and see what will probably be the best show they’ve never heard of.”
For more information, visit ZAP! Theatre’s web site at www.zaptheatre.ca or contact Daniel at 403-348-1891.
shelby.craig@lacombeexpress.com