Cow Patti Theatre is resuming production of the play Lunenburg written by Canadian playwright Norm Foster. They had to abruptly cancel the rest of the 2020 season in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, seven months later they are back and ready to bring smiles to the faces of Lacombe audiences.
The play is about an American widow who travels to Nova Scotia to view a house she has inherited from her late husband. Knowing nothing about the Canadian home she is visiting makes for quite the story.
According to Artistic Producing Director AnnaMarie Lea, audiences can expect an intriguing and mysterious romantic comedy from this month’s performance.
In order to re-open Cow Patti Theatre has had to make some changes to ensure that they are complying with both Alberta Health and Canadian Actors Equity Association guidelines. These changes include cutting down on the number of people that can be in the restaurant at a time, getting rid of the buffets and having guests wear masks when moving around the theatre.
Despite all the safety measures, Lea says audience members will still get to enjoy the most important aspects of dinner theatre.
“The experience is the same as far as guests enjoying some food and a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and then watching this amazing play,” said Lea.
The actors have also been taking the health orders very seriously by sanitizing all props, wearing masks during rehearsals and forming a cohort made of other people in the theatre.
Lea said she feels lucky to be able to return to work and get back to doing what she loves.
“If being able to work again means wearing a mask and taking that extra precaution we’re willing to do that because we’re just so grateful to be able to use our craft to bring people some joy,” said Lea.
At the time of publication the shows are 85 per cent sold out and large groups will not be able to sit together. Due to COVID-19 six people maximum can be seated at one table in order to maintain the six feet between other audience members.
Lea hopes that even though things are different people will still enjoy a break from the stress of everyday life and enjoy a night full of laughter and “grub.”
“We have to find some silver lining to this pandemic and coming together as an audience …you know that we’ll find a way to get through this and keep moving forward,” said Lea.
The shows will run from Nov. 13 to Dec. 13 at the Lacombe Golf and Country Club and tickets can be reserved online.