Three women and a ‘John’ take the stage

Cranbrook Community Theatre (CCT) will not wait for the new year to open ticket sales for their next theatre production, Norm Foster’s ‘Here on the Flight Path’ scheduled for February 2024 at The Studio Stage Door.

What is believed to be the playwright’s most brilliant comedy has inspired Director/Producer Peter Schalk to take on the only male role, ‘John Cummings’, a writer who has a regular column in the local paper entitled “Cummings and Goings” which he finds particularly clever.

A recently divorced Cummings has his interest, and perhaps also his desire, piqued by three successive female neighbours. ‘Fay’, a high- end call girl, who is more fit, mentally astute, and determined than Cummings could ever hope to be; ‘Angel’, a young woman pursuing her dream of breaking into musicals; and ‘Gwen’, a driving instructor from Vancouver who has left her husband.

All three female characters are portrayed by Elena Hark, making each performance an incredible and memorable live theatre experience!

Audiences will howl with laughter as the story reveals many humorous layers such as the uniformity in Cummings’ approach as he encounters each of his new neighbours and his attempts to adjust his approach to suit the personality of each woman. The contrast of the three women is also comedic– the worldly-wise Fay versus the naive Angel versus the emotional and confused Gwen.

‘Here on the Flight Path’ is about Laughter, Love, Loss, and Life. Although Schalk explains how, for him, this show is about celebrating mentors that have nurtured him, “It’s something we don’t think about until we are on stage, investing ourselves in theatre.”

He recalls his four main mentors as directors, people who saw something in a play and “worked hard to get us to bring it to life.”

Paul Kershaw, the master of the BIG scale production, would bring together large casts to grow and emerge as a cohesive production, to feel the joy of a small part of the whole, comrades who evolved into the director’s vision. Several of Kershaw’s donated flats were used to build the “Here on the Flight Path” set.

Terry Miller, a friend who could often identify a character part that would bring humor or poignancy to a role. “Terry taught me to build sets, paint floors, use music, act on the stage, and make magic that would draw in the audience. His love of theater was infectious and working on any of his shows was always special. We used some of Terry’s set pieces from “Enchanted April” in 2013 and incorporated them in this set,” expressed Schalk. Once again, the ghosts of past productions swirled around the theatre while building this set.

David Stock, Schalk’s friend and mentor for this production, whose ideas for sets, sound, lighting, acting, and production is legendary. “David is one of the original CCT directors who was instrumental when the Studio/Stage Door was opened 50 years ago. His eye for production is amazing and he is helping me bring about my vision for this play,” divulged Schalk.

Tanya Laing Gahr, a director who always brought “fun” to the productions. “She taught me to be different people, especially when we did dinner theatre together. Being directed by Tanya was never boring but so enjoyable and always high tempo with her favourite mantra being … ‘ACT BETTER!’ One of the first sets I built by myself was for her production of “Visiting Mr. Green” in 2013.”

‘Here on the Flight Path’, a comedy by Norm Foster, runs February 2, 3, 8-11, 14-17, 2024 at the Studio Stage Door. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. except for the 2 p.m. matinee Sunday, February 11.

Sponsored by Mike Paugh, IG Wealth Management and supported by the Jensen Family Foundation, the Province of British Columbia Community Gaming Program, the City of Cranbrook, and Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club.

Tickets are $25 each, $20 for CCT members and students. Online box office.

Gift Certificates and more purchase options: 250-426-2490 or email: [email protected]

Lead image: Peter Schalk and Elena Hark.  Photos submitted

Cranbrook Community Theatre

Article Share