Dream

Postcard Review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – Dream

Playwright/s – Terry Bachynski

Production Company/Theatre space – Rosebud Theatre, Rosebud AB

Length – 2 acts, 2 hours 20 mins with one intermission. Plus, dinner before the show.

Genre/s – Musical Romance

Premise – An abused orphan lives on the streets with his brother before being taken in by a kindly woman and falling in love with a local girl but taking the rap for his sibling

puts his romance in jeopardy.

Why this play? Why now? – This play caught the eye of former Artistic Director Morris Ertman who decided to take a chance on a new work that speaks to his community.

Curiosities – I wonder if we will end up calling the plays created during this time “the COVID plays”? Do arrangers of music get credit under music? Why does a man wear an apron to a wedding? With one plotline, how to innovate a romance?

Notable Moment – Mimed multiple birth.

Notable writing – First-time script writer Terry Bachynski, a Rosebud a patron and donor, wanted to pay homage to his parents. The play, workshopped at Rosebud School for the Arts, will need further development before having a chance at other productions. The strength of the show is a couple of the songs. The shows anthem Life Can be Magic has enough of an ear worm to have people hum it when they leave. The hit of the show is The Co-op Song “If you can’t find it at the Co-op you don’t need it”. Among other things this musical needs more numbers with energy that forward the plot; Act Two has three laments back-to-back where characters sit and expound on life.

Notable performances – This cast of 11 is varied in talent and singing ability. Aaron Krogman, as the storyteller/son of the couple, is underutilized but this is the script not the actor. Award winning actors Annette Loiselle and Christopher Hunt are great role models for the younger cast members.

Notable design/Production – The set is comprised of chairs and three small cloth back drops, with doors painted on them, which seemed superfluous to needs. The set falls flat compared to the extraordinary designs we’ve seen from Morris Ertman.

Notable direction – Ertman’s direction is stronger when he isn’t trying to play dramaturg.

One reason to see this show – Those who identify with rural folk who believe in faith, farming, and family will respond warmly to this show. Plus, the food is good.