Aylmer Community Theatre Homepage

Pipe Dreams
by Seymour Blicker

Cast (In Order of Appearance):

Ray... Peter Leack
Al... Ron Sawyer
Phaedra... Laura Jean McCann
Leona... Judy Jacoletti
Steve... Rob Quai

Crew:

Director... Barbara Warnock
Stage Manager... Paul Evert
Production Manager... Mary Morin
Assistant Stage Manager... Colleen Sawyer
Set Design... Paul Evert
Properties... Mary Morin
Set Construction... Don Shepherd, Bob Warnock, Andrew Deven, Uwe Godau, Rob Quai
Set Painter... Uwe Godau
Sound Design... Ron Sawyer
Lighting... John Bardwell, Peter Blaine
Sound Operator... Don Shepherd
Production Assistants... Laurie Deven, Julianna Daniel
Front of House... Vickie Kuipers
Poster and Programme... Ann Shepherd

Setting:

The apartment of Ray and Phaedra Baylin

THE CAST

Peter Leack "Ray"

After playing a producer in "Office Hours" and a department store mogul in "Miracle on 34th Street", Peter has decided to attempt a character with a more sensitive side or in the words of Monty Python "and now for something completely different".

Ron Sawyer "Al"

Ron is currently president of Aylmer Community Theatre. His most recent dramatic efforts were to direct last year's ambitious staging of "Blithe Spirit", an appearance as Henry in Barbara Warnock's production, "Office Hours" and to direct our very successful WODL Festival entry, "When the Reaper Calls". Ron has spent many enjoyable hours on the stage of the Old Town Hall Theatre, but he has never needed to "stretch" himself like this until "Pipe Dreams". He says thanks, Barb, for the chance to let the audience hear him roar.

Laura Jean McCann "Phaedra"

What a thrill for Laura Jean to be involved in a World Premiere with such a dedicated and versatile cast and crew. Thanks Barbara for your vision, energy and hard work. Your dream is our pipeline to success.

Judy Jacoletti "Leona"

Judy has had a remarkable year working with the many casts and crews of Aylmer Community Theatre. She was last seen on stage as Elvira in "Blithe Spirit" and is thrilled to be back living out her dream on stage under Barbara"s inspiring guidance and direction.

Roberto Quai "Steve"

Roberto Quai is excited to make his second appearance with ACT having appeared in Office Hours in 2006. He has numerous appearances at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre including Danny Zucco in "Grease". Roberto Is the owner of Quai du Vin Estate Winery.

Barbara Warnock - Director

"Pipe Dreams" is Barbara's fourth directorial effort for ACT. Barbara was last seen on stage as Ruth in the ACT VI production of "Blithe Spirit". She has thoroughly enjoyed the collaborative effort required to bring this show to the boards and thanks all those involved for their dedication and input into this show and to those at home who provide unending support of her theatrical endeavours.

Paul Evert - Stage Manager

Paul has worked in various thechnical and on stage roles with ACT over the last six seasons. He recently appeared on stage in Elgin Theater Guild's "Miracle on 34th Street" with his wife Sue and daughters Natalie and Claire. Paul has enjoyed working with this wonderfully entertaining and talented cast and crew.

Mary Morin - Production Manager

Mary has been involved with ACT for two years and is enjoying every aspect of it. This play has definitely presented some new challenges to all of us. What a great team this cast and crew has been to work with. Thanks.

Seymour Blicker - The Author

Seymour Blicker has had a long and distinguished career as a playwright, screenwriter, and novelist. He is the author of the acclaimed novels, BLUES CHASED A RABBIT, SHMUCKS, and THE LAST COLLECTION. His plays have been produced in Canada, The United States, and Europe. In 1997 in a ceremony at Britain's National Theatre, he received a prestigious British Council International New Playwriting Award for his play PALS. Since its premier in New York in 1987, his comedy NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER continues to entertain audiences at home and abroad with major productions in the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, and Germany. As a screenwriter he has written both comedy and drama for various Television series, most memorably, the Emmy Award-winning BARNEY MILLER SHOW, and penned numerous screenplays including THE KID. Blicker, who divides his time between Montreal and the Laurentian town of Val Morin, recently completed two major film projects. BEFORE THE DAWN, an enterprise backed by musical icon, Stevie Wonder and renowned Canadian musician Jeff Healey, is a story about a visually impaired girl and her family as they struggle to come to terms with her impending blindness. OCTOBER 7, 1944 is a story based on the life of Toronto resident Felix Opatowski, who as a teenager survived four years of slave labor under the Nazis, including two years in the inferno of Auschwitz. Blicker is presently working on a new screenplay under a development grant from Telefilm Canada, as well as adapting NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER for the big screen.

Director's Notes

February is the perfect time to stage a comedy. The days are sunless and the nights are cold. But which comedy? Following the success of "Never Judge a Book by Its Cover" by playwright Seymour Blicker, I was inspired to search for more of his works. Unable to find any other published plays I contacted Mr. Blicker, or Seymour as I now call him, and begged him to assure me that "Book" was not the only play he had ever written. To make a long story short, Seymour granted Aylmer Community Theatre the rights to produce his new play, "Pipe Dreams". Wow! A world premiere. Here, on the Old Town Hall Theatre boards. What a privilege... and what a challenge. Thankfully, the cast and crew have, from the very beginning, been open minded and fully involved in the creative development of this show. A world premiere comes with its own challenges in the dialogue, blocking and set design and it has been a fully collaborative effort that brings this play to you. "Pipe Dreams" examines what happens when people decide to do for themselves without regard for anyone else and without depending on someone else to determine their future. But as anyone who remembers the "Barney Miller Show" or saw "Never Judge a Book by Its Cover" knows, Seymour manages to get his point across through lovable characters that provide lots of laughs and that is just what we need on a cold night in February. Enjoy.