On the Line tops all expectations

If you are regretting not having been able to snag tickets to any of the sold out performances of On the Line at Grove Hall, you are not alone. Word of mouth spreads fast in the Valley and when you have something as special as this play, it’s no wonder so many are already hoping for a revival.  

“It’s our most successful show to date,” says Director Mark Bye. It was the largest cast ever assembled and their first with a live band. It was also the greatly anticipated premiere of local realtor Patrick Pietrykowski’s play, based on a true story set in the roaring 20s right here in the Valley.

“It was very much us,” says Bye, of the actors, the musicians, the dancers, the script, the score, the setting and the history. “That’s what made it really magical for our audiences,” he notes. It helps when you have a band so tight you would never know they had never played together and a group of actors and behind the scenes crew so familiar with each other they became like family. The musical contribution by Christopher Pennington, in his first foray into scoring a live production, “really took us over the top,” says Bye, who also credits the authenticity of the costumes, props and set design in bringing the show together.

“It was the first time in four years I was wishing I had more space,” he says, noting how they were forced to add two rows into the players’ space to accommodate more people.

“I am extremely proud of absolutely every element of the production,” he smiles, noting that while ready to move on, the artistic team behind the show is now deliberating over whether to try touring the show in the fall. “We’d like to go up and down to border towns,” said Bye, noting how the story will likely speak to many living along the Canada/US line.

Busy spring/summer season

While nothing has been decided as of yet, Grove Hall and the Rural Arts Project are certainly riding high into the spring and summer season with several concerts on tap, a ballet, and the return of Repercussion Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park.   

Planning is also underway for a festival celebrating all aspects of the arts in the Valley in partnership with Arts Alive Quebec. “It will have a similar format to last year with lots of workshops and opportunities for local performers,” says Tina Bye.

The summer will also feature the return of the extremely popular Summer Arts Camp at Grove Hall. This summer the camp will take place over three weeks and will feature a program for children under 13-years old with a focus on dance. A Youth Performing Arts Workshop will also take place at the same time for young people between the ages of 14 and 18.

For more information on upcoming events, check out www.grovehall.ca.