About
Closer Than Ever with music by David Shire and lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr., opened on Broadway in November 1989 to rave reviews. “A bookless book musical,” it began as a one-act play conceived by Steven Scott Smith, who later expanded it into a two-act production, with Maltby taking over as director. Shire is a well-known film composer, whose many credits include Farewell My Lovely, All the President’s Men, Saturday Night Fever and The Conversation, which was directed by Francis Ford Coppola; Maltby is best known for the two Broadway shows he conceived and directed, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Fosse
Producer's Note
Thank you for coming to Burns Wharf Theatre Players’ production of Closer Than Ever. Monty Python fans, think of the announcer intoning: “And now for something completely different.” Because like The Baker’s Wife four years ago, this show further expands our repertoire to include other Broadway hits along with Gilbert & Sullivan winners. And it is very different!
So different that for most of the company, it has meant stepping up to new challenges and ‘firsts.’ Like stepping out of a chorus role into the spotlight. Or telling stories without spoken dialogue. Learning unusually complicated songs and music, complicated even for our veterans. Or taking on a new production role. And fast scene changes every 5 or so minutes. Just to name a few!
You will be happy to see the return of many of your favourite Burns Wharf players for Closer Than Ever. You will also experience a lot of very talented newcomers! We continue to grow and are stronger than ever (maybe even closer than ever!) after our three-year pandemic hiatus.
Another first: this is the first time in our 15-year history that Burns Wharf Theatre Players present outside Manitowaning. We are very grateful to Manitoulin Secondary School and the Rainbow District School Board for welcoming us to their beautiful venue.
Now enjoy the show!
Lynne Dee Sproule, Producer
So different that for most of the company, it has meant stepping up to new challenges and ‘firsts.’ Like stepping out of a chorus role into the spotlight. Or telling stories without spoken dialogue. Learning unusually complicated songs and music, complicated even for our veterans. Or taking on a new production role. And fast scene changes every 5 or so minutes. Just to name a few!
You will be happy to see the return of many of your favourite Burns Wharf players for Closer Than Ever. You will also experience a lot of very talented newcomers! We continue to grow and are stronger than ever (maybe even closer than ever!) after our three-year pandemic hiatus.
Another first: this is the first time in our 15-year history that Burns Wharf Theatre Players present outside Manitowaning. We are very grateful to Manitoulin Secondary School and the Rainbow District School Board for welcoming us to their beautiful venue.
Now enjoy the show!
Lynne Dee Sproule, Producer
Production and Cast
Ray Scott, Music Director, Accompanist – Ray teaches in Gore Bay, hangs out in Manitowaning and lives in Big Lake with his wife, daughter, and Benji the dog. Ray has performed in and directed a number of musicals - and continues to do musicals due to an apparent immunity to suffering. Enjoy the show!
Isaac Gosse, Technical Director, Dominique – His fourth year with BWTP, and second being on stage, Isaac is ecstatic to be in this year's production, his first lead role! As Technical Director this year, he headed the designing of the stage, lighting, and sound system. "Thank you everyone involved for making my wild tech dreams come true!"
Program
Doors – Alex, Allison, Isaac, Jane
She Loves Me Not – Allison, John, Peter
You Wanna Be My Friend – Jacob, Rebecca
What am I Doing? – Jacob
The Bear, the Tiger, the Hamster and the Mole – Margit
I’ll Get Up Tomorrow Morning – Jacob
Ms. Byrd – Ann
Doors Transition - John
Dating Again – Rebecca, Allison, Isaac, Jacob
One of the Good Guys – Ray
There’s Nothing Like It – Jacob, Isaac, Carmen, Ann
Life Story – Kayla
Next Time/I Wouldn’t Go Back – Alex, Audrey, Isaac, Jane, Peter
INTERMISSION (15 minutes)
Three Friends – Margit, Carole, Lynne Dee
Fandango – Ann, Isaac
There – Carole, Ray
Patterns – Kayla
There is Something in a Wedding – Jane, Carole, Peter, John
Another Wedding Song – Alex, Lynne Dee
If I Sing – Isaac
Back on Base – Ann
The March of Time – Alex, Carmen, Peter, Lynne Dee
Father of Fathers – Isaac, Peter, John
It’s Never That Easy / I’ve Been Here Before – Rebecca, Margit
Closer Than Ever – Ray, Audrey, Carmen, Peter, John and Cast
She Loves Me Not – Allison, John, Peter
You Wanna Be My Friend – Jacob, Rebecca
What am I Doing? – Jacob
The Bear, the Tiger, the Hamster and the Mole – Margit
I’ll Get Up Tomorrow Morning – Jacob
Ms. Byrd – Ann
Doors Transition - John
Dating Again – Rebecca, Allison, Isaac, Jacob
One of the Good Guys – Ray
There’s Nothing Like It – Jacob, Isaac, Carmen, Ann
Life Story – Kayla
Next Time/I Wouldn’t Go Back – Alex, Audrey, Isaac, Jane, Peter
INTERMISSION (15 minutes)
Three Friends – Margit, Carole, Lynne Dee
Fandango – Ann, Isaac
There – Carole, Ray
Patterns – Kayla
There is Something in a Wedding – Jane, Carole, Peter, John
Another Wedding Song – Alex, Lynne Dee
If I Sing – Isaac
Back on Base – Ann
The March of Time – Alex, Carmen, Peter, Lynne Dee
Father of Fathers – Isaac, Peter, John
It’s Never That Easy / I’ve Been Here Before – Rebecca, Margit
Closer Than Ever – Ray, Audrey, Carmen, Peter, John and Cast
Thank You
In a production of this scale, the list of people who deserve thanks is extensive. The entire cast gave generously of their time and energy, but the list of people involved goes far beyond those whom you see on stage. Special thanks goes to…
Lighting:
Sound:
Lighting and Sound Design: Isaac Gosse
Set Design: Isaac Gosse, Kayla Simbirski
Set Construction: Isaac Gosse
Rehearsal and Performance Space: Rainbow District School Board and Manitoulin Secondary School, Marilyn Wohlberg’s Great Room, Ray Scott's Living Room
Makeup:
Props: Audrey Jones
Ushers/Tickets:
Bookkeeper: Elwood Wohlberg
Publicity and Program: Lynne Dee Sproule, Peter Baumgarten
Lighting:
Sound:
Lighting and Sound Design: Isaac Gosse
Set Design: Isaac Gosse, Kayla Simbirski
Set Construction: Isaac Gosse
Rehearsal and Performance Space: Rainbow District School Board and Manitoulin Secondary School, Marilyn Wohlberg’s Great Room, Ray Scott's Living Room
Makeup:
Props: Audrey Jones
Ushers/Tickets:
Bookkeeper: Elwood Wohlberg
Publicity and Program: Lynne Dee Sproule, Peter Baumgarten
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