Rosebud Presents series

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

The lineup of the 2015 shows in the Rosebud Presents series has been announced, and there’s something for the whole family says executive Director Adam Furfaro.
“Morris and our team have put together another really strong season for theatre goers of all ages,” said Furfaro.
“Our Rosebud Presents series is introducing many new people to Rosebud Theatre and shows like The Wizard of Oz, Treasure Island and The Miracle Worker are helping us grow a new generation of patrons. We are expecting close to 40,000 to come through our little hamlet in 2015.”
It all begins with the Wheatland Band. Performing on Feb. 13 the former Lewis and Royal have now become a trio, adding Travis Friesen to the team.
“What Travis brings to them is another sweet voice, and all of a sudden these guys are singing similar material to what they used to, they’re very entertaining and accessible,” said Morris Ertman, Rosebud’s artistic director.
“What’s happened for Lewis and Royal is Travis’ presence has busted it wide open, it’s like all of a sudden they’re reinvented and all of the things people love are still there but there’s just another really dynamic colour in the group.”
March will see the third installment of the Wingfield Farm series come to the hamlet. “Wingfield’s Folly’ will play from March 18-21.
“This man (Dan Needle) is a genius, his one person shows are just remarkable … and so entertaining, I have never watched anybody that has had such a command of the audience and timing as this actor,” said Ertman.
‘Intimate Sunday Afternoons’ are coming to Rosebud on April 26 and May 24. Canadian singers, songwriters and authors will be bringing their unique style to the hamlet featuring artists such as Cara Luft, and John Wort Hannam.
Another special treat is for those who are fans of ‘The Shack’ author William, P. Young. He will be in Rosebud on Oct. 4 to speak about the book, his experience since writing it and the upcoming movie adaptation.
“‘The Shack’ is a book that was written for his kids and it wound up making it to the New York Times Bestseller list for a couple of years running,” said Ertman.
“He’s just such an interesting man and the book is such an interesting book. Young set out to write this story for his kids and then all of a sudden some friends read it and said you should publish this.”
And so he did, opting for the self-publishing route to begin with. As more and more people read the book it became something that spoke to people. The book follows the story of ‘Mack’ a father of five and his struggle with having lost a child to a serial killer, and coming to terms with it and his faith.
“It is kind of a wonderful story about doing something for somebody you love, your children, and it winds up being a bigger story than what you intended, and that’s what I love about this, he just did this out of his love for his kids and then it exploded,” said Ertman.
Season tickets are on sale for the 2015 shows, and can be purchased through the Rosebud Theatre Box Office 1-800-267-7553. Season ticket holders also get first crack at tickets in the Rosebud Presents series. More information can be found at www.rosebudtheatre.com.