OUTLOOK - Canadian playwright Kristen Da Silva has captured both endearing and eccentric characteristics of small-town life in her play “Five Alarm.” The two-act comedy opens on Friday, November 18th at the Outlook Civic Centre, followed by an evening production on November 19th and a matinee on Sunday, November 20th. Tickets are available at Outlook Printers, beginning Thursday, October 27th.
After Covid imposed a two-year hiatus, Equinox Theatre patrons thoroughly enjoyed the 2022 spring production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” “Five Alarm,” the six-actor choice for the autumn production, focuses on a fierce competition for the coveted Wayne Rose Annual Chili Cook Off trophy. Ada, Wayne’s daughter who has lost sixteen years in a row, is determined to wrest the trophy from her childhood rival Connie Gardiner. The title’s allusion to a five-alarm fire is meant to describe the heated spiciness of the chili as well as the fiery--sometimes fiendish—rivalry between the antagonists. What ensues is an entertaining evening of fun.
Da Silva has created a cast of unique, sometimes unconventional characters: Ellen with a comic need to please people, Tucker with a quick wit and a secret business plan, Ava with an intense need to follow in her father’s culinary footsteps, Connie ‘Combat Boots’ Gardiner whose real personality is hidden by a gruff persona, Caleb who overcomes challenges to achieve success and Doug, the non-verbal, bumbling cameraman of Channel Five.
“Five Alarm,” co-directed by Amber Turton and John McPhail, good-naturedly aims to explore the humorous outcomes when decidedly different personalities, each with distinctly different objectives, come together in a small-town chili cook off.
Equinox Theatre is always pleased to welcome new cast members. Heather Peardon will make her debut with Equinox as Connie Gardiner. Also joining the cast are Stephanie Guebert and Jordan Davies. Several years ago, when he was a student at LCBI, Jordan appeared in the Equinox productions of “Beauty and the Beast.” Stephanie also participated in a number of productions as a student at LCBI. Audiences will recognize Jill Lee, Lee Genereux and Phil Guebert who have appeared in several previous productions.
With only three production dates—November 18, 19 and 20—Equinox audiences will want to purchase tickets early, especially group tickets.
