Directed by Ritchie Kendrick & Jackie Brockholm
Produced by Jen Jensen
Venables Theatre in Oliver, May 2024
Produced by Jen Jensen
Venables Theatre in Oliver, May 2024
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As our spring production, Halfway There was SOAP Theatre's regular entry in Theatre BC's 2024 Okanagan Zone Theatre Festival, held in Vernon. The play was very well received by the audience and the adjudicator, ultimately bringing home two rewards from the Okanagan Zone plus one from Mainstage:
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Trailer Videos
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Our Cast
SOAP is honoured to have had such an experienced and talented cast for this production. . . . in order of appearance . . . 
Carrie Shogan plays RITA, considered the vamp among the local group of four ladies. Carrie joined SOAP in 2022 playing Mary in Knickers, followed by Lillian in 7 Stories (Best Supporting Actress at 2023 O-Zone Theatre Festival). Most recently, Carrie directed SOAP's production of The Deception of Kathryn Vask, earlier this year.
Kathy Kalina plays VI, who loves a gossip and her friends. She most recently played Sister Aloisius in Airdrie Nose Creek Players' production of Doubt: A Parable and Mother Superior for Cochrane Players' Drinking Habits. Kathy also directed Blithe Spirit for Cochrane Players and Steel Magnolias for the Rossland Light Opera.
Christine Rothwell plays MARY ELLEN, reliable and tolerant to a fault. Christine is a long-time member of SOAP theatre, who most recently played Nurse in 7 Stories, Born Yesterday's Mrs. Hedges, along with parts in Love, Loss and What I Wore, and Twisted Tales. She has also taken on several backstage roles.
Chuck Peeren plays SEAN, the bashful hunk, new to town. Chuck brings a good dose of experience to his first role with SOAP, including parts in As You Like It with Shakespeare Kelowna, plus North Pole Stories, Mousetrap and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, all with New Vintage Theatre in Kelowna.
Jenn MacNeil plays JANINE, the sensible one with an edge. Jenn Joined SOAP in 2017 as assistant director of Since You Left Us. On stage, she has played Rosemary in Outside Mullingar (Best Actress at 2018 O-Zone Theatre Festival), Prudence in Beyond Therapy and Billie Dawn in Born Yesterday.
Behind the Scenes
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What's the Story?
There’s no such thing as a secret in Stewiacke, NS; not when the gossips meet for coffee every day at the local diner. Vi, Rita, Mary Ellen, and Janine are all as close as can be, and they know everybody’s business. But when Sean, a heartbroken doctor, moves in to take a temporary job at the clinic, he tips the Maritime town that’s famous for being halfway between the North Pole and the Equator off its axis. While Sean decides to pursue Janine, it only brings her closer together with her friends, who each have their own messy love lives. Vi just turned down her boyfriend’s proposal, Mary Ellen is tired of doing everything for her husband and sons, Rita just wants to find a date, and Janine already lives with a man she loves a “little bit.” Can everyone find what they’re looking for in Stewiacke? Can these best of friends survive the challenges and secrets that face them? This feel-good comedy from the most-produced playwright in Canada will envelop you in a familiar warm hug that shares the relief of finding your people. You will leave the theatre with laughter in your heart and a smile on your face. Director's Comments
Halfway There is a testament to friendship and small-town life, where being from Tuh-ronno (Toronto) doesn't carry any prestige. You will likely recognize the characters from your own experiences, and it's that familiarity that helps generate the humour permeating throughout this Norm Foster play.
I have been taken by Foster's keen observation of the human condition and his ability to create a distinctly rural Canadian flavour. The mix of quirky characters will have you smiling in recognition and reflecting on what is important in life. During these troubled times, it has been a pleasure to focus on the fun and the positive that is at the core of this play. As well it has been a pleasure directing such a fun and positive cast and crew who have enjoyed working hard to bring you this entertaining production. As Director, I have learned that meeting your talented actors Halfway will bring you There and result in a great play. Rehearsals |
What our Audiences Said
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Saw this performance today, we were very impressed, BRAVO!! The most excellent acting, the actors were all equally perfect for their roles. Great detail, very captivating and entertaining.
- Traci P Fabulous actors! Every one of them Donna D Fantastic! - Pat L |
Excellent play. Thanks again SOAP for a great evening of lighthearted entertainment.
- Maggie G It was great! So funny! I loved it. I love all the SOAP Theatre plays. - Michelle D So much fun. We so enjoyed it. - Bev A |
Was very entertaining!!!! Great job!
- Linda W Great actors in a wonderful play by Norm Foster. You will laugh, giggle and maybe even snort at some of the lines. Check it out! - Donna D Great show - Glenda H |
The Playwright
Norm Foster has been the most produced playwright in Canada every year for the past twenty years. His plays receive an average of one hundred and fifty productions annually making him, by far, the most produced playwright in the history of his country.
Born in Newmarket, Ontario on St. Valentine's Day and raised in Toronto, Norm attended West Hill Collegiate Institute and then went on to study Radio & Television Arts at Centennial College in Toronto and then Confederation College in Thunder Bay. Upon completion of his studies, he began a radio career that would span 25 years and which would take him from Thunder Bay to Winnipeg to Kingston and finally to Fredericton, New Brunswick. It was in Fredericton in 1980 that Norm was introduced to the world of theatre.
"A friend of mine was going to audition for a community theatre production of 'Harvey' and he asked me to go along. I went, just to see what this theatre thing was all about, and I ended up getting the part of Elwood P. Dowd. I had never even seen a play in my life before this."
Foster fell in love with the theatre right then and there, and two years later he penned his first professionally produced play, Sinners. It was produced by Theatre New Brunswick and directed by Malcolm Black, who would also direct Foster's next effort, the highly successful, The Melville Boys. The Melville Boys would go on to be produced across Canada and in the United States, including a well-received run off-Broadway in New York (and our own production by SOAP Theatre!). It would become Foster's signature play, and the one which would bring his name to the forefront of Canadian theatre. Since then, Norm Foster has produced an astonishing output of work, over fifty-five plays in all.
" One of the curses of being a playwright is that you're never ever completely satisfied with your finished product. There is always that one line which you think you could improve. And when you improve that line, you find another. You must know when to stop."
Norm Foster has been the most produced playwright in Canada every year for the past twenty years. His plays receive an average of one hundred and fifty productions annually making him, by far, the most produced playwright in the history of his country.
Born in Newmarket, Ontario on St. Valentine's Day and raised in Toronto, Norm attended West Hill Collegiate Institute and then went on to study Radio & Television Arts at Centennial College in Toronto and then Confederation College in Thunder Bay. Upon completion of his studies, he began a radio career that would span 25 years and which would take him from Thunder Bay to Winnipeg to Kingston and finally to Fredericton, New Brunswick. It was in Fredericton in 1980 that Norm was introduced to the world of theatre.
"A friend of mine was going to audition for a community theatre production of 'Harvey' and he asked me to go along. I went, just to see what this theatre thing was all about, and I ended up getting the part of Elwood P. Dowd. I had never even seen a play in my life before this."
Foster fell in love with the theatre right then and there, and two years later he penned his first professionally produced play, Sinners. It was produced by Theatre New Brunswick and directed by Malcolm Black, who would also direct Foster's next effort, the highly successful, The Melville Boys. The Melville Boys would go on to be produced across Canada and in the United States, including a well-received run off-Broadway in New York (and our own production by SOAP Theatre!). It would become Foster's signature play, and the one which would bring his name to the forefront of Canadian theatre. Since then, Norm Foster has produced an astonishing output of work, over fifty-five plays in all.
" One of the curses of being a playwright is that you're never ever completely satisfied with your finished product. There is always that one line which you think you could improve. And when you improve that line, you find another. You must know when to stop."