Kanata Theatre: the 40^th season (2008-2009)

Leopards, rhinos and wallabees, oh my!

Santa has his reindeer, the Grinch has his dog Max and Kanata Theatre has elephants, wallabees and wildebeests.

This year's Kanata Theatre holiday season family production is Just So.
Er, actually, it's much better than just so, 'O Best Beloved'.

You see, this is the enchanting musical inspired by Rudyard Kipling's Just So storybook.

Have you ever wondered how the elephant got his trunk?

Or the leopard his spots?

Or the kangaroo his bounce?

The Ron Maslin Playhouse, at 1 Ron Maslin Way has all these answers and more.

To bring these delightful tales to the stage, director Andrew Williams has assembled an enthusiastic holiday cast of actors both young and not-just-so young.

Lionel King (who plays Pau Amma) has been performing at the theatre since 1991.

Karl Wagner, who normally prefers doing lighting designs backstage could not resist the role of the Rhino.

Sara Lavrisa, a proud University of Ottawaacting student is playing the elephant's child. The cream of thespian crops from high schools Earl of March, Bell and A. Y. Jackson; and youngsters

from the Kanata Theatre children's acting class tackle the roles of elephants, wallabees, wildebeests, plus jaguars, leopards, giraffes and more.

Of particular value in this very valuable cast, crew and live orchestra is Eufron Williams and her busy brood of costume makers.

The animals, you see, have agreed to appear in 'people' clothes.

Thus the elephants will be wearing morning suits, the dingo dog comes dressed ready for the boxing ring, the kangaroo is a rock star, and just-so on.
Our rhino is quite appropriately presented as a military man. However, how the rhino will get his wrinkles is at present a Kanata Theatre secret.

Performances are: December 27-30 at 2 p.m. and December 27 arid 29, at 7 p.m.
Ticket prices vary. Please consult or call the box office at: 613-831-4435 for more information.

The Leopard and the Jaguar