ELORA – The Elora Community Theatre (ECT) is hosting an outdoor performance fundraiser of Love Letters starring Centre Wellington mayor Kelly Linton and radio personality Barb Lustgarten-Evoy.
Deb Stanson, president of ECT, explained like most arts organizations they have had a tough year financially.
She said they’ve had to move out of their rehearsal space as they couldn’t afford it any longer.
“This is a way to do what we love, which is live theatre, and raise money at the same time,” Stanson said. “We’re very fortunate that two well known individuals in our community of Centre Wellington agreed to play the lead parts.”
Love Letters is about two people exchanging letters over the course of 50 years and trials in their respective lives.
Stanson said this play works out well because the performers don’t need to memorize their lines, as they’re reading letters, and it can be done in a short rehearsal process.
This is a benefit because this can fit into both Linton and Lustgarten-Evoy’s busy schedules. Stanson also thinks it was made for a pandemic-era performance.
“It’s just two actors on a stage and they sit apart from each other so they can socially distance,” Stanson said.
Linton said in a phone interview that this is his first acting performance and is therefore a little nervous. However, he’s happy to help the longstanding organization during a tough time.
“I thought it was a good opportunity to work with some good people so I thought I’d do it,” Linton said.
“The ECT has had a real tough year and had some good plays planned and had to cancel everything. Hopefully we raise some money through this fundraising event and help them keep operating and ready for a strong year next year.”
The performance will be outdoors at Bissell Park so Stanson is praying for no rain. However, she said the community has rallied together and are bringing many tents and tarps to put up incase of rain.
The play starts at 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday but there will be time period pre-show music so Stanson recommends coming for 7:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring their own chair and/or blanket. Social distancing protocols will be in effect.
Tickets are $25, available at the door as cash or online.
