Parson’s Predicament tickets on sale

The Parson’s Predicament
October 19 (8 p.m.), 20 (8 p.m.), 21 (2 p.m.) – Huron Country Playhouse II
Fundraiser for Grand Bend United Church, produced by the choir
Post-performance Dessert by UCW Tickets available at Tender Spot and Sobey’s. $15 adult, $10 student

Story by Casey Lessard

The hottest ticket in town this month will be for the Grand Bend United Church production of The Parson’s Predicament, which is expected to sell out well before its mid-October performances.
“It is so hilarious,” says co-director Carey Eddy, who is collaborating with Paul Seagrave, who wrote the music for the play by the late Brian Hornick almost 25 years ago. “It’s a very, very funny play.”
The one-act show contains seven scenes, and is about a young man who is invited to become a minister at a church. Unfortunately, the church has the wrong address, and their invitation to him is sent to his grandfather, a reverend who lives in a rest home.
“Our reverend, Harry Disher, plays the role of the young parson,” Eddy explains, noting the grandfather is portrayed by the slightly older Don Tedford.
The two are joined by a cast that has benefited from performing in previous fundraising productions. Most are choir members, but there are members of the congregation and non-members also.
“The experience they’ve had and the success the church has had has made them into very competent actors on stage. When you take a group of people who are not on the young, young scale, it’s fantastic when they can do something new.”
Audiences get a kick out of it, too.
“(Community theatre) is so important,” Eddy notes. “People love it. They love seeing people they know performing. And we have it at a professional theatre (Playhouse II), so we’re very fortunate. This has happened because of Paul Seagrave and Bryan Beattie, both members of our church.”
Eddy also credits the Huron Country Playhouse for its contributions to making the church’s efforts shine. “Simon Day designed the lighting, so it puts you in such a professional light.”
The lights go out after the 21st, so if you’re hoping to get a seat, you should act quickly.