As a fan of British detective dramas such as Sherlock, Midsomer Murders, Morse, Vera, and Grantchester, I'm overjoyed to be directing this Canadian murder-mystery musical comedy at Firehall Theatre.
Like all the best detective dramas, The Last Resort has it all: a remote location, colourful characters, red herrings, and more twists than a hangman's knot. In typical Norm Foster fashion, there are plenty of laughs and it's all set to the music of Leslie Arden.
This off-the-wall spoof centres on a New York restauranteur on the run from the mob. He finds himself at a run-down hotel in Saskatchewan, where everyone who checks in could be the hitman who's out to get him.
I hop you have as much fun figuring out who's who and whodunnit as we have had putting it together.
The game is afoot!
John
Nick is thrilled to join Firehall Theatre for his second show with the company after appearing in Seussical the Musical. Cliff has also been in several shows with Garden City Productions, including Oliver!, Beauty and the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, A Chorus Line, Gypsy, and Sweeney Todd. When not on stage, you might find him building set
Nick is thrilled to join Firehall Theatre for his second show with the company after appearing in Seussical the Musical. Cliff has also been in several shows with Garden City Productions, including Oliver!, Beauty and the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, A Chorus Line, Gypsy, and Sweeney Todd. When not on stage, you might find him building sets, painting, or playing in the pit for various other productions. Thanks to the Firehall crew for this opportunity to sing a few songs and have a few laughs!
Victoria has been a familiar face on Niagara stages for over 20 years following 20 years in the Toronto market. She previously appeared at Firehall in Falsettos, Ruthless!, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, among others and most recently directed (and appeared in) Arsenic and Old Lace. This is her second Norm Foster show, having
Victoria has been a familiar face on Niagara stages for over 20 years following 20 years in the Toronto market. She previously appeared at Firehall in Falsettos, Ruthless!, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, among others and most recently directed (and appeared in) Arsenic and Old Lace. This is her second Norm Foster show, having performed in Sinners with Lakeside Players. Niagara audiences may have also seen Victoria in The Addams Family, Sweeney Todd, The King and I (GCP); Tommy, Cry-Baby, The Toxic Avenger (HTI); or The Wizard of Oz (PCOS).
Jerome last appeared on the Firehall stage as Mendel in 2020's Falsettos. Other roles with the company include The Cat and the Hat in Seussical, George in Jitters, and Paul in Company. Jerome's directing credits at Firehall include The Drowning Girls, Blithe Spirit, RENT, Ruthless!, and Urinetown. He is pleased to reunite with John McHenr
Jerome last appeared on the Firehall stage as Mendel in 2020's Falsettos. Other roles with the company include The Cat and the Hat in Seussical, George in Jitters, and Paul in Company. Jerome's directing credits at Firehall include The Drowning Girls, Blithe Spirit, RENT, Ruthless!, and Urinetown. He is pleased to reunite with John McHenry, having previously been directed by him in many shows such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Spamalot, Joseph, and a personal favourite, Cabaret.
William is excited to be in his first play with Firehall Theatre. Debating whether to audition or not, he wrote in his journal, "Life's too short!" and just went for it. His most recent roles include Exeter in Henry V at Redeemer University in Hamilton and the Caterer in Stag and Doe at Canalside Players in Welland. He appeared in the loc
William is excited to be in his first play with Firehall Theatre. Debating whether to audition or not, he wrote in his journal, "Life's too short!" and just went for it. His most recent roles include Exeter in Henry V at Redeemer University in Hamilton and the Caterer in Stag and Doe at Canalside Players in Welland. He appeared in the locally shot films Lazer Us and Lost Penny and is credited as Best Boy in Android Re-enactment. Appropriately, he's been in episodes of Homicide: Hours to Kill and Fear Thy Neighbour. Unlike his character in this play, he has been happily married to his loving wife, Sarah, for 26 years. They have five children.
Kaidjah was last seen at Firehall as Cinderella's stepmother in Into the Woods and is delighted to be back ten years later as the wise-cracking, back-slapping Liz Barzini. Favourite stage credits elsewhere include Fraulein Kost (Cabaret), Golde (Fiddler on the Roof), Meg (Damn Yankees), and Rizzo (Grease). When not on stage, Kaidjah enjoy
Kaidjah was last seen at Firehall as Cinderella's stepmother in Into the Woods and is delighted to be back ten years later as the wise-cracking, back-slapping Liz Barzini. Favourite stage credits elsewhere include Fraulein Kost (Cabaret), Golde (Fiddler on the Roof), Meg (Damn Yankees), and Rizzo (Grease). When not on stage, Kaidjah enjoys working backstage as ASM or as part of the stage crew. Kaidjah sends a huge shout-out to her talented castmates and especially to her supportive and loving husband, Paul, who also happens to be in this production as Inspector Closely.
Mike returns to Firehall Theatre after playing the role of nick in the juggernaut drama Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Having worked behind the scenes throughout the years for local theatre groups including Garden City Productions and Something Something Productions, as well as travelling across Canada as a lighting designer and stage te
Mike returns to Firehall Theatre after playing the role of nick in the juggernaut drama Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Having worked behind the scenes throughout the years for local theatre groups including Garden City Productions and Something Something Productions, as well as travelling across Canada as a lighting designer and stage technician with the touring band My Son the Hurricane, Mike is excited to be back at Firehall and working on the other side of the fourth wall with an amazing cast and crew!
Michele was taken as a child by her aunt Lynn to local musicals and always wanted to be on stage. Michele has previously learnt her voice in Hello Dolly with GCP in St. Catharines and appeared on stage with Something Something Productions in Little Shop of Horrors and Rock of Ages. After a six-year break, Michele is happy to be sharing th
Michele was taken as a child by her aunt Lynn to local musicals and always wanted to be on stage. Michele has previously learnt her voice in Hello Dolly with GCP in St. Catharines and appeared on stage with Something Something Productions in Little Shop of Horrors and Rock of Ages. After a six-year break, Michele is happy to be sharing the stage with this amazing cast and is grateful to the production team for giving her this opportunity.
Paul is back again, and he is delighted to be in the company of so many talented performers. Each pay is an opportunity to learn and grow. Paul adds the role of Inspector Closely to such favourites as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Charles in Pippin, Fagan in Oliver!, Dr. Einstein in Arsenic and Old Lace, and a host of others. A big thanks to Kate, my number one supporter and cast-mate.
John is thrilled to be making his debut with Firehall Theatre. He has worked at theatres across the country, must recently as Artistic Director of Sudbury Theatre Centre. John recently returned to Niagara, where he has been a stable of the theatre scene, having directed numerous productions for Garden City Productions including Spamalot, Jesus Christ Superstar, The King and I, Joseph, Fiddler on the Roof, and Cabaret. Thanks to Jarrod, Jerome, Laurel, the crew, and the cast for making The Last Resort such an enjoyable experience. As always, this is for Nan.
John McHenry appears with permission of Canadian Actors' Equity Association.
Laurel is happy to be returning to her favourite local stage in a show that is such great fun. She has performed in dozens of local community theatre productions, including Firehall Theatre, Garden City Productions, Port Mansion Theatre, and many fondly-remembered summer productions of Shakespeare in the Vineyard at Henry of Pelham Winery. Recent pit band performances include Falsettos (Firehall Theatre), 9 to 5 (GCP) and Shrek, the Musical (Governor Simcoe SS). Favourite roles include Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and Mama Rose in Gypsy.
Producers Jarrod Dunlop, Jerome Black
Director John McHenry
Music Director Laurel Candler
Stage Manager Linda Gonshior
Assistant Stage Manager Dianne Haist
Associate Director Alison Stunt
Set Design and Construction Jarrod Dunlop
Costumes Pamela Caputo
Props Katherine Cooke, Emily Cline
Lighting Design Ed Anderson
Lighting Assistant Jeff Baker
Hair and Makeup Design Daisy Hollohan
Photography Luis Paredes
Front of House Janice Mayer
Box Office Laurel Candler
Jeff Baker
Paul & Roxanne Daoust
Tim Denis, 610 CKTB
Garden City Productions
John Law, Niagara Falls Review
Katie Muirhead
Niagara Symphony Orchestra
Theatre Aquarius
Mikey Toovey
Ted Yates, The Lake 88.5 FM
The City of Niagara Falls
and
to all our volunteers!
Firehall Theatre is pleased to showcase the artwork of Paul Paldus in our lobby. To learn more about the photography of this local artist, just scan the QR code.
Kate has been tasked with curating a museum exhibit about the history of romance. Her research takes her deep into books, her own disastrous dates, and her widowed mother's rekindling of an old romance.
"A romantic comedy for the age of irony... charming and funny..." - Edmonton Journal
Tickets are now on sale!
The Last Resort is produced by arrangement with Talent House Inc., 500A Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1Y3, 416.960.9686, info@talenthouse.ca.
The Last Resort was first produced by Theatre Orangeville and 1000 Islands Playhouse, in 1997.
Copyright © 2018 Firehall Theatre - All Rights Reserved.