Today at Eastview
Volunteers "Secret Recipe" to Dinner Theatre's Significance
The humourous parody lyrics to Waiting for the Baby sung by the choir at the beginning of Eastview's Dinner Theatre 07 turned out to be very fitting as the Drama Team desperately hoped "the evening [would] turn out right." Unbeknownst to the audience members of the premiere, one of the actors scheduled to perform had called in sick approximately thirty minutes before show time. Director Lyle Morris, a member of Eastview's drama team for only a year and a half, stepped in for him, displaying great dedication and skill considering he was not scheduled to act in the drama at all. Yet the line-up adjustment didn't affect the talented drama team, and it was only at the end of the show that the change was revealed to the audience. (Lyle, who in the picture above is being carried by the cast, jokes he's "used to being carried by the cast - just usually on stage.") Fortunately, the sick actor was able to return for the final two shows.
Outreach Chaplain Greg Armstrong, the coordinator of the Dinner Theatre, was nothing but grateful, not only to the drama team, but to all the dedicated volunteers, many of whom have been a part of Eastview's dinner theatre productions since the beginning. "Volunteers are the glue," said Greg, who thanked the hundred or so volunteers for their hundreds of hours put into the production as part of his closing remarks. "The secret recipe to the Dinner Theatre is willing, cheerful volunteers."
The other recipes for the evening were prepared under the direction of Maria Wilms, and presented by friendly servers and members of the cast, who were still having fun even when they were not on stage. Punch and hors d oeuvres were served in the foyer while Edwin Reimer serenaded the guests with Christmas Carols played beautifully on his Classical Guitar. After dinner I even got an extra serving of the mouth-watering dessert, though that might have been because they knew I was writing a review. The delicious meal was a wonderful complement to the cheerful dinner table conversations being held, often centering on the wacky portrayal of familiar Bible characters. However, though much of the play was very comical, the story became subdued as it reached its climax and the audience realized the whole story had been leading up to the little baby in the manger.
In all, 640 people attended the three performances, and the Friday and Saturday shows were sold out. Several tables were purchased and donated to residents of the Keenleyside area, which Eastview has recently become partnered with under the guidance of Greg Armstrong. "I am confident that it truly represented an outreach event," said Greg, adding that "everyone was working toward making this a blessing not just for [themselves], but for those who would come." Proof of this came in the form of a letter handed to him by a very appreciative audience member who was able to attend the Dinner Theatre through the donation of a table. He wrote that the cast and production crew did an excellent job of making the play humourous "but at the same time [they] did not take anything away from the... very real story of Christmas." He also said that being a Christian for many years he had attended a lot of dinner theatres over the years, but this one was the best he had ever seen.
This year's Dinner Theatre (and those of past years) was very significant, only made possible by the tireless efforts of dedicated volunteers with servant's hearts.
(out of 5)
Next Service
- Sunday, December 7th
- 9:30 AM & 11:15 AM
- The Gift of Christmas - Giving
- Pastor Delbert Enns
