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Terry James Chronicle Special On a cold night, Feb. 24, 1935, dozens of people responded to Kitchener lawyer Fred Dreger‘s invitation to meet at the YMCA to discuss the possibility of organizing a Little Theatre in Kitchenâ€" erâ€"Waterioo. Interest was keen on the part of everyone in attendance and before the evening was over, Dreger had been named the first president of the Kitchenâ€" erâ€"Waterloo Little Theatre. Coral Andrews Chronicle Special Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo Little Theatre is currently winding up its 50th golden anniversary season with Lezley Haâ€" vard‘s psychoâ€"chiller Hide and Seek. Play director Gary Shantz from ITOPA Theatre, Ingersoll, who actually played one of Hide and Seek‘s key characters, obviously understands this play extremely well. The enthusiasm Shantz felt for the quality of this KWLT production has been completely reciprocated by a competent and highâ€"talented cast and crew, through Shantz‘s masterful direcâ€" tor‘s eye and wellâ€"paced technique. _ Now in his behindâ€"theâ€"scenes role, Hide and Seek is more than just a Little Theatre director‘s game. All the play‘s main sequences occur in the kitchen of an old farmhouse that is undergoing renovations (a feasible and authentic set design courtesy of Phil Dietrich). Jennifer and Richard Crawford are an executive city couple expecting their first child, who give up slick city savoir faire for the simpler accoutrements of quaint country existence. After 50 years Little Theatre still a big part of our community _â€"In this Green Acreâ€"ish setting, one would expect television pig, Arnoid F‘if{y years later Kitchenerâ€"Waterioo mnffcmrmilffontfiofonâ€"stfee~~â€" es â€" In December the Little Theatre staged Kâ€"W Little Theatre president its annual children‘s show, a children‘s Pam Knapp shows her versatiliâ€" fantasy entitled "Citronella and the ty withlnp':he organization by Magic pox.“ The production, held at pitching in to help paint the 9 University of Waterloo Theatre of the Princess St. Headquarters for Arts, en:e‘:'tairr:ed both the young and the ar‘ young at heart. last September‘s open house. ‘"‘Tribute"‘ was presented in February Hide and Seek a slick chiller Little Theatre, located in a permanent home at 9 Princess St. E., in Waterloo, is still an important member of the Twin Cities‘ artistic community. Throughout its history the names on the board of directors have changed countless times; membership has fluctuated between 2,100 and 75, and membership fees have risen from $1 to $20, but two aspects of the Little Theatre have remain unâ€" changed. Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo Little Theatre continues to provide a creative outlet for an enthusiastic membership and continues to perform for appreciaâ€" tive audiences season after season. Pam Knapp, 1985â€"86 president of the Little Theatre, said the group, which has 75 members this year, is winding up a busy 50th season this weekend with the production of "Hide and Seek*". The board of directors for this special season included Bernie Roehl, vice president of administration; Vesta Jorâ€" gensen, vice president of production; Becci Callfas, membership coâ€"ordinaâ€" tor; Fiona Hinde, publicity director; Diana Godson, secretary, and Judy Jolley, treasurer. 50th Anniversary celebrations got underway last September when the Crystal Ballroom at the Walper Terrace was transformed into a Dinner Theatre for a two evening performance. Among the guests were past members and past presidents, including Dreger. _ _ ""This was our first dinner theatre and we hope to do it again," said Knapp. "We learned a lot." "It‘s the first time we‘ve done a float for a number of years," said Knapp. ‘"We also did the makeup for the clowns, Santa‘s helpers and other extra people." In October the Little Theatre organâ€" ized a costume sale and in November they entered a float in the Jaycee‘s Christmas parade. Ziffe, to barge through the kitchen door with a rambunctious snort at any minute. But this plotline is far from amusing, except in pockets. Jennifer Crawford, a former magaâ€" zine editor now about to complete her full pregnancy term, keeps her coffee pot in the stove and her coffee ‘"in the container marked sugar." Crawford is a chronic sufferer of modernâ€"day ‘mummyrot,‘ excited but exasperated about her sudden sojourn to country living, and puts up a good front in more ways than one in a relationship that could be a lastâ€"ditch or lastâ€"furrow effort on her husband‘s part. Husband Richard wants his worâ€" kaholic wife barefoot and pregnant, away from the bright city lights, in a place where the only lights around are the stars. The last thing Richard Crawford wants is a baby born "with a cigarette in one hand and a martini in the other."‘ Angelika Rohrbacher (Bedfull of Forâ€" eigners, Tribute) delivers a topâ€"notch effort in a strong central performance as Jennifer Crawford, a woman who must solve the mystery surrounding this old farmhouse left unusually empty for years _ Richard Crawford (Burns Proudfoot) also provides a natural portrayal as a Dinner theatre and the last performance of the season, "Hide and Seek," will conclude with performances Thursday through Saturâ€" day. Hold workshops Knapp said it takes between 20 and 40 people to successfully stage a producâ€" tion. In an attempt to be as professional as they can, Little Theatre members make good use of professionals from Theatre Ontario as well as expertise in the community. Workshops are conductâ€" ed for members working on the producâ€" tions and topics range from stage management to lighting design to makeâ€" up and publicity. "Sometimes a member will give a workshop on something they‘ve learned," said Knapp. "There‘s lots of areas for members to become inâ€" volved." harried businessman, desperately tryâ€" ing to save his halting marriage, and eternally tinkering about with the farmâ€" house fuse box. The faulty wiring is more apparent in his relationship with his wife. The funding of a production is made available through a working capital repleted through ticket sales, fundraisâ€" ing efforts and a grant from the city of Waterioo. Kim Hillcoat is Tony Crawford, Richâ€" ard‘s boozeâ€"hound sleaseâ€"ball brother, whose new fiancee, Vicki, enables him to "live off the future oldâ€"lady in highfalootin‘ fashion." Hillcoat creates interesting contrast and conflict as the infernal younger sibling who constantly goads Jennifer. Hillcoat and Proudfoot come to blows beautifully in act two, when Tony is more than just casually concerned for his sisterâ€"inâ€"law. Cath Moore is the play‘s main source of comic relief, and Moore is amusing as Vicki, Tony‘s bimbo artâ€"gallery owner fiancee, a sincere and warm individual, who, like her groomâ€"toâ€"be, never thinks before she puts her stilettoâ€"heel foot in her mouth. Nothing could be further from this present timeâ€"frame norm than Betty Saunders (Waiting for the Parade) as saltâ€"ofâ€"theâ€"earth farm frau, Martha Turner. _ Both Moore and Rohrbacher exude trendy ‘80‘s essence, the height of femaile liberation and sophistication. _ Tanya Flemming applies makeâ€"up to Bernie Roeh! for his role as Henry in September‘s 50th anniversary dinnerâ€"theatre production of Rise and Shine. Beth Thompson photos WATERLOO CHRONICLE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1986 â€" PAGE 15 ‘"We have very little in the way of donations,‘"‘ said Knapp. ‘"This is someâ€" thing we want to work on." The Little Theatre is a nonâ€"profit organization and will provide receipts for donations over $5. Though Saunders® role is minimal, she is precisely what the farmer ordered for this part and plays it to the hilt, clad in plaid fullâ€"skirt smock and apron as she dutifully fulfills the Crawford‘s bidding, and gently briefs them on the farmhouse history, whether Richard Crawford likes it or not. Knapp said members represent all walks of life, from housewives to receptionists to students and truck drivers, to name a few. The third couple in this artfully concocted yarn are the Bart family. Judy Hamilton, as the simpleâ€"minded Elly Bart, eternally ‘ruled‘ by her husband, John, has completely captured the aura of this woman‘s psyche in a riveting characterization, quite disturbâ€" ing in effect. We would like to see more involveâ€" ment from the business community," said Knapp. ‘‘"We need more people with a business sense involved with the orgaâ€" nization." Membership fees are $20 for adults and $10 for students and, among other benefits, members are entitled to auditâ€" tion for plays before the public; particiâ€" pate in the workshops and productions; attend all the social fuctions; and renew their membership at a lower rate. KWLT‘s Chuck Peeren in another fine acting stint is husband, John Bart, the playâ€"heavy â€" gruff and foreboding â€" rather like a modernâ€"day simulation of Almâ€"Uncle from the story of Heidi, not exactly your neighbourly type of guy, as the Crawford‘s slowly begin to unravel the reason for their little blonde visitor. Havard‘s Hide and Seek is a classic chiller with a spineâ€"tingling conclusion as this innocent child‘s gameâ€"play accelâ€" erates to nightmarish proportions and a scintillating climax. Anyone interested in becoming a member is asked to call the Kitchenerâ€" Waterloo Little Theatre at 886â€"0660. Hide and Seek continues at Victoria Park Pavilion Thursday through Saturâ€" day.