Whitby Free Press, Wecfnesda y , ven ber 2,1994, Page 1 7 'L-ove Letters' on te wa The second production of the Durham Shoestring Performers' 2lst season will be presented Dec. 2 and 3, at 8p.m. and DeC. 4at 2 e.m. in the Arts Resource Centre behnd Oshawa City Hall. 'Love Letters,'.by A.R. Gurney, chrqnicles the life-long relationship between a man and a woman, solely through their correspondence. Directed by Joe Szekeres, the play tells the story of Andrew Makepeace Ladd (played by Ron Getz) and Mouissa Gardner (played by ýCatherine Booth), whose poignantly funny fiendship and ill-fated romance take them from second grade through adolescence, maturity and into middle age. Gurney writes with symnpathy, love and humour about the lives of his characters. Unique and imagfinative, «Love Letters' has been performed in New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Boston. Tickets for the Durham Shoestring Performners' production v are $6, available at Walters Music Centres, 349 King St. Information Oshawa, Court, Oshawa Centre. W. and Centre For further information, contact the producer, Carolyn Wilson, at 725-9256. 'Hard-edge'9 works in abstract shown ' The Optical Challenge: Poet-Painterly Abstraction,' a exhidbition of works from the permanent collection, will open at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery on Thursday, Oct. 27. Coined by the American art critic Clemnent Greenberg, the movement of "post-painterly abstraction"' came as a revoIt against the paintings of the late 1950s which continued in the vein of abstract expressionism. A new generation of artists felt that abstract expressionismn was becoming a cliché: drips and splashes seemed te, be manufactured rather than an extension of any real drama or chaos. Poet-painterly abstraction favoured an impersonal, detached mode of exprsson. In their .work, the artists choset emphasize the power of pure colour through even, non-textured application of pint, flat, nonillusionistic space and the demonstration of how adjcent colours interacted. The majority of the works in this exhibition can be categorized as "hiard-edge," a feature of post-painterly abstraction which stressed hard, razor-sharp contours as opposed te works with hlurred or stained edges. The exhibition continues until the end of the year. New artistie director at Cullen Gardens Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village's 'Christmas On Memory Lane' opens Saturday, Nov. 12. As the author of the show, Marni Walsh bas tailored the script specifically for Cullen Gardons audiences, with elements-that appeal te the very young and the "very young at heart." Children will enjoy puppets and participate in a Christmas rhythm band; 'mature' family members will enjoy songs from the forties as well as a traditional carolling segment. Walsh is the new artistic directer at Cullen Gardens. Walsh, based in Metro Toronto, has worked exclusively in theatre, film and television for the past 10 years. Her work as an actress, director and writer has been seen on CBC, NBC ýmd commercials as well as local and regional professional theatres such as Kawartha Festival Theatre, Blyth Summer Festival Theatre and the Teronto-based classical theatre company Theatre Antiquity. MARNI WALSH She is best known in the Metro Toronto area for her eight-year run as artistic director at Cullen Dinner Theatre at Cullen Country Barns, Markham. Walsh established that theatre in 1986. Walsh hopes te bring (à 'more "theatrical" look teo the 'Musical shows at Cullen Gardens.' "I would like the productions to tell a good story as they entertain," says Walsh. "Stir the heart, whether that be by the warni, comical style of our Christmas show or the rousing patriotism of the '95 summer amphi theatre production." In the past, the shows have been strictly musical reviews. Walsh says her aim is te combine that successful musical format with a traditional dramatic style so that the audience is net only treated te good music but walks away feeling uplifted by the story surrounding the music. Walsh is interested in casting local, professional talent. "The shows do require strong singer-actors with a fervent commitment to working in professional theatfe. This can mean long heurs of rehearsing and performing, and during the summer performing on the amphitheatre stage at Cullen Gardens is hard hot work. But as enthusiastic actors will tell you the experience is a rewarding one." Walsh insists that the Cullen Valley Theatre "is an excellent training facility for young performers." 'Christmas on Memery Lane' continues until Jan. 8. SFree Bridai DisplayI ~N. MILL RUN Golf & Country Club Saturday, November 5th, 94 e 1O0:OOam -3:OOpm -Total Wedding Packages atAffordable Prices 852-6212(IUxb) or 1-800-465-8633 -Refreshments Served - Cali for Details & Directions 10 4 A way we go! SPECTATORS BECAME part of the show in 'Away We Go With Annie & Mo,' presented recently at Whitby Lbrary. The duo's next show, 'Annie & Mo Search For Santa,' wiII begin in mid-November. Cali 436-2813 for bookings or more information.% Photo by Mark Reesor, Whltby Free Press Bush painting acquired The Robert McLaughlin Gal- lery has acquired 'The Armories -Toronto, 1939,' an oil painting by Canadian artist Jad Bush (1909-1977). The gallery did net identify the donor, described as a "long-time supporter of the gallery." 'Armories -- T.oronto, 1939, was Penner to perform Popular children's entertainer Fred Penner will be in Oshawa for a show on Nov. 12. Penner and The Cat's Meow Band will perform at Eastdale CVI, at 2 p.m. Penner will aise be the grand marshal of the Oshawa Santa Claus parade on Nov. 12, start- inll Ticketmaster for ticket information. painted in 1943 by Bush, a mem- ~rof the abstract painters group Painters Eleven (195360). Toronto's old armories (built 1891-93) on University Ave. was intensely busy in September,' 1939, the outbreak of World War II. The painting is on view in the gallery main lobby until Nov. 30. --- - - - - - - - November Perm Special D4ryants -Ask for Angie -I 1 Expires: November 30/94. "Ai You Cari EaVt" paqhe-ti - 5.9 (includes unlimited soup or salad, plus bread) 'Tuo5day Trivia Nitjht" Eitart5 at & pmr Kid5 Eat Frc(10 and under with accompanying aduit entree) 'NAY .we i