Crocus Plains students serve up dinner theatre

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This article was published 15/04/2014 (4173 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School culinary arts and drama students will get to show off their skills as they team up for their first-ever dinner theatre production.

From April 24-26, Grand Valley Church will host 29 culinary arts and drama students for their production of Lee Mueller’s 1970s wedding reception romp “I’m Getting Murdered in the Morning.”

To accompany the entertainment, those in attendance will be served a three-course meal prepared and served by the school’s culinary arts students.

Drama instructor Ramey Praznik said students have been preparing for the show for the past four months, adding the dinner and show will be an opportunity to “showcase all the great things going on” at Crocus.

“It’s just been so awesome,” Praznik said while watching a group of drama students rehearse recently. “The kids are extremely dedicated and focused.

“We’ve got a smaller group, but they’re all the best you could ask for.”

Praznik also said there will be opportunities for those in attendance to get involved, giving each show a Celebrations Dinner Theatre kind of feel.

After weeks of rehearsals over the past several months, Grade 10 drama student Delton Kreller, who will be playing the role of Benny Tutwalder, said all of the students have been working well together.

“We’ve formed a family and we’ve all become really good friends and it’s so much fun,” Kreller said. “I really like how motivating and encouraging the staff are at Crocus.”

Grade 10 drama student Savannah Wedgewood, who will be playing the part of Bunny Kelly, said she’s excited to perform in front of family and friends.

“I can’t wait to perform in front of them and show them what we’ve been working so hard on for the last couple of months.”

Grade 12 culinary arts student Breanne Pedlow said she’s looking forward to helping out at the shows.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Pedlow said, standing outside Crocus’ busy culinary arts kitchen. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.

“I wanted to come to Crocus for culinary in particular and I’ve loved it. I’ve learned a lot.”

Tickets are $25 each and are available at Crocus’ main office. Seating is limited to 80 guests per show and ticket sales will go toward covering production and food costs.

The Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening shows are sold out, but tickets are still available for Saturday’s afternoon show.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show beginning at 6:30 p.m. for evening performances, while doors open at 12:30 p.m. for Saturday’s matinee performance, with the show starting at 1 p.m.

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