January 22, 2010… Skates are sharpened, sticks are taped and the costumes – rather the jerseys – have been designed. At 2 p.m. on Friday, January 29, Stratford Shakespeare Festival actors face off against members of the administration and production staff at the Allman Arena as part of the festivities leading up to Tim Hortons Hockey Day in Canada.

 

The actors team includes Jesse Aaron Dwyre, Randy Hughson, Gordon S. Miller, Jonathan Purdon, Andrew Shaver and goalie Trent Pardy.

 

The opposing team includes stagehands Bruno Hacquebard and Alan Hughes, Derek Atkins, of the IT department, web developer Bryan Richardson, scenic painter Mike Wharran, house manager Eldon Gammon and carpenters Mark Smith and Joe Tracey.

 

James Walker, applications development manager, is captain of the Festival’s hockey team, which plays regularly throughout the winter. He coordinated this game for the Festival and will be crossing over to play on the actors team.

 

General Director Antoni Cimolino will be on hand to drop the puck. Bruce Dow will be announcing the game and Michele Keutsch, of the applications and analytics department, will be doing the scoring. 

 

“We are so pleased to be participating in Hockey Day,” says Mr. Cimolino. “Congratulations to Mayor Dan Mathieson and the entire team that worked with CBC to bring this high profile event to our wonderful city. What a fantastic way to bring our community together!”

 

On Hockey Day, January 30, Fanfare musicians will herald the arrival of Don Cherry at the Allman Arena at 7 p.m. The Tom Patterson Theatre and lobby will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., giving the public a place to warm up, with volunteers offering free hot chocolate, coffee and cider. There will also be a costume try-on rack operated by Friends of the Festival.

 

CBC viewers will see a vignette featuring Seán Cullen, Don Cherry and Ron MacLean shot at a performance of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum this past November.

 

The Festival Theatre will also be the venue for Randy Bachman In Concert on Wednesday, January 27, at 8 p.m. The concert will be hosted by Ron MacLean of Hockey Night in Canada. Emm Gryner will be the opening act. Tickets are available through the Festival box office, 519.273.1600.