Take a chance on local performances

The performing arts are a big part of what makes life in Kawartha Lakes so great.

We have an overabundance of talent along with some terrific organizers and unmatched venues. It would be great if the range of what’s presented were a little broader, though.

Globus Theatre’s early seasons included many absorbing original plays, often written by Canadians, and performed by strong casts under impressive artistic direction. The Globus Theatre’s first big show was an ambitious and extremely well-executed production of the high-energy play The Thirty-Nine Steps.

These days, the Flato Academy Theatre’s marquee sports a lineup of tribute acts broken up by the occasional Canadian artist or comedian. Local summer seasons tend to focus on light comedies and shows based around music that audiences already know.

Which isn’t to say the quality isn’t still strong — if you’ve never seen Sarah Quick play Shirley Valentine or taken in a murder mystery over dinner at Globus, or watched evening fall and the lights on the trees create magic at The Grove, you really need to give them a try.

Let’s face it, though: The reason these theatres program familiar, crowd-pleasing material is just that. It pleases crowds. We are incredibly fortunate to have these venues and artistic undertakings in our midst, and we need to support them. After the financial beating they’ve taken over the past few years, they need us more than ever.

It’s up to us, the audience, to encourage and support a wide range of shows. Don’t wait for a play you’ve already seen or a band imitating a band you already love. Take a chance! Buy a ticket to something different, maybe even — dare we say it? — challenging.

Let our local performing arts organizations know that you’ve got their back, and that you’re happy for them to offer something new. Will everything be a five-star standout? Of course not. But that’s the magic of live performance — you get to be a part of the risks when they don’t pay off, and have your socks knocked off when they do.

It’s especially welcome to see the Academy’s board promising more of a balance between touring acts that rent the venue and shows spotlighting local and Canadian talent. We applaud them and wish them all the best.

As you watch their efforts evolve, make this the year you get off the couch and take in at least one show at each of our local venues, whether it’s the musical open mics on Sunday at the Academy, an amateur production at Lindsay Little Theatre, an up-and-coming Canadian musician at The Grove next summer or a Christmas panto at Globus. You’ll be glad you did, and so will our local performance community.