Pioneer Memorial United Church is thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration with Dot The T Productions, a professional theatre company in Lake of Bays, under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director Jan Jacklin and Minister, Rev. Meg Jordan. Together, they will strive to bring entertaining, thought-provoking theatre to the local community with their first production, an award-winning one-woman show,
“SHIRLEY VALENTINE” on February 29 and March 1 at 7pm and two matinees on March 2 and 3 at 2pm.
The 132-year-old heritage church, Pioneer Memorial, is located at 2370 Highway 60, Hillside in Lake of Bays. Its hall will serve as a vibrant cultural hub as they host their inaugural show and pave the way for future theatre productions. SHIRLEY VALENTINE, written by Willy Russell, is a heartwarming comedy about a middle-aged woman stuck in a boring marriage and wonders what ever happened to all the dreams from her youth.
Jan Jacklin expresses her enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted to collaborate with Pioneer, a welcoming venue steeped in history and community support. This partnership allows us to bring engaging theatre productions to Lake of Bays and provide a unique experience for both residents and visitors.” Jan first attended Pioneer one recent Sunday and recognized the potential for pop-up theatre in the spacious hall.
When she learned that funds were needed to replace the church furnaces, Jan met with Rev. Meg Jordan and church leaders and received an enthusiastic and positive response to her proposal.
Each performance will seat 50 people and 25-50% from each ticket sold (dependent on ticket prices) will be donated for the installation of new furnaces for the church. This initiative aligns with Pioneer’s commitment to open their doors to the community, to preserve the heritage of their church and ensure its warmth and vitalityfor generations to come.
They invite you to celebrate this union of heritage and the arts. Be part of the excitement as this charming, historic church takes center stage, becoming a haven for cultural expression for the community.
To reserve a ticket for SHIRLEY VALENTINE, send an e-transfer of $40 to dotthet@yahoo.com OR, if availability permits, bring cash to the door. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time. Refreshments will be available by cash donation.
To learn more about theatre at Pioneer and upcoming events, go to
https://lakeofbaysunitedchurches.org/events
