Theatre XTra is going multi-media for their latest production “Wide Awake Hearts, which runs in the David Spinks Theatre, March 1-3.
“It‘s been a challenge,” said director Kyle Schulte, praising his team for making the production work, especially as there is a very minimal budget for Theatre Xtra productions.
“It’s about a a film maker who suspects his wife is cheating with his best friend so he writes a film and casts them as to see if they have any chemistry, so he can watch what they do. He spies on them through the camera lens.Then the best friend’s girlfriend show up and stirs the pot a bit,” Schulte described.
The four characters, named ‘A,’ ‘B,’,‘C’ and ‘D’ are played by Greg Wilson (A), “Shelby Carlson (B), Danielle Martens (D) and Jon Martin who plays C, the lead character who both the female leads are attracted to.
The Brendan Gall penned play, “Wide Awake Hearts,” which concludes Theatre XTra’s season has been nominated for a Governor General’s Award.
“It has very well crafted writing,” Schulte said. He is excited about adding a multi-media aspect to a Theatre Xtra production as film clips will be projected onto a massive movie screen, which provides the backdrop for the sparse set consisting of a red velvet couch and living room table.
Jon Martin, (not the local musician from the New Weather Machine) is excited about making his acting debut with Theatre XTra as ‘C.’
“He’s one of the actors in the play, who the two actresses are interested in and he’s the film maker’s best friend,” he said.
“He is excited about making his debut on stage.
“I studied film and wanted to familiarize myself with what it’s like on the other side and a decided to jump in head first,” he observed.
“It’s been quite the experience,” he continued.
“ It’s been pretty hectic. I go to bed every night very tired because of it, but with a smile on my face,” he said.
“Wide Awake Hearts,” runs March 1-3 in the David Spinks theatre at 8 p.m. each night at 8 p.m., plus a 2 p.m. matinee on March 3.
