Grindstone Theatre combines veteran talent with up-and-comers in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
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'It's a cast of 11, it's an orchestra of seven,' says Martin. 'We had maybe a six-piece band with Rocky Horror, but now we have strings as well on this show, and we're actually using the orchestra pit. It's definitely the biggest show we've taken on. It kind of comes with the territory of having a 350-seat theatre, you know?'
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For Martin, who started Grindstone Theatre back in 2011, this has been quite the trip. The Grindstone has grown significantly as an organization, from a shoestring operation to full-time staff and the operation of three venues and a theatre school. Martin has gone from focusing almost exclusively on the long-running The 11 O'clock Number: The Improvised Musical to a main stage season in multiple venues.
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'I think back to when I was in grade six and I saw my first Citadel show, Into the Woods,' he muses. 'I learned later, once I was in theatre school, that Ron was in that show, that he was playing the character of Jack. So, I'm still kind of a younger director and I'm working with all of these people that I used to sit in the audience and watch, and it's very much a cool experience.'
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Preview
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A Gentleman's Guide To Love and Murder
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Directed by: Byron Martin
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Starring: Ron Pederson, Oscar Derkx, Sawyer Craig, Sam Hutchings, Ruth Alexander
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When: Until Sunday, June 1
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Where: The Orange Hub Mainstage Theatre, 10045 156 St.
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