Skip to content

Castor Little Theatre opens new production

First production after two-year absence
31943060_web1_230302-CAS-Little-Theatre_2
Steve Madge (left) and Shannon Blumhagen (right) play the fathers of the young couple in the latest Little Theatre production. Here the father and soon to be father-in-law (?) give the son, played by Brad Pay (middle) some advice. (Kevin Sabo/Castor Advance)

After a two-year absence and months of practice the thespians of Castor Little Theatre (CLT) were back on the stage.

The production of Things My Mother Taught Me, written by Katherine DiSavino, opened on Feb. 19 with a brunch performance in front of a crowd of around 160 people .

Produced in three acts, the play lasted just a little over two hours with two 15-minute intermissions.

Set in contemporary Chicago, the play opens with a young couple moving into their first apartment together after moving half-way across the country.

The cast of characters includes the couple, both sets of parents and a possibly less-than-helpful building maintenance person all interacting in humorous ways.

Performing in the 2023 play are a mix of old and new thespians including veterans Steve Madge, Shannon Blumhagen and Shawna James. Joining them are Sharmaine Bucklaschuk, appearing in her third performance, Jenessa Dunkle, in her second, and newcomers Jaymi Rausch and Bradley Pay.

For those wanting to see the show, many opportunities are still available to do so.

Teen Night takes place Feb. 22 at 6 p.m., before dinner theatre performances resume Feb. 24 and 25 at 6:30 p.m.

For those not wanting to be out so late, another brunch show takes place Feb. 26 at 12:30 p.m.

The final performances of the production will take place Mar. 1 with a general performance at 7 p.m., and two more dinner theatre shows on Mar. 3 and 4.

Contact Don Sisson for tickets at 403-323-0359.

Castor Little Theatre is celebrating 40 years in 2023. Its first performance in 1983 was Nellie’s Peril, and with the exception of 2021 and 2022 has held performances annually.

31943060_web1_230302-CAS-Little-Theatre_3
Here, the mothers in the play, played by Jaymi Rausch (left) and Shawna James (right) share a drink with the building maintenance person, played by Sharmaine Bucklaschuk. (Kevin Sabo/Castor Advance)
31943060_web1_230302-CAS-Little-Theatre_4
Thespian Shannon Blumhagen gets physical with his performance as he tumbles over a chair onto the stage during the Feb. 19 Castor Little Theatre performance as Jaymi Rausch looks on. (Kevin Sabo/Castor Advance)
31943060_web1_230302-CAS-Little-Theatre_5
Here the young couple contemplates life after they finish struggling with a stuck chair. (Kevin Sabo/Castor Advance)
31943060_web1_230302-CAS-Little-Theatre_6
Front-of-house manager Don Sisson welcomes the crowd to the Castor Little Theatre’s first performance of ‘Things My Mother Taught Me.” (Kevin Sabo/Castor Advance)
31943060_web1_230302-CAS-Little-Theatre_7
The first showing of the Castor Little Theatre performance on Feb. had around 20 tables worth of people in attendance. (Kevin Sabo/Castor Advance)


Kevin Sabo

About the Author: Kevin Sabo

I’m Kevin Sabo. I’ve been a resident of the Castor area for the last 12 years and counting, first coming out here in my previous career as an EMT.
Read more