Parry Sound resort offers engaging theatre from intimate cabaret

The Muskoka Theatre Project announces the opening of a second year round venue at Resort Tapatoo on Otter Lake, just south of Parry Sound. The company has gained a reputation for producing highly successful productions including "Quiet! I'm Talking" and "Scenes From The 19th Hole" at their summer home The Red Leaves Playhouse Tent on Lake Rosseau.

In association with executive producer, playwright and broadcast personality Vince Grittani (Cottage Life and Weekend Guy TV), Resort Tapatoo has custom-built an intimate, 125 seat cabaret. This is the perfect venue for the theatre's inaugural production, Grittani's own award-winning "Wake Me When It's Over!", featuring original music by Rosalind Mills. This new staging of the show, under the direction of Kerry Gage (seen on CBC's "Triple Sensation") features engaging performances by original cast members Suzette Araujo and Sweeney MacArthur, who later this spring stars in the new Mirvish musical "The Ha' Penny Bridge" in Toronto.

In "Wake Me", MacArthur plays advertising creative director Roger Starky going through a midlife crisis. Araujo enters Roger's imagination in a seemingly endless array of highly entertaining roles, from his Gr. 1 strap-happy teacher Sister Mary of The Compassionate and Merciful Christ (who is neither compassionate nor merciful) to his slightly insane neighbour, real estate agent and condo president wannabe Margo St. Clair. Described in the past by radio commentator Dick Smythe as "clever and very funny", this show is the perfect medicine for the winter blues.

At Tapatoo, the Cabaret Theatre is attached to the resort's Seasons restaurant, famous throughout central Ontario for its exquisite fine dining. Seasons will be offering it's complete menu to patrons choosing to dine before the show. In addition, visitors can also choose a complete all-in-one theatre/spa/dining weekend.

It's no coincidence that this may seem like a scene out of Irving Berlin's "Holiday Inn." Before becoming full time Muskoka resident, Grittani, originally from Toronto, witnessed the slow extinction of the city's small cabaret spaces like Theatre-In-The Dell and Old Angelo's, which once showcased original Canadian musicals like Joey Miller's "Eight To The Bar" and his own 80's hit "Yuppies! The Musical".

Today he observes first hand the increase of four season resorts like Tapatoo and the soon to open J.W. Marriott at Red Leaves. It's the latter where a permanent full-time home for his company is planned as part of the development's lakeside village. With all this activity, Grittani recognizes the need for professional entertainment in cottage country beyond the summer months. His goal is to create a series of small and medium performance spaces much like those that once flourished throughout New York's Catskills.

"Wake Me When It's Over" opens Saturday, Jan. 26 in the licensed Resort Tapatoo Cabaret and runs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, until March 15. Dinner-theatre tickets begin at $49. Theatre only tickets are $28. Group and weekend packages are available. For tickets and more information call Resort Tapatoo at (705)378-2208, toll free 1-800-461-5410 or visit www.muskokatheatre.com .