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| Western Canada Theatre presents Mesa Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 |
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 Western Canada Theatre’s co-production (with the Arts Club Theatre in Vancouver) of Mesa by Doug Curtis opens Thursday, January 29. This fun road comedy pits Bud (veteran Canadian actor Tom McBeath) against his grandson in law Paul (Romeo from WCT’s production of Romeo and Juliet, Kevin K James), in a battle of wits, opinions and age gap differences as they head down to Mesa, Arizona for the winter. Paul is driving the 93 year old Bud because he can no longer drive himself. They banter and bicker as Bud wants to eat only at Denny’s and sleep only at Motel 6, and Paul wants an adventure around every corner and the time to reflect and “find himself”. This odd couple comedy is a very human story about age, love and life.
Mesa is elevated profoundly by the music of Canadian legend Tim Williams. He sits on the stage with his guitar, playing along with the action, even stepping into character here and there. His performance is as essential to the piece as Bud or Paul. He raises the comedy and helps drive the poignancy home. The play would be an enjoyable trip anyway, but with Tim’s music it becomes something even more beautiful and long lasting.
Tim is no stranger to Western Canada Theatre, having previously performed in Still Desire You last season. Although most often known within the context of the blues, Tim grew up hearing (and able to play) everything from the Bob Wills and Sons of the Pioneers music his parents preferred, to the Mexican and Hawaiian music which were part of the musical melting pot of the Los Angeles area. When he moved to Vancouver in 1970, weary of America’s wars and assassinations, he immediately found work as a studio musician playing on gospel, folk and country recordings, plus commercial jingles selling everything from weed killer to Toyotas.
He has appeared in concert halls, clubs and workshops with (very selective): B.B. King - Lightnin’ Hopkins - Mose Allison - The Holmes Brothers - Odetta - Paul Geremia - Rory Block - Alvin Youngblood - Hart - Robert “Junior” Lockwood - Honeyboy Edwards - Earl Scruggs - Larry Coryell - Lenny Breau - Bonnie Raitt - Dr. John - Roy Rogers - Mary Flower
Much more than a blues musician, Tim has played with Moroccan Gnawa master Magid Bekas, Malian Griot Boubacar Traore, Classical Indian mandola artist Snehashish Mozumder, English guitar hero Sir Martin Carthy, and multi-instrument wizard David Lindley. As well, Tim is a member of the Highwater Jug Band (along with John Rutherford and Dan Tapanila of “No Guff”, award-winning songwriter Mark Sadlier-Brown, and long-time bassist Suitcase James), performing obscure and classic hokum and ragtime tunes plus originals, played on a variety of vintage and homemade instruments. Imagine, if you can, a front porch where Robert Johnson, Hank Williams, Hula Hattie, Flaco Jimenez and Bob Marley meet often and discover just how much they have in common. Tim’s music would fit right in.
Western Canada Theatre’s production of
Mesa
By Doug Curtis
For more information related to this Press Release, contact Dušan Magdolen at 250-372-3216. |
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