Rosebud, Alberta
(May 11, 2016) -
A fresh ear listening to David LeReaney using his vocal talents proves that this teacher doesn't just teach, he practices what he preaches.
LeReaney, a 30-year veteran of the stage and screen, and a graduate of the University of Alberta, will play both Abraam Jonkers ("Buks") and The Author in
Athol Fugard's
Valley Song
at Rosebud Theatre, a timeless story of change set in the farming community of Karoo in the Sneeburg Valley near Johannesburg, South Africa.
Said LeReaney, "I've been to Rosebud in the past for shows and when I was presented with the chance to return as an actor, I was excited. The parallel of Rosebud and Karoo both being gorgeous Valley landscapes has helped me get into the role. The challenge of playing two individual roles is much easier here as there are fewer distractions and I can focus. It really resonates with me."
Directed by David Snider, Valley Song
follows young a woman (Veronica) and her Grandfather (Buks) as she yearns for a singing career in the big city while her Grandfather is adamant that she settle for safety and certainty at home. The play's backdrop of post-Apartheid South Africa makes Veronica's dream seem even more daring.
Although Athol Fugard himself had trouble moving between roles in his own plays, LeReaney seamlessly transitions between the role of Buks and The Author throughout the entire one-act play. He has
been acting, directing, coaching dialects and teaching for a living since 1979, appearing in or directing over 250 professional plays and 60 film and TV productions.
As a coach and teacher of dialects and accents through his company, Dial/Act Inc. LeReaney has taught at almost every college and university in Alberta. He is also the Founder/President of Performing Arts Lodge (PAL) Calgary is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to providing affordable housing, care and a sense of community for disadvantaged and disabled individuals who work in or have worked in the performing arts industry with priority given to seniors.
His past coaching clients include Eva Marie Saint, Brenda Fricker, Jacqueline Bisset, Rachel Ward, Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore, Liam Hemsworth, Aidan Quinn, Jessica Pare, Cynthia Nixon, Matthew Modine, Keri Russel, Skeet Ulrich, Joely Richardson, Greta Scacchi, Claire Forlani and many more.
"
We are thrilled to have David join us on our Rosebud Studio Stage in this role. He's a remarkable actor whose skill is matched by an authentic and powerful open-heartedness. That promises to make for a wonderfully moving experience for everyone who comes to see Valley Song."
- Morris Ertman, Artistic Director, Rosebud Theatre.
Joining LeReaney onstage in Rosebud Theatre's production of Valley Song is Rosebud School of the Arts Graduate Lennette Randall,playing the young Veronica who has bigger dreams to realize than cleaning the big house in the
village. Randall is excited to play opposite LeReaney. She first met him in Rosebud in 2012.
"The first time I met David was when he came to see Anne of Green Gables at Rosebud Theatre. Over the past three years, David's coached me on dialects and trained me as a standardized patient. I thoroughly enjoy learning from and working with him. We also auditioned for this show together. These connections have given us the chemistry to work together seamlessly on stage, which is so important in this story!" - Lennette Randall
Praise for Valley Song
"a joyous account of the three people and a new nation struggling to leave the past behind." - Baltimore Sun
Performance Details
- Evenings - Wednesday, Thursdays and Saturdays at 5:00pm
Wild Horse Jack's Restaurant is available for reservations at (1-877-987-2999)
Also showing in Rosebud from April 1st - June 11th is
John Patrick Shanley's, Outside Mullingar
-"a gem of an Irish drama" - Louis B. Hobson, The Calgary Herald
Enjoy 2 for 1 "Valley Song" admissions from May 19th to June 4th by purchasing "Outside Mullingar" tickets for the same date.
Information & Bookings
For more information or to reserve tickets call Melanie at 1-800-267-7553 or email Melanie.
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