Richard's Blog

Meet CHAD PURCHELL, Soloist (“At Last”) and Ensemble for the May 15th Groovin’ for Good fundraiser for the London Food Bank at the Palace Theatre.

Music has always been a part of Chad’s life, even though he never learned how to read it or play an instrument. After taking Drama in high school, he finally got the courage to go out for the annual production. It turned out to be My Fair Lady and was performed at Centre In The Square in Kitchener.

“I was fortunate enough to be in the ensemble once again at Centre In The Square for St. Jerome’s High’s final show, Jesus Christ Superstar,” says Chad. “I didn’t do anything else until years later when my wife encouraged me to get back out. Since then, I have played The Narrator in Rocky Horror, Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, Jimmy in Sean Brennan’s Now and Then, and The Baker in Into The Woods.”

“I found Silver Spotlight and The Artful Players through a friend,” says Chad. “I really appreciate the possibility of playing any role as we tend to age out and doors are closed to us. This incredible supportive group is great.”

Chad invites his family and friends to see Groovin’ for Good.

Tickets for the fundraiser are available now and can be purchased online at https://palacetheatre.ca or the Palace Theatre Box Office, 710 Dundas St., London, ON, 519-432-1029. #theartfulplayers#groovinforgood#londonfoodbank#atthepalace

Meet MARY-ELLEN WILLARD, Soloist (“Jolene”) and Ensemble member for the May 15th Groovin’ for Good fundraiser for the London Food Bank at the Palace Theatre. Mary-Ellen’s earliest theatrical experience was performing in Wish You Were Here at Oakridge Secondary School under the direction of Art Fidler. When she saw that Art and Rick Smith were looking for a name for their new unique theatre company, Mary-Ellen had her team at adHOME Creative (the advertising agency she owns) create the name and logo, Silver Spotlight Theatre. Inspired by the group’s passion, she auditioned for their first production. Mary-Ellen joined the ensemble of Babes in Arms and then earned the role of Rizzo in their next production of Grease: The Musical. adHOME Creative has produced all creative design for every Silver Spotlight show, including Babes in Arms, Grease, and Into the Woods. “It’s been very rewarding to contribute to the success of Silver Spotlight Theatre and The Artful Players. And reconnecting with Art Fidler after all these years has been an absolute honour,” says Mary-Ellen.

Tickets for the fundraiser are available now and can be purchased online at https://palacetheatre.ca or the Palace Theatre Box Office, 710 Dundas St., London, ON, 519-432-1029. #theartfulplayers#groovinforgood#londonfoodbank#atthepalace

Meet TOM SMYTH, Production Manager for the May 15^th Groovin’ for Good fundraiser for the London Food Bank at the Palace Theatre. Tom brings thirty-three years of musical theatre experience to The Artful Players. His roles have included production manager, set designer, head carpenter/set construction coordinator, and assistant stage manager. The challenge of coordinating different teams with the ultimate goal of presenting nothing but the best to an audience is what addicted him to musical theatre. In 2024, Tom received Musical Theatre Productions’ annual Lifetime Membership honour. Tickets for the fundraiser are available now and can be purchased online at https://palacetheatre.ca or the Palace Theatre Box Office, 710 Dundas St., London, ON, 519-432-1029.

Meet Teri May, Stage Manager for the May 15^th Groovin’ for Good fundraiser for the London Food Bank at the Palace Theatre. Like many other members of The Artful Players, Teri first experiences with theatre go back to her English and Drama classes with Art Fidler at Oakridge Secondary School. She has been involved in all three of Silver Spotlight Theatre’s three productions – as the Choreographer and a Reporter in Babes In Arms, Cha Cha in Grease, and backstage as Assistant Stage Manager and the voice of The Giant in Into The Woods. Teri invites all Londoners to help The Artful Players in this great cause. Tickets for the fundraiser are available now and can be purchased online at https://palacetheatre.ca or the Palace Theatre Box Office, 710 Dundas St., London, ON, 519-432-1029.

Meet Tracey Andrus, Artistic Director & Producer, and the driving force behind the May 15^th Groovin’ for Good fundraiser for the London Food Bank at the Palace Theatre. A graduate of Art Fidler’s theatre program at Oakridge Secondary School, she performed in Silver Spotlight Theatre’s productions of Babes in Arms, Grease, and Into The Woods. Tracey looks forward to seeing all her family and friends on May 15. Tickets for the fundraiser are available now and can be purchased online at https://palacetheatre.ca or the Palace Theatre Box Office, 710 Dundas St., London, ON, 519-432-1029.