I Take This Man, written by Jack Sharkey and directed by Dewdney mainstays Mark Huolt and Dayna Coles, tells the story of a young woman named Gideon “Giddy” Hollis, played by Anne-Marie Cotton, who has been less than lucky with romance.
“I think the play is hysterical. The physical comedy we’ve incorporated into it adds a lot,” Cotton said.
Gideon comes across what she thinks of as a golden opportunity, finding a man unconscious while attending the Boston Marathon.
Seizing upon this apparent good fortune, Gideon asks a passing police officer to help her get the man back to her apartment.
The plan expectedly begins to unravel into a story Huolt promises is absolutely bananas as Brett, played by Logan Coutts, wakes up with no memory and a dubious domestic life thrust upon him as Gideon insists they are husband and wife.
The show was selected by Huolt and Coles for its comedy potential.
“Dayna and I are thick as thieves,” Huolt said, adding the two had worked well together on Dewdney’s 2019 production of Plaza Suite.
“We bring a certain brand of humour to whatever show we do.
“This one was recommended to me by my wife, and we just thought this is a really really fun show,” Huolt added
The directors opted to set the play in the ‘80s for extra flair.
“Dana decided we were going to make this a period piece, with a whole bunch of period music, period costumes,” Huolt said. “Our set is loaded with little easter eggs, so people will be able to look on shelves and on tables and see little things they may recognize from that timeframe.
“We just wanted to make it light and fun and retro and allow people to come out and have a good time.”
The theatre troupe had originally planned to hold the show in the spring, but wanted to make sure the conditions were better first.
“There’s been some challenges, because we wanted to put it on in the spring, but then it was postponed due to COVID,” Huolt said, adding there was still uncertainty.
“It’s been tough on cast and crew, but we’ve got a pretty resilient bunch, and I think we’re 100 per cent on track to open next week. I think it’s going to be really good.”
Gideon’s character was a joy for Cotton, who she described as lovable yet sharp.
“Playing Giddy, she’s just so cute. She’s so naive, but she’s smart at the same time,” Cotton said, adding the character has a method to her madness.
“At first you think ‘Why?’ but then you realize ‘Oh wait a second, she’s clever, how did she pull that off?’ and it’s fun to have that kind of mix.”
The levity comes at the right time for Cotton.
“It’s just a perfect show to come back with after the pandemic, to just sit back, enjoy a laugh, and have a great time,” she said.
Shows for I Take This Man are planned for Oct. 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 and Nov. 4, 5, and 6 at 7:30 p.m. with doors at 7 p.m. with matinees running Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. with doors at 1:30 p.m.
For tickets and up to date information on current facility restrictions, visit the events calendar at Okotoks.ca or click here.
