​Five new actors join Kincardine Theatre Guild for production of “The Pirates of Penzance”

The Kincardine Theatre Guild has welcomed five new actors to the stage for its production of the Gilbert and Sullivan musical, “The Pirates of Penzance,” which opens Friday, Nov. 15, at the Kincardine Arts Centre.

Joining the guild for the first time in major roles, are Liz Coates, Rob Peters, Brittany McGarvey, Michael Austin and Alex Peroff.

Also new to this show, are director Christine Mensher, and band director Clayton Peters.

LIZ COATES

Liz Coates, 32, of Kincardine performed on the theatre guild stage when she was in high school, but this is her first role with the group as an adult. She has been involved with the guild in recent years, doing some vocal coaching for previous musicals, but says being on stage is much more fun.

“You basically put on a costume and hang out with your friends,” she says, with a laugh. “It’s a real hoot and holler.”

Coates is playing the part of Ruth, beloved nurse of the main character, Frederic, who is trying to break free of the Pirate King and begin his courtship of Mabel.

Originally, Coates auditioned for the role of Mabel because she is a soprano and loves Gilbert and Sullivan shows. However, the director needed a strong alto to sing with the Pirate King, so she was chosen to play Ruth.

“During rehearsals, I got into it and Ruth has the most interesting story line,” says Coates. “She’s the nurse maid in Act 1, the wall-flower, and deceived by her beloved Frederic. Then in Act 2, she comes out with a gun and a sword, and ends up with the Pirate King which is a definite upgrade!”

Coates directs the A Cappella Choir and plays accompaniment for the Kincardine Community Singers. She also teaches music privately – piano and voice. She enjoys spending quality time with her mom, knitting and crocheting, and with her Corgi dog and two cats.

ROB PETERS

Rob Peters, 38, of Kincardine plays the part of Sam, the First Mate.

Four years ago, Peters and his wife, Jenn, moved here. They have two children, and he works at Bruce Power.

While he is not new to acting, having performed musicals in Guelph and Brampton, he is new to the local stage. His wife is also part of the show.

“I love singing and am part of the A Cappella Choir with director Liz Coates,” he says. “I love the old musicals, and singing in large ensembles. I auditioned for the part of a pirate, and was thrilled to get it. It’s a lot of fun goofing around on stage, with all the singing and acting that takes place.”

Besides being part of the A Cappella Choir, he keeps busy with his children’s many activities.

ALEX PEROFF

Alex Peroff, 30, of Point Clark plays the part of Frederic. Originally from the Greater Toronto Area, he grew up in Kincardine as a teenager. He did some acting in university when he took his arts degree but has not been on stage since 2017.

“I tried out because I was told I need to do something other than work,” he says. “The ‘Pirates of Penzance’ was a childhood favourite of mine so I said, let’s go for it. I thought I would get a simple role and then I got cast as the lead - that was a shock!”

He says the role of Frederic is complex.

“There’s so much that goes into him - singing, dancing, acting – it’s quite a lot,” he says. “I have no formal singing background, so it was rather daunting, I still feel like a fraud up there but I give it my all each time.

“I’ve made some wonderful friends through the Kincardine Theatre Guild and have enjoyed my time with them.”

Peroff works with a good friend/business partner as co-owner of Aligned Contracting. Also, he and his fiancee, Kayla, run a free travelling museum for all ages, called “Frontline Journeys.”



Brittany McGarvey (right) as Mabel and E.B. Michael Austin as the Major General, join the sisters in a scene from the Kincardine Theatre Guild's production of "The Pirates of Penzance"

BRITTANY McGARVEY

Brittany McGarvey, 34, of Kincardine has taken on the role of Mabel, Frederick’s love interest.

Originally from Clinton, she is married with four children and works as a nurse. She has acting experience and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, teaching vocal lessons for years.

“I’ve always wanted to be on stage,” she says. “I have three daughters and have taught them that you’re not too old to follow your dreams, so I decided to audition and be a good role model for them. This is the first time they have seen me on stage.”

McGarvey said she was going to just try out for one of the daughters in the show and be part of the chorus, but was cast in the major role of Mabel.

“I’ve had a great time” she says. “This group is at lot of fun; everyone is so encouraging and supportive. There’s so much energy and good balance. It’s wonderful to be back in the arts.”

In her spare time, McGarvey enjoys volunteering with non-profit organizations, being outdoors at the beach and walking her golden retriever.

E.B. MICHAEL AUSTIN

E.B. Michael Austin, 63, of Kincardine plays the part of Mabel’s father, the Major General.

Originally from Quebec, he moved to Ontario in the 1980s to find his “fame and fortune” in the civil service in Toronto and then Guelph. He and his wife, Laura Rowbotham, retired to Kincardine in late 2022. They have four grown children and one grandchild.

He has some acting experience with theatres in Quebec, Toronto and Guelph. Plus, his parents loved Gilbert and Sullivan; his father was a musical director and his mother was in set design.

Austin tried out for the part of the Major General but thought he had done a terrible audition.

“It was a lot of fun, and then I found I got the part,” he says. “This group is great. I’ve had to work hard to keep up but it’s a wonderful challenge.”

He enjoys being on stage but he jokes that “Stratford is not calling any time soon,” so he will stick with the local guild for now.

In his spare time, he enjoys swimming, gardening, and caring for his large dog and small cats.

CHRISTINE MENSHER

Christine Mensher of Port Elgin taught music at Elgin Market and Kincardine District Senior School for 12 years before transferring to Saugeen District Senior School where she continues to teach music. She is married with two children.

This is her first time directing with the Kincardine Theatre Guild, but she has volunteered with other productions and has a solid working relationship with the group through the staging of KDSS musicals over the past two years.

Since she was on maternity with her son, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mensher has wanted to bring some opera to Bruce County.

“I felt that a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta was the right fit for the times,” she says, “and it has turned out better than I thought it could be. I have a great production team which is able to solve any challenges that arise. And having Clayton Peters join us as our full-time pianist and band director made all the pieces fit just nicely.”

Mensher says she would love to direct again. “As a musician, vocalist, and music educator, I very much prefer musicals, and maybe even a full-fledged opera, if the fates allow.”

When she is not busy with stage productions (this is her third show this year), she enjoys playing bass clarinet with the Port Elgin Community Band, and playing board games with her team in Port Elgin.

CLAYTON PETERS

And finally, new to the Kincardine Theatre Guild, is Clayton Peters, 32, of Goderich who teaches Grades 7 and 8 music at Goderich District Collegiate Institute.

He is playing the piano and leading the pit band for this show, and enjoying it very much.

Joining the major players on stage, are the sisters, played by Jenn Peters, Megan Gramigna, Fawn Meyer, Emily Cassidy, Savanah DeLuca, Gabriella Geberdt and Paige Wade; and the pirates/police, played by Ron Boucher, Jared Petrie, Rob Peters, Jameson May, William Luhowy, Milo Petrie, Karen Yun, Kathie Hackney, Caroline Tarsitano, Leslie Wade, Terry Marsh, Steve McGibney, Sid Duggan and Dave Carson.

Opening night is Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., and the show runs Nov. 21-23, and 28-30 at 7 p.m., and Nov. 16-17, Nov. 24, and Dec. 1 at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $30 each; available on-line (plus fees) at www.ticketpro.com, or in person at the Welcome Centre (cash only) in downtown Kincardine.

For more information, visit the theatre guild website at: kincardinetheatreguild.com.