April 18 to May 5, 2024
Meet the Cast and Crew of “LONGING”
Written and Directed by Michael Armstrong
LONGING is one woman’s story of a life through the 20th century, inspired by the life of the author’s own mother and by his relationship with her. Barbara spent her early life trying to find the lasting relationship that eluded her as a child and her later years struggling to hold that marriage together. It is a true and inspiring story of one woman’s courage to live her life for love and to rediscover what was lost.
This is a true story and as such deals with adult themes and contains scenes of implied violence and may not be suitable for small children.
See review in PQB News!
Director Michael Armstrong shares the inspiration for the writing and production of LONGING.
Beth DeVolder talks about the music for the play LONGING
MICHAEL ARMSTRONG
Playwright, Director and Set Designer
Michael is an actor, director, and playwright with 50 years in the theatre. He has a Master’s Degree in Playwriting and Poetry from UVic, is the author of ten plays and is a member of the Playwrights Guild of Canada. As an actor, he has appeared in a dozen shows with Victoria’s Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre and directed their recent production of Misery. For ECHO, he recently designed the set for Doubt and has directed twice: Hay Fever (2018) and School for Scandal (2010). His partner, Beth DeVolder, makes it all possible.
JUDY HIPKIN
Barbara
Theatre has been a lifelong passion for Judy, starting at age 7. In recent years you may have seen her as a clairvoyant, grump, governess, murder suspect, medusa, granny...or perhaps a drunken maid? Judy is delighted to have been a part of three mid-island premieres: Extended Wings (grandmother/activist); Second Chances (mousy wardrobe assistant); and When I'm 64 (breast cancer survivor/dragon boat team member).
It is now an honour to be among the dedicated cast and crew presenting the premiere of Michael Armstrong's "Longing".
JENNIFER KELLY
Choreographer, Assistant Director
Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Jennifer studied Drama and Vocal Performance at Queen’s University. She enjoyed working as a theatre manager and performer for several cruise lines. Jennifer has directed Doubt, A Parable, Second Chances, the Canadian premiere musical, The Secret Garden, and Pink for ECHO Players. Since 2015 she has been the musical theatre instructor for Qualicum Beach School of Dance, recently directing Oliver, Frozen Jr, My Fair Lady, and Beauty and the Beast. She is also a Performing Arts teacher for District 69, instructing music, acting, and speech and dramatic arts. Jennifer feels extremely fortunate to teach, perform, and direct in this vibrant arts community.
BRIAN LECKY
Michael/Bartender
What an honour and privilege it is to be included in the first cast of Michael Armstrong’s premiere production of Longing. From the very first rehearsal it has been a work of collaboration, support, and trust from everyone involved. We have been allowed into a very personal and introspective piece of writing. There is a fragility and vulnerability that we all respect. Thank you Michael.
CLARICE McCORD
Barbara
I’m so pleased to be part of the ensemble bringing Michael Armstrong’s play about his vibrant and complex mother to life on the stage.I also am pleased that I get to play my own age while sharing the true story of another strong female after needing to play the last two women in their 90’s in Sally Stubb’s play about her mother in Our Ghosts and also Vera in 4000 Miles both for Western Edge Theatre. And I think I won’t need to be on stage this time in a housecoat and slippers! This is my first time on Echo Theatre’s Stage. I’m working with actors I’ve worked with before for WET and NTG and am meeting new talented colleagues. Please enjoy the story that we all help unfold and thank you for supporting live theatre.
ROB ATKINSON
Philip/Doctor/Letter Carrier/Bartender/Harold/Older Ed
Rob is very happy to be back on stage at the Village Theater. He is even happier to be performing as a man again. While playing Miss Trunchbull in Matilda, he found his bra tended to pinch him in ways he had never experienced before. Rob considers the theater to be his second home, which makes sense since he has been in rehearsal or performing for almost a year and a half continuously. Rob would especially like to thank Micheal for letting him take part in such abeautiful and intimate story. Enjoy the show!
LANA HARACH
Milli, Barbie, Chorus
Lana has had a love of theater since her parents enrolled her annually in a children’s summer theater camp at Village Theatre. Since then, she has been in ECHO’s Dick Whittington (2016), Spam and Maple Syrup (2017, 2018, 2022, 2023), and was an assistant stage manager for Matilda (2023). Lana is delighted to be a part of Longing, and to delve into the complexities of life with cast and crew.
When not in the theater, you can find Lana out in the garden, searching for insects, knitting, or volunteering with the local 4-H club where she is the Poultry Leader.
RANDY HUMCHITT
Jack, Louie, Ed, soldier, George
Randy is grateful to collaborate with Michael Armstrong and his talented cast and crew in debuting the beautiful tale of an extraordinary woman's ordinary life. Embracing the challenge of portraying multiple roles, Randy also appreciates learning movement sequences choreographed by the caring Jennifer Kelly. Previously, Randy played Sir Henry in Bard to Broadway's 2018 production of Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery on the village theatre boards. Recently, Randy portrayed Lana Lust in Western Edge Theatre's Drag Queens on Trial. With a decade of community theatre experience across various local groups, Randy extends thanks to Michael for this opportunity and hopes you enjoy the show as much as he does
.
BETH DeVOLDER
Musical Score, Musician
Beth’s passion for writing and theatre was ignited at 10 working alongside Canadian composer Norman Symonds to write and perform the operetta Laura and the Lieutenant (1972). Since that time, Beth has gone on to publish over 60 songs as a recording artist and lyricist/composer. Her latest project is a new musical, The Last Frontier, written with Michael Armstrong. For Echo Players, Beth played Sister Aloysius in Doubt (2023) and Ruth Steiner in Collected Stories (2018), a role for which she won Theatre BC’s Best Actress award. Beth thanks the Echo Players community for their on-going support and open arms.
AMANDA WAGNER
Barb
Passionate about acting from a young age, she began directing and performing sketches for classmates in elementary school. In later years she studied acting at Gastown Actors Studio and Stagecraft at Douglas College. Amanda embarked on her journey with Echo Players in 2022 as Edith in Blithe Spirit and has worked on several productions, in the tech booth and backstage. Amanda is grateful to return to the stage as Barb, in this beautiful show, Longing. She would like to thank her husband and children for their love and support. Thank you to Michael, our Director, for trusting us with such precious memories.
JACK DUCE
Mike, Bobby, Johnny, Harvey
Jack is a recurring actor and singer, and has been a dedicated member of ECHO Players since 2016. He’s starred in many plays across the stage including Narnia, Almost Maine, A Visit from St. Nicholas, Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan, and many more. He is endlessly grateful to ECHO for the chance to perform.
Jack is honored to have been given the opportunity to work under Michael Armstrong's genius direction, alongside an amazing cast in this beautiful, real story. He hopes you enjoy the show.
LYNN WALKER
Stage Manager
Lynn Walker has been a member of ECHO Players since moving to Vancouver Island in 2016. She has stage managed for ECHO and Bard to Broadway. Love of the theatre and learning as much as she can with each production is what draws her to this position. Being part of a brand new play that is so personal is particularly special.
HILARY WHELTON
Joanne, Radio Announcer, Sgt. Helen, JP
Hilary is delighted to be playing with this joy-filled ensemble, bringing to life a story of love and, yes - Longing. Hilary is a singer and voice teacher; she is the Musical Director and Program Coordinator for three of the ECHO Players’ Performing Arts programs for children and youth.
MADELEINE MacDONALD
Peanut, Young Mike, Little Girl
Meet Madeleine, a 10-year-old fourth-grade French Immersion student at Oceanside Elementary. She enjoys performing on stage, with credits in productions like Moana and Peter Pan in Nanaimo. When she's not acting, you'll find her dancing hip hop, Latin, and contemporary styles at Sara Raymond's studio. At home, she's surrounded by her family: mom, dad, little sister Eleanor, and her black cat, Frank. In her free time, Madeleine loves to curl up with a good book and unleash her creativity through art.
LINDA ATTLEY
Producer
Linda has been a proud member of ECHO for over 20 years. She has produced or stage managed over 15 productions, heads up the Social Committee, and enjoys her time with a very special group of people working box office. She has been on the Board of Directors several times and is a lifetime member. She is happy to be working with Michael again on this beautiful show.