By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
The ever-popular local theatre production Double “D” Diner returns for its third act with the story of the eclectic diner gang returning to the diner set after last year’s Operation Cherry Blossom saw them embark on an adventure to a winery.
“We thought we’d do it one more time. It seemed to work the first two so we thought we’d give it another shot. When I first started this thing I always thought after the first one that maybe three would be a nice thing to do – a nice trilogy sort of thing,” says local playwright Jim Dinwoodie.
“We were lucky enough to get back a lot of our same people from the first two shows,” says local playwright Jim Dinwoodie. The familiar faces will be joined by some brand new budding actors which he says is quite rewarding and quite exciting that we have new people.”
The show is being produced by the Osoyoos Actors Studio Inclusive Society (OASIS) which Dinwoodie formed last year to help foster Osoyoos-based community theatre. It appears to be working as new people have decided to come out and give acting a shot with Dinwoodie saying “They’re very, very brave for doing this, full kudos to them.” And he adds they’re doing very, very well.
The main character has changed due to a move abroad, which will see Maria take over as the new D. A new adventure takes place for the core group, which is always D, Phil, Nick, Mindy, Pappy, and Angie.
And for those who may be concerned about being lost if they haven’t been to either of the first two shows, Dinwoodie says there will be a short monologue at the beginning of the show to explain who the main characters are.
“It’s a fun show, it’s a good show and it’s definitely a comedy,” he says. And there’s even more action than the last time and more physical comedy, he adds. As per the last two installments, the show is two hours in length with an intermission halfway through.
And like the previous shows this one will be soliciting donations for the Osoyoos Food Bank (last time around it was the Oncology Clinic at the Penticton Regional Hospital) with food donations accepted, but monetary donations preferred.
Tickets for “Return to the Double ‘D’ Diner” are $20 and available at various locations including The Happy Paper Parlor, Home Hardware and Gino’s Coffee House. Tickets are also available at the door. The five show production will be on May 15 and 16 as part of the Osoyoos Spring Festival and then again on the long weekend of May 24, 25 and a matinee on May 26. All shows will be performed at the Osoyoos Community Theatre located at Osoyoos Secondary School.
