Durango rides into the sunset on Blackhorse
By Anne Ritchie

Do you know the difference between involved and committed? It's worth a visit to Blackhorse Village Players production, Ned Durango comes to Big Oak, by Norm Foster, to get the answer.

The answer - and the ensuing laughter - is claimed by Orson Hubble (played by Larry Hines), a small-town guy who knows everybody's business and makes up his own. Hines gives Orson a manner of speaking that makes you smile with each word. He stutters, swaggers, and livens up the town café, owned by his buddy Tom Shaw (Greg Cebelak). Add to that Orson's anxiety of meeting a long lost daughter, and that their correspondence has not been totally honest, and you have the makings of a highly laughable situation.

Despite Tom's efforts, the café, beautifully designed and constructed by Gord Phillips, is empty. The town is dying, the coffers (and coffee) are running low, and something needs to be done. Mayor Catherine Winger (Michelle Lanoue) has the answer.

There's no denying Cebelak is funny. A worried, trapped expression, the deerin the-headlights look when he doesn't quite understand, are perfectly timed.. Tom becomes the focus of money troubles, the turning point in the Tomato Festival Parade, and the confidant of the family-frazzled mayor. Cebelak works hard and turns his character inside out to be everything to everybody, producing laughter all the way.

Lanoue plays a super confident mayor with a few chinks in her armour that show up most unexpectedly. Lanoue handles the role well, from politics to family disasters, almost, but not quite, unflappable.

The success of the Tomato Festival Parade falls on the shoulders of Grand Marshall, Ned Durango (Scott Andrews). Ned has broad shoulders, and a broad outlook on life. He was the biggest cowboy star a generation ago, and he arrived in town in the nick of time to save the day. With a very anxious Mayor Winger breathing down

Tom's neck (in more ways than one), investors surveying the Parade as a tourist attraction, and Tom's chief assistant, Orson, hopelessly aflutter about his daughter's visit, Tom figures Durango as Grand Marshall will be the only way to save Big Oaks.

Andrews himself is bigger than life. He could have been born in the saddle, swaggering and flattering every chance he gets. However, there's a lot

hidden behind Durango's big guffaw; as Andrews switches between hero and hellion. One wonders if all childhood heroes follow the same route; most certainly, they'll all end up the same way.

As Orson's daughter, Kay, Kierston Dryer is appealing in a role that calls for youthful eagerness and enterprise, shyness and forthrightness. She blooms as the newfound Tomato Queen, and in the final scenes, adds her wit and candor to a wonderful story.

Director Margaret Phillips is probably one of the longest running and well admired directors at Blackhorse. She brings experience, humor, energy, and love of theatre to each play, all to better the enjoyment of the evening.

Don't miss the evenings when Ned Durango Comes to Big Oak, until Nov. 11. Call (905) 880-5002 for ticket information.