Whitecourt’s Pumpjack Players are bringing CLUE to life this January

For decades, the Pumpjack Players of Whitecourt have entertained the community through their performances. They’ve become known for putting on elaborate dinner theatres each year, with fully catered meals and elaborate sets with filled seats before them. The last three years of inactivity have been hard to handle. Thankfully, the players are back in action, preparing for their first dinner theatre in over a thousand days, Clue!

Originally planned to hit the stage this month, the Pumpjack Players board decided to bump it to January. “Central School is undergoing renovations right now, so in anticipation of the scheduling not working out or perhaps things not being done in time, we decided to move the dates to January 13, 14, 20 and 21. Those were the only days that worked with our licensing as well. So, we’ve got all that good to go,” explained Clue director Stephanie Currie Black.

“Clue ” is one of the more significant plays we have done from Pumpjacks. A play of this size was recently done at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton. It’s a bigger-calibre production. It’s also the most extravagant set we’ve ever done, so it’s a huge undertaking, and we are really excited about it.” Anyone who has played the Clue board game or watched the original movie starring Tim Curry knows what’s in store. The play is jammed with hilarious antics, dramatic flair, and fantastic storytelling. “It’s really funny. People are not going to want to miss this. It’s absolutely hilarious,” chuckled Black.

After too long without a local show, Black said the board was excited to see many new faces join, wanting to get involved. “We have a lot of new cast and crew, and it’s awesome to see. We’ve got eight people new to Pumpjacks in the cast and a handful of new people in the crew. My producer has never done this before, and my stage manager hasn’t either.”

Black said that Pumpjack Players alums are helping lead the new members. “That’s what Pumpjacks is all about. It’s about getting new people in and teaching them the ropes so that we can always have new fresh faces and ideas in the group, on stage, on the board, and everything. We really appreciate all the new input we are getting.”

Black is a first-time director with Billie Jo House as her Assistant Director. “She has directed before, so I’m happy to have her with me. I very much wanted to do this. It’s in my nature to take on a lot of big things, but I think it’s going really well, and I have a lot of help from the Pumpjack board and the crew. I’m really excited about seeing it all come together,” said Black.

The Pumpjack Players are excited to get back to doing what they do best, and the community is also. Black said that they had received “huge” community support. “We really need to thank Ballad for hosting us because we wouldn’t even be having a dinner production if it wasn’t for them.” Each week, the group gathers at the Ballad Consulting shop to rehearse. Though a heated garage bay isn’t likely the norm for theatre groups, the Pumpjack Players are delighted to call it home. “Ballad’s support means everything to us.”

Black said they’ve also received support from several others in the community. “Life Med Clinic, ANC, First Choice Husky Car Wash, Ridge Rotor Helicopter Group, JB Cleaning, Millar Western, Staples, Trimline Designs, and Craft & Trade Company have all supported us, and we are very grateful!”

One of the new members of Pumpjack Players this year is Steve Anderson. Having done a little bit of drama in high school, Anderson decided to join because he wanted to push himself outside of his comfort zone. “I’ve been a part of this community for a long time, and I’ve wanted to get more involved and be more outgoing than I normally am. I don’t know what the cast thinks, but I’m having a good time, and I feel like I’m jiving well with everyone. It’s been good.”

He encourages other members of the community to take the chance too. “Take the plunge because it’s well worth it in the end.” When asked what he is most looking forward to come showtime, Anderson said it was the audience’s reactions. “We’ve got some interesting segments coming up in this dinner theatre. There are going to be some laughs. There are going to be some tears, likely together. It’s going to be really good.”

Tickets will go on sale at the library soon, and Black said they anticipate tickets to sell out quickly. “They will make fantastic Christmas presents, especially stocking stuffers, and even though it’s after Christmas, it would still be awesome as a company Christmas party.” Dinner theatre shows are fully catered and make for a great birthday night out, friends’ night, or date night. “We will also have signature drinks for the colours of the cast, including a yellow one for Colonel Mustard and a purple one for Professor Plum,” said Black.

Local artists interested in helping paint the set or those looking to sponsor are asked to reach out to producer Kayla Kozak at 780-779-8586. “We are always looking for ways to volunteer in the community and help out in any way we can. We like to take on ideas and collaborate with other groups. If anyone is interested in collaborating with us, joining us, or volunteering, please reach out!” And, as a sneak peek at their 2023 plans, Pumpjack Players will be holding auditions for a children’s play in January. So, keep watch on their Pumpjack Players Facebook page for those details! Clue will run on January 13, 14, 20 and 21. Tickets will be on sale at the library soon.