“Everything's Groovy”
Wedesday, January 11 - 14
St. Paul's United Church, Beausejour

It's the 1960's, the era of peace, love and open air concerts. Come join Haystack’s lively group of hippies and flower children as St. Paul’s United Church is once more transformed into Crumb’s Apple Farm, the site of a free Music, Beads and Flowers celebration. Some long-time Haystack supporters may remember the 1999 production, and this year’s offering  from January 11-14 promises to be at least as entertaining.

Louis Buss, a Haystack veteran in his seventh performance, creates “Swashbuckler” –  the biker in charge of security. He is a “Knight in shining leather”, the handyman around town who deals with the hippies and other issues as they come up. Louis, a Grade 12 student at Edward Schreyer School (ESS) says Haystack helps kids learn good teamwork ethics, provides an outlet for creativity, and is a lot of fun.

Katelyn Hastmann is the very old, (“she’s like in her 40’s or something,” said Katelyn), and very grumpy Mrs. Porter. Mrs. Porter is anti-hippie and wants to stop the festival because it will cause a lot of noise, and give the town a bad name. “They should all be arrested,” is her favourite line. Katelyn, a Grade 12 student at ESS is in her fourth performance and says Haystack is a good opportunity to get involved with kids, not just your own age, but a “whole whack of people from all around.”

Carling Dumoulin, a Grade 10 student from ESS is in her second Haystack performance. She creates “Harmony”, a stupid but sometimes smart hippie, who is heard to say “I’m so zonked”. Carling says Haystack has taught her new skills, and new things about herself.

Matthew Bernauer is a Grade 9 student at Pinawa Secondary School. Although this is his first year with Haystack, he draws on previous acting experience to portray Andy, the frontman of the “Lemon Bugs”, the festival’s main band. Andy thinks he’s the “new Elvis that all the girls love”, but in reality he owes everything to the three ladies who back him up. His favourite line: “A breakdown man, a breakdown.” Matthew says Haystack is a “very awesome experience especially in your first year. You get to know people you wouldn’t normally talk to.”

Brittany Gustafson, a Grade 7 student at ESS, is also in her first Haystack performance. She always came to Haystack p and is thrilled to finally be part of a production. She portrays “Rain Hippie”, one of a group of three “mellow, go with the flow” hippies who says “Just let your light shine”. She says a lot of people don’t know much about Haystack, but that it’s a good experience, and you get to know a lot of people.

The play runs at St. Paul’s United Church, 730 James Avenue in Beausejour from Wednesday, January 11 – 14. Evening shows: doors open at 6:30, show at 7:00. Saturday matinee: doors open at 1:30, show at 2:00.

Tickets are $9.00 and available at Pharmasave (268-1434); Scoop-A-Lot (268-3198); The Clipper (268-4700) and Anthony’s Florist (268-1977). For more information, call Kathy at 205-0040.