Tara Travis, a homegrown talent, will play each one of King Henry VIII’s wives, and eventually the murderous king himself in an Alt Fest production at the ACT.
Travis is the star of Til Death: The Six Wives of Henry VIII. The one-woman show will be featured on Alt Fest’s opening night Nov. 20, along with No Tweed Too Tight: A Grant Canyon Mystery.
Nov. 21 and 22 will bring more performances for Alt Fest weekend.
Travis said her roles call for “rapid-fire shapeshifting,” and taking it was one of the most extreme challenges of her professional acting career.
“I was equally excited and terrified. It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever done,” she said.
“But it’s so much fun. Now that I know it, and it’s in my body, it’s my favourite thing to perform.”
Travis grew up in Maple Ridge and graduated from Maple Ridge secondary with the class of 1996 as Tara Goerzen. She was in every theatre performance in the district, as a member of the Maple Ridge Community Players and the Maple Ridge Dance Circle. Not it’s her living and lifestyle. She’s been with Monster Theatre since 2007.
She is also doing the Wizard of Oz with Gateway Theatre in Richmond, playing the Wicked Witch of the West, “which is super fun.” On the side, she is a puppeteer for hire.
Travis is looking forward to Alt Fest in her home town.
“It’s totally fun. I’m just mad that the ACT didn’t exist when I lived there.”
Til Death is set in a waiting room in the afterlife, as one-by-one Henry’s wives arrive and try to figure out who deserves to spend eternity with the King.
“Six queens, six love stories, six deaths, one king, one actress,” is the summation, by writer and director Ryan Gladstone.
He also wrote and stars in No Tweed Too Tight: A Grant Canyon Mystery.
Perpetually inebriated investigator Canyon leaves a wake of dead bodies, semi-satisfied ladies, and empty bottles as he staggers toward a shocking and fiery conclusion.
It is directed by Bruce Horak.
Saturday, Nov. 21 brings Nashville Hurricane: A Curious Tale of Finger Pickin’ Fury.
In this 75-minute one-man show performed by Chase Padgett, the audience learns about Henry Waltrip, the Nashville Hurricane. From humble trailer park beginnings alongside his white trash mother, Brenda, and the crazy gigs on the road with his blues playing mentor, Tyrone, the stories and songs unfold into hilarious rants on love and music. Written by Chase Padgett and Jay Hopkins.
Sunday, Nov. 22, Alt Fest offers the Jeff Hamilton Trio with Cory Weeds.
Originality is what versatile drummer Hamilton brings whether he is recording or performing with his trio, Oscar Peterson or Ray Brown.
His highly accomplished trio, featuring pianist Tamir Hendelman and bassist Christoph Luty, is a sure bet for fans of hard swinging, straight ahead jazz. Joining the Trio is tenor saxophonist Cory Weeds, one of Canada’s most important jazz impresarios and the founder/owner of the Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver.
The three-show package is available for $60, or tickets can be purchased for each night. Tickets can be bought in person at The ACT Arts Centre at 11944 Haney Place, by phone at 604-476-2787 or online at www.theactmapleridge.org.
Non-perishable food donation for the Friends in Need Food Bank will be taken in The ACT lobby during ALT Fest!