(Photo Credit: Grande Prairie Live Theatre)

By Nathaniel Leigh

Theatre

GPLT’s production of To Sir, With Love opens at KMSC Theatre

Feb 29, 2024 | 4:58 PM

Grande Prairie Live Theatre’s production of To Sir With Love opens tonight.

The performance is being directed by husband-and-wife team Monty and Shirley Haughian and is based on the 1959 novel of the same name.

Monty Haughian says the play follows a black man returning from World War 2 as he finds work teaching at a London secondary school.

“It was made into a movie in 1967 starring Sydney Poitier,” Haughian says. “I’ve loved the movie and I’ve always wanted to direct the play. Interestingly enough, the play was not written for the stage until 2013. I’ve been looking for it for a while and when it came about I decided to get the rights and direct it.”

Haughian says finding a black actor to take on the roll previously played on film by legendary actor Sidney Poitier, was an exciting challenge for the production.

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“We have lucked out,” he says. “We have a young gentleman who does a terrific job portraying Sydney Poitier. This was also an opportunity to bring younger members of the Grande Prairie theatre community in as it’s a school and I have 14 students participating in the play.”

He says the production had excellent previews and the cast are ready for opening night.

“They’re really bursting, ready to go tonight,” he says. “We had a dress rehearsal, with a few private friends and family to watch on Tuesday night and they’re pumped and ready to go. it’s going to be a good show.”

The play runs from February 29 to March 16 at the KMSC Law Performing Arts Theatre, the show begins at 7:30 p.m.