Mark Terene Takes Center Stage in DOG PARK JAMBOREE

Mark Terene stands at the back of the OCC Theatre in Orillia, waiting to make his first entrance in Dog Park Jamboree. He's acting as two characters, first as the Narrator of the show and second as the dog park custodian, Jake. With his cloth cap and work boots he looks like a man who leaves, 'no grass uncut and no poop un-scooped.'

He plays several other characters in the show, but this is the first time the audience sees him and it's important. Jake' sets the tone of the entertainment and welcomes the audience to the show. Mark fulfills both tasks admirably.

Not that this should be a surprise, for Mark has many major credits to his name over a career that spans almost forty years. Starting with Ryerson Theatre School, then a stint at The Old Firehall where his mentors were Joe Flaherty and John Candy at Second City Improv. He has performed across Canada in musicals and plays as well as having an impressive list of television credits including several episodes of Street Legal and the ill-fated, but brilliant Wonderfalls.

He worked with Mickey Rooney in Calgary at Stage West in The Mind With A Naughty Man. He was Cogsworth the Clock in the original Walt Disney production of Beauty and the Beast and played the role of Pumba, the Warthog in Disney's The Lion King, both at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto.

So why is this seasoned pro in Orillia at the OCC? "First off," Said Mark, "I liked the script. It was clever and funny and gave each dog a real personality and story. Then David, (David Fanstone the librettist), asked me if I would do a demo track for the title tune and the music was brilliant. So when he asked me if I wanted to perform in the show, I thought, why not? Besides me feeling it would be a real crowd pleaser, I wanted to be part of the process. Playing a character for the first time is always challenging and I was playing three!

The feeling just deepened through rehearsals and the first part of the run. "I'm incredibly lucky to be part of this company. The energy level is off the chart! The actors are talented and extremely giving, as well as being a group of the nicest people I've ever met. I've enjoyed the ups and even the downs of this production and I will be very sad when it ends."

And with that Mark Terene walks into the darkened theatre and begins to spin the magic as only he can do, setting The Dog Park Jamboree in it's place and time for the audience, and kicking off another crowd pleasing performance.

Runs to July 29th, Tuesday to Saturday at the OCC, 64 Colborne St. Orillia, On, L3V 1T6, www.newsunshinefestival.com, (705)-242-8011

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