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Unconditional love is main MANUFACTURER AUTHORIZED theme of show: playwright in 1971. "Given the combination of coming to a She said the adversity faced by both her grandmother and her daughter inspired her country where you don't know the language or anything and that it is a completely difto write the show. "Her story and the story of my grand- ferent country together, you are forced to mother are completely intertwined," she learn, because as a child you really don't said. "I had to basically give up a career as a have a choice," he said. "It was quite the music teacher to help my daughter. So I sat life-changing experience, and you see that there and tried to attend to her, and I in this script." The show has a cast of 32, ranging in age became inspired while taking care of her. That's where the music came from. The from seven to their late 50s. Actors hail from many different locales, such as basis is how love can conquer anything." The show was a labour of love for Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, Erin, Perkins. She researched the history of Hamilton, Georgetown and Beamsville. Musical accompaniment for the produchome children extensively, even travelling across an ocean to find more answers about tion will be provided by piano, keyboard, guitar and percussion. her grandmother's life. Perkins commutes the hour-long drive "I believe that basing a piece of drama on the actual truth gives it a lot more impact," from Erin to Oakville to attend every Perkins said. "I tried to be truthful about it, rehearsal and work with Mustafa and musibut because she passed away before I even cal director Anne Barnshaw on alterations knew she was a home child, I had to get my to the script. "I'm completely inspired by the commitinformation from other relatives. I flew to Wales and met the cousins there whose par- ment of the cast and the brilliance of the ents had been able to stay in Wales. I got a director and the professionalism of producer John O'Hara and everyone involved," said lot of information and photos from them." Perkins was also inspired by Welsh Perkins. "These are really professional peomusic during her trip, which is prevalent in ple with great talent." Mustafa said he encourages people of all the score of the musical. "It is definitely a Celtic base, with folk ages to come see the show. "People will influences," she said. enjoy it," he said. "It "And because I have "I believe that basing a piece of is not limited to such a love of various drama on the actual truth gives it people who are genres of music, it was a lot more impact." descendants of exciting for me to be home children, or able to put in a Barb Perkins history buffs, it is a Charleston-type song Playwright and composer musical that will where it belongs, for appeal to everybody. example." The musical was presented in a work- Most Canadians don't know anything about shop at the Charlottetown Festival in this, so it will open their eyes that this did Prince Edward Island in 1997. It was staged happen and it is a story that will move you." It will be a family affair for Perkins, as at Erin Centre 2000 in 2005. Perkins said it is special that it is now many of her relatives are expected to come to the show. being presented in Oakville. "One of the brother characters in the "I couldn't be happier because of my connection to Oakville," said Perkins, who show, his actual son, children and grandnow lives in Erin. "And because it is the children will be in the audience," she said. Year of the Home Child worldwide, it is so "This is their family history." And she said her grandmother likely special to be doing it this year." Perkins credits outstanding music would have been proud of her for telling the teachers at Gladys Speers Public School and story. "I think she would have been glad that White Oaks Secondary School here in Oakville for instilling a love for music in this news was getting out, that these chilher, which led to her career as a music dren were finally being recognized and appreciated for what they went through," teacher and her first musical, Homechild. Yo Mustafa, creative director of W.E.S.T. she said. Homechild -- The Musical runs July and artistic director of Homechild -- The Musical, said he realized the potential of the 16,17,18, 22, 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. and July 19 and 25 at 2 p.m. script after its first reading. General admission tickets cost $25. The "I get a lot of original scripts and most of them need a lot of work, but I felt this script musical will be presented on the main stage had a really good base and I also liked in Heaslip Hall at Sheridan College, 1430 Trafalgar Rd. Parking is free. Barb," he said. "It's a passionate play." Tickets are available through the He said it strikes a personal chord as both a parent who has adopted and as an Oakville Centre Box Office by calling 905immigrant. Mustafa came to Canada from 815-2021 or by going online to Cyprus with his parents as a 10-year-old boy www.oc4pa.ca/boxoffice.htm. 25 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 10, 2009 Continued from page 24 CLEARANCE SALE Stressless and Natuzzi Sofas Up to selected floor models Stressless Paradise Sectional reg. $16,995 floor model 50% off $5,995 Colibri Chair and Ottoman reg. $2808 $1,495 while quantities last American Chiropractic Association 3245 Fairview Street · Burlington, Ontario L7N 3L1 (905) 633-7226 · 1-866-556-7226 · www.scandecor.ca Hours: Mon.-Wed. 10-6 · Thur.-Fri. 10-8 · Sat. 10-6 · Sun. 12-5 Mark Your Calendar! 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