Darrell DennisHerbie_small

Darrell Dennis                                       Herbie Barnes

All good things must come to an end and Darrell Dennis will be leaving us after his 7:30 performance on Saturday.  Audiences have been very appreciative of Darrell’s remarkable talent.  Imagine holding an audience in the palm of your hand for almost 90 minutes with only your voice and your physical presence-no lights, sets or costumes.  Yet that is what Darrell has done night after night here in Hannibal.

Next month, Darrell starts shooting a new TV series in Toronto for YTV.  It’s still very hush-hush but we know its about a girl who is looking for answers about her father.  Darrell plays the cop who befriends her and helps in her search.  It’s from the production company responsible for the Degrassi franchise, a long-running trilogy of children series that has an impressive international following.  Little known fact-superstar rapper Drake got his start on Degrassi-The Next Generation under his real name Aubrey Graham.

It has been a great experience having Darrell with us at BCT in Hannibal.  If you want to catch one of his final performances, there are shows today (Friday) at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and the final show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.  Tickets have been going fast but we can probably fit you in if you call today.

Darrell flies out on Monday and his replacement, Herbie Barnes flies in after completing a long run at the 4th Line Theater as Dr. Bernardo in Dr. Bernardo’s Children.  Darrell and Herbie are long-time friends who collaborated on the original script for Tales of an Urban Indian.  They work together frequently and are co-founders of Tonto’s Nephews, a comedy troupe comprised entirely of Native Comics.  Last night, Darrell confided that he and Herbie have been cast as Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee in a Christmas panto later this year.

For all of you who saw Darrell in the role of Simon Douglas, rest assured that Herbie will be a great stand-in.  As well as directing this production, he has played the role many times at many venues to great critical review.  I encourage you to come back and see the play again with a new actor in the lead role.  And if you still haven’t seen the play-you’ll not be disappointed with Herbie in the lead.  We have performances scheduled Thursday, Friday and Saturday until August 9th.  Check the website or call the box office for exact showtimes and dates.