John Moyer is an actor/ producer from Kitchener’s Backyard’s Theatre – a locally based theatre company who likes to present “stories from beneath your feet”…… Nowhere, Ontario written by (John’s wife) Kathleen Cleland Moyer, is one of their most successful productions to date.
And as actor/ producer and local history teacher, you could call John Moyer Backyard Theatre’s own Triple Threat!
Due to popular demand a remount of Nowhere, Ontario was presented at the Conrad Centre in downtown Kitchener.

This play literally takes place right in the Victoria Park Neighborhood 100 years ago, during the Great War when Kitchener was called Berlin. Cleland Moyer’s poignant piece, (with a touch of Vaudeville as innovative comic device) chronicles the ravages of war be it on the battlefield or right in your own backyard. Case in point – I live on Queen Street South near Queen and Courtland where the 118th Battalion was stationed during those very uncertain times.
Said one younger audience member after seeing Nowhere, Ontario – “I never really understood war until I saw this play.”
Lest we forget – Coral FM.

For more info on Backyard Theatre go to http://backyardtheatre.ca

Um-diddle-diddle-diddle um-diddleye,Um-diddle-diddle-diddle um-diddleye ….
Broadway actor Mark Ledbetter plays the role of Bert, the lovable chimney sweep, in the Drayton Entertainment production of Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins. Audiences may remember the affable character as made famous by movie star Dick Van Dyke in the original 1964 film starring Julie Andrews.

Mark Ledbetter is a well-established actor, having been on Broadway in the recent productions of A Christmas Story and Anything Goes. He also understudied and frequently performed the role of Bert in Mary Poppins on Broadway for almost two years.
Ledbetter’s distinguished career also includes roles Off-Broadway including The Tin Pan Alley Rag with the Roundabout Theatre Company, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Of Thee I Sing with City Center Encores. His first national touring credits include Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone and Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie.
The accomplished performer also originated the roles of Jimmy and Scooter in the world premiere cast of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and in subsequent years was seen in the Danny Kaye role, Phil Davis, in the San Francisco, Detroit and St. Paul companies. He can also be heard on the show’s cast album.
Regional theatre highlights include Leo opposite Patti LuPone in The Kennedy Center production of Marc Blitzstein’s opera, Regina, both Tony and Riff in West Side Story at The Human Race Theatre Company and the Pioneer Theatre Company, respectively, CosMo Brown in Singin’ in the Rain at NSMT, and Romance, Romance at Paper Mill Playhouse.

In addition to his stage work, Ledbetter’s also appeared in the movie version of The Producers with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick among other film and television credits.
Prior to Mary Poppins, Ledbetter recently participated in a workshop of the new musical The Honeymooners adapted from the classic television series.
How sweet it is! Mark truly is a triple threat!
Mary Poppins is playing at The Dunfield Theatre Cambridge to April 28 2013.
For more info about Mark Ledbetter check out his website at www.markledbetter.com. For more about the Dunfield Theatre go to www.draytonentertainment.com.

*** This was very wide ranging chat. Mark spoke about his role as this lovable chimney sweep, and the fun he’s having with the cast of Mary Poppins at the Dunfield, to working in New York opposite a Broadway legend. Was it fun? Innnnnduuuubitably! – *** Coral FM