Citronella set to bring the best pantomime has to offer to the Gravenhurst Opera House stage

Visiting with writer Autumn Smith during a Citronella rehearsal break and the positive vibes are palpable.

Autumn, who is also the executive director of TimberBeast Productions, is very excited about the upcoming pantomime which provides a Gravenhurst twist on the classic Cinderella fairy tale.

A traditional British pantomime is about music, dancing, farcical and slapstick comedy, fun and audience interaction and is based on fairy tales or nursery rhymes. Citronella hits all the marks of a fantastic pantomime.

“It’s fun, it’s for the whole family,” explains Autumn, who ended up writing five drafts of Citronella. “There are jokes that are meant for the adults, but only the adults will get them. The children will love it because they’ll get to boo the villain and cheer the hero. And this one is more full-on than most pantomimes . . . it’s a hoot.”

Autumn wrote the original draft of the story in 2019 – with its theatre debut delayed because of the pandemic – and now the zany, disco-inspired, support local-driven, musically magical performance is less than 10 days away.

Finally, this family fun story will get its opportunity to be seen and shared by all. The cast and production team are inviting everyone to join sisters Segwun and Wenonah, their stepsister Citronella, and her wacky “fairy godmother” Muskoka Mary for a hilarious journey.

Citronella performances run at the Gravenhurst Opera House from July 18 to July 28.

“We have a whole cast of characters from the Town (Gravenhurst) that make appearances on the video backdrop,” says Autumn. “It’s very support local oriented, so it’s fun. My own personal artistry is based on crafting Muskoka’s stories and TimberBeast is all about that.”

Jillian Robinson is taking on the title role of Citronella in her second summer of doing theatre in Muskoka. Last year, she was part of the Twelfth Night performance by TimberBeast Productions.

“Usually during the year I’m in Toronto doing theatre, and ironically I’ve been doing a lot of pantomimes in Toronto,” says Jillian.

Those pantomimes included stories based on Rapunzel, Cinderella and more. So, it’s with love and passion for the craft that Jillian is readying herself for Citronella.

“I love pantos because you have the musical energy and the comedy from the farce kind of vibes,” she says. “For something like this, I hit the books and make sure I’m ready for whatever . . . I take care of my voice, take care of my body, and I’m ready to go.”

Even with it’s Gravenhurst-centric themes, all Muskokans will find something to love about the story and those coming from far and away will find themselves learning a little bit more about the town they’re visiting.

“My family is coming from Windsor to see the show and they’re going to get a crash course on the area,” says Jillian.

Adds Autumn: “It’s very much full of love Muskoka vibes, but it also tells people to come and enjoy what Muskoka has to offer.”

For tickets to Citronella, check out the Gravenhurst Opera House Box Office.

Not just Citronella . . .

Autumn and TimberBeast Productions have much more on the go this summer including Monday Night performances in July as part of a Broadway on the Barge series, which includes some of the Citronella cast.

Plus, on Sunday, July 23 at 7 p.m., TimberBeast – in conjunction with Muskoka Pride – will be bringing a special benefit performance called Fearfully Wonderfully Made to Trinity United Church Gravenhurst.

This show will feature Dave Campbell, Jillian Robinson, Raechel Fisher, Ryan Hancock, Mackenzie Kelly, and Autumn Smith, along with guest artist Thomas Craig Buckley, an internationally celebrated pianist and countertenor.

Tickets are $50 with funds raised from the performance aiding the community craft special events that elevate equity and inclusivity.

For more information on any of the TimberBeast events, visit https://littlewoodsmith.com/ or email: timberbeastproductions@gmail.com