Ivanka returns to Rainy River September 30th

Submitted by
Susan Douglas

Remember Rainy River’s 100th anniversary when citizens were treated to the comedy of “Ivanka Chews the Fat “, with Jo-Ann Waytowich and Dianne Potts? In this play Ivanka and her twin sister Marucia were facing a mid-life crisis and Ivanka decided to become a motivational speaker, mounting a crusade to help those who spend their lives worrying about fat, fitness, aging and relationships. The comedy about weight loss and a “check up from the neck up” left the Rainy River audience feeling pretty good about themselves.
Just over 200 tickets were sold for this side splitting humour event which was held at the R. R. Recreation Centre.
This dynamic duo of Ivanka and Marucia, are returning to Rainy River, Sept. 30th, in “Broadway Bound”, along with renowned musician and tenor, Glen Paterson, of Thunder Bay. Dianne Potts will once again tinkle the ivories on the keyboard, and of course Ivanka adds her beautiful singing voice. This performing trio of Broadway Bound has been together for 13 years and they do a varied repertoire of Broadway show tunes from musicals that span the decade. They have performed with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra countless times and in Jo-Ann’s words, “ We are very polished and professional. I think your audience will like something like this!”
In 1994, Jo-Ann Waytowich wrote I Can sing! (Can’t I?) as her graduating thesis project at Lakehead University. When it was staged at Magnus Theatre, it exceeded all previous box office records selling out and holding over for an additional week. Waytowich’s subsequent five installments in the series, one of which was, Ivanka Chews the Fat, proved to be equally successful. Jo-Ann’s first play in the Ivanka chronicles, introduces Canadians to Ivanka and her identical twin sister Marucia, National heroines from the fictional country of Slobjev. Dressed in their fashionable polyester, beige nylon support hose, and orthopedic shoes, the zany duo entertain with their ethnic folk music, taking Slobjecian humour to new heights. With much added audience participation, the escapades of Ivanka, the domineering know-it-all opera diva, will have you keeled over with laughter.
Tickets are on sale now, don’t be disappointed by waiting to scoop up yours. The show will be accompanied with a Decadent Dessert Selection and Surprise Silent Auction.
Sponsored by the ECC Building Committee.