RAPA

All are welcome to attend Suzie Janelle’s funeral mass on Thursday, Sept 3rd at 11 am, at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, 1st Ave, Russell, On. You must be symptom-free and bring and wear a mask. (there are exceptions re. Mask wearing for individuals who cannot tolerate masks/ have a medical problem) If possible, please RSVP to Jane Brownrigg at email [email protected] before the date as only so many people can attend. Due to COVID protocols, there will be no reception following the service.

It’s a RAPA first! A live wedding (at home of course) joining two of our own, Scott Tomlinson and Jen Long! Congrats to the happy couple! Cheers and all the best from your RAPA family!

Instagram Live at 3:00!! @russellrapa

Catching up with Barbara in Barbados!

On Saturday, April 11, 2020, at the age of 70 years, at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital, the world lost a beloved and colourful woman, Suzie (Suzanne) Janelle (nee Fortin). A long time resident of Russell, Suzie was born in Montreal and was a Jack (Jill?) of all trades, working as a dental assistant, a veterinary technician, a 30-year school bus driver (if the kids on the bus were misbehaving, she simply pulled the bus to the side of the road without a word, took ou...t a novel and read until the noise level fell!), a GodFather's Pizza employee (Embrun) and as an outstanding RAPA (Russell for the Performing Arts) volunteer for almost 30 years, where she expressed her artistic talents. Suzie's avocation as a Props Mistress started years ago when she asked Elaine Trembley (these two women later became known as the "Rapa Witches") if she needed any help on props and thus began Suzie's "career" with RAPA. She could make (including amazing egg sandwiches) or sew anything and delighted in shows that had multiple (and weird) props. Anyone who knew Suzie knew better than to touch her props table (she sometimes scared newcomers who made the mistake of not returning their props to the props table!) and if you asked her a question about why she did things a certain way, she would invariably point to the t-shirt she was wearing, which bore the words, "It's a Suzie thing". In recognition of Suzie's devotion to Theatre Arts, she was presented with the first RAPA Lifetime Achievement Award. Suzie had much compassion for the underdog and described herself as not "that great a Catholic", but as a "pretty good Christian" and had much insight into human behaviour. Suzie was predeceased by her husband Anthony Janelle and left to mourn are her siblings Cathy, Rick and Michael, and by her children she loved so dearly, her son Robert and her daughter Victoria. Suzie inspired us with her grit, her wicked sense of humour, her love of family & friends and her determination. Godspeed Suzie.

Hello everyone! With the current situation with the COVID-19 virus, we have decided to postpone our production of Spamalot. Everyone involved has been working... very hard to make this a RAPA classic and we are still very excited to be putting on this show. However, we'll be rescheduling when there is more clarity over when it will be safe and healthy to do so. For those that have already purchased online tickets, your refund has been processed. If you have any questions or if you've purchased your tickets at one of our outlets, please contact us at [email protected]. While we are heavyhearted with the decision, we're looking forward to putting this on the stage for you when the time comes! Stay tuned for new show dates and in the meantime, please enjoy this little video the cast and crew put together. Sincerely, Dave Rama - President - RAPA