The Waltz

There is something about a prairie sky at dusk that feels endless—full of possibility, memory, and maybe even a little romance. That is the backdrop for The Waltz, Marie Beath Badian’s tender, funny play coming to North Rustico’s Watermark Theatre October 14–18.

The story begins with Romeo Alvarez, played by Anthony Perpuse, on a cross-country trek from Ontario to British Columbia for university. He makes an unplanned stop in rural Saskatchewan to visit some of his mother’s old friends. He ends up at the doorstep of a remote cabin where Beatrice Klassen, played by Kryslyne-Mai Ancheta, greets him with suspicion and curiosity. Over the course of one summer evening, with a boombox, a shared history they did not know they had, and that breathtaking Saskatchewan sky, they talk, tease, and slowly move toward understanding.

Dora Award–nominated actor Anthony Perpuse is no stranger to The Waltz. Having played Romeo in earlier acclaimed productions, he brings depth, humour, and quiet strength to the role. He is joined by Toronto-based Kryslyne-Mai Ancheta, who has a background in Canadian theatre and new musical development.

For Watermark, this production is part of an intentional commitment. “Each fall, we dedicate our stage to a play by a BIPOC Canadian playwright,” says Artistic Director Robert Tsonos. “It is our way of making sure the stories we tell reflect the diversity of Canada, and that audiences can see themselves and their communities on stage.”

That promise carries special resonance here on PEI, where the Filipino community is one of the fastest growing in the province. The Waltz does not just tell a love story, it tells a story that belongs to a community whose voice and presence are becoming an essential part of Island life.

Director Santiago Guzmán says the story will strike a chord with many Islanders. “This play is about connection, belonging, and seeing yourself in the world around you,” he explains. “I think audiences will recognize parts of themselves in Romeo and Beatrice, no matter where they come from.”

Part romance, part cultural snapshot, and entirely full of heart, The Waltz is a gentle reminder that home is not always a place. It can be a moment, a person, or a song playing on a boombox under the stars.

Tickets are available at watermarktheatre.com or by calling 902-963-3963.