By Mike Renzella | The Haldimand Press
September 4, 2025
PORT DOVER—Life moves fast as John – the lead character in Lighthouse Theatre’s final production of their 2025 summer season, Here on the Flight Path – knows all too well.
A newspaper columnist and recent divorcee whose ex took everything but the shirt on his back, John has found himself living in the upper corner apartment of the Aurora. This faded building on the rough side of town is where John’s initial exuberance for his newfound freedom is slowly giving way to feelings of aimlessness, loneliness, and isolation.
The action revolves around John’s relationships with three neighbours, all of whom come to occupy the apartment next to his over a period of time. Set on the apartment’s rooftop balcony under neon-bathed lights, John slowly learns some deep lessons about himself as each successive relationship plays out.
The play is performed by just two actors: Reid Janisse as John, and Julia Dyan as all three of his neighbours: Fay, Angel, and Gwen. It’s a Lighthouse debut for both actors, though both have a list of acting credits that include popular TV shows like The Boys, Umbrella Academy, Murdoch Mysteries, and What We Do In The Shadows.
The pair shines brightly. Janisse effortlessly controls the show’s tone as a master of the deadpan reaction planting some pathos into a character who slowly proves to the audience – and himself – that there might be more to be seen than the sad sack aimlessly sliding through life who we meet in the show’s opening moments.
In her three roles, Dyan is the perfect foil for Janisse. She can make you forget that you’re watching the same actor, disappearing into each successive role and imbuing each with their own unique personality and traits. Impressively, the two actors generate a different flavour of chemistry as each successive relationship plays out.
“What I love about Here on the Flight Path is that it reminds us how every person we meet leaves a mark, no matter how brief their appearance in our lives,” said show director Derek Ritschel.
Written by Lighthouse regular Norm Foster, the play exhibits all the traits Foster’s fans love him for: easy, relaxed dialogue; a sack full of zingers, one liners, and double entendres that had the audience in stitches on opening night; and a solid lesson to be learned before the curtain falls.
The apartment set is an impressive sight, creating a realistic approximation of the two rooftop apartments, bathed in warm light and topped with a neon pink ‘Aurora’ sign that gives the play a fun ‘Los Angeles in the 80s’ vibe.
Here on the Flight Path is playing now until September 13 at Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover. It moves to Port Colborne’s Roselawn Theatre September 17 to 28. For tickets or more information, visit lighthousetheatre.com or call 1-888-779-7703.
That’s not all for Lighthouse though. With a fall and winter schedule full of upcoming musical tribute performances, and season topper Memories of the Rat Pack running in Port Dover from September 16 to 27 and Port Colborne from October 1 to 5, there’s plenty to look forward to until Lighthouse returns for their 2026 summer season.
After studying journalism at Humber College, Mike Renzella desired to write professionally but found himself working in technical fields for many years. Beginning in 2019 as a freelancer, he joined the team full-time later that year. Since then, Mike has won several awards for his articles thanks to his commitment to presenting an unbiased, honest look at the important news and events shaping our community.
