Winnipeg actor, 91, takes on new leading role in film

Winnipeg actor Doreen Brownstone is still a star at 91. She has a new leading role in a film called The Doreen Brownstone Film Spectacular.

The people behind the project are playwright Angus Kohm and local actor and filmmaker Stefanie Wiens.They're in their final week of an Indiegogo campaign, hoping to raise $25,000 for the project.

Wiens said this a wonderful opportunity to work with Brownstone. "She is a living legend in Winnipeg.

"Doreen Brownstone has a really special place in the heart of the local theatre and film community," she continued. "She's just such a wonderful spirit to be around."

Aside from being such a great actor, she also regularlyknits hats and slippers for cast and crew and bringsin loads of baking to rehearsals.

Professionally, she's been an inspiration. Wiens said the idea came to her to do this film when she saw Brownstone do a reading.

"It was one of the most wonderful theatrical moments I'd ever experienced. Doreen's performance was so powerful and it just struck me that as actors get older, most of everything they do just gets better and better because it's all about becoming more open, more experienced as a human being and as an artist that the craft just keeps sharpening and getting better and better.

The story, being created by Angus Kohmcomes out of his sense of humour andhis love of B-movies, together withBrownstone's fabulous personality. The idea is that she plays a character named Doreen Brownstone,an aging B-movie star who is trying to keep her career going but is having to be in lowerand lowerquality films.

"Because we're going to have a movie within the movie, it will give her a chance to play in a bunch of different genres she may not have had the chance to play," said Wiens. "It will just be a lot of fun."

B films are a bit outside the comfort zone for Winnipeg actor Doreen Brownstone, but that's not stopping her.

Her long and storied career included being in MTC'svery first production,AHatfulof Rain,playing opposite GordonPinsent in 1958,numerous performances as Yentain Fiddler on the Roof,and regular appearances on all of Winnipeg's stages.

Wiens and Kohm also produced a documentary about Doreen Brownstone forMTS Stories from Home.