soul food vancouver

doubt | first read

2012-02-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

DOUBT by John Patrick Shanley

March 2-31

www.pacifictheatre.org

aug 15-17 | theatrical theology | st andrews, scotland

2012-02-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

Betty Spackman sent me this. Who woulda thought: a Hans Urs von Balthasar Festival! The post is from Transpositions, a blog created by students associated with the Institute for Theology, Imagination, and the Arts at the University of St Andrews.

If you think that Christianity is a cosmic drama and not merely a collection of private beliefs, that good theology should lead to faithful participation in this drama, and that God himself gets involved in the beautiful mess of this play, then there is a perfect conference for you! On August 15-17 in beautiful St Andrews, Scotland, the Institute for Theology, Imagination, and the Arts is hosting a conference on Theatrical Theology: Conversations on Performing the Faith.

Influenced and inspired by Hans Urs von Balthasar’s seminal work in The Theo-Drama, a growing number of contemporary scholars in various theological disciplines are discovering the potential for interdisciplinary conversation between theology and theatre. From a theological perspective, there are several reasons why drama and theatre present themselves as particularly fitting conversation partners, including the inherently dramatic form of God’s revelation in word and deed, the role of Scripture as a text which invites performance rather than passivity, faithful action as both the goal and means of theological understanding, the public and communal nature of theology, and the indeterminacy, provisionality, and ‘improvised’ nature of the theological task. For its part, theatre has always been compelled to acknowledge a debt to its ancient and longstanding entanglements with religious and theological perspectives, and may have much to gain from the process of revisiting and responding to these, not least in their present-day Christian form.

The task of pursuing a serious and constructive interdisciplinary exchange between theatre and theology, however, is one that has only just begun. Furthermore, suspicions persist in some theological quarters regarding the value of interdisciplinary approaches to theology as such, and towards theatre in particular which, among the arts, has experienced a particularly volatile relationship with the Church across the centuries. In response to all of this, Theatrical Theology: Conversations on Performing the Faith will seek to demonstrate the fruitfulness for constructive Christian theology and theatre alike of pursuing the conversation further, tracing some of the advances that have already been made, and identifying new challenges and opportunities still to be reckoned with as the interaction continues and develops further.

Short papers proposals are invited on the conference theme, including the following topics:

Theatrical models and metaphors in Christian theology
Character formation for life and the stage
Ethics, improvisation, and performative wisdom
Christian practices and theatrical skills
Scripture as dramatic text
Liturgy, worship, and performance
Theodramatic ecclesiology and company life
Mission and audience participation
Stage, place and contextual theology
Embodiment and performing the faith
Proposals should be for 20-minute papers to be followed by 10 minutes for questions. Please include in the proposal your name, institution, paper title, and abstract (not exceeding 200 words). Paper proposals will be considered immediately, and please send submissions by email to Theatrical.Theology@st-andrews.ac.uk before the deadline 15 June, 2012.

More information regarding conference proceedings and registration can be found at the ITIA website.

side show | more from peter 'n chris

2012-02-09T09:44:00.000-08:00

Another hilarious video with our friends Peter 'n Chris! With Toronto sketch comedy duo The Templeton Philharmonic, this is PETER 'N CHRIS COME TO DINNER.

SIDE SHOW

featuring Peter 'n Chris

Feb. 10 & 11

www.pacifictheatre.org

Attend Friday's performance and get a FREE Vancouver Attractions Passport courtesy of Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel.

side show | meet the team

2012-02-08T10:04:00.000-08:00

SIDE SHOW is upon us! This weekend, two nights only (don't forget that if you come on the Friday night you get a free Vancouver Attractions Passport courtesy of Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel). You've already met Peter 'n Chris, who will be joining our improv gang for the first time ever in an awesome double-bill. Here's the rest of the crew in all their glory:

feb 10/11 | peter 'n chris at SIDESHOW!

2012-02-08T06:54:00.000-08:00

PETER 'N CHRIS were the Pick of the 2011 Fringe, and you couldn't get tickets. Screamingly funny. They appeared in The Cultch's GIANTS series, and made this promo video to introduce themselves. We thought you might want to get to know them a little better before you see their hilarious show THE MYSTERY OF THE HUNGRY HEART MOTEL presented as a double feature with SIDE SHOW COMEDY IMPROV Feb. 10 & 11th!

feb 2-18 | tempting providence

2012-02-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

I've been watching for this one since Angela Konrad first told me about it, years ago. "A fantastic piece of theatre that will no doubt be on my top 10 of all time for all time. Can't wait to see it again." Talking to Gateway's Artistic Director Simon Johnston recently, he said "I can't believe Pacific Theatre hasn't done this one." So I'm thinking it's a Soul Food must-see.

February 2-18
Richmond Gateway
tix online

The first British settlers to arrive in Newfoundland found the climate too harsh and headed south to Virginia. It took sterner stuff in the form of London-born nurse, Myra Bennett, to endure the region’s bleak weather and conquer its stubborn inhabitants. Nurse Bennett traveled by foot, horse, dogsled, and boat to deliver babies, set bones, and extract teeth on an isolated 320-kilometer stretch of roadless coast. Tempting Providence is an intriguingly-staged story of courage and strength based on the remarkable life of the outport nurse who became known as “the Florence Nightingale of the North.”

“It’s just one of the things that art gives us—an ability to see beyond the ordinary in our everyday lives and grasp the extraordinary at its heart.” —Toronto Sun

feb 8-26 | the marvelous wonderettes | lalainia lindbjerg

2012-02-07T10:14:00.000-08:00

You saw Lalainia Lindbjerg and Diana Kaarina on our stage in CHRISTMAS ON THE AIR last year (who could forget Lalainia's rock-opera rendition of O Holy Night?), and now here they are, together again!

Experience Springfield High School’s 1958 Super Senior Prom where you will meet the Wonderettes, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! Not only are they the trophy winning Varsity Songleaders, but Betty Jean, Suzy, Cindy Lou and Missy have all been nominated for Springfield‘s “Queen of your Dreams.” As the girls sing your favourite classics from the ‘50s including; “Mr Sandman,” “Lollipop,” and “Lipstick on your Collar”, learn about their lives and loves. Who will get your vote for the crown?

Feb 8-26 at the PAL Theatre
Tickets are available online at Tickets Tonight or by phone at (604) 684-2787. For group rates, call (604) 880-1564.

Regular: $25.50 + $3.75 s/c
Preview: $15.50 + $3.25 s/c
Valentine’s Day: Treats for your Sweets! Dessert Buffet and Show: February 14th
$35.50 + $4.25 s/c

happy 200th birthday charles!

2012-02-07T10:06:00.000-08:00

Today would have been Charles Dickens' 200th birthday, had he been the type of fellow to live 200 years. With their time-zone advantage, England has already celebrated with the largest gathering of Dickens' descendants of all time. We can't compete on that level, but we can re-publish our Scrooge-as-Turkey image!

What animal would you have chosen to represent Scrooge, one of Dickens' most famous characters?

danny and the deep blue sea | original advertising

2012-02-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

Check out the cool graphic poster made for the 2010 run of DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA.

danny and the deep blue sea | artistic director notes

2012-01-31T09:08:00.000-08:00

Ron's Artistic Director notes on DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA - closing this Saturday!

Summer before last, PT friend Jason Goode rented our theatre to produce Danny And The Deep Blue Sea. Jason’s taken acting classes here, acted in apprentice projects, and has involved lots of artists in the Pacific Theatre community in the making of his films.

I was bowled over. The calibre of acting was exhilarating. Lori is a seasoned veteran, Aleks a film and TV actor new to the stage: both turned in vital, raw, entertaining performances that were obviously suited to our mainstage.

And the script came alive for me in a new way. It’s a well-known play by a master playwright, often enough performed. But with this kind of heart and fierce freshness, it became new again.

Dark. Very dark. Those broken, desperate, end-of-the-rope lives. But, in true Shanley fashion, I started to sense hope. And I guess I’m just that kind of guy, but.... Give me cheery hopeful happiness from start to finish, I might enjoy my two hours in the theatre okay, but I’m not going to be moved, shaken, changed: I won’t get that thing I go to the theatre for. (Well, I’m exaggerating: I’ll take Tally’s Folly or You Can’t Take It With You or The Foreigner any day.) But give me some faint flickering of light in a hopelessly dark place, you’ve got me. Provided the dark is real, and the light equally so. For me, that’s Danny.

That’s enough to put the play in a PT season: fine acting, intriguing script, light in the darkness. But what put it in this PT season was the potential match-ups. At the time I saw Danny I was preoccupied with Doubt, wanting to live in the middle of that story, learn those characters, and – especially – to see Erla Faye Forsyth as Sister Aloysius. And I was dreaming of having a musical version of Joe Versus The Volcano on our stage. Three plays wildly different from one another: it’s almost inconceivable that all three came from the same playwright. And yet...

And as I watched Danny, I saw Joe and Doubt at the same time. Images recurred, preoccupations asserted themselves, a certain spirit shone through. And as the three plays rattled around in me, I pictured them on our stage, back to back.

The Joe dream didn’t come true. Not yet. But for now we offer you two plays by John Patrick Shanley. Compare and contrast. 25 marks.

feb 4 | acting workshop | erla faye forsyth

2012-01-30T10:50:00.000-08:00

Erla has been a member of the PT family for years! This year she stepped in to perform in CHRISTMAS PRESENCE while Ron was being visited by ghosts, and is taking on Sister Aloysius in our production of DOUBT, coming up in March. In the meantime, however, she's teaching an acting workshop in Abbotsford with our friends at Gallery 7 Theatre!

Making the Choice: Effective Acting Decisions
with Erla Faye Forsyth

Saturday, February 4, 2012
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
MEI Theatre, 4081 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford

The effectiveness and impact of your performance depends greatly on your ability to ask questions, to analyze the script for answers, and to translate these discoveries in to a three-dimensional character. This workshop will explore what questions actors should ask, and how they find answers using the play's text.

Costs:
$65.00 - Individual Workshop
$58.50 - Individual Workshop - Season Pass Holder Discount
*Registration fee includes a bottle of water, snack, and a light lunch.

To REGISTER or for MORE INFORMATION:
Call 604-504-5940 or go online to www.gallery7theatre.com

feb 12-18 | guys and dolls | willis taylor

2012-01-30T09:58:00.000-08:00

PT alumni from days of yore (HARMFUL EFFECTS OF TOBACCO, anyone?) Willis Taylor is directing a production of GUYS AND DOLLS out in the Valley!

Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, this oddball romantic comedy – considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy – soars with the spirit of Broadway as it introduces us to a cast of vivid characters who have become legends in the canon: Sarah Brown, the upright but uptight “mission doll,” out to reform the evildoers of Time Square; Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler who woos her on a bet and ends up falling in love; Adelaide, the chronically ill nightclub performer whose condition is brought on by the fact she’s been engaged to the same man for 14 years; and Nathan Detroit, her devoted fiancé, desperate as always to find a spot for his infamous floating crap game.

Everything works out in the end, thanks to the machinations of Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling‘s hilarious, fast-paced book and Frank Loesser‘s bright, brassy, immortal score, which takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City. Funny and romantic, GUYS AND DOLLS is ideal for audiences and performers of any age.

Feb. 12 at 2:30pm
Feb. 13 & 14 at 10:30am
Feb. 16-18 at 7:30pm
The Abbotsford Arts Centre
Tickets $12
Info and reservations: 604-853-0778

feb 6-11 | soul resource | masae day

2012-01-27T15:01:00.000-08:00

Masae Day (THE GREAT DIVORCE) has co-created and is performing in SOUL RESOURCE at Studio 58 with her class.

Studio 58, the nationally renowned professional theatre training program at Langara College, presents the Risky Nights production of SOUL RESOURCE, a classic story of jealousy and greed that looks at our abuse of natural resources in a very human context, directed by Rachel Peake.

Soluma: the forest home of a photosynthetic race who live off the land, never venturing outside of their own borders. ONX: a technologically savvy city of metal and lights under the watchful eye of an all-controlling Leader. As an energy crisis threatens the ONX way of life, a fateful meeting between the two worlds brings ONX a new hope: the Sols' photosynthetic energy as a source of power. However, as we begin to see the measures that the ONX is willing to take to attain this power the question arises: when does need become greed?

Now in its 12th season, the Risky Nights Series is designed as a bridge between classroom work and main stage productions. At the conclusion of their second year of training, students have an invaluable opportunity to create every aspect of an original theatre piece from start to finish with a professional director, and perform it for an intimate audience.

February 6 - February 11 at 8:15 PM
3:15pm matinee on Sunday February 12th
Room SO32 in the Student Union Building, Langara College
Admission by donation
For Info/Reservations (604) 323-5227

2012-2013 apprenticeships

2012-01-26T16:05:00.000-08:00

We are now accepting applications for our 2012-2013 apprenticeship program!

Former Apprentice Kaitlin Gordon in our
annual Christmas Card photoshoot

Apprentices participate in all aspects of the company's work, including administration, production, and artistic projects, with a chosen focus in one or two aspects of theatre creation: playwriting, acting, directing, technical theatre, or design. Most Pacific Theatre apprentices go on to have professional careers in theatre as actors, writers, directors, stage managers, technicians, and designers. Oh, and the apprentices all get to be a part of the annual Christmas Card photo shoot! Who would want to miss that?

More information about the program can be found on our website. The application deadline is March 15, 2012!

responses | danny and the deep blue sea

2012-01-26T07:04:00.000-08:00

"I just wanted to say that the show was absolutely amazing! I have never seen a show in such an intimate setting. When DANNY blew the candle out at the same time as the lights dimmed I almost cried and it was one of the most beautiful theatre moments I've ever witnessed. I'm so glad I didn't miss out on a truly vulnerable and moving play." | audience email

"Watching the show is a relentless emotional experience. Just as you think your heart is going to break you get sucker punched with humour. ... The victories of both performances were in the little things: the set of Roberta’s jaw as she speaks of her past, Danny’s clenched fists as he tries to rein in his anger, the tender caresses, flying spittle and sexual energy that flies between the two actors." | Natasha Irvine, Converge Magazine

"Danny and the Deep Blue Sea is a thrill ride of play. In 80 intermission-less minutes, Director Jason Goode and his cast take the audience on an emotional journey that slingshots between guffawing humour, bleeding pity, wrenching tenderness, and outright terror." | Brian Paterson, Laura Murray PR

"Paunovic and Triolo attack Shanley’s words with such strength and understanding that like any train wreck you simply can’t look away, no matter how hard you want to. At times these two are quite literally animals as Triolo beats her chest like a baboon challenging a predator and Paunovic the lumbering croc that belies its strength and speed. As the tables turn though, Paunovic’s transformation into Danny’s gentler side is as heart-wrenching as his portrayal of Danny’s violent self." | Mark Robins, GayVancouver.net

"It would be hard to leave the theatre after seeing this 90-minute pièce de théâtre without a sense of 'shock and awe.'" | John Jane, Review Vancouver

"Just saw Danny and the Deep Blue Sea last evening. Wow!! It's like a modern day Beauty and the Beast, but with a rotating Beast. Amazing picture of how wonderful forgiveness is and how much we all need it, along with our need for confession. We spend so much time covering up our "sins" and pretending they don't exist or don't matter, when what we really need to do is admit they are there and receive forgiveness so we can get on with life, rather than getting stuck in a dark place. Thank you for yet another evening of amazing theatre." | Fiona Topp, facebook comment

"This was probably the most intimate and stunning theatre experiences I've ever had. What an impact. Other than these words plus the word "breathtaking," I'm speechless." | Travis Klassen, facebook comment

"Danny and the Deep Blue Sea is a story of faith and bravery. Danny and Roberta dare to believe in the possibility of creating something better for themselves. It is this faith, and the love they entrust to one another, that turns their make believe into a reality." | Zoe Grams, Paper Planes

"Stunningly honest and beautiful performances! A fantastic show that everyone should see!" | Melanie Reich, facebook comment

"Another amazing production -- Aleks Paunovic & Lori Triolo are riveting. A deep and dark play with surprising moments of humour, sweetness, & tenderness." | Marianne Holmlund Mendgen, facebook comment

"Went to see an awesome production of Danny and the Deep Blue Sea starring Aleks Paunovic & Lori Triolo last night at Pacific Theatre in Vancouver!! Tickets still available- make sure you go see it!!!" | Sera-Lys Huck-McArthur, facebook comment

In the Twitterverse:
@zoegrams: Lucky to see provoking, magnetic performances this weekend from Danny and the Deep Blue Sea @PacificTheatre
@barryhaglund: @loritriolo @PacificTheatre @alekspaun - Excellent matinee of Danny & the Deep Blue Sea today
@tarakjpratt: Thank you @PacificTheatre for such a wonderful, moving story. Go see Danny and the Deep Blue Sea #yvr #theatre peeps. Thanks @theatre_20!
@pixielate: A great show for Danny and the Deep Blue Sea @PacificTheatre!!

danny and the deep blue sea | subscriber appreciation saturday

2012-01-25T09:15:00.000-08:00

Attention subscribers! Our Subscriber Appreciation Saturday event for DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA is coming up this weekend!

Saturday January 28th, 2011
4:00pm – 5:00pm
at Pacific Theatre
FREE for all subscribers
Please RSVP your attendance to kaitlin@pacifictheatre.org

Featuring a conversation between Ron Reed, Aleks Paunovic, and Lori Triolo on the differences between film and theatre acting, followed by a screening of Jason Goode's short films THE HITCHHIKER (featuring Aleks Paunovic and Gina Chiarelli) and LATE (featuring Lucia Frangione).

feb 10 & 11 | side show

2012-01-24T15:01:00.000-08:00

Every year we bring together some of our favourite improvisers from around town for SIDE SHOW, a fun night of comedy improv. This year is no different, except that it's totally different! We've invited the hilarious duo Peter 'n Chris to join us with their Fringe Festival hit THE MYSTERY OF THE HUNGRY HEART MOTEL.

SIDE SHOW featuring Peter 'n Chris
Feb 10 & 11 at 8pm

A double feature of Peter 'n Chris' THE MYSTERY OF THE HUNGRY HEART MOTEL followed by SIDE SHOW COMEDY IMPROV with the PT gang! Peter 'n Chris will join in both sides of the equation, pitting their sketch comedy skills against PT's improv team.

BONUS OFFER: Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotels has provided Vancouver Attractions Passports for everyone who attends the Friday night performance!

For tickets visit our website or call 604-731-5518.

danny and the deep blue sea | we make stuff event video

2012-01-24T13:59:00.000-08:00

The folks at We Make Stuff who interviewed Jason Goode about his work also made a little event promo video for DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA! Check it out:

feb 4 | chor leoni | ian farthing

2012-01-23T18:29:00.000-08:00

PT artistic advisor Ian Farthing (12 ANGRY MEN) sings in Chor Leoni, and they're performing Cherbunini's REQUIEM in D minor, a very stirring, spiritually uplifting piece of music.

Requiem
February 4, 2012

Chor Leoni is pleased to present a special concert under the direction of Assistant Conductor Kevin Zakresky and featuring the rarely heard Requiem in D Minor by Luigi Cherubini. Written for men’s voices and orchestra, the Requiem features soaring vocal lines and a sweeping orchestral score. EnChor Choir will open the evening with a performance of Benjamin Britten’s mystical masterpiece for mixed choir and organ, Rejoice in the Lamb.

Featuring
Exultate, Justi - Ludovico Viadana
Rejoice in the Lamb - Benjamin Britten
Nymphes des bois - Josquin des Pres
Pavane - Fauré
Requiem in D Minor - Luigi Cherubini

Conducted by Kevin Zakresky

Special guests
EnChor Choir - Diane Loomer, C.M., Artistic Director
Michael Murray, organist
Sea-to-Sky Symphony

Saturday February 4, 2012 • 7:30 pm
St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church
1022 Nelson St at Burrard, Vancouver
*If ordering tickets through Brown Paper Tickets over the phone, please quote event number 201840*
Phone: 1-800-838-8006

A recital in partial fulfilment of the Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting at Yale University.

danny and the deep blue sea | opening night

2012-01-23T13:39:00.000-08:00

Photos from opening night reception of DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA! (Don't you wish you could have some of those cupcakes?)

danny and the deep blue sea | jason goode on we make stuff

2012-01-23T11:37:00.000-08:00

The folks over at We Make Stuff interviewed DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA director Jason Goode on why he makes stuff.

Danny and the Deep Blue Sea

Playing until Feb. 4

www.pacifictheatre.org

jan 20 & 21 | pull festival | john voth, mack gordon

2012-01-20T18:29:00.000-08:00

Mack Gordon (YOU STILL CAN'T) wrote a play for a brand new festival called PULL: A 10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL, and John Voth (GODSPELL, CASINO) is performing in it! This is a little last minute for tonight, but the festival runs two nights only, so if you aren't already planning on attending DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, check it out!

This January Sum Theatre Society is presenting for the first time PuLL: A 10 Minute Play Festival.

This festival will feature nine original, never before seen plays written by citizens of British Columbia. The writer's have been asked to create a ten minute play, or monologue that focuses on the written text.

After The Accident by Lori Weidenhammer
Starring Emilie Leclerc
Directed by Patrick New

Blondie by Meghan Gardiner
Starring Shaughnessy Redden
Directed by Jameson Parker

Bait by Pippa Mackie
Starring Pippa Mackie
Directed by Patrick New

Epiphany by Sherry Duggal
Starring Meaghan Chenosky
Directed by Kayvon Kelly

The Only Difference Between Peter Bogdanovich And I... by Mack Gordon
Starring John Voth
Directed by Jameson Parker

The Orca by Ryan Beil
Starring Kyle Salive
Directed by Kayvon Kelly

Sub-Prime by Ashley O'Connell
Starring Marc Anthony Williams
Directed by Kayvon Kelly

The Mortician by Lois Anderson
Starring Patrick Keating
Directed by Kayvon Kelly

Worth The Wait by Christine Quintana
Starring Robert Sidley and Quinn Cartwright
Directed by Jameson Parker

Date and Time: January 20/January 21-Doors at 7:30-Show at 8:00.

Tickets are FIVE dollars!!! Available at the door.

AND!!! TOONIE BAR!!!!!

jan 31-feb 4 | bride on credit | twu

2012-01-20T11:00:00.000-08:00

Our friends at TWU have yet another opening coming up! Written by student Cara Lowdermilk (she wrote last season's hit AUGUST IN THE SPRING), it sounds like a blast...

What if your credit card fell into the wrong hands? What if, instead of taking it on a wild spending spree, the thief bought a mail-order bride and she showed up at your house? The hapless Dan Foster is about to find out what “unlucky in love” means in Bride on Credit, a new romantic comedy that premieres January 31 – February 4 at Trinity Western University.

Dan has a great career and no love life. If he could just work up the courage to tell his best friend he loves her, things might be different. But then his credit card is stolen on a blind date gone wrong, and suddenly a mail-order bride shows up on his doorstep thinking he was the one who ordered her. It’s hard enough explaining things to a starry-eyed “bride” who speaks no English; but matters are complicated by his sister (the pill-popping actress) and his pal Tony (the wisecracking ladykiller). Unless, of course, this shy girl from abroad is actually the soulmate he’s been waiting for…

“We’re delighted to premiere this exciting new work,” explains SAMC Theatre Chair Angela Konrad. “The play was commissioned from senior student Cara Lowdermilk, who won over audiences with her clever comedy August in the Spring in last year’s New Generations festival.”

Konrad pulled together an ensemble of senior students to collaboratively design and produce the show, including Shayna Lorraine Jones who tore up the stage as Friar Laurence in last semester’s Romeo + Juliet. “Dan is a lovable geek, and as his best friend it’s my job to tell him when he’s being an idiot…but also support him through the love disaster of his life,” says Shayna, who recently accepted a position with the Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance while finishing up the last of her Theatre courses. “I love the play. I’m so proud of Cara, the queen of comedy. It’s been a treat coming together with this team to conceptualize and build every aspect of the production from the ground up.”

Shayna stars alongside Lyndon Johnson as Dan and Sarah Ruth as “bride on credit” Georgette, with Shayne Findlay, Karyn Guenther, and Cara Lowdermilk. Stage managed by Eleanor Felton, Ian Hengeveld, and Jessica Van Elk.

Playing January 31 – February 4 at 7:30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2pm. Tickets range from $6 to $14 with a 2-for-1 Tuesday and special matinee pricing. For more information and tickets, visit www.twu.ca/theatre or email theatre@twu.ca.

pacific theatre club

2012-01-19T17:03:00.000-08:00

Over the years we've received tons of reports from patrons who have formed their own little "theatre clubs" around our shows - sort of like a book club, you see the show with a bunch of friends and then grab a coffee afterwards and discuss it. We love this idea! We love it so much, in fact, that we want to help your clubs along, so we're launching the Pacific Theatre Club with our production of DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA.

The basics are the same, but now we're going to give you two things:

1) A discussion guide to the show, released on the preview night of each production, featuring background information and discussion questions.

2) An opportunity to hang out with the staff and artists of PT! We want to get to know you guys better, so if you let us know about your theatre club, at one point during the season we will arrange for a staff member or artist to join your post-show discussion. That way we get to make new friends and you get a little extra behind-the-scenes info on the production.

feb 4 & 5 | ordinary time | peter la grand

2012-01-18T13:41:00.000-08:00

Peter La Grand is a CHRISTMAS PRESENCE regular, you may remember his beautiful number "Emmanuel" (it usually crops up towards the end of the night). His band Ordinary Time rarely plays in Vancouver as two of the three members don't live here anymore, but they're getting together for a couple of shows coming up next month! Not to be missed, for sure.

Saturday, February 4th
Regent College - 5800 University Blvd
7pm - $10

Sunday, February 5th
First Baptist Church - 969 Burrard St
7pm - $10

Tickets available at door for both shows!

danny and the deep blue sea | urban rush

2012-01-18T13:30:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow tune in to Urban Rush on Shaw TV at 5pm to see Lori and Aleks chatting up DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA! Just for fun, to get you warmed up, here's the a clip from Aleks and Jason's last appearance on the show:

danny and the deep blue sea | meet jason goode

2012-01-16T11:38:00.000-08:00

You've met the folks you'll be seeing on stage in DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, how about the guy who's bringing everything together behind the scenes? Jason Goode is the fearless director behind this fine piece of theatre!

Fun facts about Jason:

Like actor Aleks Paunovic, this is Jason's first theatre project!
He's no stranger to directing though, Jason is an award-winning short filmmaker with DUCKS, THE HITCHHIKER, POP SWITCH, THE PLANTING, LATE to his name.
Not just a flaky artist, Jason has a BSc in Biology.
He's also earned himself a Master's degree in Church History from Regent College.
As of today, according to his blog, the only movie Jason has seen in 2012 is a repeat viewing of THE KING'S SPEECH. Not a bad choice.

Now check out Jason's short film THE HITCHHIKER, written by PT-er Kathy Parsons and featuring Gina Chiarelli (you saw her in THE BUSY WORLD IS HUSHED) and Aleks Paunovic. Here's another fun tidbit for you: it was while working on this project that Aleks brought the script for DANNY to Jason. They both were equally thrilled and terrified by the prospect of doing the project, which might have something to do with why it took them 4 years to get it on its feet.

The Hitchhiker from Jason R Goode on Vimeo.

jan 20-29 | the idiot

2012-01-16T11:03:00.000-08:00

This huge ensemble piece features a whole bunch of PT artists. You saw our man Tom Pickett last season in PLAYLAND and while it's been a little longer since Craig Erickson took the stage for GRACE, he's definitely part of the PT team. Top it off with David Adams (JESUS, MY BOY), Andrew McNee (JESUS HOPPED THE 'A' TRAIN), and Dawn Petten (THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT) on stage and design work from frequent PT artists Bryan Pollock, Itai Erdal, and Sydney Cavanagh, and we're chock-full of PT!

In a world obsessed with money, power, and sexual conquest, is a sanatorium the only place for a saint?

The award-winning team that brought you Crime and Punishment returns with a new adaptation of Dostoyevsky's comic social critique, The Idiot, a world-premiere by writer/director James Fagan Tait and composer Joelysa Pankanea.

Scorned by the society of St. Petersburg for his generosity and innocence (his "idiocy"), Prince Myshkin finds himself at the centre of a struggle fueled by love, jealousy and greed.

Costume Designer: Mara Gottler * Set Designer: Bryan Pollock * Lighting Designer: Itai Erdal * Wardrobe Assistant: Sydney Cavanagh * Technical Director: John Reilly * Production Manager Rachel Peake * Stage Manager: Dorothy Jenkins * Assistant Stage Manager: Susan Miyagishima * Assistant Director: Chelsea Haberlin * Movement Consultant: Savannah Walling * Producer: Kirsty Munro * Associate Producers: Terry Hunter, Savannah Walling

The Ensemble: David Adams, Patti Allan, Cherise Clarke, Kerry Davidson, Luke Day, Craig Erickson, Kevin MacDonald, Andrew McNee, Richard Newman, Kuei-Ming Lin, Stephen Lytton, Tom Pickett, Mike Richter, Savannah Walling, Adrienne Wong and introducing Theatre at UBC BFA-Acting students: Alen Dominguez, Alexander Keurvorst, Emma Middleton, Courtney Shields

Musicians: Joelysa Pankanea, Marimba | Mark Haney, Bass | Molly Mackinnon, Violin

Where:
Frederic Wood Theatre, UBC

When:
January 20 to 28 @ 7:30 pm
January 21, 22, 28, 29 @ 2:00 pm
No performance Monday, January 23

Tickets:
single advance Tickets $34 | $30 | $28
at-door tickets $36 | $32 | $30
2-4-1 Preview on January 19 @ 7:30pm
2-4-1 Matinees January 21 & 22
http://www.universitytickets.com | 604-822-2678

danny and the deep blue sea | meet lori triolo

2012-01-13T10:56:00.000-08:00

Next up in our artist introductions for DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA is Lori Triolo:

A few fun facts about Lori:

She runs the Cold Reading Series here in Vancouver, bringing actors, writers, and audiences together for a night of fun AND script development
Shanley himself called Lori the best "Theresa" he had ever seen in his play ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION
In 1990 she helped build a 60-seat black box theatre in New York for Robert Deniro, Kenneth Branagh, and Talia Shire. No big deal!
Her move to Vancouver consisted of a 3-week vacation to check out the TV and film scene that turned into a permanent relocation
She teaches the Meisner Technique here in Vancouver (which is good because she studied it with Meisner himself)

Check out a promo video about The Cold Reading Series featuring an interview with Lori:

jan 25-feb 12 | TWU art show

2012-01-12T18:32:00.000-08:00

Check out this art show featuring the work of 10 senior art students at TWU!

TWU Art Entrepreneurs Take On the Fort Gallery

For an intrepid group of student artists, the New Year promises their first taste of entrepreneurship. A group of ten senior Art + Design majors from TWU’s School of the Arts, Media and Culture have designed a juried painting exhibition called Continuum, opening at the Fort Gallery on January 25.

The paintings have been juried by SAMC Associate Professor Doris Auxier, together with the students. Auxier is no stranger to the Fort Gallery, exhibiting there most recently as part of Trace Elements last month. With her guidance, the students have handled the entire project as freelance artists – fronting the costs, attending to every last detail of how their work is displayed in the space, and sharing profits with the gallery from any sales of their artwork.

For many of the students, this initiative is their first foray into professional exhibition. “This experience has been invaluable,” says Katrina Grabowski, a fourth-year student who has led her Senior Studio peers in launching this show. “Not only does it give each of us a professional credit, it’s taught me so much about working in partnership with an actual gallery. Working with a pre-existing space and then tailoring every element of the show to flourish in it – it’s a fascinating new experience for me, and I’m loving every minute of it!”

Featured artists include Melissa Alvero, Chapman Chan, Chelsea Davidson, Rachel Dyck, Elizabeth Ellis, Katrina Grabowski, Braden Jones, Laura Klassen, Lisa Nickel, and Rebecca Sellers. Continuum runs January 25 to February 12 at the Fort Gallery, 9048 Glover Road, Fort Langley. Opening reception January 27 at 7pm. For more information, visit www.fortgallery.ca. Find the latest SAMC news and events at www.twu.ca/samc.

Photo credit: Katrina Grabowski. Pictured: Chelsea Davidson.

danny and the deep blue sea | student night

2012-01-12T17:55:00.000-08:00

Attention all theatre and film students! We've got a special night planned just for you! A student preview of DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA.

This is an exclusive theatre and film student pay-what-you-can preview of DANNY hosted by Artistic Director Ron Reed! A great opportunity to network with fellow students, get to know Pacific Theatre, meet our AD and see a phenomenal show.

Wednesday, January 18th

7:30pm: chat with Ron

8pm: show starts

SPACE IS LIMITED so email kaitlin@pacifictheatre.org to reserve your spot. Be sure to let her know where you're currently studying.

meet the stars! housing for carl kennedy

2012-01-12T10:47:00.000-08:00

Carl Kennedy, who was in the critically acclaimed production of JESUS HOPPED THE 'A' TRAIN at Pacific Theatre last year, is coming up from Seattle to perform in THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT. Being from out of town, he is in need of accommodation from approximately one month (March 23rd to April 23).

Anybody able to help out Carl in this respect? Fire us an email at Pacific Theatre if you have any ideas. info@pacifictheatre.org

PS - Free is nice of course, but Carl is absolutely willing to pay.

danny and the deep blue sea | meet aleks paunovic

2012-01-11T14:49:00.000-08:00

We thought we'd start off your introductions to the creative team for DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA with none other than our Danny! So here his is, Mr. Aleks Paunovic!

Fun facts about Aleks:

He originally hails from chilly Winnipeg
Before becoming an actor he played in a hard rock band
He also boxed and was a part of the Canadian Boxing Team at the Pre-Pan-American games
His first acting gig came from his first ever audition (how many actors get to say that?) for the HBO movie HEADS
Immediately hit with the acting bug, Aleks started training and working regularly
On top of being a boxer, musician, and actor, Aleks works frequently as a stunt man
After sustaining an injury that paused his boxing career, he decided to pass the time producing and co-hosting a travel show called DESTINATIONS
Since moving to Vancouver he has made a name for himself in the local Sci-Fi TV industry, working on BATTLESTAR GALLACTICA, STARGATE ATLANTIS, SUPERNATURAL, FIREBALL, and more!

Now, Aleks might sound like a bit of a tough guy (probably because he is), but he's got a softer side too. Here's a video of him playing a little tune, proving tough guys can still sing a good ballad.

Christmas Campaign at 113% | $39,553 down! WE DID IT!

2012-01-11T13:09:00.000-08:00

You've seen the silly pictures and read the funny poem, now it's time to see the results of our Christmas fundraising campaign! Want to see your numbers included in the tally? Donate online or call us at 604-731-5483 to make your contribution.

WE DID IT! Thanks to you guys (aka, the best audience support team of all time), we have exceeded our goal! Cue dance party:

The tally: 2000 + 500 + 200 + 98.56 + 600 + 200 + 293.80 + 1000 + 5 + 20 + 12.5 + 50 + 200 + 50 + 20 + 55 + 250 + 20 + 100 + 1000 + 100 + 20 + 5 + 40 + 250 + 500 + 5.50 + 25 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 27.62 + 1000 + 3.10 + 26.5 + 1.06 + 25 + 25 + 22.96 + 45.92 + 100 + 100 + 42.80 + 50 + 768.80 + 500 + 26.13 + 30.36 + 200 + 50 + 250 + 7.40 + 300 + 30 + 5.44 + 76.90 + 45.92 + 250 + 25 + 100 + 18.5 + 39.19 + 300 + 500 + 3000 + 100 + 500 + 0.98 + 250 + 1000 + 200 + 500 + 100 + 100 + 1000 + 100 + 35 + 250 + 20.75 + 500 + 20 + 30 + 300 + 500 + 250 +150 + 500 + 100 + 300 + 1000 + 350 + 100 + 100 + 50 + 100 + 500 + 1000 + 300 + 100 + 500 + 500 + 250 + 5000 + 100 + 500 + 1000 + 112 + 400 + 200 + 2,000 + 15 + 200 + 500 + 30 + 240.25 + 50 + 96.10 + 144.15 + 495 + 2,500 = $39,553.19

Believe it or not, there are still a few unspecified pledges in the works, so this isn't quite the final number. Truly, we can't thank you enough!

feb 4/5 | peter la grand + ordinary time

2012-01-09T23:34:00.000-08:00

Peter's a friend of PT - Christmas Presence the past few years, and "Passion" a couple seasons back - remember his amazing Judas song? (Which I personally think should open our production of "The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot" at the Cultch, but that's just me...). Here's a rare chance to hear him with his band. Hoping I can make it.
Ordinary Time, a folk trio made up of Regent Graduates Ben Keyes, Jill McFadden, and Peter La Grand will be performing two concerts in Vancouver, Saturday February 4 at Regent College (regent-college.edu) and Sunday, February 5 at First Baptist Church (firstbc.org).

Both concerts start at 7pm and are $10 for admission. The group is also leading a worship workshop at the Carey Institute (more details at carey-edu.ca). Ordinary Time plays a selection of old hymns and their own songs, specializing in rich vocal harmonies and thoughtful lyrics. Please come to one or all of these great events and catch a rare Ordinary Time experience. More details can be found at OrdinaryTimeMusic.com

jan 27 | song of songs | vancouver chamber choir

2012-01-09T14:50:00.000-08:00

SONG OF SONGS
Poetry and Palestrina

8 pm Friday, January 27, 2012

Ryerson United Church
2195 West 45th Avenue (at Yew Street), Kerrisdale,Vancouver

Vancouver Chamber Choir
Jon Washburn, conductor

The biblical Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon) is perhaps the most famous love poem of all time. It fascinated Palestrina and other Renaissance composers particularly because of its duality - as secular description of the Garden of Love and as sacred allegory of God's love for Israel, or Christ's love for the Church. In this concert we will present 10 of Palestrina's magnificent motets and eight more by other great composers of the late Renaissance and Early Baroque eras - Tómas Luis de Victoria, Claudio Monteverdi, Josquin des Prez, Heinrich Schütz, Costanzo Festa, Peter Philips, Orlando di Lasso

Join J. Evan Kreider, Professor Emeritus UBC School of Music, at 7:10 pm for a pre-concert talk on the evening's music.

Tickets to SONG OF SONGS are $24.50 - $28, available at Ticketmaster. Student rush tickets are $10 when doors open one hour before the concert. Visit Ticketmaster.ca to purchase online or phone 1-855-985-ARTS (2787).

the shanley series discount

2012-01-06T12:23:00.000-08:00

John Patrick Shanley is a must-read playwright for any theatre student, and a must-watch playwright for pretty much anybody. We are presenting a mini-series of Shanley plays, showing off some of the great variety in his work: from the harsh, dirty, brutal world of DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA to the mysterious and eloquent DOUBT, A PARABLE, and we're offering a little discount if you see both plays!

It works one of two ways:

Call in to book your tickets to DANNY over the phone (604.731.5518). If you book tickets to DOUBT at the same time, get 15% off your DOUBT tickets.

-or-

Buy your DOUBT tickets the same night that you come to see DANNY and get 15% off your DOUBT tickets. If you prefer buying your tickets online, this would be your best option.

doubt| new cast member

2012-01-04T15:21:00.000-08:00

Sometimes in theatre the news is both happy and sad at the same time. We were all excited to have Dirk Van Stralen back on the PT stage this spring in DOUBT, but unfortunately, changes in his schedule meant he couldn't continue in the role of Father Flynn. So now we'll be bringing back another familiar face:

That's right! Giovanni Mocibob is going to be taking the role! It wasn't a tough choice to ask Gio back. As Ron puts it, "He was extraordinary as Asher Lev a year ago, and I was blown away again recently seeing him in MARY'S WEDDING at the Richmond Gateway. A Rosebud actor new to the Vancouver theatre community, people will be seeing a lot of this intuitive, truthful young actor in the years to come."

Watch for him on stage with Erla Faye Forsyth, Kaitlin Williams, and Leslie Lewis-Sword in March.

jan 11-14 | never swim alone | twu

2012-01-04T11:26:00.000-08:00

Featuring Julie Casselman (THE GREAT DIVORCE) and directed by Becky MacDormand (stage manager for CASINO AND THE DISAPPEARING), this is a promising student production of Daniel MacIvor's NEVER SWIM ALONE at TWU.

Daniel MacIvor is a brilliant, quick-paced, comedic, yet challenging writer who embodies all of his skill within his play, "Never Swim Alone."

Childhood friends, Frank and Bill, have gone through everything together: "I saw the look of another woman in his father's eyes,... I smelled the bourbon on his mother's breath, I kept it a secret his aunt was his sister..." Everything! But there's one defining incident, that happened many years ago, which has indefinitely changed the course of their friendship and the course of their lives. A present-day one upmanship competition between these two men, judged by a referee who looks strikingly like the girl from the beach that fateful day and who embodies their surrealist competition, pushes them to the limits of their friendship and their humanity. The results of the competition are catastrophic resulting in their desperation and possible death.

When: January 11-14 -shows at 7:30 and a 2pm matinee on the 14th.
How much: Tickets are $5 at the door
Where: Trinity Western University's theatre

jan 8 | dead poets reading series | diane tucker

2012-01-03T13:46:00.000-08:00

PT literary manager Diane Tucker has her own little Dead Poet's Society! They're doing a reading this weekend, her invitation is below.

Dead Poets Reading Series

Our next reading will take place on January 8th, 2012 from 3-5 PM at Project Space, 222 E Georgia Street, Vancouver. It will feature:

Thomas Hardy (1840 - 1928), read by David Zieroth
Christina Rossetti (1830 - 1894), read by Diane Tucker
Stevie Smith (1902 - 1971), read by Miranda Pearson
Jack Spicer (1925 - 1965), read by Garry Thomas Morse
Edward Thomas (1878 - 1917), read by John Donlan

Brought to you by your intrepid Dead Poets Team: Rob Taylor, Christopher Levenson and Diane Tucker

Join us for this excellent afternoon at an exciting new Vancouver venue.

Admission by donation.

For more information see: www.deadpoetslive.com

We hope to see you there!

jan 6 & 7 | nanking winter | maki yi

2012-01-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

Apprentice Maki Yi is producing and performing in the first act of Marjorie Chan's A NANKING WINTER this week.

Irene Wu has dedicated years of her life to researching the invasion of Nanking, China. Through the winter of 1937, the Japanese Imperial Army led a horrific campaign through the streets of China’s capital, an event that has been left unknown and untold to the world. Irene is on the brink of releasing her research when her publisher voices doubts about the book.

Directed by Rougi Yu
Featuring Maki Yi, Josette Jorge, Zen Shane Lim, Tonya Lee Albers, and Brian McCaig

January 6 & 7 at 8pm (2pm matinee January 7)
Tickets by donation at the door

jan 5 | sand & polish art show | opening reception

2012-01-02T12:54:00.000-08:00

click to enlarge

We are pleased to be hosting our first group show beginning January 3. Curated by Shari-Anne Gibson and Laura Breukelman, the show will feature works by a variety of local Vancouver artists. All are welcome to join us for the opening on January 5, between 8:00-10:00pm. There will be live jazz by the Nelson Boschman Trio, and wine and cheese will be served in the Alma VanDusen and Peter Kaye rooms at VPL (350 W. Georgia).

Here is the event page on Facebook.

A word about the title & theme of the show from our curators: We have invited visual artists working two-dimensionally in drawing, painting, photography, printmaking or mixed media, to investigate the theme of renewal and restoration. The idea is not to mask or cover over something that is inherently flawed or useless, but a sort of discovery and excavation of that which was good but has been lost. We are looking for fresh approaches in articulating our common desire and hope for newness through diversity of interpretation and metaphor.

Artisan website

larry | joanne probyn

2012-01-01T20:58:00.000-08:00

Joanne Probyn is a Vancouver painter who created this image of Michael Kopsa in the role of Larry in PT's production of "Hospitatlity Suite."

year in review | critic's picks

2011-12-30T13:24:00.000-08:00

This is my favourite time of year when everyone makes list of the best things that happened over the past 12 months. Here are the PT-related highlights from Vancouver's critics top picks for 2011:

Jo Ledingham (Vancouver Courier):

A couple of Jo's "favourite things" included "Kyle Rideout’s splendid directorial debut" in THE GREAT DIVORCE and "Ron Reed’s masterful one-man performance of Scrooge" in A CHRISTMAS CAROL (hey, look at that, there are still a couple chances to see it!). PT artists Itai Erdal, Drew Facey, and Anthony F. Ingram got shout-outs as well.

Mark Robins (GayVancouver.net):

JESUS HOPPED THE 'A' TRAIN was his number one pick! Guess it won Best Production at the Jessies for a reason. A TRAIN star Andrew McNee was also mentioned for his work in AFTER JERUSALEM. Honourable mentions went out to MY NAME IS ASHER LEV, Evan Frayne's apprentice production of THE VERONA PROJECT as well as BASH: LATTER-DAY PLAYS, directed by PT-friend Mack Gordon, with John Voth in the cast.

David C. Jones (OutTV Blog):

Two PT shows made his top! Well, they're sort of both PT shows - JESUS HOPPED THE 'A' TRAIN got yet another nod (no surprise there), as well as Julia Mackey's beauty JAKE'S GIFT. Both were a part of our season, neither was a PT production - but we'll still feel proud to have them on our stage.

a christmas carol | silent auction

2011-12-28T17:05:00.000-08:00

What happens when you build some amazing props for a show and have no where to store them when the show has closed? Well you auction them off of course - to help with this year's Christmas Campaign!

Once again Pacific Theatre is hosting a Silent Auction. This auction will take place at every performance of A Christmas Carol, and will be monitored online here on our blog. You can make a bid at the theatre, or even make an electronic bid by sending an email with the amount of your bid and the item number to info@pacifictheatre.org. All bidding will close at midnight on Dec. 31st!

ITEM #1: ROCKING HORSE

Handcrafted wooden horse made as a prop for A Christmas Carol but had to be cut from the production. It was built to hold the weight of a grown adult.

Last Bid - Fran V. $200

Next Available Bid - $220

Guaranteed Buyout Price - $1000

ITEM #2: PULLY HORSES

Handcrafted wooden horses made as a prop for A Christmas Carol.

Last Bid - Marlene V. $45

Next Available Bid - $50

A Christmas Carol runs at Pacific Theatre until Dec. 31st with added matinees on Dec. 27th and 28th.

tickets | information

jan 10-14 | all the way home | julia mackey

2011-12-28T11:27:00.000-08:00

Jules has spent the past four years living through Jake and Isabelle in her knock-out one-woman show JAKE'S GIFT (we hosted a two week run last season, but she's been all over the country with this production), and now she's playing her first new role since putting on Jake's snappy army coat in The Electric Company's ALL THE WAY HOME. Press release below.

In early January, Electric Company Theatre will draw the curtain on its most intimate production to date, ALL THE WAY HOME. After the immense success of 2010’s ambitious theatre/film hybrid TEAR THE CURTAIN, director Kim Collier is back in Vancouver with a new vision that brings the audience right onto the stage of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and into the world of a profoundly moving and personal story.

“This is exciting new territory for Electric Company,” says Kim, the company’s co-founder and last year’s winner of the 2010 Siminovitch Prize in Theatre for direction. “It’s an entirely lo-fi experience offering our audience an extraordinarily intimate connection to the story.”

Tad Mosel’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a beautifully crafted journey of love and spiritual transformation. In a quiet, rural town in the early 1900s, a family is shaken to its core by the untimely and accidental death of one of its own. Even as the loss is deeply felt and shared across the divide of many generations, a mother quietly clings to the promise of renewal and life.

As unconventional as it is intimate, ALL THE WAY HOME brings the Queen Elizabeth Theatre to life in a way the city has never seen before. The audience is embedded into the set design, entering the stage from the wings and sitting in the midst of the action. Some of Vancouver’s most celebrated talent have rallied around the Electric Company to take on this challenge and bring Kim’s bold vision to life.

Starring Alessandro Juliani, Nicola Lipman, Julia Mackey, Tom McBeath, Meg Roe, Gabrielle Rose, Haig Sutherland, Jordan Wessels, Donna White, George Young, and Jonathon Young. Designed by Adrian Muir (lights), Marshall McMahen (set), Christine Reimer (costumes), and Alessandro Juliani (music and vocal arrangements).

Produced by Electric Company Theatre in association with the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company
Exclusive seven-show engagement January 10-14 at 8pm with Friday and Saturday matinees
Tickets range from $20 to $30 – limited capacity, advance booking strongly recommended
Reserve now through the Vancouver Playhouse Box Office at 604.873.3311
Full cast and showtimes at www.electriccompanytheatre.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-23T08:58:00.000-08:00

Alrighty folks, since we've already given you the "official" PT Christmas card, we'll wish you all a merry Christmas by sharing some of the outtakes. If you really want to have a good time, print them each off on a separate sheet of paper and make a flip book! Hey - there's a last-minute gift idea if you're in a lurch.

christmas carol | the many faces of scrooge

2011-12-22T08:50:00.000-08:00

A CHRISTMAS CAROL has been adapted time and time again for film. Here are just a few of the famous faces that Ron Reed is up against in your memories of Scrooge...

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

adapted by Ron Reed from the novel by Charles Dickens

Dec. 2-31

Tickets $16.50-29.50

christmas presence | set lists

2011-12-21T11:49:00.000-08:00

Christmas Presence at Pacific Theatre - Dec 13^th Set List

Act One

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Father Christmas excerpt) – C.S. Lewis

Annunciation – Fredrick Buechner

Creche – Nicola Colhoun

No Room at the Inn – Dina Donahue

My Christmas Memory – Kaitlin Williams

Emmanuel- Frederick Buechner

Scrooge – Garrison Keillor

Act Two

Feast Days – Annie Dillard

Xmas Files – Author Unknown

Ukranian Grandma – Erla Faye Forsyth

Mary Considers her situation – Luci Shaw

Joseph’s Lullaby – Ron Klug

No Safe Place – Shelia Rosen

Irrational Season – Madeleine L’Engle

On Buses – Lance Odegard (from his collection of poems At the Pool We’ve all got Bodies.)

Actors:

Erla Faye Forsyth*

Mack Gordon

John Voth

Kaitlin Gordon

Featured Musicians:

Michael Hart

Sheree Plett

Jeremy Eisenhauer

Lance Odegard

House Band:

Brett Ziegler

Becca Birkner

Rick Colhoun

Kenton Wiens

Nelson Boschman

Christmas Presence in the Valley - Dec 17^th Set List

Act One

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Father Christmas excerpt) – C.S. Lewis

Annunciation – Fredrick Buechner

Creche – Nicola Colhoun

No Room at the Inn – Dina Donahue

My Christmas Memory – Alison Chisholm

Emmanuel- Frederick Buechner

Scrooge – Garrison Keillor

Act Two

Feast Days – Annie Dillard

Xmas Files – Author Unknown

Mama – Erla Faye Forsyth

Do Not Be Afraid – Henry Nouwen

Mary Considers her situation – Luci Shaw

The Birth – Bible, King James Version

Joseph’s Lullaby – Ron Klug

On Buses – Lance Odegard (from his collection of poems At the Pool We’ve all got Bodies.)

Actors:

Erla Faye Forsyth*

Ken Hildebrandt

Kaitlin Gordon

Featured Musicians:

Michael Hart

Sheree Plett

Jeremy Eisenhauer

Lance Odegard

House Band:

Brett Ziegler

Becca Birkner

Rick Colhoun

Nelson Boschman

Christmas Presence at Pacific Theatre - Dec 18^th Set List

Act One

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Father Christmas excerpt) – C.S. Lewis

Annunciation – Fredrick Buechner

Creche – Nicola Colhoun

No Room at the Inn – Dina Donahue

My Christmas Memory – Kaitlin Gordon

Better Watch Out- Robert Farror Capon

Scrooge – Garrison Keillor

Act Two

Feast Days – Annie Dillard

Xmas Files – Author Unknown

Mama – Erla Faye Forsyth

A Christmas Memory – Peter La Grand

O Sapientia – Madeleine L’Engle

Joseph’s Lullaby – Ron Klug

Christmas Prayer – Robert Louis Stevenson

Actors:

Erla Faye Forsyth*

Kaitlin Gordon

Mack Gordon

Featured Musicians:

Peter La Grand

Sheree Plett

Jeremy Eisenhauer

House Band:

Becca Birkner

Rick Colhoun

Kenton Wiens

Nelson Boschman

Christmas Presence at Pacific Theatre - Dec 19^th Set List

Act One

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Father Christmas excerpt) – C.S. Lewis

Annunciation – Fredrick Buechner

Creche – Nicola Colhoun

No Room at the Inn – Dina Donahue

My Christmas Memory – Kaitlin Gordon

Emmanuel- Frederick Buechner

Scrooge – Garrison Keillor

Act Two

Feast Days – Annie Dillard

Xmas Files – Author Unknown

Mama – Erla Faye Forsyth

An Inventory, On Buses – Lance Odegard

(from his collection of poems At the Pool We’ve all got Bodies.)

Mary Considers her situation – Luci Shaw

Joseph’s Lullaby – Ron Klug

Christmas Prayer – Robert Louis Stevenson

Actors:

Erla Faye Forsyth*

Kaitlin Gordon

Mack Gordon

Mike deBoer

Rebecca deBoer

Baby Charlotte deBoer

Featured Musicians:

Spencer Capier

Laurell

Lance Odegard

Michael Hart

Peter La Grand

House Band:

Becca Birkner

Kenton Wiens

Nelson Boschman

*Appears with permission from Canadian Actors' Equity Association

dec 23 & 30 | corridors | podplay | pacific theatre

2011-12-21T11:12:00.000-08:00

Two more opportunities to experience Joel Stephanson's site-specific podplay CORRIDORS at Pacific Theatre - Friday December 23, and Friday December 30 (you can start any time between 4pm and 7pm on those days.

You'll remember Joel from GODSPELL (as Dan Rowan) and I WAS MEANT FOR THE STAGE. He'll be in 100 SAINTS YOU SHOULD KNOW on our mainstage in late spring.

This is his creation, based on interviews and research into the stories around the Chalmers building, where Pacific Theatre and Holy Trinity Church make their home. Lots of Pacific Theatre voices in the show.

here are the basics from the CORRIDORS Facebook page. You might also want to check out Emme Rogers' fascinating blog post for more.

Inspired by the work of Neworld Theatre, this podplay re-imagines Vancouver stories from the past hundred years, setting them in a labyrinthine, century-old church building.

Comprised entirely of audio, this mostly indoor walking tour invites you to don your iPod (or the like) and 'eavesdrop' on the story of a man, his wife, another man, and a building of intersecting walkways and lives. A 'history' of fictitious proportions.

By JOEL STEPHANSON

Featuring the voices of RON REED, FRED GALLOWAY, SHARON CRANDALL, CLAIRE LINDSAY, JOHN VOTH, MISHELLE CUTTLER, JANET GLASSFORD, MACK GORDON, JESSE DECOSTE, JON HOLLIS-FRANKS, JOSHUA MCFAUL, DAVID NEWHAM, ANDREW COHEN, SHALYN MCFAUL, FRANK NICKEL & JOEL STEPHANSON

Also featuring:
TOREY ZACHARY, piano
MICHAEL DIRK, organ

TICKETS $12-$16 at www.pacifictheatre.org or 604.731.5518

Remaining Performances: Friday December 23 & 30 before A CHRISTMAS CAROL

The podplay departs every five minutes between 4-6pm, with the last one wrapping up by 7pm. If you haven't had enough by then, stay for Pacific Theatre's mainstage play at 8!

Warning: brief strong language // mature themes // awesome music
The tour also includes climbing stairs and being outside briefly.

christmas carol | BONUS MATINEE PERFORMANCES!

2011-12-21T08:45:00.000-08:00

We've added a few extra matinees on to the run of A CHRISTMAS CAROL! Just in time for that lull between Christmas and the New Year when you're looking for something to do with the family...

TUESDAY, DEC. 27TH at 2pm
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28TH at 2pm

Tickets are available online and by calling the box office at 604-731-5518.

christmas carol | dickens' london

2011-12-20T08:29:00.000-08:00

Dickens is known for writing about what life was really like for Londoners of his time. He spent hours walking the streets of his city, and those long walks came out clearly in his vivid descriptions of the city. So what was it like to live in London during Dickens' time?

Fleet Street "then" and "now"

The city that inspired Dickens’ work was in the midst of the Industrial Revolution, and experiencing all the benefits and consequences of this. The population grew from 1 million to 4.5 million people in 80 years. While fashionable neighbourhoods like Regent and Oxford Street grew and thrived, so the poor and squalid regions grew dirtier and more crowded by the day.

Pollution, raw sewage, and unlit streets were the hallmarks of Dickens’ London, and overcrowding combined with a lack of personal hygiene made lead to a quick spread of diseases.

The New Poor Law, enacted in 1834 and referenced by Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL, was a reaction to the vast increase in poverty in London during the 19th century. Previously, parishes were required to take care of the poor, but the new law allowed them to apply for aid in this work if they banded together and created regional workhouses. The workhouses were essentially a prison for the poor, separating families and removing the civil liberties of those who lived there. In fact, the poor of London did all they could to avoid such “relief”.

In Oliver Twist, Dickens describes the London streets: "It was market-morning. The ground was covered, nearly ankle-deep, with filth and mire; a thick steam, perpetually rising from the reeking bodies of the cattle, and mingling with the fog, which seemed to rest upon the chimney-tops, hung heavily above.”

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

adapted by Ron Reed from the novel by Charles Dickens

Dec. 2-31

Tickets $16.50-29.50

christmas presence artist profiles | spencer capier

2011-12-19T08:58:00.000-08:00

The next in our series of artist profiles for CHRISTMAS PRESENCE performers: Spencer Capier! He'll be performing at tonight's final production of CHRISTMAS PRESENCE.

Spencer is a musician extraodinaire who has played on literally 100's of albums for other artists, as producing and even performing as an actor at Pacific Theatre!

Fun facts about Spencer:

-He has been playing with recording artist Carolyn Arends for years, since before she signed a recording contract
-He got his start like so many other musicians: playing coffee shops and small festivals with other artists
-He "likes taking the violin and mandolin into situations that they are not expected."
-His album Instrumental Christmas features (surprise!) instrumental versions of all your favourite Christmas songs, and it always sells quick at CHRISTMAS PRESENCE
-He “just wants to make music you might enjoy while doing the dishes, or perhaps driving in traffic.”

dec 18-20 | the christmas carol project

2011-12-17T14:41:00.000-08:00

Just to show how non-competitive we are about the market for A CHRISTMAS CAROL in Vancouver, here's yet another chance to check out another company's adaptation! (Okay, maybe it helps that our CAROL is dark those days and CHRISTMAS PRESENCE is sold out.) Our friends at The Cultch are hosting their own version, THE CHRISTMAS CAROL PROJECT this weekend.

Most of us have seen at least one variation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol on film and on stage. But at the top of our list is the long-running version by Brass Monkey Productions: The Christmas Carol Project.

An enchanting musical version of Dickens' tale, The Christmas Carol Project is a unique and captivating blend of classic literature and contemporary music.

Since its inception in 1996, The Christmas Carol Project has seen more than 60 performances, three tours, a CD and an award winning television special. The show features an extremely talented cast of Edmonton-based musicians who have created a collection of songs written from the perspectives of their characters. The cast includes Bill Bourne, Kevin Cook, Maria Dunn, Tom Roschkov, Terry Morrison, Al Brant, Dale Ladouceur & Bill Hobson. They have also been joined by narrators Richard Winnick (1996 & 1997), Kenneth Brown (1998 - 2009), Dave Clarke (2010) and are pleased to be welcoming a new narrator since 2011, Chris Humphreys.

Even though it's a story we already know, this classic tale warms the soul. There's just something impossible to describe about A Christmas Carol that entices us to experience the story every year. And again the year after that, and the year after that, and the...

When: THREE PERFORMANCES ONLY!
December 18, 19 & 20, 2011 at 8PM
Where: Historic Theatre, The Cultch
Tickets: From $28! Call 604.251.1363

oct 21-dec 30 | corridors, a podplay | joel stephanson

2011-12-17T07:31:00.000-08:00

Update: Don't forget about CORRIDORS, this play is still running!

Joel Stephanson has partnered with our landlords, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, and a whole host of PT artists to create and produce CORRIDORS, A PODPLAY. Never heard of a podplay? It's an audio play that you load up into your iPod (or other such device) - sort of a mix between theatre and walking tour. The story is based on the history of our building, The Chalmers Heritage Building. Tickets are available through our box office, show info below.

It’s a Friday afternoon in the fall. Unlike me, you have a real job. But much like me, you don’t get any work done on Friday afternoons anyway. And so, you think to yourself, how can I transcend week-ending doldrums? How can I move out of this mopey cubicle and into something altogether different?

Ladies and Gentleman, we hope here to devise a cure for what ails you – something you can take in after work but before dinner – or after dinner but before the mainstage show at Pacific Theatre:

CORRIDORS // a podplay
This walking tour & radio play departs every few minutes between 4-6pm, and runs for about an hour. It will occur on the following Friday afternoon/evenings:

October 21, 28
November 4, 11 (before RE:UNION)
December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (before A CHRISTMAS CAROL)

Tickets onsale soon through www.pacifictheatre.org or by calling 604-731-5518.

**The final podplay tour will leave no later than 6pm on each Friday. Arrive early to ensure your place.!

dec. 22 | sweet soul gospel choir | alison chisholm

2011-12-16T10:51:00.000-08:00

Our Administrative Queen (also known as the Artist and Office Manager) Alison Chisholm is still activating souls in The Sweet Soul Gospel Choir, and they've got a Christmas performance coming up. These performances fill up fast, so if you're going to go, make sure you get there early! Invitation below.

Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka Alison!

Please celebrate the Joy of the Season with the VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir.

Our next concert will be Sweet Soul Gospel Christmas where we will celebrate by performing spiritual and inspirational songs of the season with a little Motown thrown in to mix things up!

Sweet Soul Gospel Christmas
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011 - 7:30 pm
St. Andrews Wesley Church
1022 Nelson St. Vancouver (Burrard & Nelson)

Admission by minimum donation:
Adults $15
Seniors & Students $10
Youth 10-15 $5
Kids under 9 FREE

Tickets Available at the Door (tickets are not sold in advance)
Doors open at 6:30 pm

For additional information email us at info@VOCSoulGospelChoir.com or call 604.876.3363

The VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir was founded by music director, Checo Tohomaso, with the goal of uniting people of different cultures and beliefs to deliver a message of love, joy, peace, hope and healing through their common passion: singing.

We sing six-part harmony and our 130 members include men and women of all ages, ethnicities and religions. Delivering a high-energy, positive vibe, our dynamic choir mixes together the sounds of Soul, Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Hawaiian, Calypso, and Reggae. Our animated delivery results in an audience that can’t resist joining in by toe tapping, foot stomping, jumping, singing, dancing and hand clapping!

Thank you and God Bless from the

VOC SWEET SOUL GOSPEL CHOIR
We'll Activate Your Soul!

a christmas carol | responses

2011-12-16T09:37:00.000-08:00

"Tour de force is a phrase I've used before to describe a performance of Reed's but it's never been as remarkable as it is here. He gives the illusion of having memorized the entire novella, playing all the characters from penny-pinching Ebenezer, to his ebullient nephew Freddie, Freddie's disapproving wife and the street urchin who runs to buy the biggest turkey in town for Scrooge. The only character Reed doesn't play is the turkey. (Considering what happens to the bird, that's probably a good thing.)" | Jo Ledingham, The Vancouver Courier

"Reed is a wonderful storyteller and as he moves quickly from a simple reading into full-blown reenactments of scenes, the richness of Dickens' tale shines. Reed has an obvious love for his source material and it pours forth onto the stage with an openness and spirit that easily draws you in. In the final moments of the play Reed is so joyful in his character’s enlightenment I even found my own indifference to the holiday season melt away." | Mark Robins, Gayvancouver.net

"A Christmas Carol with Ron was an entirely moving experience; I left the theatre with a big smile on my face and tears in my eyes. The set was priceless - the Old Curiosity Shop set the perfect Victorian mood. All the old toys and puppets and crows and real candles and, well, curios were endlessly interesting, particularly when they were brought in as part of the storytelling. So lively. And Ron was phenomenal - I was taken in from beginning to end. Gorgeous. Such a timely message for the season. PT outdoes itself again! Love you guys!" | Lorri Romhanyi, email

"The second central strength of this mounting is Reed’s performance. He starts by simply voicing the characters as he reads the book, but he soon moves into full enactments of multiple-character scenes. A Christmas Carol is fundamentally about generosity, and so is Reed’s work. Rather than showing off, the actor impresses with his subtlety and his affection for the characters. I especially enjoyed it when Reed embodied Scrooge’s clerk, Bob Cratchit, and his family. His Mrs. Cratchit is timorous and furious, his Cratchit a liquid mixture of optimism and grief. And Reed expresses Scrooge’s giddily ecstatic spiritual rebirth better than anybody I’ve seen do it since Alistair Sim set the standard in the classic 1951 movie." | Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight

"Ron Reed’s brilliant performance breathes new life into an old classic." | Jan Quiring, email

"Pacific Theatre does great honour to Dickens’ beautiful, humanist message through this imaginative and wondrously entertaining production." | Brian Paterson, Laura Murray PR

"Please go if you can! Ron’s acting keeps you in the moment with Scrooge...I felt I had gone back in time. Very thought provoking. Entertaining too! Great for all ages. I’m taking both my kids and my parents." | Anne Mak, email

"Ron Reed switches between characters so briskly that he’s in dialogue with himself. His transitions are a sight to see: one moment he’s issuing a sincere gale of laughter, all red in the face and jovial, and in the next, he’s hunched, growling and proclaiming Bah! Humbug! like he means it. ... This play is a great reminder of the joys of simple storytelling — and a reminder that we need not wield high-tech media or special effects to partake in them." | Alyzee, Being Emme

"Bah Humbug! Ron Reed’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic was a true delight." | William Hay, blog

"Loved the creativity in the setting and the use of props. As always, Ron’s acting was a delight! We’re recommending it to friends!" | Ron Wilson, email

christmas presence on the north shore | set list - readings

2011-12-15T18:04:00.000-08:00

Act One

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Father Christmas excerpt) – C.S. Lewis
Annunciation – Fredrick Buechner
Creche – Nicola Colhoun
No Room at the Inn – Dina Donahue
The Irrational Season – Madeleine L’Engle
The Risk of Birth - Madeleine L’Engle
My Christmas Memory – Kaitlin Williams
Scrooge – Garrison Keillor

Act Two

Feast Days – Annie Dillard
Xmas Files – Author Unknown
Camels of Ancient Yore – Wayne Harrel
My Christmas Memory – Peter La Grand
Mary Considers her Situation – Luci Shaw
Joseph’s Suspicion – Rilke
No Safe Place – Shelia Rosen
Christmas Prayer – Robert Louis Stevenson

CHRISTMAS PRESENCE

Dec. 17th in the Valley

Dec. 18-19 at PT (SOLD OUT)

www.pacifictheatre.org

christmas carol | dining with dickens

2011-12-15T14:52:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we had a very special Subscriber Appreciation Saturday, Dining with Dickens. Our lucky subscribers (or the ones who signed up at any rate) got to enjoy a taster menu prepared by Chef Nikolai Braun from Chef in the House of food inspired by Dickens. The meal was accompanied by a discussion from UBC professor (and former PT publicist) Julie Sutherland about food in Dickens' era. Drool over the menu and read a snippet of Julie's chat below!

'I want some more': The Truimphant Working Class in the Novels of Charles Dickens
by Julie Sutherland

If you were middle or upper class during the reign of Queen Victoria, and hadn’t squandered your wealth on wine, women, and song, you could be assured you would be well fed. It was a period of extravagance where, being entertained at a host’s banquet, you might enjoy upwards of nine courses; enough to make the buttons burst off your dinner jacket or the ribs crack on your whale bone corset. It was the age of the rise of the afternoon tea, where scones hung in a delicate balance between perfectly buttery and downright disgustingly rich. The Victorian poet Christina Rossetti provides us with a mouth-watering list of the kinds of delicious foods available for consumption. In “Goblin Market”, a tale that at once dives into the secret erotic love life of a deeply repressed society, explores the nature of Christian sacrifice, and considers capitalism and the rise of Victorian market economy, we get a gastronomic orchestra of the kinds of food accessible to those with money:

MORNING and evening
Maids heard the goblins cry:
"Come buy our orchard fruits,
Come buy, come buy:
Apples and quinces,
Lemons and oranges,
Plump unpeck'd cherries,
Melons and raspberries,
Bloom-down-cheek'd peaches,
Swart-headed mulberries,
Wild free-born cranberries,
Crab-apples, dewberries,
Pine-apples, blackberries,
Apricots, strawberries; -
All ripe together
In summer weather, -
Morns that pass by,
Fair eves that fly;
Come buy, come buy:
Our grapes fresh from the vine,
Pomegranates full and fine,
Dates and sharp bullaces ,
Rare pears and greengages ,
Damsons and bilberries ,
Taste them and try:
Currants and gooseberries,
Bright-fire-like barberries,
Figs to fill your mouth,
Citrons from the South,
Sweet to tongue and sound to eye;
Come buy, come buy."

And buy they did. It was an age where money meant something.

To read the rest of Julie's lecture, download the PDF here. Want in on the next event like this? Become a subscriber!

christmas presence artist profiles | ken hildebrandt

2011-12-15T12:18:00.000-08:00

Ken is a first-timer with CHRISTMAS PRESENCE this year, and will be reading at the Abbotsford performance tomorrow (Saturday) night!

You saw Ken already on the PT stage this year in the Gallery 7 Theatre production of TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE that kicked off our season.

Here's a few more fun facts about Ken:
-He is the founder and artistic director of Gallery 7 Theatre in Abbotsford
-He is an announcer at The Abbotsford International Air Show (a very coveted position, from what I hear)
-He teaches occasionally at Columbia Bible College
-He flies around the Fraser Valley in a Cessna (no big deal)

Here's a little video he made promoting this season's work at Gallery 7 Theatre:

christmas carol | reid farrington, nyc

2011-12-15T08:33:00.000-08:00

Remember THE PASSION PROJECT? Can you imagine that same creative mind tackling A CHRISTMAS CAROL? Wish I could be in New York!

Created and directed by acclaimed theater artist Reid Farrington, this exciting work takes the form of a Victorian-era phantasmagoria, conjuring up ghosts of the past, present, and future by integrating media and live theater with the well-known holiday classic.

Haunting images from seventy different film versions of A Christmas Carol are projected on moving screens using a modern-day version of the magic lantern. Film clips collide and combine with live performers on stage, eerily blurring the distinction between performance and video projection.

Through complex staging and choreography, the show mashes together over one hundred years of film history. Performers slip in and out of characters from the Alastair Sim, George C. Scott, and Bill Murray versions of A Christmas Carol, as well as The Muppets and Mr. Magoo variations (and many more) to create an imaginative and new interpretation of the beloved Dickens story.

Last call! A handful of tickets remain for the final 4 performances of Reid Farrington's A Christmas Carol. Get yours now

The audience reactions to this show have been overwhelmingly positive, we had to share some of our favorite quotes that were posted to the Readers' Review tab on the NY Times:

"...one of my favorite aspects of the show is that the actors do not just play the characters from "A Christmas Carol", but also take on the roles of the storytellers - one might see the Narrator/Bob Cracthit as playing Dickens himself. More importantly, the storytellers do not seem to agree on just exactly how to tell the story (perhaps a product of how many different versions are used in the show). The result is a delightful conflict between not just the characters of Dickens' story, but also between the actors who are telling the story; it's a narrative within a narrative, and helps to tie the whole show together (as well as to lighten the mood). Overall I found the show to be both thoroughly enjoyable as well as wonderfully critical of the same tired old Christmas themes.
It's also worth mentioning that, in the context of Occupy Wall Street and this year's presidential race, the story of A Christmas Carol seems particularly relevant!" - Sam Newman, NY, NY

"The evening is a rollercoaster ride through one of the most familiar of tales. Through the repetition and the incredible work by the actors, we are reminded of childhood memories and forced to remember the artful language and insight into the human spirit which has made this a mainstay of the holiday season. Props to Mr Forkner, Mr Loar and Ms Nicoll for their amazing work." - LEE, Brooklyn, NY

"After my annual trip at Art Basel Miami Beach, where I was exposed to hundreds of pieces of visual art--some of them good, most of them bad-- Mr. Farrington's A Christmas Carol was a refreshing experience that renewed my faith in the transformative potential of Performance Art. He is an incredible visual artist, blurring the lines between theater and film, taking full advantage of modern technology in a completely original way. The show was great and I look forward to his next project." - jackay227, NY, NY

The final 4 performances are this week: Thursday at 8 / Friday at 8 / Saturday at 8 / Sunday at 4
All performances take place at Abrons Arts Center - 466 Grand St. at Pitt St. on the lower east side

dec 14-18 | bah humbug!

2011-12-14T14:48:00.001-08:00

It's another CHRISTMAS CAROL in Vancouver this winter! Our good friend Tom Pickett (you saw him in PLAYLAND) is performing in this adaptation that benefits community-engaged art practice in the Downtown Eastside and the Heart of the City Festival. Ron spoke in The Globe and Mail about the connection between Dickens' work and modern social justice - what a perfect way to engage in both!

Bah! Humbug! A Spirited Benefit for the Downtown Eastside

Victorian England meets Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) this December with Bah! Humbug!, a theatrical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Reconceived as a staged reading and musical event, this imaginative all-ages production offers a bittersweet twist on a cherished seasonal classic that celebrates the transformative power of human redemption. Bah! Humbug! runs December 14 – 18, 2011 in the Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts.

Commissioned and co-produced by SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs in partnership with Vancouver Moving Theatre, Bah! Humbug! is a benefit for community-engaged art practice in the Downtown Eastside and the Heart of the City Festival.

Now more than 150 years old, Dickens’ timeless story remains relevant today, especially in light of parallels between the economic disparities of Victorian London and Vancouver’s DTES.

“Dicken’s vivid portrayal of the plight of community members displaced and driven into poverty during London’s boom years has never been out of print,” says Savannah Walling, Artistic Director of Vancouver Moving Theatre. “Not only is it a haunting ghost story with unforgettable characters and a comic touch, but Dicken’s advocacy for social justice, ethical transformation and generosity of spirit are just as urgently needed today. ‘Charity begins at home,’ Dickens said, ‘and justice begins next door.’”

Bah! Humbug! runs for six performances only December 14-17 (7:30 pm) and December 17-18 (2:00 pm) at the Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 West Hastings. Tickets are $19 (students/seniors) and $29 (adults) and can be purchased at the Vancouver Playhouse Box Office by phone at 604-873-3311 or online at www.sfuwoodwards.ca

christmas presence | selling out

2011-12-14T14:12:00.000-08:00

No, I don't mean selling out in the "giving up on your values in favour of tons of money" way, but in the "we are running out of tickets" way. If you're hoping to join in on this tradition and you don't have tickets left, you have one opportunity left: The Valley.

CHRISTMAS PRESENCE IN THE VALLEY
Saturday, December 17th at 8pm
at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium in Abbotsford

Tickets available through the PT box office online or at 604.731.5518 OR in person at The House of James in Abbotsford.

It might seem like a long ways to go, but we always have a magical time out in the Valley!

christmas carol | director's notes

2011-12-14T11:27:00.000-08:00

The notes from director Sarah Rodgers!

As a good little English girl I grew up on the works of Dickens. When all my friends were reading Enid Blyton my father was introducing me to A tale of two Cities and Great Expectations.

As I began my research for this production I was reminded of the great Dickensian novel: The Old Curiosity Shop.

As I began to dream about how to present this story in a fresh and theatrical way I realized what a wonderful playful setting an old curiosity shop would offer.

My actor and musician and I have had a joyful ride as we have discovered the curiosities in the shop to support our storytelling of this beautiful heart warming tale.

We hope you enjoy our Christmas offering and as Tiny Tim says ‘God Bless us everyone’.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

adapted by Ron Reed from the novel by Charles Dickens

Dec. 2-31

Tickets $16.50-29.50

christmas carol | christmas pudding

2011-12-12T17:29:00.000-08:00

By request, here is the recipe for the Christmas Pudding that we served on opening night of A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

Sharon Newman's Cranberry Pudding

1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup boiling water
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/3 cups flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen whole cranberries

For the Pudding

Measure molasses, baking soda and the boiling water in a 2-cup measure. Stir this together, causing it to foam up, then set aside.
Measure and mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and cranberries in a large bowl.
Add the molasses mixture to the bowl and stir together well.
Spray or butter a pudding mold (a medium-sized pyrex dish or stainless steel bowl works very well) and pour pudding batter into it.
Cover very well with foil, pinching it tightly around the top edge.
Rig a steamer in a large pot by placing a small rack or vegetable steamer in the pot.
Place your pudding on the rack and pour in enough boiling water to come half way up the mold.
Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Check the water level every now and then cool your steamed pudding, removing it from the mold while it is still warm.
Reheat to serve by a short re-steaming, or even better, a little trip through the microwave.
This pudding is a great make-ahead. It freezes, thaws and re-heats perfectly.
Serve with sauce.

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

For the Sauce (don't skip this . . . it makes the pudding!)

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan.
Add the sugar and cook this together on medium low heat to dissolve the sugar. Be patient!
When it is smooth and bubbly, slowly whisk in the whipping cream, stirring until it is complete incorporated.
Add the nutmeg and vanilla.

Serve the warm sauce over warm pudding to your grateful guests. They'll love you for this one!

Enjoy!

christmas carol | artistic director's notes II

2011-12-12T10:26:00.000-08:00

Here is the second instalment of AD (and adapter/performer in A CHRISTMAS CAROL) Ron Reed's notes. First instalment here.

It started as a gag.

February 2011, and I’ve got a season to schedule. Need something to fill the gap between the one about the Quaker who burns himself to death and the character study of two lost and self-destructive souls in a Bronx bar. A pair of gorgeous, soulful plays that lead us far from despair, deep into love, but hey— there’s no way we’ll convince anybody to see either. Folks love PT for taking risks, but when it comes to buying tickets, most people like what they know. So...

Let’s do A Christmas Carol! The clichéd save-the-theatre selection, the Christmas chestnut of all time. The kind of audacious programming this company’s known for!

And heck, if we’re selling out anyways, how about a one-man-show! It’s all in the imagination, heck, we don’t even need a set, blah blah blah, “theatre magic,” they liked it for Wardrobe (three times), we can sell it again! And there’s no royalty payments, right? The author’s dead. I think. (Check that, Alison. And copyright laws while you’re at it...)

Only, what starts as a gag idea soon enough stops making me gag. Fact is, I love this story – a Dickens show at Theatre Calgary was my theatre epiphany at the age of twelve, a one-man Christmas Carol in a Camrose gymnasium rekindled the spark when I’d fled my calling during my twenties, and a reading for a church basement Christmas party a decade ago kept it in my mind.

And come to think of it, this isn’t such a sentimental choice after all. Dickens was a tough old bird, with a raging social conscience and a fierce sense of justice – supernatural, don’t-mess-with-the-poor, eternal retributive judgment, as a matter of fact. Come to think of it, this one’s pure Pacific Theatre – the glories of language and character, the power of essential Story: choice and consequence, judgment, transformation, redemption, rebirth.

There are two old, old stories that are told at this time of year, two tales that embody the Spirit of Christmas beyond all others. One takes place in a manger, where a God becomes a baby. The other, in the frozen heart of a man who is called on to become...

Well, you know how it plays out. With some stories, knowing the ending spoils everything. But with the best ones, it only adds to the pleasure of the telling.

You know this one. How it ends, and how it begins. Say it along with me. “Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that...”

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

adapted by Ron Reed from the novel by Charles Dickens

Dec. 2-31

Tickets $16.50-29.50

christmas presence | north shore photos

2011-12-12T10:10:00.000-08:00

Our first CHRISTMAS PRESENCE has come and gone - this one gathered the likes of Laurell, Peter La Grand, Garth Bowen, Brett Ziegler, Spencer Capier, Rick Colhoun, Becca Birkner, Nelson Boschman, Kaitlin Gordon, Peter Carlone, and Erla Faye Forsyth on stage. Yep, it was crowded. Here are some pictures of the night! Still FOUR more performances to go...

CHRISTMAS PRESENCE

Dec. 13, 18-19 at PT

Dec. 17 in the Valley

a christmas carol | happy birthday, charles!

2011-12-09T13:13:00.000-08:00

Okay, so we're not quite on with Charles Dickens' birthday - the big day that ol' Chuck would have turned 200 is February 7th. If we were more on the ball, maybe we would have extended the run of A CHRISTMAS CAROL through February (although actually, we definitely wouldn't have). Luckily, the British Mint is right on top of things, and is wishing Mr. Dickens a happy birthday by releasing a new coin in his honour.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

adapted by Ron Reed from the novel by Charles Dickens

Dec. 2-31

Tickets $16.50-29.50

christmas presence artist profiles | jeremy eisenhauer

2011-12-08T14:16:00.000-08:00

Jeremy Eisenhauer is rather linked with fellow PT musician Sheree Plett - they are married! They've also got one babe-in-arms, and another on the way. On top of accompanying Sheree in her band, Jeremy occasionally plays his own music with Eisenhauer Music.

Fun facts about Jeremy:

He took a hiatus for about a year from Eisenhauer music with a few projects in mind:

Playing music that was a little less folksy and a little more punk rock with band Podvig
Writing and playing in Sheree's band
Launching a carpentry career
Getting used to life as, you know, a father

All these factors have lead him to write songs around the ideas of Labour and Manhood

Here's a short, arty little video feature Jeremy and Sheree, accompanied by some video footage by the Zenga Bros.

christmas presence | the north shore

2011-12-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

Just a friendly reminder that we're kicking off our CHRISTMAS PRESENCE performances on the North Shore this Sunday night! We've already given you a little preview into the worlds of three of the musicians who will be performing: Laurell, Peter La Grand, and Nelson Boschman. Top it off with Fringe superstar Peter Carlone reading alongside Kaitlin Gordon and long-time PT friend Erla Faye Forsyth, and we've got a show! Hope to see you there.

twice and twice | decreased fire potential

2011-12-06T17:11:00.000-08:00

This Thursday we open TWICE AND TWICE: THE TENNESSEE WILLIAMS PROJECT, the first apprentice project of the season! Directed and produced by apprentice Kimberley Dawn, this production features original music performed by local band Decreased Fire Potential.

Full of haunting three-part harmonies that transport you to another time, check out this trailer video for TWICE AND TWICE featuring the song they composed specifically for this performance. Talk about magic.

christmas presence artist profiles | sheree plett

2011-12-06T13:33:00.000-08:00

Up next in our series of CHRISTMAS PRESENCE artist profiles is Sheree Plett! Sheree will be playing Dec. 13th and 18th at PT and 17th in the Valley.

Sheree has been around Pacific Theatre for years! A long-time CHRISTMAS PRESENCE performer, she also played in JESUS, MY BOY alongside her husband (and fellow musician) Jeremy Eisenhauer.

A few more fun facts about Sheree:

-She just released a new album of children's music called Hello Night!
-She used to wear a signature t-shirt that said "100% Dreamer" on it - an identity she still lives up to today
-Her and husband Jeremy Eisenhauer have an adorable baby together, Henry
-She's buds with fellow PT-family members Lance Odegard, Jonathan Anderson, and many more
-Recent facebook update: "I have to admit, Beyonce is pretty talented!"

Here's is the launch video for Hello Night:

christmas presence artist profiles | peter la grand

2011-12-05T15:31:00.000-08:00

Up next in our series of CHRISTMAS PRESENCE artist profiles is Peter La Grand! Peter will be performing with Laurell and Garth Bowen this Sunday night at our North Shore performance.

Fun facts about Peter:

-He was "founded" (I think that means born) in 1978
-His mission: to play honest and true
-He claims to sound like: zing! kapow! shhhhhh!
-Among major influences on his work he lists church history, his childhood, and his adulthood

Check out this video of a very intimate performance of his song "Zion":

christmas carol | photos

2011-12-05T11:07:00.000-08:00

Production shots for A CHRISTMAS CAROL are here! My goodness, it looks stunning, if I do say so myself. All photos by Andrew Smith.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

adapted by Ron Reed from the novel by Charles Dickens

Dec. 2-31

Tickets $16.50-29.50

12 days of subscriptions | day 12

2011-12-02T10:59:00.000-08:00

We're here! We made it! All together now - 12 subscriber benefits in 12 days, here they all are!

On the twelfth day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
Undying love from PT,
A pre-planned “date night”
Personalized service,
Free drink tickets,
Apprentice invites,
The convenience of will call,
No fee exchanges,
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday!
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

We cannot express how much we appreciate the support our subscribers give us. By committing to attend four, six, or all of our shows this season you help us plan, grow and continue to offer the best theatre in Vancouver. Thank you.

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 11, Day 10, Day 9, Day 8, Day 7, Day 6, Day 5, Day 4, Day 3, Day 2, Day 1

dec 8-10 | twice and twice | kimberley dawn

2011-12-02T09:43:00.000-08:00

Our first apprentice project of the season is coming! TWICE AND TWICE: THE TENNESSEE WILLIAMS PROJECT is a collection of scenes from (you guessed it) Tennessee Williams plays, knit together, produced, and directed by apprentice Kimberley Dawn. This is pretty darn exciting - the performance features originally composed live music, as well as performances from some familiar names. Check out their video trailer below.

Two women in a shabby room, caught in the struggle between where they come from and where they need to be. Tennessee Williams' stories never lose their power because we, generations later, are still fighting against time, fate and human frailty. World-weary but undefeated, Stella and Blanche, Amanda and Laura, demand of each other those things most essential, and consequently, most impossible. Acceptance, stability, reparation. Accompanied by a hauntingly original melody, this production focuses on the paradox of hope in tragedy; a struggle seen so clearly in Tennessee's writings, and one so prevalent in our own lives.

Tickets $11.50 in advance or PWYC at the door.
FREE if you come see A CHRISTMAS CAROL and stick around for the show!

We will be collecting non-perishable food items for a local food hamper at these performances.

Featuring Mary Jane Eden (GODSPELL, THE CASINO), Holly Pillsbury (THE GREAT DIVORCE), Christie Maxson (YOU STILL CAN'T) and Elinza Pretorius

Costume, set and props by Kimberley Dawn
Costume assistant: Mary Jane Eden
Stage Manager and props assistant: Heidi Quicke
Music: Decreased Fire Potential
Videography: Chris Nash
Photography and Graphic Design: Kelsey Hagglund
Publicity by: Lydia Frey (twiceandtwiceproduction@gmail.com)

photo contest | the results

2011-12-01T16:02:00.000-08:00

The results are in! Lois Dawson won the photo contest and two tickets to A CHRISTMAS CAROL. But we know that you guys are going nuts wondering what the answers were. Here you go!

1. Godspell
2. Farndale
3. Great Divorce
4. Three Rings for Michelle
5. Grace (Jessie Award)
6. Driving Miss Daisy
7. Mourning Dove
8. Damien
9. Jesus My Boy
10. You Still Can't
11. Driving Miss Daisy
12. The Great Divorce
13. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
14. Pacific Theatre office (that's a bonus!)

introducing kaitlin gordon | audience development and community engagement!

2011-12-01T12:32:00.000-08:00

Any of you who are tuned in to our Facebook page have probably noticed some updates from a certain Kaitlin Gordon. Of course, you probably already recognize her as a 2009 company apprentice who starred in the student matinees of THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, I WAS MEANT FOR THE STAGE, and GODSPELL. Now she's back, taking the role of Audience Development and Community Engagement Manager! Below is a brief bio and introduction from Kaitlin.

Kaitlin in THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE

Kaitlin is so excited to be joining the team on staff at Pacific Theatre. Kaitlin has a BFA in Acting from the University of Victoria and is a local Vancouver actor and big PT fan. She was first introduced to PT as a young girl and grew up attending all the shows. In 2009 she apprenticed at the company and performed onstage at Pacific Theatre for the first time in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and Godspell among others. In her new position on staff she brings years of experience in theatre marketing, audience services and community outreach as well as a passion for Pacific Theatre and the development of the company. She looks forward to growing with Pacific Theatre and is excited to embark on this new journey of strategic planning with them.

12 days of subscriptions | day 11

2011-12-01T10:53:00.000-08:00

Nearly there! It's the game point, folks. Day 11.

On the eleventh day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me,
A pre-planned “date night”,
Personalized service,
Free drink tickets,
Apprentice invites,
The convenience of will call,
No fee exchanges,
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday!
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

Life is busy. Life is full. As a subscriber you will enjoy the fact that you can have up to ten “night-outs” pre-booked ahead of time. Our audiences love our shows because they always incite thoughtful discussions. So grab your best friend, your hubby, your Mom or Dad, and enjoy a years worth of evenings out at the theatre with great conversations after.

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 10, Day 9, Day 8, Day 7, Day 6, Day 5, Day 4, Day 3, Day 2, Day 1

dec. 3 | night vision

2011-12-01T10:20:00.000-08:00

Saturday, Dec. 3, 7:00pm
By Donation
Grandview Calvary Baptist Church

In this season's production NIGHT VISION the Eastside Story Guild engages a cast of 40 nieghbourhood children, youth, and adult volunteers to tell the story of Abraham and Sarah’s migrant journey to a land of new opportunity, unlikely alliances, and faith-inspired promises. The biblical story is mirrored by that of a 20th century Trinidadian couple who choose to leave their home-land for a new life in Canada. What long-seeded life dreams reside deep within you?

NEW THIS SEASON! DINNER THEATRE For $20 you can enjoy a Trinidadian inspired meal before the performance on Saturday, Dec 3. Note: This is a fundraising dinner with opportunity to learn more about the vision and work of this unique storytelling community and to become a one-time or regular donor to the work of ESG. To reserve call 604-803-1195 or email eastsidestoryguild@gcbchurch.ca.

christmas carol | artistic director notes

2011-11-30T11:49:00.000-08:00

Ron's first set of notes as artistic director, performer, and adapter of A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

It may sound strange for me to say this about an old chestnut like A CHRISTMAS CAROL, but for me this show is beginning to feel like one of those personal artistic landmarks - those shows you end up thinking back on as your greatest, or most meaningful, experiences as an artist. This story, this role connects with me as deeply as my experiences in DAMIEN, SHADOWLANDS, A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS - roles that at first glance might seem more substantial, more serious, more demanding. But, especially working with Dickens' original text, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge is anything but frivolous or sentimental. This story plays for keeps. Dickens' language is extraordinary, his passion for justice electrifying, his insights into the human heart substantial.

As an artistic director of a very busy, very small, and very artistically ambitious theatre, I don't get to act as often as I'd like. But what's great about my situation is that I never have to do a role, or a show, I don't believe in. But even more than most, this one matters to me. There's something about it that feels essential to what my life is about: in the process of rehearsal, (and of learning all those lines!), I'm starting to figure out what.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

adapted by Ron Reed from the novel by Charles Dickens

Dec. 2-31

Tickets $16.50-29.50

12 days of subscriptions | day 10

2011-11-30T10:51:00.000-08:00

We're into the double digits! You may or may not be able to tell that we are getting a little tired of singing this song. Yet we continue, for your sake!

On the tenth day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
Personalized service,
Free drink tickets,
Apprentice invites,
The convenience of will call,
No fee exchanges,
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday!
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

As a subscriber we truly consider you as part of the Pacific Theatre “family”. As you subscribe, and re-subscribe, we make every effort to get to know you by name and face, we try to know where you like to sit and always make every effort to give you the absolute best service possible.

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 9, Day 8, Day 7, Day 6, Day 5, Day 4, Day 3, Day 2, Day 1

a christmas carol | first week DISCOUNT

2011-11-30T10:45:00.000-08:00

Every season we see the same pattern with our Christmas shows: we open, people come, they enjoy it, they tell their friends. Then all of a sudden in the last week of performances there is an explosion of phone calls and bookings, the show sells out, and people keep calling, wanting more! As happy as we are to have a sold out show, it's a little heart breaking to turn so many people away. That's why this year we're offering a little incentive to help you get in to see A CHRISTMAS CAROL before everyone else!

Call the box office (604.731.5518), say "BAH HUMBUG!" and get 15% off your tickets for the first week of performances!

That's all you've got to do! The discount applies to all performances up until (and including) Thursday, December 8th, subject to availability.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

adapted by Ron Reed from the novel by Charles Dickens

Dec. 2-31

Tickets $16.50-29.50

christmas presence artist profiles | laurell

2011-11-29T14:32:00.000-08:00

Songstress Laurell has performed with CHRISTMAS PRESENCE for the past few years - here's a few fun facts about her and her work!

People can't stop giving Laurell awards and nominations! This year she was nominated for two Canadian Radio Music Awards, and won pop album of the year at the Western Canadian Music Awards!

Every once and a while she releases what she calls her "top 20/20" list on her blog. It's twenty things she (sort of) "knows for sure." Here's the latest:

1.Wearing sanuk sandals all day will make people not want to go near you.
2.Running and coffee might be a little too much for one day.
3.Music is the coolest invention in the world. Creation? Invention? Miracle? All of the above…?
4.Hardwood floors rock.
5.Dance floors are even better.
5.Taking responsibility for your actions is key. Taking responsibility for another is not.
6.Giving a portion of your money away to something worthwhile (aka: starving people, saving animals, preserving the environment), is exactly that. Worthwhile.
7.Having a pair of sunglasses you love can bring a surprising amount of joy to your life. Scratching them does the opposite!
8.Being honest with ourselves helps everything become more clear.
9.Blue couches are the most abundant thing on craigslist. There’s a ton and nobody wants ‘em. I’m serious – go look!
10.When I was 10 my favourite books were about Ramona Quimby.
11.There is totally such thing as too much cowbell.
12.Sailboats are always awesome and sometimes inconvenient. Can you imagine pirates having to wait on the weather to make their getaway?
13.Mirrors make a room look bigger. (I have 6 in my li’l apartment!)
14.Don’t waste your time trying to explain. Any generation above our parents will never understand buying jeans with holes in them.
15.Jamie Delaine is an amazing photographer.
16.Love is sometimes a little bitch with a shotgun.
17.I have two busted cruiser bikes right now. (sniff)
18.Learning how to really hear people is a lost art.
19.Outdoor movies in the park late at night make you feel like you’re 13 again. I saw Ghostbusters last night and caught myself cheering along when the giant stay-puff marshmallow man exploded.
20.If you haven’t seen these movies, you need to rectify it right now. Go on, it’s never too late for classics: MARY POPPINS, GOONIES, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, MY FAIR LADY, STAR WARS, ET, GRAND NATIONAL, TOP GUN, THE PRINCESS BRIDE!!!!

Finally, she has toured with another PT artist! Can you recognize him in this video she shot from the road? HINT: he was in YOU STILL CAN'T and YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, played music for GODSPELL and is a CHRISTMAS PRESENCE regular. Still not sure? His name starts with a "B" end ends with an "rett".

dec 4 | hello night | sheree plett

2011-11-29T12:03:00.000-08:00

Our gal Sheree Plett has a new CD out! Her release party will be accompanied by friend-of-PT Lance Odegard. Of course, you'll see them both on stage in CHRISTMAS PRESENCE - but why not check out some of their solo work as well? Below is her invitation.

Come join us in the cozy theatre at Havana's on Sunday, December 4th, for the official Vancouver release of the new album "Hello Night".
This evening will be paired with short stories and poems read by Lance Odegard.

Doors at 7pm
$12 at the door
www.shereeplett.com

christmas presence | artist schedule

2011-11-29T10:53:00.000-08:00

I don't know if any of you are keeping track but, believe it or not, it's almost December! Before you have a panic attack, remember all the lovely things we've got coming up for you: A CHRISTMAS CAROL opens in a few days, and then a hop, skip, and a jump after that we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of CHRISTMAS PRESENCE - our annual holiday tradition of music and readings. Here's the schedule of performers, as it currently stands (knowing, of course, that it's all subject to change at a moments notice - these guys are donating their time, after all!)

The Band (these guys stay more or less the same each night)
Nelson Boschman
Kenton Wiens
Brett Ziegler
Rick Colhoun
Becca Birkner
Spencer Capier

Dec. 11 - NORTH SHORE

Peter La Grand
Laurell
Garth Bowen
Kaitlin Gordon
Erla Faye Forsyth

Dec. 13 - PT

Michael Hart
Sheree Plett
Jeremy Eisenhauer
Kaitlin Gordon
Erla Faye Forsyth

Dec. 17 - VALLEY

Michael Hart
Sheree Plett
Jeremy Eisenhauer
Kaitlin Gordon
Erla Faye Forsyth
Ken Hildebrandt

Dec. 18 - PT

Peter La Grand
Sheree Plett
Jeremy Eisenhauer
Kaitlin Gordon
Erla Faye Forsyth

Dec. 19 - PT

Michael Hart
Peter La Grand
Lance Odegard
Laurell
Kaitlin Gordon
Erla Faye Forsyth

12 days of subscriptions | day 9

2011-11-29T10:48:00.000-08:00

Here we are, at day 9! Can you guess what the ninth gift your PT subscription will give you is?

On the ninth day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
Free drink tickets,
Apprentice invites,
The convenience of will call,
No fee exchanges,
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday!
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

As a little treat from us, with each subscription you purchase, you’ll receive a complimentary drink ticket to be redeemed at our concession at some point through out the season. We got JJ Bean coffee, Tazo tea, whistler water bottles and San Pellegrino. Drink up!

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 8, Day 7, Day 6, Day 5, Day 4, Day 3, Day 2, Day 1

christmas carol | set drawings

2011-11-28T14:47:00.000-08:00

Here's some of the drawings of the set for A CHRISTMAS CAROL from designer Bryan Pollock.

12 days of subscriptions | day 8

2011-11-28T10:44:00.000-08:00

Day 8 of the 12 Days of ~~Christmas~~ Subscriptions!

On the eighth day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
Apprentice invites,
The convenience of will call,
No fee exchanges,
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday!
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

Each year we’re blessed with amazing, talented, emerging-artist apprentices who work like busy bees all year learning at the theatre. Often they put on their own shows and performances. As a subscriber you will learn about these events first and you’ll also get complimentary tickets to all apprentice shows. Subscribe and support our next generation of artists at PT.

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 7, Day 6, Day 5, Day 4, Day 3, Day 2, Day 1

a christmas carol | joytv ad

2011-11-28T09:29:00.001-08:00

Our sponsors at JoyTV created a 15-second ad for A CHRISTMAS CAROL! Tune in to see if you can find it.

CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN | south pacific theatre!

2011-11-28T07:39:00.000-08:00

The PT crew joined up with Santa and his sleigh team... and then got lost in the South Pacific! Personally, we're okay with the change of scenery and are perfectly happy to go for a full rebranding (South Pacific Theatre anyone?) and soak up some sun. Donate to our Christmas fundraising campaign if you want to bring us back! (We're looking for $35,000 between now and the end of January)

(...and here's how we're doing on the thirty-five grand...)

12 days of subscriptions | day 7

2011-11-27T10:41:00.000-08:00

Onward ho with the 12 Days of Christmas: PT Subscriber Edition!

On the seventh day of Christmas
My Subscription gave to me
The convenience of will call,
No fee exchanges
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday!
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

Because you might have to exchange your tickets, and because it’s always better to let someone else keep track of the myriad of paper items in our lives, we will hold your tickets at the box office for you, if you wish. Show up the night of the show, give your name at the box office, get your tickets – it’s that easy!

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 6, Day 5, Day 4, Day 3, Day 2, Day 1

12 days of subscriptions | day 6

2011-11-26T10:01:00.000-08:00

We're halfway there!

On the sixth day of Christmas
My Subscription gave to me
No fee exchanges,
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday!
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

Life happens and plans change. When a regular single ticket buyer calls our box office to exchange their ticket they pay a $4.00 exchange fee, per ticket. As a subscriber, if you give us 24hrs notice we will waive that fee. Exchange away, and as a subscriber, you don’t pay!

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 5, Day 4, Day 3, Day 2, Day 1

christmas presence artist profiles | nelson boschman

2011-11-25T14:03:00.000-08:00

Those of you who have been around PT for a while know about CHRISTMAS PRESENCE - it's our favourite holiday tradition, and we know that some of you have made it yours too. It's a night of music and readings that finds that perfect mix between the traditional and the current, the heartfelt and the hilarious. What you might not know is that all those musicians on stage donate their time to helping us out, and that there is one man who brings them all together: Nelson Boschman.

Nelson is a man of many colours! There are any number of places you may have encountered him, in Vancouver or his native Abbotsford. Besides being the music coordinator for CHRISTMAS PRESENCE, Nelson was the musical director for our production of GODSPELL. He founded the Nelson Boschman Trio and The Mennonite Jazz Committee.

He's also the pastor for Artisan Community Church and used to teach at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford.

He also used to have a lot more hair on his face.

Christmas Presence

Dec. 11: North Vancouver

Dec. 13, 18-19: PT

Dec. 17: Abbotsford

www.pacifictheatre.org

12 days of subscriptions | day 5

2011-11-25T09:17:00.000-08:00

The fifth installation (getting tired of these yet? Hope not, because we're going all the way!) of the twelve days of subscriptions!

On the fifth day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
Subscriber Appreciation Saturday!
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

This is our newest, and perhaps most exciting, subscriber perk at PT. Every second Saturday of each show’s run we are holding an exclusive event after the matinee just for subscribers. Each Saturday is designed specifically to enhance the subscribers’ appreciation for the play. It could be a special talk back, screening of a film or a food fest related to the show. Whatever it is, you won’t want to miss these events so watch your email for the invite, and feel appreciated, because you are!

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 4, Day 3, Day 2, Day 1

nov 30 - dec 23 | ian moar | lookout gallery

2011-11-25T07:38:00.000-08:00

Opening Reception
Ian Moar’s Eclectic Eye
Wednesday, November 30th from 4:30-7:30pm

affordable pieces and prints available

a christmas carol | costume designs

2011-11-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

A peek at the costume design process for A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Here are the (in process) drawings from costume designer Nicole Bach!

12 days of subscriptions | day 4

2011-11-24T09:14:00.000-08:00

The fourth day of subscriptions!

On the fourth day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
A first time friend,
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

If you have a friend who’s never been to Pacific Theatre, then as a subscriber you can buy them a ticket for our “first time friend” rate of only $11.50. That means you give them an introduction to Pacific Theatre, and a cheap ticket? Guaranteed friend-for-life!

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 3, Day 2, Day 1

a christmas carol | photo contest

2011-11-23T12:47:00.001-08:00

You may have noticed while checking out the media photos for A CHRISTMAS CAROL, that we reused some old set and prop pieces from previous productions to create the backdrop for Scrooge's desk. Now we're wondering, can you recognize them?

PHOTO CONTEST!

To win a pair of tickets to A CHRISTMAS CAROL, identify the prop and set pieces from former PT productions in this photo. You get one entry per item that you can identify - there are more than ten in total, going back up to five seasons!

To enter

Email info@pacifictheatre.org with "PHOTO CONTEST" in the subject line.
Name the all the prop/set pieces you can, along with whatever show they came from.
Contest is open to members of our e-card list. If you are not on the e-card list and wish to enter, you can sign up for the list at the time you submit your entries.
Contest closes Tuesday, November 29th at 5pm.

12 days of subscriptions | day 3

2011-11-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

It's the third day of Christmas, and our subscription gave to us...

On the third day of Christmas
My subscription gave to me
Behind the scenes invite,
First choice of seats,
And up to twenty percent off my tickets!

Subscribers get exclusive invitations behind-the-scenes at Pacific Theatre to observe the rehearsal process for our mainstage shows. Have you ever wondered how a professional theatre rehearsal is run? Want to see Ron Reed sweat it out before opening night? Then this is the perk for you!

More info on subscription packages here.

Catch up on the past few days: Day 2, Day 1